2019 SEC College Football Bowl Game Previews and Predictions
Written by Max Mier
Twitter: @Mier56
Next up in the RNG college football bowl series, we take a look at the SEC schedule. The SEC sends nine teams to bowl games this year, including two New Year’s Six berths in LSU and Georgia. The conference has once again showed its strength, putting five teams in the top 15 of the final college football rankings, the most of any conference. While conference champ and No. 1 ranked LSU is the headliner for the conference, there are several other intriguing storylines for the SEC this bowl season, including the chance to finish the season with four teams with 11 or more wins.
Let’s get to the previews!
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – Atlanta, Georgia
LSU (13-0, 8-0) vs. Oklahoma (12-1, 8-1)
Kickoff: Dec 28, 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: LSU -13
LSU has dominated 2019, and they solidified the top spot in the College Football Playoff with a blowout win over Georgia in the conference title game. LSU has a seemingly unstoppable offense led by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow has thrown for over 4,700 yards and leads the country with 48 touchdown passes compared to only six interceptions. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been a big piece to the passing offense leading the country in receiving yards (1,498) and touchdowns (18). Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has provided balance to the Tigers offense running for over 1,200 yards and 16 TDs on the season.
The big question in this game will be if LSU’s defense will be able to provide some help for the offense. The defense looked to have regained a spark in the SEC championship game holding Georgia to only 10 points and 290 yards of offense while forcing two turnovers. Freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has been better than LSU could have expected and is tied for 5th in the nation with six interceptions and pairs that with 15 pass break-ups. LSU likes to man-up on defense, and Stingley will likely be given the tall task of shadowing Oklahoma star wideout CeeDee Lamb.
Oklahoma is no slouch on offense, led by former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Sooners rank second in the country in total offense behind only LSU. Hurts and the offense will come out firing and make this game interesting in the first, but LSU has too much offensive power and run away in the second half.
Prediction: LSU 45, Oklahoma 34
Texas Bowl – NRG Stadium – 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 -6
This bowl renews an old Big 12 matchup in which Texas A&M has the historical edge, leading the series 17-10. The Aggies have struggled this season against good competition, they went winless against ranked opponents and failed to beat an FBS team with a winning record. The offense has been middle-of-the road this year ranking 71st in the country and averaging a hair under 400-yards per game. The run defense has been strong for the Aggies, giving up only an average of 129 rushing yards per game and rank 29th nationally in run defense. The run defense will need to be stellar, as running back Chuba Hubbard leads an Oklahoma State offense averaging 237 rushing yards per game.
Texas A&M has been sloppy with the football at times this year losing 18 turnovers. They will need to control the ball and force Oklahoma State to sustain long drives and not give Chuba Hubbard a short field. This should be a close game, but Hubbard is too much and picks up his 12th 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 27
Music City Bowl – Nashville, Tennessee
Mississippi State (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Louisville (7-5, 5-3 ACC)
Kickoff: Dec 30, 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Louisville -3.5
Mississippi State’s offense has been up and down all season but junior running back Kylin Hill has been a steading force leading a Bulldogs rushing attack that ranks 18th in the country. Hill was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and led the SEC in rushing yards with for 1,347 adding 10 rushing TDs during the regular season. Louisville’s rushing defense has been porous all season ranking 115th nationally and is coming off a horrific performance against Kentucky in their season finale. The Cardinals defense had no answer for Kentucky’s rushing attack as they surrendered 517 yards on the ground in a blowout loss.
Mississippi State runs the ball well, ranking 18th in rushing offense and scoring 25 TDs on the ground during the season. Louisville keeps things close, but Kylin Hill is too much for the Louisville defense.
Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Louisville 24
Orange Bowl – Miami, Florida
Florida (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. Virginia (9-4, 6-2 ACC)
Kickoff: Dec 30, 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Florida -13.5
Dan Mullen has done a tremendous job since returning to Gainesville and has led the Gators to a New Year’s Six bowl for a second-straight season. The Gator’s defense has been phenomenal all season ranking 10th in the country in total defense and has forced 22 turnovers. Senior linebacker Jonathan Greenard has been a strong addition to the defense, leading the team in sacks (9) and tackles for loss (15). Junior quarterback Kyle Trask has done a great job of filling in after Felipe Franks went down with a season-ending injury, throwing for over 2,600 yards and 24 TDs. Florida’s rushing defense will look to slow down Virginia’s Bryce Perkins, who has proven to be a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with 745 rushing yards and 11 TDs on the season.
Virginia will keep things close, but Florida has the better athletes and without star cornerback Bryce Hall, Trask and his receivers will be too much for the Virginia defense. Florida hits the 11-win mark for the first time since 2012.
