2024 NCAA Bowl Games - December 17-19
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Week 16 + Bowls Results: Rick: 1-2; Flip: 3-0
Tuesday, December 17
Frisco Bowl
West Virginia finished mid-pack in the Big 12, 5-4 in conference play and 6-6 overall. The defense completely collapsed in their last three losses, 45-18 against Kansas State, 49-35 to Baylor, and 52-15 at Texas Tech.
While it appears the Mountaineers need more help on defense, offensive coordinator Chad Scott will serve as the interim head coach in place of Neal Brown, who was fired after going 37-35 over six seasons. Rich Rodriguez will return as head coach for the 2025 season.
Tough spot for WVA. Memphis can wrap up its best season in years with a win and an 11-2 mark.
Coin Flip: West Virginia
Fearless Rick's Pick: Tigers 38 Mountaineers 21
Boca Raton Bowl
The Hilltoppers were 8-5 and 6-2 in Conference USA play, losing the championship at Jacksonville State, 52-12, just a week after beating them 19-17 at home. Having had some rest, they should rebound and keep this close or [possibly spring an upset.
Coin Flip: James Madison
Fearless Rick's Pick: Dukes 26 Hilltoppers 24
UNLV missed out on a chance to make the national playoffs, losing to Boise State, 21-7 in the MWC championship, but they had a solid season overall, with a 6-1 record in the conference and 10-3 mark overall, two of those losses to Boise, the other a 44-41 OT loss to Syracuse.
Both teams have proven they can keep games close. UNLV rates a slight edge with senior QB Majj-Malik Williams (17 TDs, 5 INTs, 1,845 yards).
Coin Flip: UNLV
Fearless Rick's Pick: Rebels 30 Golden Bears 21
New Orleans Bowl
Georgia Southern will be hard-pressed to keep Sam Houston in check and thus in danger of falling behind and having to rely on their passing attack. The Eagles were 6-2 in the Sun Belt and 8-4 overall, but all of their losses were by 10 points or more.
Sam Houston's defense may get a turnover or two, helping to ground the Eagles.
Coin Flip: Sam Houston
Fearless Rick's Pick: Bearkats 27 Eagles 20
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Sports Home
Cumulative: Rick: 97-124; Flip: 101-120
9:00 pm Memphis (-4.5, 58.5) vs West Virginia (ESPN) - Memphis went 10-2 during the regular season, finishing with three straight wins, including a 34-24 win at Tulane.
Wednesday, December 18
5:30 pm Western Kentucky vs James Madison (-6.5, 51.5) (ESPN) - The Dukes of James Madison finished 4-4 in the Sun Belt, but were 8-4 overall, scoring 30 or more points in 8 of their 12 contests, famously trouncing North Carolina, 70-50, back in September. They are balanced on offense and defense.
Art of Sport LA Bowl
9:00 pm California (-1, 48.5) vs 24 UNLV (ESPN) - The first season in the ACC didn't go well for the Golden Bears, finishing 2-6 in the conference and 6-6 overall. They were wrecked by SMU in their season finale, 38-6, and lost some close games (39-38 to Miami; 17-15 at Pitt; 24-23 to NC State).
Thursday, December 19
7:00 pm Georgia Southern (-6, 48.5) vs Sam Houston (ESPN) - Leaning primarily on their run game and defense, the Bearkats of Sam Houston went 6-2 in Conference USA and were 9-3 overall, though both of the big guns in the conference - Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State - handled them well by keeping their offense contained.
