2019 Big 12 College Football Bowl Game Previews and Predictions
Written by Max Mier
Twitter: @Mier56
The Big 12 has only six college football teams playing in bowl games this season, but two of those teams will be featured in New Year’s Six games, with Oklahoma taking on LSU in the playoff semifinal and Baylor heading to New Orleans to play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The conference had a down year, as evident by their low number of bowl berths, but as a group they have a chance to finish the season on a high note with a potential to finish with six teams with eight or more wins, and the conference’s first playoff victory.
College Football Playoff at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
LSU (13-0, 8-0 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (12-1, 8-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Dec 28, 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: LSU -13
The addition of former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts has led to another strong season by the Oklahoma Sooners. Hurts has put up dominant numbers in Lincoln Riley’s system, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 32 TDs while adding over 1,200 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs on his way to a second-place finish in Heisman voting. Junior wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been the outside threat for the Sooners, tied for third nationally with 14 touchdown catches. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has improved the Sooners defense and given them more balance, but the Sooners will face their toughest test of the season against an LSU offense that is led by Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow and a unit that averages 554 yards of total offense per game.
Oklahoma is making their fourth appearance in the College Football Playoff and has yet to win a playoff game. An improved defense and a stellar offense will give the Sooners a better chance to advance, but LSU will simply be too much for the Sooners and run away with the game in the second half.
Prediction: LSU 45, Oklahoma 34
Texas Bowl – Houston, Texas
Oklahoma State (8-4, 5-4 Big 12) vs. Texas A&M (7-5, 4-4 SEC)
Kickoff: Dec 27, 6:45 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Texas A&M -7
Running back Chuba Hubbard has been the key to the Oklahoma State offense leading the nation in rushing yards with 1,936 and is tied for second in rushing touchdowns with 21 on the season. He has been a very reliable weapon for the Cowboys, averaging over six yards a carry. The Pokes have been able to lean on him when quarterback Spencer Sanders has been bad and when wide receiver Tylan Wallace went down with injury. Texas A&M has a good run defense, allowing only 129 yards per game on the ground. Getting Hubbard going and taking pressure off their young quarterback to make plays will be a key for the Cowboys.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 27
Camping World Bowl – Orlando, Florida
Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5, 5-4 Big 12)
Kickoff: Dec 28, 12 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Notre Dame -3.5
The Cyclones were picked to finish third in the Big 12, but fell short of expectations with five losses, including four by a total of 11 points. Matt Campbell signed an extension reaffirming his commitment to the program, and a bowl win would help to build momentum for the 2020 season. Iowa State can make history with a bowl win. The Cyclones haven’t had three consecutive eight-win seasons since 1976-78. Tight end Charlie Kolar has been a big piece for the Cyclones’ offense, the first-team All-Big 12 selection led all Big 12 tight ends in catches (48), receiving yards (675) and touchdowns (7). Kolar set a program single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end and finished the regular season with five games of at least 70 receiving yards.
The coaching matchup between Brian Kelly and Matt Campbell will be a good one to watch play out. Kelly wins a close one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Iowa State 24
Liberty Bowl – Memphis, Tennessee
Navy (10-2, 7-1 AAC) vs. Kansas State (8-4, 5-4)
Kickoff: Dec 31, 3:45 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Kansas State -1.5
Chris Klieman has had a great debut as head coach for the Wildcats, notching an upset win over Oklahoma and leading Kansas State to an eight-win season. A bowl win would give K-State their first nine-win season since 2014. The Wildcats face a tall order against Navy, who leads the country in rushing offense, averaging 364 yards per game and running for 51 touchdowns on the season. Senior quarterback Malcolm Perry leads the Midshipmen rushing attack, running for over 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season.
Both teams like to run the ball and control the clock, each averaging 34 minutes of possession per game, expect this to be low-scoring affair. Navy has the better rushing attack, and Malcom Perry leads the Midshipmen to a win.
Prediction: Navy 27, Kansas State 21
Alamo Bowl – San Antonio, Texas
Utah (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. Texas (7-5, 5-4 Big 12)
Kickoff: Dec 31, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Texas -7
Texas enters this game coming off a disappointing season, going 0-4 in games against ranked opponents. The Longhorns offense has been their strong-point this season ranking 15th in the country averaging 468 yards per game. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger is coming off the best season of his career, finishing second in the Big 12 and 10th in the country with 3,462 passing yards. Defense has been the Achilles heel for the Longhorns, who rank 127th nationally against the pass.
Utah shows up determined after a poor showing in the Pac-12 title game, and their offense is ultimately too much for Texas.
Prediction: Utah 33, Texas 26
Sugar Bowl – New Orleans, Louisiana
Georgia (11-2, 7-1 SEC) vs. Baylor (11-2, 8-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Jan 1, 8:45 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Georgia -7.5
Baylor finished the season with a heartbreaking 30-23 overtime loss in the Big 12 Championship Game to Oklahoma. Defensive end James Lynch leads a Baylor defense that gives up an average of only 358 yards per game. Lynch has been dominant this season, leading the Big 12 with 12.5 sacks on his way to winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Quarterback Charlie Brewer left the Big 12 title game with injury but looks to be good to go for the bowl game with the extra rest.
Georgia’s defense has dominated all season, ranking fourth overall in total defense. The Bulldogs were gashed in the SEC championship, giving up 481 yards of offense and 37 points. Kirby Smart will challenge his defense and they return to form and end the season on a high note.
Prediction: Georgia 28, Baylor 20