2026-01-01 10:14

Happy new year to everyone!

Oh boy, I’m getting tired of this and I’m happy the bulk of bowl games are now done and only a few are left.

The FOURTH SET OF BOWLs from Monday, 29th to Wednesday, 31st of December.

Mon., Dec 29
JLab Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State
In this bowl, it did not really look like App State would have a real chance.
Georgia Southern did score a TD in the 1st quarter and the Mountaineer did miss a field goal.
Later, already in the 2nd quarter, did they throw an INT and Georgia Southern got 3 points out of that.
A drive later did then App State score a TD, to get a bit closer, but the Eagles walked off the field with another 3 points to have a 13:7 lead.
Not too far apart, as it seems, but App State with those crucial errors and Georgia Southern did use their chances and got points out of it.
If that continues, the game would be over.
Well, spoiler alert, it did.
The Eagles got out of the locker room and scored a TD, the Mountaineers another INT, which led to another Eagles TD.
From here it was more or less garbage time, even a Georgia Southern INT did give the App State fans some hope.
But they made not even 3 points out of that and Georgia Southern did drive that game home in the 4th to win 29:10.
Quite as expected.
Jacks BOWL Score: 17-11

Tue., Dec 30
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs Louisiana Tech
Louisiana had big problems with CCU.
The 1st quarter was all CCU on offense and LT made mistakes.
CCU did only lead 7:0, so not too bad for LT, but they just did not get their hands on the game at that point.
In the 2nd did LT score a field goal, but CCU another TD and went into the half leading 14:3.
All done?
No.
Louisiana Tech started to get the Coastal Carolina offense under control and held them scoreless but were only able to score another field goal in the 3rd quarter.
And then came the big LT quarter, which did shift the game.
CCU totally ineffective and the Bulldogs did score 2 TDs and another field goal to win 23:14.
CCU did of course try to win the game, but that desperation did pay off for the Bulldogs with great field position and some scoring, so nice comeback win.
Jacks BOWL Score: 18-11

TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Tennessee vs Illinois
I’m happy for Illinois regarding the result, I’m sure the community will remember this game, while Tennessee would love to forget it.
Both teams came into the game, willing to play.
Illinois aggressive on their 1st drive on 4th and 7 on TEN 33 went for it and failed. Not sure whether it is clever to leave points off the board against a SEC team, but OK.
Tennessee scored a TD on the next drive and but so did also Illinois. 7:7 at that point.
Later in the 2nd quarter again Illinois on a 4th and 2 on TEN 29 going for it and failed again.
Tennessee got a missed field goal on the next drive and Illinois did on the next drive finally decide that a field goal might help and kicked it, to go into the break with a 10:7 lead.
The 3rd quarter was crazy, 2 drives with punts and then a fumble by Tennessee, which was recovered by Illinois in the Vols endzone.
The Vols angry, going over the field on the next drive and score a TD, but failed to stop Illinois to score on the ensuing drive, so the Illini now up 24:14.
Still, the Vols not done and still and SEC team, so they gave the comeback try, scored a TD on the next drive, already on the 4th quarter.
They held Illinois to a field goal, so now down 6.
On the kickoff did Tennessee lose the ball, picked it up and ran it TO THE HOUSE! Suddenly leading 28:27.
But 5 minutes to go and Tennessee did a bad job on controlling the Illini offense. So, the team went on the field and went over the field, had a 4th and 1 and got 13 out of it, did eat away the clock with kneel downs and kicked the game winner as walk-off-field goal! 30:28.
Unbelievable effort by the Illini offense on that day and no tough defense by the Vols, at all!
Jacks BOWL Score: 18-12

