Picking 2019’s college football bowl games based on nothing but lacrosse

The holiday season means plenty of things. Spending time with your family, decorating a house, buying gifts for loved ones, sometimes taking back those gifts for something you actually want, or going to the movies and eating Chinese food (I have done this before).

Another part of the holiday season are the plethora of college football bowl games, 41 in all beginning Friday. A lot of players and teams you probably haven’t watched all year will be the spotlight for the entire nation, so get ready to enjoy the likes of Charlotte, Liberty, and Wyoming.

Similar to picking who will win March Madness, there’s contests throughout the internet to pick the winners of every bowl game and even ranking them according to your confidence level. Here at College Crosse, we also like college football and want to give you our bowl predictions, just using college lacrosse as the basis of our picks.

We’ve done this for the past two college hoops tournaments and somehow predicted the lacrosse national championship matchup in March (we picked the dog over the better team, no regrets at all). Shoutout to Jac Coyne for bringing up the idea of doing this.

Before we get to the FBS bowls, here’s who will come out of the FCS, Division II, and Division III Tournaments by using college lacrosse:

FCS: James Madison over North Dakota State
Division II: Minnesota State over West Florida
Division III: North Central (IL) over Wisconsin-Whitewater

Now to the FBS bowls, beginning with the non-College Football Playoff games.

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Dec. 20, 2 PM)

Buffalo vs. Charlotte: Both teams are MCLA programs. Only difference is the Bulls are in Division I and the 49ers are in Division II. Pick: Buffalo

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (Dec. 20, 7:30 PM)

Utah State vs. Kent State: The Aggies went 8-4 last year in the MCLA’s Division II. But Kent State does have an NCAA team at the women’s level, who just completed their first season. Pick: Kent State

Celebration Bowl (Dec. 21, Noon)

Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T: This might be the only football-based pick we do because neither school has men’s lacrosse...yet. These two schools are playing in the Celebration Bowl, typically dubbed the HBCU National Championship, for the third time in the game’s five-year history with A&T winning the previous two meetings including one last year. A&T has won another Celebration Bowl and represent the MEAC after Florida A&M, who had a better conference record and defeated A&T earlier in the season, was ruled ineligible for postseason competition. Pick: North Carolina A&T

New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 21, 2 PM)

Central Michigan vs. San Diego State: Both schools have men’s MCLA teams where San Diego State would have the edge as the better of the two under .500 programs. But both schools have D1 women’s programs and the Aztecs defeated the Chippewas last season. Pick: San Diego State

FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl (Dec. 21, 2:30 PM)

Liberty vs. Georgia Southern: Both schools have men’s MCLA programs with Liberty being a really good D1 program and Georgia Southern as a not-so-good D2 team. But Liberty also has a women’s program that went 14-5 a year ago, falling to Jacksonville in the Atlantic Sun Championship. Pick: Liberty

Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 21, 3:30 PM)

SMU vs. Florida Atlantic: Another pair of teams in the MCLA. SMU went 9-4 at the D1 level last year while Florida Atlantic went 6-3 in D2. FAU also doesn’t have Lane Kiffin anymore. That’s sad. Pick: SMU

Camellia Bowl (Dec. 21, 5:30 PM)

Florida International vs. Arkansas State: Neither school has NCAA or MCLA/WCLA programs. FIU did have a club program until 2016 and were looking at potentially going to the MCLA. There was nothing found for Arkansas State. Also, FIU beat Miami in football this year. Pick: Florida International

Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 21, 7:30 PM)

Boise State vs. Washington: Both schools are part of the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League as part of the Division I side of the MCLA, which means they play every year. Last season, the Huskies came out with a 12-10 win at home over the Broncos. It’ll be a nice farewell game for Chris Petersen. Pick: Washington

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 21, 9 PM)

Appalachian State vs. UAB: Appalachian State’s on the Division II side of the MCLA and finished with a 3-6 record last year. UAB’s a D2 NCLL program. Pick: Appalachian State

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 23, 2:30 PM)

UCF vs. Marshall: The best bowl name in college football by far. A lawnmower company and a celebration of pirates that’s a month in advance in the Florida area. Anyways, UCF is in the MCLA as a Division I program but went 2-8 last year. Marshall is a D2 NCLL team that got blown out by MCLA’s West Virginia last February. Also, we have to show you UCF’s coach Austin Ricci one more time.

