Quick Picks For Every 2023 G5 Bowl Game

We've watched a lot of G5 football this year. Now as the season winds down, the bowl games are all we have left. My picks are educated guesses based on those

© Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK

We've watched a lot of G5 football this year. Now as the season winds down, the bowl games are all we have left.

My picks are educated guesses based on those extensive hours of watching these teams this year. Hopefully, I'm right more than I'm wrong. Happy football watching!

Myrtle Beach Bowl - Georgia Southern vs Ohio

December 16 - 11:30 AM ET

Pick: OHIO Ohio had the top defense in the MAC this season. That makes Georgia Southern's turnover issues even more worrisome. Davis Brin threw at least two interceptions in four games this season and the most in the Sun Belt with 16.

New Orleans Bowl - Jacksonville State vs Louisiana

December 16 - 2:15 PM ET

Pick: JAX STATE Their first year in FBS and their first year in CUSA, Jacksonville State had the top scoring defense in the league. Louisiana has had good performances this season, but dropped five of their last seven game in the regular season.

Cure Bowl - Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State

December 16 - 3:30 PM ET

Pick: APP STATE Miami overcame a lot to win a MAC championship. Their main starting quarterback, however, is recovering from a major leg injury and their other starting quarterback is in the transfer portal. App State simply has more weapons. 

New Mexico Bowl - New Mexico State vs Fresno State

December 16 - 5:45 PM ET

Pick: NEW MEXICO STATE Fresno State has some playmakers in the secondary, but New Mexico State's quarterback Diego Pavia has looked better and better as he grows more comfortable in the role. He aggravated an injury in the CUSA Championship, but if he can go, he'll be a difference maker.

LA Bowl - UCLA vs Boise State

December 16 - 7:30 PM ET

Pick: BOISE STATE Ashton Jeanty is worth the price of admission. George Holani is also fantastic. UCLA dropped three of their last four to close out the season.

Famous Toastery Bowl - WKU vs Old Dominion

December 18 - 2:30 PM ET

Pick: WKU Both of these teams have a few players whose draft stock has room to rise in the next few months. In particular, look for Western Kentucky's offensive playmakers Austin Reed and Malachi Corley to shoot for big days.

Frisco Bowl - UTSA vs Marshall

December 19 - 9 PM ET

Pick: UTSA The Roadrunners were a more consistent ball club all season. Plus, UTSA's star QB Frank Harris has stated that winning a bowl game is the one thing left for him to accomplish. 

Boca Raton Bowl - USF vs Syracuse

December 21 - 8 PM ET

Pick: USF Alex Golesh has led one of the more impressive turnarounds in college football. Syracuse are looking to turn the page for their own program after firing Dino Babers a few short weeks ago and limping into the postseason.

Camellia Bowl - Arkansas State vs Northern Illinois

December 23 - Noon ET

Pick: ARKANSAS STATE Arkansas State and Butch Jones have Arkansas State's best team since Blake Anderson left. The Red Wolves are athletic all around. Northern Illinois do have the momentum edge, which makes this interesting.

Birmingham Bowl - Troy vs Duke

December 23 - Noon ET

Pick: TROY Kimani Vidal was consistently one of the best running backs in FBS this season. Duke will have their hands full trying to keep him in check, as well as combat their own issue of losing Riley Leonard.

Armed Forces Bowl - JMU vs Air Force

December 23 - 3:30 PM ET

Pick: JMU Even with Curt Cignetti leaving and Jordan McCloud hitting the portal, there's a lot of talent and pro potential on JMU's roster. (McCloud will play in the bowl game) Air Force has some experienced playmakers, but injury and inconsistency have haunted them this season. 

Idaho Potato Bowl - Georgia State vs Utah State

December 23 - 3:30 PM ET

Pick: GEORGIA STATE Sportsbooks are fairly torn on this one. Both have lost key playmakers to injury or the portal. However, GSU quarterback Darren Grainger may be the best player on the field in this contest.

68 Ventures Bowl - South Alabama vs Eastern Michigan

December 23 - 7 PM ET

Pick: SOUTH ALABAMA On top of having one of the better scoring defenses in the Sun Belt, the Jaguars also get to play this bowl game in their home stadium. The Jaguars also have several offensive names to watch like La'Damian Webb and Caullin Lacy.

Hawaii Bowl - Coastal Carolina vs San José State

December 23 - 10:30 PM ET

Pick: SAN JOSÉ STATE Hawaii native Chevan Cordeiro will lead San José State at quarterback. The Spartans played some of their best football towards the end of the season, plus have the benefit of a much shorter travel itinerary than the Chants.

Quick Lane Bowl - Bowling Green vs Minnesota

December 26 - 2 PM ET

Pick: BOWLING GREEN The Gophers had a particularly brutal stretch to end the season and got into bowl season with a 5-7 record thanks to Academic Progress Rate. The Falcons are due for their first bowl win since 2014.

First Responder Bowl - Texas State vs Rice

December 26 - 5:30 PM ET

Pick: TEXAS STATE In addition to Rice not being at full strength, GJ Kinne has an offensive group whose potential has been unlocked under his guidance. In particular, keep an eye on All-American running back Ismail Mahdi.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl - Kansas vs UNLV

December 26 - 9 PM ET

Pick: UNLV Mountain West Coach of the Year Barry Odom leads a young UNLV team that blew expectations out of the water. Expect the Rebels to play their typical brand of fast paced ball with success, despite being two-touchdown underdogs. 

Military Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Tulane

December 27 - 2 PM ET

Pick: VIRGINIA TECH As can be expected with the departure of Willie Fritz to Houston, Tulane have lost key players to the transfer portal left and right. In front of what's likely to be a Hokie-heavy crowd, Brent Pry's group feel like a fairly safe pick.

Fenway Bowl - SMU vs Boston College

December 28 - 11 AM ET

Pick: BOSTON COLLEGE Kevin Jennings for SMU performed admirably in the AAC title game, but can he do it again? The SMU defense also has the unfortunate task of containing exceptionally mobile BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos.

Liberty Bowl - Memphis vs Iowa State

December 29 - 3:30 PM ET

Pick: IOWA STATE Fairly evenly matched teams in this matchup that don't have particularly imposing defenses. Expect a lot of points, either way.

Arizona Bowl - Toledo vs Wyoming

December 30 - 4:30 PM ET

Pick: TOLEDO  While Toledo QB DeQuan Finn is in the portal, they still have a great two-man backfield in Peny Boone and Jacquez Stewart. Their defensive secondary is also one of the best in the G5.

Fiesta Bowl - Liberty vs Oregon

January 1 - 1 PM ET

Pick: OREGON Liberty have played near-perfect football all year. However, they haven't faced a team anywhere near the caliber of the #8 Ducks this season, who will also have Heisman finalist Bo Nix at their disposal.