Valero Alamo Bowl
#16 USC vs TCU
I did expect a close game and USC to win, if they get the ball last.
Guess what, it went into OT.
The 1st quarter was all defense, the 2nd all offense.
TCU did lead 14:13 at that point.
The again a quite defense driven quarter, in which USC did score a TD to take the lead. 21:14.
The kicked a field goal in the 4th and it did look like USC would just seal the deal here, only to let TCU score a TD and back into the game.
Next USC drive a 3-and-out and TCU did used what they had to tie the game with a field goal 2 ticks before the end.
So, OT.
And here, USC got the ball 1st and were held to a field goal.
TCU came in and at first it did look great for USC (incomplete and a sack), but on 3rd and 20 did they get a 35-yard TD run after a short pass and 3 to 4 broken tackles at the sideline to win the game 30:27.
USC, that was really bad!
Congratulation to TCU.
Jacks BOWL Score: 18-13

Wed., Dec 31
ReliaQuest Bowl
#23 Iowa vs #14 Vanderbilt
When I saw the performance of Iowa in this bowl game, I was wondering, why they did not get into the top range of the BIG10 this season.
But they lost to good teams in 3 close losses and here you are, in one of those OTHER bowls.
But they did end the season with a great performance, while Vanderbilt did not.
Vandy was lucky not getting beaten by a mile in this game, being so ineffective in the 1st half.
Iowa did score a TD and by an INT in the Iowa endzone did nix some more points in the 1st quarter. Vandy at that moment scoreless and clueless.
They scored finally a field goal in the 2nd, but Iowa did score a TD and went into the locker room with a 14:3 lead.
If you have in mind, that the Vanderbilt QB was so angry he did not get the Heisman, he did for sure not look like a Heisman QB in that half.
In the 3rd quarter did the game finally get some more live out of Vanderbilt offense, but their defense was unable to keep the Hawkeyes from scoring. Granted, Vandy did score more than Iowa and got the deficit a bit down, but not much. At the start of the 4th, it was Iowa 24:17.
But Iowa got the ball and scored on the next drive for 31:17.
Vandy in need and they did actually make also a TD drive, 31:24.
The Hawkeyes did control the clock and ate away a lot of time, but had to settle for field goal, with 4 minutes left.
So, Vanderbilt with the ball, 10 points behind, they went over the field and kicked a field goal with less than 3 minutes left.
The regular kick was not returned, and Iowa did get a first down when needed most, kneeled down the rest of the time and won, 34:27.
For sure was Iowa motivated and prepared, while Vanderbilt did lack the punch it needed to win this.
Jacks BOWL Score: 18-14

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Arizona State vs Duke
I was wrong in 2 ways, in this game.
For one, I expected a low scoring game, but both teams did score plenty.
And for two, I expected the Sun Devils to win, but Duke did just not go down.
Both teams did score quickly in the 1st quarter and the quarter must have been very entertaining. 14:14, start of the 2nd quarter.
Then came a wild quarter with scoring after scoring after scoring, only that ASU had to settle for a field goal once and Duke led at the half, 28:24.
The 3rd quarter was the relaxing phase, with both teams only scoring once, so we went into the 4th quarter with Duke leading 35:32.
And the Sun Devils got the ball, went over the field and took the lead, stopped Duke on 2 ensuing drives and then fumbled the game way.
On their own 8 did they lose the ball and Duke said THANKS and took the lead back.
With 2 minutes left to play, ASU had to move quickly and did throw and INT a bit later to hand the game to Duke, winning 42:39.
What a season for Duke and what a game here.
Jacks BOWL Score: 18-15

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
#18 Michigan vs #13 Texas
I admit, Michigan was more in this game, than I anticipated, but not enough.
They started strong, tied the game with a field goal late in the 1st quarter, recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return and scored a TD on the next drive.
Texas did answer, but Michigan was able to score further and at the half it was a tied game at 17.
Late in the 3rd did Michigans luck run out, when they did throw an INT, already trailing by 4 points.
They were lucky enough to not allowing points out of this, but they lost at least a field goal out of this.
The Wolverine did recover, scored a TD, but were unable to stop Texas on the next drive and were trailing again.
On the ensuing drive another INT did seal their fate.
This time intercepted at midfield did Texas QB find an open gap on the next play and ran 60 yards for a TD with no defender near him!
The rest is score corrections on desperation. At the end did Texas win 41:27.
With the QB returning, the Longhorns can dream of a title run next season.
And Michigan has to adjust to a new HC now.
Jacks BOWL Score: 19-15