Pick: UCF

SoFi Hawai’i Bowl (Dec. 24, 8 PM)

Hawai’i vs. BYU: Mele Kalikimaka from The Aloha State. It doesn’t seem like a bad way to spend Christmas Eve. It should be a pretty decent game with both teams having good seasons. But BYU’s lacrosse team is typically one of the better MCLA Division I teams, while Hawai’i doesn’t have any college lacrosse yet. The state does have an annual tournament in the fall. Pick: BYU

Walk-On’s Independence Bowl (Dec 26, 4 PM)

Louisiana Tech vs. Miami (FL): The Bulldogs have a Division III MCLA team in the Lone Star Alliance. Miami has a Division I WCLA club program. Both teams didn’t have good 2019 seasons. Pick: Miami (FL)

Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26, 8 PM)

Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan: Both schools are getting women’s Division I programs in the next couple of years, but both schools have WCLA programs. Pitt recently won the Division I WCLA title last year while Eastern Michigan is in Division II for the WCLA. Pick: Pittsburgh

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman (Dec. 27, Noon)

North Carolina vs. Temple: It took us this long before we had our first NCAA men’s program in bowl season. UNC has missed the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons but brings in a stud in Chris Gray from Boston University. Temple is a women’s D1 program that went 6-11 in 2019. Both programs also have some storied histories. Pick: North Carolina

New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27, 3:20 PM)

Michigan State vs. Wake Forest: Both schools have MCLA programs with Michigan State on the Division I side and Wake Forest on the Division II side. The Spartans went 8-8 last year after taking home the MCLA National Championship. Pick: Michigan State

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl (Dec. 27, 6:45 PM)

Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M: Another pair of MCLA programs in D1 and D2. The Aggies represent the D1 side while the Cowboys are on the D2 end. They both have similar records but in terms of common opponents, Texas A&M defeated Rice by 11 while Oklahoma State lost to them by eight. Gig ‘em. Pick: Texas A&M

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27, 8 PM)

USC vs. Iowa: USC has a women’s D1 program that has done pretty well in recent years, including a 16-4 record in 2019. Iowa does have a team listed on the WCLA Division II side, but only played in three games last year. Pick: USC

Cheez-It Bowl (Dec. 27, 10:15 PM)

Air Force vs. Washington State: Air Force has a men’s D1 program that has been competitive in the SoCon nearly every year since entering the conference in 2016. Washington State is an MCLA Division I program that lost to rival Washington by 14 last year. Pick: Air Force

Camping World Bowl (Dec. 28, Noon)

Notre Dame vs. Iowa State: We already know that Notre Dame is a really good lacrosse school. They’re in the ACC. Iowa State is a D1 MCLA program that went 2-8 in 2019. Pick: Notre Dame

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 28, Noon)

Penn State vs. Memphis: Penn State is also a really good lacrosse school and is a contender to win their first national championship in 2020. Memphis does have a D2 NCLL program, but I doubt they could hang with Grant Ament and Mac O’Keefe on the lacrosse field. Pick: Penn State

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Dec. 30, 12:30 PM)

Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan: It’s a battle of western state schools in the First Responder Bowl. Western Michigan is a D1 MCLA program that went 5-4 in 2019 while Western Kentucky is listed as a D2 NCLL program. Pick: Western Michigan

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Dec. 30, 4 PM)

Mississippi State vs. Louisville: Louisville’s women’s program is in the ACC and looks to continue to grow under Scott Teeter after a 5-13 season. Mississippi State is a D2 NCLL program. Pick: Louisville

Redbox Bowl (Dec. 30, 4 PM)

California vs. Illinois: Another NCAA vs. club lacrosse game. Cal, the NCAA program, went 7-12 under Brooke Eubanks in 2019. Illinois, the MCLA program, went 3-8 in 2019 as a member of the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference. Pick: California

Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30, 8 PM)

Florida vs. Virginia: Our first battle of two NCAA programs, even though they’re not of the same gender. Florida’s women went to the NCAA Tournament last year and went 14-7 as members of the AAC. Virginia’s men also went to the NCAA Tournament, but won the entire thing. They’ll look to repeat as champs in 2020. Pick: Virginia

Belk Bowl (Dec. 31, Noon)

Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky: Virginia Tech went 8-10 under John Sung last season as an ACC women’s lacrosse program. Kentucky also has a women’s lacrosse program, except they’re in the WCLA at the Division I level. Pick: Virginia Tech

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (Dec. 31, 2 PM)

Florida State vs. Arizona State: I think this is the first ever bowl with a cereal mascot as the main sponsor. Tony the Tiger is an icon, he’s great. Anyways, Arizona State just got started as an NCAA women’s program and went 6-12 last year. They also have a new head coach in Tim McCormack. Florida State’s MCLA D1 team is pretty good, going 10-4 a year ago. Pick: Arizona State

AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Dec. 31, 3:45 PM)

Navy vs. Kansas State: Navy has a men’s D1 program as we all know. They also have a new head coach in Joe Amplo leading the way in 2020. Kansas State has a D2 MCLA program that went 1-8 in 2019. Pick: Navy

