Posted on December 16, 2022
|
Bowl games can be just as tricky, but my 97-26 record on the season should inspire confidence.
The four matchups on Saturday—involving Oregon State and Washington State of the Pac-12 and Fresno State and Boise State of the Mountain West—are the first of 14 SuperWest bowls over the next two weeks.
That’s a lot to look forward to, so let’s get this going. It’s time to make my picks.
As always, my selections come with incredibly accurate game scores and just enough commentary to keep me from drinking too much coffee at my favorite java shop here in the beautiful Shoreline district of Seattle.
Las Vegas Bowl – No. 14 Oregon State vs. Florida
11:30 a.m., PT, ABC, December 17, 2022, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Despite being arguably the most boring sponsor name in bowl history, this game could prove to be an elite-caliber matchup.Oregon State enters the contest with a top freshman running back, a fearsome defense, and a man simply known as the hammer.
The Beavers have not been this relevant nationally since Jonathan Smith quarterbacked Dennis Erickson’s OSU team to a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame in 2001.
A win over Florida would have them dancing on the cusp of national prominence.
The Gators, in their first year under Billy Napier, have felt like, well, the product of a first-year coach. FU started off their campaign with a massive win against Utah but has sputtered to a 6-6 overall record since.
There could be a lot more analysis but this game’s coming down to the quarterbacks: One is unknown, and the other has been more effective handing off than passing.
Ineffective beats unknown when the latter plays for the 14th-ranked team in the country.
Beavers by eleven.
Final Score: Oregon State 31, Florida 20
Los Angeles Bowl – Washington State vs. Fresno State
12:30 p.m., PT, ABC, December 17, 2022, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
No city is more different than the blue-collar locales of Pullman and Fresno than L.A. So for this matchup, we essentially have a small rural town facing off against a hard-working mid-sized city in la-la land.City metaphors aside, this should be a good game.
Washington State enters this matchup with the 30th-ranked scoring defense nationally. Their defensive line has been a reed in opponents’ sides all year, led by the duo of Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone Jr.
Fresno State has gotta get country-strong. To compete in this one, the Bulldogs need to give Jake Haener time to throw. FSU’s offensive line has struggled this year, allowing 35 sacks, which lands it toward the bottom of the country.
Haener can get it done, but not by himself.
WSU by eleven.
Final score: Washington State 35, Fresno State 24
New Mexico Bowl – BYU vs. SMU
4:30 p.m. PT, ABC, University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
BYU probably had one of the most confusing seasons in 2022. They started off hot, sucked in the middle, and finished strong. Please be appropriate.The main question surrounding this game is whether Jaren Hall will play or not. Hall is undoubtedly the Cougars’ best player and they could be favored if he were to suit up.
The Mustangs know who they are. The SMU defense is trash but they do have the 13th-best scoring offense in the nation. They’ll also be close to having their full lineup minus standout receiver Rashee Rice.
SMU’s gonna put up points.
Regardless, the main question surrounding this game is whether Hall will play or not. He won’t.
SMU by three.
Final score: SMU 38, BYU 35
Frisco Bowl – Boise State vs North Texas
6:15 p.m. PT, ESPN, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Boise State enters this matchup in a tough place. The Broncos seemed capable of winning the Mountain West. It was within their reach, but it exceeded their grasp.Still, this postseason experience could prove valuable for BSU.
Boise State quarterback Taylen Green is getting there, and every rep should further his development.
On Defense, the Broncos are dirty. BSU enters this contest with the 11th-ranked scoring defense nationally.
North Texas has gotta get “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Stone Cold’s alma mater has proven solid at home this year and Frisco’s only a 40-minute drive from Denton, home of UNT.
But want to know what it feels like in Texas? Boise, Idaho.
Broncos by seven.
Boise State 31, North Texas 24
—More from Nick Bartlett—
- Nick Bartlett’s Fearless National Championship Game Pick
- Nick Bartlett’s Fearless 2024 Bowl Predictions for Jan 1
- Nick Bartlett’s Fearless Bowl Predictions for Dec 26-29
- Nick Bartlett’s Fearless Bowl Predictions for Dec. 23
- Nick Bartlett’s Fearless Bowl Predictions for Dec. 16
- SuperWest on Sundays with Nick, Stephen & Dane for Dec 3
- Nick Bartlett’s Week 14 SuperWest Fearless CFB Predictions
- SuperWest on Sundays with Nick, Stephen & Dane for Nov 26
- Nick Bartlett’s Week 13 SuperWest Fearless CFB Predictions
- Nick Bartlett’s Week 12 SuperWest Fearless CFB Predictions
- SuperWest on Sundays with Nick and Dane for Nov 12
- Nick Bartlett’s Week 11 SuperWest Fearless CFB Predictions
- SuperWest on Sundays with Nick and Stephen for Nov 5
- Nick Bartlett’s Week 10 SuperWest Fearless CFB Predictions
- SuperWest on Sundays with Nick, Dane & Stephen for Oct 29
-
Nick Bartlett’s Fearless National Championship Game Pick
Washington and Michigan face off in what could be one of the best matchups in CFP history - January 8, 2024 -
Nick Bartlett’s Fearless 2024 Bowl Predictions for Jan 1
Oregon faces Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl and Washington takes on Texas in the Sugar Bowl/CFP - December 31, 2023 -
Nick Bartlett’s Fearless Bowl Predictions for Dec 26-29
SuperWest picks for UCLA-Kansas, USC-Louisville, Arizona-OU, and Oregon St-Notre Dame - December 25, 2023