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Nebraska vs #15 Utah
This I make quickly.
Utah was just too much.
After a good 1st quarter was Nebraska then ineffective until garbage time in the 4th quarter, when they were already training by 30 points.
Utah did score and score the whole game, with the 2nd quarter the most with 17:0.
For Utah a new era starts with their promoted HC.
Nebraska is still looking for that killer punch they lack since a decade or more.
Jacks BOWL Score: 20-15

That’s for the bowls in this entry.
But we have also that 1st quarterfinal and it was a stunner.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS QUARTERFINAL

Wed., Dec 31
2025 CFP Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
#10 Miami vs #2 Ohio State
Miami did play awesome and exploited the Ohio State defense, again and again.
And more stunning in this game, the Ohio State offense was ineffective.
The 1st quarter was scoreless, with OSU lucky to recover a Miami fumble near the Buckeyes endzone, denying them points.
But on the next drive, a Miami TD for the lead.
And on the next offense drive? OSU did throw a really bad short yardage pass to the sideline and a Miami defender took the ball to the house!
Down 0:14 did Ohio State get the ball back and made nothing, until they later missed a field goal. 0:14 at the half!
Then 2 long drive in the 3rd quarter by Ohio State for a TD and Miami for a field goal, 17:7.
The Buckeyes willing to change their fate, scored a TD beginning of the 4th and stopped Miami.
But Miami did stop Ohio State also, got the ball back and marched over the field, eating away clock time and scored a TD, 24:14.
Now less than a minute left, down by 10 for the Buckeyes, so, open the playbook.
The 1st pass incomplete, the 2nd an INT at mid-field.
Miami did win, 24:14 and one of the big favorites did stumble and left the competition.
Jacks BOWL Score: 20-16

That’s it for the reviews, now the next few games coming.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS QUARTERFINAL

