We know everyone’s excited for those College Football Playoff semifinal and New Year Six bowl games, but you shouldn’t look past the other mid-level bowl games like the pair of matchups this Monday, involving the Pittsburgh Panthers, Navy Midshipmen, Central Michigan Chippewas, and Minnesota Gophers. Betting on these games? Perhaps the experts over at Sports Illustrated , Athlon Sports, and Bleacher Report could help you decide which team to bet on. Continue reading to see which squads what these football analysts are saying about the games.
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Bowl Season Expert Predictions for December 28
Sports Illustrated
Game
Ben Glicksman
Pittsburgh vs. Navy
Navy, 27-23
[sc:NCAA240banner ]It’s all about Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds in the Military Bowl for Sports Illustrated expert Ben Glicksman. Well, not really, but Glicksman makes it clear that Reynolds, who’s making his final collegiate appearance, is the biggest reason for fans to watch this matchup. For Glicksman, he sees a potential for this game to go down the wire. Pittsburgh has lots of weapons on offense with quarterback Nathan Peterman, running back Qadree Ollison, and receiver Tyler Boyd forming a three-headed monster on offense, while Navy’s Triple Option offense should be a headache for the Panthers.
Athlon Sports
Game
Marky Billson
Pittsburgh vs. Navy
Pitt, 35-21
Athlon Sport’s Marky Billson states, the Panthers had trouble containing the Yellow Jackets running game, albeit in a 31-28 win back in October, when, Georgia Tech rushed for 376 yards. Nevertheless, Billson believes that the Panthers will win over Navy because of their advantages in size and overall makeup. Billson is keeping an eye on Panthers receiver Tyler Boyd, who has the potential to explode in what is likely his final college game. On the season, Boyd has caught 85 passes for 873 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing 35 times for 294 yards on 8.4 per carry.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, meanwhile, has a detailed breakdown of the Quick Lane Bowl game between Central Michigan and Minnesota. The Chippewas booked a ticket to Detroit, thanks to a 7-5 overall record that includes close losses to tough teams like Oklahoma State and Toledo. Kenyon believes that Central Michigan’s outstanding offense will be too much for Minnesota, as he sees Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush passing for at least three touchdowns with one interception. On the flipside, Kenyon doesn’t see Minnesota doing heavy damage offensively, as the Chippewas have shown they could deal with seemingly greater quarterbacks like Michigan State’s Connor Cook and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph than Minnesota’s Mitch Leidner.