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (Dec. 31, 4:30 PM)

Wyoming vs. Georgia State: Both schools have or had MCLA Division II programs recently. Wyoming’s the school that still has a club after 4-4 last season. Georgia State had a D2 program but hasn’t done a lot since going 0-9 in 2016. Pick: Wyoming

Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 31, 7:30 PM)

Utah vs. Texas: It’s fun to say that Utah is a Division I lacrosse school. They went 5-10 in their first season as an NCAA program and look to build on that success this year. Texas is an MCLA D1 program that went 9-4 in 2019. Pick: Utah

Vrbo Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1, 1 PM)

Michigan vs. Alabama: Michigan, a known lacrosse school, went 4-9 last season under Kevin Conry as the injury bug bit them pretty hard. Alabama went 2-7 on the MCLA Division I side last year, not as dominant as their football team. The khakis will reign supreme. Pick: Michigan

Outback Bowl (Jan 1, 1 PM)

Minnesota vs. Auburn: This will be a battle between pretty good Division I MCLA programs. Auburn went 9-5 last season, including a win over aforementioned Alabama. Minnesota went 14-7 a year ago and went to the MCLA National Championships in Utah. They have one common opponent, Missouri. The Golden Gophers defeated the Mizzou Tigers, while Auburn lost to them by one. Pick: Minnesota

Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual (Jan. 1, 5 PM)

Oregon vs. Wisconsin: Oregon’s women’s NCAA Division I program didn’t have a great 2019 season, finishing with a 3-15 record. Wisconsin’s women’s WCLA Division I program also wasn’t great, finishing winless in nine contests. Pick: Oregon

Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1, 8:45 PM)

Georgia vs. Baylor: Another pair of MCLA club programs, but from both divisions. Georgia, the D1 program, went 7-6 a year ago while Baylor, the D2 team, went 8-3 in 2019. In the end, it’s the team in the better division that matters since neither program had any common opponents. Pick: Georgia

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl (Jan. 2, 3 PM)

Boston College vs. Cincinnati: Two good NCAA women’s programs will be going at it in Birmingham. BC has been one of the best women’s teams in the last few seasons, while Cincinnati had a good 12-7 year in 2019 resulting in an AAC Championship game appearance. Pick: Boston College

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jan. 2, 7 PM)

Indiana vs. Tennessee: Indiana and Tennessee are both members of the MCLA at the Division I level. The Hoosiers went 9-5 in 2019 while the Volunteers finished with a not-so-good 1-8 record. Pick: Indiana

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Jan. 3, 3:30 PM)

Ohio vs. Nevada: Ohio used to have a women’s NCAA program but are now a Division I WCLA team that finished 4-6 last year. Nevada has an MCLA program at the Division I level that went 4-5 in 2019. A tough pick, but at least Ohio used to be in the NCAA. Pick: Ohio

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Jan. 4, 11:30 AM)

Southern Mississippi vs. Tulane: Both schools don’t have very active lacrosse programs. Tulane has a men’s MCLA D2 program that went 4-1 last year while Southern Miss lists a women’s club program on their website. Pick: Tulane

LendingTree Bowl (Jan. 6, 7:30 PM)

Louisiana vs. Miami (OH): The non CFP bowls end with a battle of MCLA programs in both divisions. Miami (the Ohio one) is D1, but their most recent complete season was in 2017 when they went 7-3. Louisiana went 4-5 a year ago at the D2 level but went to the MCLA National Championships in 2017. Pick: Louisiana

College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Dec. 28, 4 PM)

No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma: LSU is the top seed in the College Football Playoff and also has Heisman winner Joe Burrow. The Tigers went 7-8 a year ago at the MCLA Division I level. Oklahoma, led by Alabama transfer QB and Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts, went 6-8 in 2019 at the MCLA Division I level. But in that year, the Sooners edged the Tigers in Baton Rouge by a goal. We have an upset in the first semifinal. Pick: No. 4 Oklahoma

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 28, 8 PM)

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson: Ohio State is a certified lacrosse school, finishing 8-4 last year after starting the season 7-0. They didn’t make the NCAA Tournament after a bad month of Big Ten play, including their first ever loss to archrival Michigan in Ann Arbor. Clemson went 10-6 last year as an MCLA Division I team led by head coach Buff Grubb. What a name for a head coach. But it’s the talent on the field that matters. Pick: No. 2 Ohio State

College Football Playoff National Championship (Jan. 13, 8 PM)

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma: Another NCAA-MCLA matchup in the CFP, this time for the national championship. It’s an easy pick yet again. Pick: No. 2 Ohio State