Thur., Jan 1 2026
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
#5 Oregon vs #4 Texas Tech
@Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
This season the Orange Bowl did get again a Quarterfinal; last season they had a semi.
In the past it was an ACC/SEC/BIG 10/Notre Dame bowl, but of course this link to conferences ended, when this (and the other major six bowls) became part of the playoff rotation.
The SEC has a 23-17 record here.
The record-holder for games is the old Big Eight conference (out of which in the mid-90s the BIG-12 was founded) with 42 games.
The BIG10 is 5-6 and the BIG-12 is 4-3.
I think nobody had Texas Tech (12-1 record) on the list to get here.
But they did play a great season and won the BIG-12, convincingly.
That makes Oregon (12-1) as at-large-team the underdog, right?
Well, no. Vegas has Oregon ahead by 2.5 points, which is of course not much.
With 2 dynamic offenses clashing here, chances are high we will see many points and likely also some turnovers.
This could end with the last drive in a no huddle offense and a score or a dramatic stop.
My gut feeling here is, that Oregon has a better team.
But there is not much room to argue the Red Raiders were not tested this season, because they did play good teams, like Utah and BYU twice, while Oregon did also not play many tough teams, like Indiana, Iowa and Penn State, and were also not perfect.
I just think that the Ducks have a better team and will likely win.
Ducks win.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 2026 Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
#9 Alabama vs #1 Indiana
@Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
This was also last year a quarterfinal, so likely next year a semi.
Traditionally this bowl, is linked to the PAC-12 and the BIG10.
Played in the Rose Bowl stadium, home of the UCLA Bruins.
The Rose Bowl exists since 1902. The oldest bowl game of all.
Traditionally the PAC-12-Champ did play the BIG10-Champ, but this was abandoned when BCS and CFP were introduced, and other matchups had to be made possible.
Still, if possible, they tried to have at least a PAC-12 vs BIG10 matchup (like last 2022), but that is now also over with the 12-team-playoff system.
The PAC-12 has most played games in this, 101, with a record of 52-46-3, while the BIG10 has 76 games with 36-40, including last years game, featuring two teams against each other.
This season we have a SEC team against the BIG10-Champ.
The playoff participation of Alabama was (and for some still is) controversial, since they did not drop in the rankings after they lost against Georgia on the SEC championship game and were 10-3 afterwards.
They were by far the highest ranked 3-loss-team and some would have had them ranked much deeper.
Still, they won against Oklahoma, on the road, in the 1st round, being now 11-3.
They now have to play an Indiana team, which is 13-0, won the BIG10 for the 1st time since 1967 (that was a 3-team tie then) and as lone winner since 1945!
They did also win for the 1st time ever the Heisman Trophy with their QB.
With that in mind did Vegas try to figure out, what to do with that team against Alabama and they made Indiana a 7.5-point favorite.
I expect a thriller here, with an open end.
Both teams have cases, both teams are able to play tough.
The key will be, whether that defense line of Alabama will again be as disruptive as it was against Oklahoma. Because if that happens, Bama wins.
I think with that QB behind their center and a very dynamic offense in place, Indiana has a real case here and I like to pick them, even I do very much respect the Crimson Tide talent.
Hoosiers win.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
#6 Ole Miss vs #3 Georgia
@Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Sugar Bowl is this season the last quarterfinal of the playoffs (again, so likely next season a semi).
The Bowl itself exists since 1935.
In the past, a BIG 12 team battled a SEC team, but now of course is invited, what fits the playoff rules.
It's played in the home of the New Orleans Saints.
By far the SEC did send in the past the most teams (82) and has a record of 42-39-1. That includes also teams on both sides.
This season we have a SEC vs SEC matchup, which likely drives up the conspiracy people regarding the SEC corruption.
Well, I don’t think so, but of course has the SEC a lobby on the playoff ranking committee and get a lot of teams in.
But Ole Miss DID win against Tulane and Georgia DID win the SEC.
I did wonder why Georgia did not get the spot ahead of Ohio State, but that’s likely geek arguing with who should be higher with 1 loss.
Ole Miss is 12-1 and won against Tulane, lost during the season against Georgia.
Georgia is 12-1 and lost during the season against Alabama.
This seems to be a quite open match.
As sidenote it has to be mentioned, that the Rebels did lose their HC (to LSU, prior the playoffs) and have now a new HC from within, who did his 1st match in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Vegas favors the Bulldogs by 6.5 points.
I’m not that sure, but I have not much to argue against that.
Geogia is running on high cylinders since their loss to Alabama and Ole Miss did show some weakness against them.
With the HC situation in mind, this can go any way with Ole Miss. They might lose a step or they might gain a step.
I stay with the Bulldogs and hope for a great game.
Bulldogs win.

And there are a few bowls left to be played.

The FIFTH SET OF BOWLs from Thursday, 1st to Wednesday, 7th of January 2026.

