Bowl breakdown: It’s all Power 5 teams in Thursday’s 4 games
We’re entering the final stretch of the bowl season — and the college football season as a whole — with four games Thursday.
Including Thursday’s quartet of games, there are just 15 matchups left this season, including the January 10 national championship game.
All the games Thursday involve Power 5 teams, with three teams from the Big Ten, two from the SEC and ACC (including the league champ) and one from the Pac-12 taking the field.
Truth be told, opt-outs have robbed three of the games of a lot of their intrigue. Nevertheless, here’s a look at the four matchups.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
North Carolina vs. South Carolina
Time/TV: 11:30 a.m., ESPN (Anish Shroff play-by-play, Mike Golic Jr. analyst)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte (capacity of 74,867)
On3 bowl ranking: 33rd (of 42)
Team records: North Carolina 6-6; South Carolina 6-6
Records vs. bowl teams: North Carolina 4-4; South Carolina 3-6
All-time bowl records: North Carolina 15-20; South Carolina 9-14
Officiating crew: From the Big Ten
Key stats: UNC is 15th in the nation in scoring offense (36.4 points per game) but also 102nd in scoring defense (31.6 ppg). The Tar Heels have scored at least 30 points eight times, including three games with at least 50. But they’ve also surrendered 30 points eight times, including four games where they allowed at least 42. South Carolina is 115th in total offense (320.2 ypg, the third-worst among the bowl teams) and 108th in yards per play (5.04, fourth-worst among the bowl teams).
The line: North Carolina by 10
The buzz: This will be the 59th meeting between these one-time annual rivals, but just the fifth since 1991. And this will be the third consecutive time they play in Charlotte; the past two were season-opening games. UNC was a disappointment this season, South Carolina a pleasant surprise. This is widely assumed to be the final college game for Tar Heels QB Sam Howell, and its coming in his hometown. Howell and WR Josh Downs have become one of the most productive pass-catch duos in the nation (Downs has 98 receptions for 1,273 yards and eight TDs), and Howell also has become a highly productive runner (826 yards, 11 TDs). The Gamecocks have been excellent against the pass, but mediocre at best in every other facet. S Jaylan Foster has had a productive season (91 tackles, five picks, two forced fumbles) and was a first-team All-SEC selection.
Music City Bowl
Purdue vs. Tennessee
Time/TV: 3 p.m., ESPN (Tom Hart play-by-play, Jordan Rodgers analyst)
Venue: Nissan Stadium, in Nashville (capacity of 69,143)
On3 bowl ranking: 10th (of 42)
Team records: Purdue 8-4; Tennessee 7-5
Records vs. bowl teams: Purdue 3-4; Tennessee 3-5
All-time bowl records: Purdue 10-9; Tennessee 29-24
Officiating crew: From the ACC
Key stats: Purdue is 21st nationally in pass defense, allowing 194.6 yards per game. Ohio State is the only opponent to throw for 300 on the Boilermakers, and five of the 13 TD passes allowed by Purdue were thrown by the Buckeyes’ C.J. Stroud. Tennessee is 15th nationally in total offense (459.0 yards per game) and 21st in yards per play (6.50).
The line: Tennessee by 7
The buzz: Purdue’s two best players, WR David Bell and DE George Karlaftis, have opted out. That will make it tough for the Boilermakers to finish with nine wins for the first time since 2003. Even without Bell, Purdue is going to throw the ball. Boilermakers QB Aidan O’Connell, who began his career as a walk-on, averages 288.5 passing yards per game, with 23 TDs and a 73.5 completion percentage. Purdue’s second-leading receiver, Milton Wright, also won’t play, leaving Jackson Anthrop (48 receptions) to try to take up the slack. Purdue’s rushing attack has been a non-entity for much of the season. The Boilermakers are solid defensively, though they had trouble with the rushing attacks of Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin (they did win two of those games, though). Vols QB Hendon Hooker has been a revelation as a passer; he has 26 TD passes and just three picks. The Vols use a committee approach with their rushing attack, and Hooker is dangerous there, too. The pass defense has been shaky, and while the Vols have 10 interceptions, four of those came in a rout of FCS member Tennessee Tech. Plus, the Vols’ best defensive back, CB Alontae Taylor, has opted out.
Peach Bowl
Michigan State vs. Pitt
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN (Mark Jones play-by-play, Robert Griffin III analyst)
Venue: Mercedes Benz Stadium, in Atlanta (capacity of 73,272)
On3 bowl ranking: 6th (of 42)
Team records: Michigan State 10-2; Pitt 11-2
Records vs. bowl teams: Michigan State 6-2; Pitt 6-2
All-time bowl records: Michigan State 13-16; Pitt 14-21
Officiating crew: From the SEC
Key stats: Michigan State is 116th nationally in total defense, allowing 454.9 yards per game, but the Spartans are markedly better in yards-per-play defense, ranking 72nd (5.63 ypp). Pitt is fifth nationally in total offense (502.9 ypg) and 23rd in yards per play (6.45).
The line: Michigan State by 3
The buzz: What happens when you play a game and each team is missing its best player? Hey, welcome to the Peach Bowl, where Pitt QB Kenny Pickett and Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III have opted out. And as gaudy as the records are for both teams, those guys sitting out has removed a ton of luster from this game. In addition, Pitt OC Mark Whipple has moved on to the same role at Nebraska. Junior Nick Patti, who attempted 14 passes this season, 483 fewer than Pickett, will start at quarterback for the Panthers. He figures to look often for All-America WR Jordan Addison (93 receptions, 1,479 yards, nation’s-leading 17 TDs). Maybe it doesn’t matter that Pickett won’t play: Michigan State’s secondary has been a sieve all season. Pitt has been excellent against the run, so Michigan State figures to have a tough time on the ground without Walker. Spartans QB Payton Thorne has had a good season, and WRs Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor (returning from an injury) should be able to do some damage. The teams have one common opponent: Michigan State beat Miami by 21, while Pitt lost to the Hurricanes by four. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi was DC at Michigan State for eight seasons (2007-14) before taking the Panthers’ job. Indeed, the last time these teams met was in 2007 in Narduzzi’s third game as DC.
Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona State vs. Wisconsin
Time/TV: 10:30 p.m., ESPN (Beth Mowins play-by-play, Kirk Morrison analyst)
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas (capacity of 58,000)
On3 bowl ranking: 17th (of 42)
Team records: Arizona State 8-4; Wisconsin 8-4
Records vs. bowl teams: Arizona State 1-4; Wisconsin 5-4
All-time bowl records: Arizona State 15-16-1; Wisconsin 17-15
Officiating crew: From the SEC
Key stats: Wisconsin leads the nation in rushing defense (61.08 yards per game, 20 fewer than anyone else) and also in yards allowed per carry (2.01, a half-yard better than anyone else). Wisconsin also leads the nation in total defense (236.7 ypg). Arizona State is 19th in total defense (329.0 ypg).
The line: Wisconsin by 6
The buzz: RB Rachaad White, the Sun Devils’ leading rusher and second-leading receiver, has opted out. The No. 2 back, Ohio native DeaMonte Trayanum, is transferring to Ohio State — to play linebacker. QB Jayden Daniels is a running threat, and he will need help from redshirt freshman RB Daniyel Ngata, who has 45 carries (for 286 yards) this season. Arizona State also had three starting defenders, including star LB Darien Butler, opt out. Wisconsin will rely on true freshman RB Braelon Allen (1,109 yards), who became a force in the second half of the season. Neither team has much of a passing attack. Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn might be the best inside linebacker duo in the nation. Chenal has 106 tackles and 17 tackles for loss despite missing the first two games of the season.