Prediction: Florida 31, Virginia 20
Belk Bowl – Charlotte, North Carolina
Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC) vs. Kentucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC)
Kickoff: Dec 31 12pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Virginia Tech -3
Junior Lynn Bowden Jr. has been the do-everything player for the Wildcats winning the Paul Hornung Award, which is presented to the most versatile player in the FBS. He started the season as wide receiver and kick returner, but injuries to the top two quarterbacks saw him move to quarterback on a bye week in early October. Bowden has been the main piece to a Kentucky rushing attack that ranks 4th nationally, averaging 274 yards per game, and he has run for 1,235 yards on the season. Kentucky faces a tough test, the Hokies have played very well all season against the run, giving up only 127 yards per game on the ground. The Hokies will have some extra motivation for this game, as it will be long-time defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s final game on the sidelines.
The Hokies play with a little extra passion for Bud and squeak out the win.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kentucky 24
Citrus Bowl – Orlando, Florida
Michigan (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) vs. Alabama (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Kickoff: Jan 1, 1 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Alabama -7
After losing Tua Tagovailoa for the season, quarterback Mac Jones has stepped in and played very well in his three starts against Arkansas, Western Carolina, and Auburn. In his three-game lead-in, Jones is throwing for over 1,100 yards and 11 TDs. Alabama’s defense is having its worst season under Nick Saban highlighted by giving up 40-plus points to LSU and Auburn. The Crimson Tide will have their work cut out for them as Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson seems to have hit a groove over the last month throwing for 1,055 yards 10 TDs and only two interceptions in Michigan’s final 3 games.
Alabama’s motivation level coming into this game is a big question, as the Tide have showed drop-offs when left out of the national title race. Alabama has also yet to beat a ranked opponent, going 0-2 in the regular season. Michigan shows up ready to play after a blowout loss to Ohio State to finish the regular season.
Prediction: Michigan 34, Alabama 28
Outback Bowl – Tampa, Florida
Minnesota (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) vs. Auburn (9-3, 5-3 SEC)
Kickoff: Jan 1 1pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Auburn -7.5
Derrick Brown is one of the best defensive linemen to come through Auburn in a long time and is one of the best run stuffers in the country buoying Auburn’s stout run defense which is allowing only 115 rush yards per game. Brown is a very complete player who can also rush the passer with four sacks on the season. He was a finalist for Bednarik, Nagurski, Outland and Maxwell awards and is a virtual lock as an NFL first-round pick. True freshman quarterback Bo Nix has shown flashes of brilliance during the season but has yet to put it all together. These extra weeks of practice could be critical for his development and could be a preview of the steps he’ll take next season as a sophomore.
The Tigers offense faces a tough test, the Gophers rank 15th in the country in total defense, allowing only 312 yards per game. This will be a tight game, but the extra practice time pays off for Bo Nix and he leads a late scoring drive to seal it.
Prediction: Auburn 30, Minnesota 27
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
Georgia enters this game having laid an egg in the SEC title game, losing to LSU 37-10 in a game that felt further apart than the score shows. Georgia’s receivers are banged up, and the offensive workload will fall on the shoulder of running back D’Andre Swift. Swift has been a key piece to the Bulldog rushing attack, running for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. He will look to bounce back from a poor showing in the SEC Championship Game and take some of the weight off of quarterback Jake Fromm’s shoulders. Georgia’s defense has dominated this season, ranking 4th in the country allowing only 274 yards per game and less than 100 yards rushing.
Georgia is not built to win shootouts, so they will look to their defense to stifle the Bears. A prideful Georgia team bounces back and ends the season on a high note.
Prediction: Georgia 28, Baylor 20
Gator Bowl – Jacksonville, Florida
Indiana (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) vs. Tennessee (7-5, 5-3 SEC)
Kickoff: Jan 2, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Tennessee -1.5
Tennessee has had an impressive turnaround from an 0-2 start, and an improved offensive line has been a big reason as to why. Offensive lineman Trey Smith returned from blood clots in his lungs and dominated at his left guard spot and has been a key leadership presence on the line and in the locker room. The Vols will be without senior wide receiver Jauan Jennings for the first half due to suspension after video showed him stepping on a Vanderbilt player on the sideline after getting up from a tackle in the regular-season finale. Jennings has been the go-to-guy for quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, the two have hooked up for 942 yards and 8 TDs on the season.
Guarantano will struggle in the first half without Jennings, and Indiana will have a shot to jump out to a lead, but Tennessee mounts a comeback in the second half and finishes off an impressive turnaround with a bowl win and an 8-win season.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Indiana 27