Alabama Crimson Tide

Predicting Bowl Outcomes for Colorado and the Pac-12

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:52 p.m. ET

Fansided, Travis Wakeman/FanSided via Glory Colorado

The college football bowl season kicks off this Saturday with a slate of five games.

Here, I’m going to take a close look at the games that will involve one of the schools from the Pac-12 conference. And of course, that will include your Colorado Buffaloes in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

There are six bowl games this year that feature schools from the Pac 12, starting with Washington State taking on Minnesota in the in the Holiday Bowl on December 27. Here, we’ll have everything you’ll need to whet your appetite for these games including start times, current lines and my predictions for each game.

How many Pac-12 teams do you think come away with a bowl win this year?

Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) throws a pass against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Gophers

National Funding Holiday Bowl

Minnesota (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) vs. Washington State (8-4, 7-2 Pac-12)

Dec. 27 – 7 p.m., ESPN

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

Average Line: Washington State, -6.5

For the last several days, it seemed that Minnesota may not even play in this game. After 10 of their players were suspended, the Golden Gophers were boycotting the Holiday Bowl. That ended on Saturday when the team ended its protest and will suit up for the game.

On paper, this was an intriguing matchup when it was announced. Of course, that was before all of the suspensions for Minnesota.

Washington State’s Luke Falk can be one of the most prolific passers in the country and I’d expect to see the Cougars spread the offense out and take to the air against an overmatched Gophers teams.

I actually don’t think this game is very close.

Prediction: Washington State 41, Minnesota 20

Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham arrives at Rice-Eccles Stadium prior to the game against the Washington Huskies. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

IndianaHoosiers

Foster Farms Bowl

Indiana (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) vs. No. 19 Utah (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12)

Dec. 28 – 8:30 p.m., Fox

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Average Line: Utah, -8

I actually see this as another pretty straight forward pick.

Indiana is a competitive team that hung tough in a loaded Big 10 conference this year, but it also had a loss to Wake Forest and narrow wins over both Rutgers and Maryland. On top of that, they’ll be traveling to the west coast.

Utah was still one of the best teams in the Pac-12 despite losses to California and Oregon.
Utah averages nearly 31 points per game and they may put up even more in this one to close the year on a high note.

I’d expect Indiana to be competitive in the first half, by Kyle Whittingham will make the necesary adjustments at halftime to turn this into a bit of a route.

Prediction: Utah 35, Indiana 23

Nov 12, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinal

Hyundai Sun Bowl

No. 18 Stanford (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. North Carolina (8-4, 5-3 ACC)

Dec. 30 – 2 p.m., CBS

Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

Average Line: Stanford, -3.5

Two of the top pro prospects in the country meet in this one as North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky takes on Stanford and running back Christian McCaffrey. Both players could be selected in the first round of next April’s NFL draft.

I see Stanford giving Trubisky a rough time and McCaffrey going off on the North Carolina defense. I predict McCaffrey will churn out over 150 yards on the ground and find the end zone at least once, allowing Stanford to control time of possession and frustrate the Tar Heels.

Prediction: Stanford 28, North Carolina 16

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) react after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Huskies

College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

No. 4 Washington (12-1, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 1 Alabama (13-0, 8-0 SEC)

Dec. 31 – 3 p.m., ESPN

Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Average Line: Alabama, -16

The first of two national semi-final games pits the Washington Huskies against the juggernaut known as the Alabama Crimson Tide. The only drama left in this college football season is the question of whether or not anyone can stop another Alabama championship.

If anyone can do it, it might be Chris Petersen. Make no mistake, Petersen and his team are not going to be intimidated. Just look back to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl if you want to be reminded of this guy’s guts. That said, the answer to the question above is no.

Washington has had a terrific season, but they haven’t faced a team with this much talent. It’s a group of almost nothing but future pros and though the Tide will get Petersen’s best shot, I don’t see the upset happening here.

Prediction: Alabama 34, Washington 13

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) in right front tries to catch confetti in his mouth after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State defeats Wisconsin 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

UscTrojans

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual

No. 9 USC (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) vs. No. 5 Penn State (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten)

Jan. 2 – 5 p.m., ESPN

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

Average Line: USC, -7

This might be the toughest game of the entire bowl season to predict, as I could see either team winning this one.

Colorado fans still have to have a bitter taste in their mouths that the Buffs aren’t in this game, but USC was probably the right choice. The Trojans have been one of the best teams in the nation since Sam Darnold took over at quarterback.

That said, Penn State is the Big 10 conference champion and is the only team to defeat Ohio State this season. If not for a tough early season loss to Pittsburgh, the Nittany Lions would likely be playing for much more. Of course, you could likely make the same argument raising the “what if” scenario had Darnold been the Trojans quarterback all season.

Flip a coin in this one but in the end, I’ll give it to Penn State… barely.

Prediction: Penn State 31, USC 30

Nov 19, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) (left) is congratulated for his rushing touchdown in the third quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Cougars 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys

Valero Alamo Bowl

No. 12 Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) vs. No. 10 Colorado (10-3, 8-1 Pac-12)

Dec. 29 – 9 p.m., ESPN

Alamodome, San Antonio

Average Line: Colorado, -3

Naturally, we’ve got to save the best for last.

Most analysts see this as one of the most competitive games of the bowl season and it also features two schools that had a chance to play for much more this season.

That said, it sets up for an exciting game between two high-powered offenses. The difference, in my opinion, will be the defense of Colorado, specifically the secondary. Look for Ahkello Witherspoon, Chidobe Awuzie and Tedric Thompson to all make some plays in this game and one of them will come up with a key interception in the fourth quarter to help the Buffs get their first bowl win in over a decade.

Prediction: Colorado 28, Oklahoma State 24