Thur., January 2 2026
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Rice vs Texas State
@Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
This is played on the field of the TCU Horned Frogs and the bowl is alive since 2003.
The CUSA did send the most teams to the bowl in 20 years but won only 4 of 12. Independent teams do have the best record, 6-0.
Since 4 seasons the matchup should be AAC vs CUSA, but that did not work out in 2022, 2023, 2024 and also not this season.
Instead, we have an AAC team (conference record at 3-3, including last seasons win), against a Sun Belt team (conference record 0-1).
Even worse is, that we have Rice with a record of 5-7, only playing here, because 3 other, eligible, teams, did decide not to play and a few 5-7 teams were granted the right to play.
Since the strength of the team is not relevant in that process, only the academic progress rate, Rice did get a shot.
They face a 6-6 Texas State team, which did play an OK season, but also not really great.
Still Vegas makes them a 16.5-point favorite, which looks quite heavy for a such a team against an American team.
Sure, Rice did lose the last 2 games in big manners, while Texas State did win the last 3 quite good.
But here, rested, both teams might get on the field and play different.
Will Rice win? Not sure. Likely not.
Will Texas State win? Not sure, maybe.
If THAT Texas State team shows up, which did win against UTSA, a team from within the American, which did beat Rice big time, that this is a done deal, but you never know.
I’m leaning towards the Bobcats, but not that heavy as the line says.
Bobcats win.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Navy vs Cincinnati
@Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
This is played on the home field of the Memphis Tigers.
This bowl is played since 1959.
It's a BIG 12 against SEC bowl.
But we got an American team here instead of an SEC team.
The SEC has a 22-11 record with most games in this bowl.
The BIG-12 is 4-8 so far, including last seasons loss.
The American was here 6 times and went 4-2.
For me, this is a coin toss game, since both teams had good games and bad games during the season and with bad games, I really mean games, where their playing was so bad the lost either BIG or the playing was not understandable and the narrowly won a close one, or lost a close one.
Navy (10-2) had that with North Texas and that game against Army was really bad.
Cincinnati (7-5) did lose the last 4 and especially against BYU it was a disaster.
Vegas favors Navy by 7.5 points.
I’m not that confident, but can see why, given the record and their lesser number of bad games.
But Cincinnati can be a force, if they play right, but will they?
I don’t trust any of those teams, so a coin toss.
Midshipmen win.

Duke's Mayo Bowl
Wake Forest vs Mississippi State
@Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Played in the home field of the Carolina Panthers, this bowl is played under different names since 2002, latest change since 2020.
It's an ACC vs SEC game planned for this season (the bowl switches the opponent conference between SEC and BIG10 annually right now).
The ACC did send of course the most team so far, their record is 10-13 including last seasons loss (now 6 games losing streak).
The SEC did send 7 so far, 4-3 and the BIG 10 is quite new in the mix and has won so far all 3 appearances.
Wake Forest is 8-4 this season, which is great for a team, which usually is not often on the winning side, but the new HC did get already a winning season on year 1.
Mississippi State is 5-7 and got only here, thanks to the 3 teams not willing to play a bowl and a good enough APR rate.
Despite having such a bad record are the Bulldogs a 3.0-point favorite, which does likely result on their status as SEC team and the Demons being an ACC team, which did play a fluffy schedule.
Their toughest games were against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, while MSU had to play 6 ranked teams during the season, and some of those were wins or close losses.
I think Wake Forest has a chance here, giving the circumstances with a new HC and a long season and a long rest.
It will likely come down, as many of those bowl games, which team is more motivated to play tough.
That’s hard to predict.
I lean towards the Bulldogs but would not be surprised to see the Demons winning here.7
Bulldogs win.

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl
#17 Arizona vs SMU
@Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California
They play this bow since last year on the home field of the San Diego State Aztecs.
The bowl exists since 1978 and should feature a PAC-12 team (including legacy teams) vs an ACC team.
The PAC 12 had 27 teams so far in this bowl and won only 9.
The BIG-12 is 11-7, but did not play here since 2013.
The ACC is almost brand new in this bowl and is 1-2, with winning for the 1st time last season.
Arizona is 9-3 and had an impressive season.
SMU is 8-4 and did lack a bit the punch of last seasons great results.
Arizona is favored by 1.5 points, which is not much.
Both teams did lose some close games and with a bit more luck, could have had a much better record.
Arizona did only lose inside the BIG-12, while SMU did lose to ACC teams and BIG-12 teams.
I lean towards Arizona here, with their offense being very good and explosive.
I expect a high scoring game and likely it will come down to turnovers and the motivation.
Wildcats win.

'Til next time
Jack6 on BLOCK OF GRANITE

Tags: Block of Granite, News