Dec 5, 20233 min read

Big 12 Bowl News: Games & Predictions

Your guide to Big XXII Bowls, a quick rundown of opponents, which bowls & where, and who should more than likely win, in this humble Dawg's opinion.

Independence Bowl December 16- Texas Tech vs California

Both teams come into this game at 6-6 on the season. Texas Tech is giving up 27 points per game on defense and is scoring 26.8 points per game. California is giving up 32.6 points a game while scoring 31.6 points per game. If California can slow down Tahj Brooks, they should be able to score enough to win this one. California wins 35-28.

Gasparilla Bowl December 22- UCF vs Georgia Tech

UCF is the lone new Big 12 school to make a bowl this season. Both teams are coming into this game at 6-6. Georgia Tech struggles with stopping the run giving up 225.7 yards a game on the ground which is 128th in the country. UCF runs it 233.2 yards a game which is 4th in the nation. Georgia Tech can score the ball but that is difficult to do when the offense is on the sideline. UCF wins this game 31-24.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl December 26- Kansas vs UNLV

UNLV comes into this game at 9-4 and Kansas is 8-4 on the season. Even though Kansas lost their offensive coordinator to Penn State, UNLV has not seen an offense that can be as explosive as Kansas. Giving up 402 yards of total defense and 27 points a game spells good things for Kansas. Kansas wins 42-24.

Duke's Mayo Bowl December 27- West Virginia vs North Carolina

West Virginia finished this season at 8-4 and is probably the biggest surprise in the Big 12. North Carolina also finished 8-4 which is about where they finished last year and is surprising with Drake Maye coming back this season. North Carolina has struggled on the defensive side this year giving up 405.4 yards a game, but the offense has not struggled putting up 503.9 yards a game. West Virginia gives up 384.2 yards and gains 438.2 This game is setting up to be a shootout there and you always take the better quarterback in that situation. North Carolina wins 45-38.

Texas Bowl December 27- Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M

A renewal of an old Big 12 matchup. Oklahoma State lost to Texas in the Big 12 title game 49-21 moving their record to 9-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M had a disappointing season finishing 7-5 and firing Jimbo Fisher. Ollie Gordon and the Oklahoma State Cowboys end the season on a high note beating Texas A&M 31-27.

Pop-Tarts Bowl December 28- Kansas State vs NC State

A first-time matchup between these two schools. NC State comes in at 9-3 and Kansas State is sitting at 8-4. Kansas State is without star senior quarterback Will Howard who went to the transfer portal. True freshman quarterback Avery Johnson will be making the start. NC State has a very solid rushing defense giving up 104.8 yards a game. Stopping the run is the recipe for beating Kansas State. NC State wins 30-27.

Alamo Bowl- Oklahoma vs Arizona

When this game was announced this was one of the most intriguing games on the Big 12 slate. But after the transfer portal opened it lost some of its luster. Dillon Gabriel has entered his name into the transfer portal, so it looks like it is Jackson Arnold's time in Oklahoma. Arizona has a solid defense giving up 20.8 points per game. The Wildcats have been one of the hottest teams in the country winning six straight. Arizona extends the winning streak to seven by a score of 31-17.

Liberty Bowl December 28- Iowa State vs Memphis

Iowa State overcame a tumultuous off-season losing their returning quarterback and running back in an illegal betting scandal to finish 7-5. Memphis got to a record of 9-3. Iowa State has a very good defense and a lackluster offense for most of the season. But the last week of the season the offense exploded for 42 points behind running back Abu Sama in a snowy Manhattan Kansas. Memphis will have a home-field advantage in this game but Iowa State travels well. Iowa State wins this one 27-17.

Sugar Bowl January 1- Texas vs Washington

Welcome Texas to your first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. This game is a matchup between two great teams with great quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Michael Penix. Washington gives up 23.6 points a game and Texas gives up 17.5 points a game. Texas scores 36 points a game to Washington's 37.7 points. This game will come down to who has the ball last. Texas wins 34-30 to set up a National Championship birth.

Conclusion - Big 12 Bowls

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs as the game gets closer for in-depth game breakdowns and updated score predictions according to the players who enter the transfer portal.