2019 Pac-12 Conference College Football Bowl Previews and Predictions
Written by Max Mier
Twitter: @Mier56
The Pac 12 looked to be in good position to land one of two teams in the College Football Playoff as the 2019 season neared completion, but a late season slip up by Oregon against Arizona State gave them their second loss, and after that the Ducks handed Utah their second loss in the Pac-12 title game (37-15); all the madness that needed to happen in the other Power Five Conference title games to get Utah into the playoff doomed the Pac-12. When no other upsets occurred allowing Oregon a chance, the conference was left on the outside looking in for a second straight year. After a 7-6 regular season record against Power Five Conference opponents, the Pac-12 is ready to win the postseason.
The Pac-12 postseason slate features seven teams in bowl games, headlined by conference champion Oregon who will be taking on Big Ten runner-up Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Another game sure to get national attention, No. 22 USC taking on No. 16 Iowa. Utah also has a chance to take down a blueblood program in Texas. All-in-all, the Pac-12 has a very winnable schedule ahead.
Let’s get into it!
Las Vegas Bowl – Las Vegas, Nevada
Boise State (12-1, 8-0 Mountain West) vs. Washington (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Kickoff: Dec 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Washington -3.5
The Huskies never really seemed to find a constant footing in the 2019 season. After finishing September on a three-game win streak, Washington went the rest of the season without putting together consecutive wins. Washington has been a middle of the road team on offense (75th in total offense) carried by a stout defense which allows only 355 yards per game and has forced 19 turnovers on the season. Washington head coach Christ Petersen surprisingly announced that he will step down after the season, and it’s fitting that his final game at Washington will come against a Boise State program in which he was instrumental in building.
Boise State’s defense has been very good this year, allowing just under 350 yards per game. But Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason has played his best in non-conference games throwing for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one interception. Boise keeps it close, but Washington’s offense is too much. Petersen goes out with a win.
Prediction: Washington 28, Boise State 24
Holiday Bowl – San Diego, California
USC (8-4, 7-2 Pac-12) vs. Iowa (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Dec 27, 8 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1
Spread: Iowa -1.5
After a second year of rumors of a hot seat, USC head coach Clay Helton received a vote of confidence from new AD Mike Bohn. The Trojans are looking to the future with optimism, and freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis is a big reason why. In nine starts, Slovis has thrown for 3,168 yards and 28 TDs. USC ranks 5th in the country in passing offense but will face their toughest test of the season against a strong Iowa defense. The Hawkeyes passing defense has been stellar all year, allowing only an average of 184 passing yards per game and have forced 11 interceptions on the season.
This game will be close throughout, but defense wins out in the end.
Prediction: Iowa 30, USC 27
Cheez-It Bowl – Phoenix, Arizona
Air Force (10-2, 7-1) vs. Washington State (6-6, 3-6)
Kickoff: Dec 27, 10:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Air Force -3
Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense has continued to roll, as the Cougars are the top passing offense in the country. Senior quarterback Anthony Gordon has been phenomenal throwing for 5,228 yards and 45 TDs and is only 605 yards short of the FBS record for passing yards in a single season. However, there’s a reason the Cougars sit at 6-6 on the season; the defense is horrendous, giving up an average of 456 yards of offense per game and ranking 113th out of 130 FBS teams in total defense. Despite a less than ideal season, there is still history on the line for Washington State; a bowl win would mark the first time in school history the team has won a bowl game in back-to-back seasons.
The Cougars offense will continue to put up big numbers, and after several needed weeks of scheming the defense comes up with a play late.
Prediction: Washington State 37, Air Force 34
Redbox Bowl – Santa Clara, California
California (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) vs. Illinois (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Dec 30, 4 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Spread: Illinois -7
When sophomore quarterback Chase Garbers has played the entire game, Cal is 6-0. The Bears went 1-3 in games he didn’t start and lost both of games he left early due to injury. The Bears defense is led by linebacker Evan Weaver who has had a stellar senior campaign totaling 172 tackles on the season and is averaging 14.4 tackles per game. Garbers has not put up eye-popping numbers but has been consistent this year and has taken care of the ball throwing for 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
Cal will face a tough task against an Illinois defense that ranks 3rd nationally in turnovers, forcing 28 on the season. Controlling the ball will be the key to the game for the Bears, but Lovie Smith’s guys make one too many plays.
Prediction: Illinois 21, Cal 17
The Sun Bowl – El Paso, Texas
Florida State (6-6, 4-4 ACC) vs. Arizona State (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Kickoff: Dec 31, 2 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Spread: Arizona State -4.5
Arizona State may have found a future star in true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels has had an exceptional season leading the Sun Devils to an upset win over Oregon and throwing for over 2,700 yards and 17 TDs while only throwing two interceptions. Senior wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been a big target for Daniels and has quietly developed into one of the better receivers in the country totaling 1,192 receiving yards and eight scores on 65 receptions. Aiyuk is currently Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 8 ranked receiver for the 2020 NFL Draft.
The key to this game for the Sun Devils will be shutting down star running back Cam Akers, who leads the Seminoles with 1,144 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns. Arizona State excels in run defense, ranking 22nd in the country allowing only 117 rush yards per game. The Sun Devils contain Akers and run away with the game in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Arizona State 37, Florida State 24
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
Utah was an arm’s length from the College Football Playoff, but a poor showing in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon led to a dominant win by the Ducks; now, the Utes are left settling for the Alamo Bowl. It’s fair to wonder how excited the Utes will be for this game, but if a prideful group of seniors shows up Utah should be in good hands. Utah boasts a very balanced offensive attack ranking 35th in total offense. Quarterback Tyler Huntley has thrown for 2,966 yards and owns the nation’s sixth best QBR with a rating of 84.0. Adding to the offensive production, running back Zack Moss has run for over 1,300 yards and 15 TDs on the season.
Texas has been miserable on defense, ranking 108th in total defense. The passing defense has been even worse, ranking 127th in the country as the Longhorns have given up 27 passing touchdowns on the year while allowing 306 yards per game through the air.
Expect Utah to return to form in this game, and their offensive firepower will prove to be too much for Texas.
Prediction: Utah 33, Texas 26
Rose Bowl Game – Pasadena, California
Oregon (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. Wisconsin (10-3, 7-2 Big Ten)
Kickoff: Jan 1, 5 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Wisconsin -2.5
A late season stumble against Arizona State gave Oregon two losses eliminating them from playoff contention. But the Ducks finished the season strong, dominating Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game earning a New Year’s Six berth in the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Justin Herbert has looked the part of a potential first-round pick all season throwing for over 3,300 yards and 32 touchdowns against only five interceptions. The Ducks’ offense has been stellar this year ranking 26th in the country averaging 450 yards per game, but they face a formidable Wisconsin defense. The Badgers are holding teams to under 300 yards per game and has forced 21 turnovers. Oregon owns the nation’s 10th best rushing defense, but have the task of trying to shut down star running back Jonathan Taylor, who is closing in on 2,000 rushing yards and has 21 rushing scores this season.
These two teams are built similarly, both having elite offensive lines and defenses that rarely give up big plays. This game will be close throughout, but Jonathan Taylor is ultimately too much for the Ducks and puts the game away late.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31, Oregon 21