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Chop Chat's College Football 2016 Bowl Picks: Part One

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:40 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jason Parker/FanSided via Chop Chat

Here’s a look at the top college football bowl games for the first half of the postseason and who the Chop Chat’s staff thinks will win each showdown.

We have come to what some, including myself, thinks is one of the best parts of the holiday season: the over three dozen college football bowl games that will take place over the next three and a half weeks that will have you smiling and your wife saying “You don’t even care about these teams, so why are you watching?”

We’re watching because these are the final 40 plus times this year that we will get to see the greatest sport live and in action. It’s the last time to see upsets, Hail Mary plays, marching bands and all the pageantry that goes with it.

Before it was hampered (i.e. ruined) by the current playoff format, bowl games were amazing and one of the main reasons why college football trumps all other sports. It may not be the biggest game on paper, but it means something to everyone.

Speaking of upsets we talked about a little earlier, it’s going to take a major upset for one of us to overtake Kelvin for the championship. Ever since week three of the season, he has been in control and hasn’t let up. That doesn’t mean that either Kyle or myself can’t do something…you’re just going to have to stay tuned with Part One today and Part Two on December 29th.

Here’s a look how everyone did last week and the updated season standings.

Season Standings

Kelvin Hunt – 111-39 (.740) Last Week: 8-2

Kyle Albritton – 102-48 (.680) Last Week: 8-2

Jason Parker – 99-51 (.660) Last Week: 8-2

Ty Ragans – 87-63 (.580) Last Week: 7-3

Sep 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Old Dominion Monarchs wide receiver Zach Pascal (6) scores a touchdown during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 49-22. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Bowl: Houston vs. San Diego State – Last season, it was the Cougars ruining the postseason plans for Florida State by dominating the Seminoles in the Peach Bowl. Now, they get to break in new head coach Major Applewhite in Sin City against a running back that is not Dalvin Cook good, but pretty close.

All Pick: Houston

Cure Bowl: UCF vs. Arkansas State – While part of you has to feel good for the Knights, who won six more games than they did last year to finish with a record of 6-6, another part of you has to feel like they got screwed with a college football bowl game that is just 16 miles from campus. One thing is for sure – they better have the home field advantage.

Jason’s Pick: Arkansas State Kelvin, Kyle and Ty’s Pick: UCF

Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis vs. Western Kentucky – Less than two miles from the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the high priced lifestyle of Boca Raton are two teams that might feel a little out of their surroundings. It’s going to make for an interesting game where the first team to score 60 points might win…maybe.

Jason’s Pick: Memphis Kelvin, Kyle and Ty’s Pick: Western Kentucky

Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. Wyoming – It wasn’t that long ago that these college football teams were conference foes who played on a yearly basis. Now, they get a trip to San Diego for a pre Christmas tilt to exchange gifts, remember the old times and knock helmets once again. God bless bowl season!

Jason’s Pick: Wyoming Kelvin, Kyle and Ty’s Pick: BYU

Bahamas Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion – We’re picking this game for three reasons…it’s the first bowl game for the Monarchs in program history and they get to go to the islands for it, the turnaround for EMU was impressive, and the game is sponsored by one of my favorite places – Popeye’s Chicken. Any questions?

Jason and Ty’s Pick: Eastern Michigan Kelvin and Kyle’s Pick: Old Dominion

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The North Carolina State Wolfpack mascot stands on the field after a score in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Lane Bowl: Maryland vs. Boston College – One of the ACC’s original teams meets one of its newest ones in no better place than…Detroit, Michigan. The Terrapins have found out the hard way that life in the Big Ten has not been all it was supposed to be – hopefully, that paycheck made it all worth it.

Jason and Kyle’s Pick: Boston College Kelvin and Ty’s Pick: Maryland

Independence Bowl: N.C. State vs. Vanderbilt – After going to just three college football bowl games in their first 103 seasons of play, the Commodores have now gone bowling in five of the last nine seasons. I don’t think it’s time to use the word dynasty, but it’s all about small victories – like the Wolfpack getting to .500 in the final week of the season.

Jason, Kelvin and Ty’s Pick: N.C. State Kyle’s Pick: Vanderbilt

Military Bowl: Temple vs. Wake Forest – The champions of the American Athletic Conference take on a team that has gone 1-5 in their last six games. I’m not a betting man and we don’t encourage gambling here…but if you don’t put a little coin on the Owls in this one and do put some on the Deacs, well something is wrong with you.

Jason, Kelvin and Kyle’s Pick: Temple Ty’s Pick: Wake Forest

Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State – It wasn’t that long ago that this was one of the better bowls in the whole system, bringing it some great teams and having some memorable games you had an excuse to stay up and watch. This one will be a decent game, but not like old times.

All Pick: Washington State

Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (8) runs the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the third quarter of the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

***GAME OF THE WEEK*** Russell Athletic Bowl: Miami vs. West Virginia – For a while, it seemed as if Florida State was destined for this game until fate – and Kentucky beating Louisville – changed all that. It’s a Big East reunion in Orlando, with the ‘Canes looking to gain more momentum for 2017 against a Mountaineers team that was undefeated against teams that don’t play in the state of Oklahoma.

Jason, Ty and Kyle’s Pick: Miami Kelvin’s Pick: West Virginia