The first week of bowl season we went 5-3 straight up but did not fare as well against the spread. We'll look to bounce back this week in the second round of action. So far, it has been the favorites that have held serve to start off the bowl festivities. This week's college football bowl picks go from December 21-24. The Poinsettia Bowl featuring BYU and Wyoming highlights this week's action. Louisiana Tech takes on Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl in a game featuring two potent offenses. Bowl matchups conclude this week with a Christmas Eve matchup between Hawai'i and Middle Tennessee in the Hawai'i Bowl. Each week, we offer picks both straight up and against the spread. All odds listed are courtesy of OddsShark and are subject to change. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter with any college football related questions @JonDAdams. Picks are listed in order from least to greatest level of confidence. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see this week's bowl picks. (Getty)
No. 6 Old Dominion Over Eastern Michigan
Bowl: Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
Date: Friday, December 23, 2016
Spread: Old Dominion by 4
Outlook: Old Dominion has won five straight games and the metrics like them in this bowl matchup. The OddsShark projects a 37-29.6 Old Dominion victory. The S&P+ projections give Old Dominion a 60.4 percent chance of winning down in the Bahamas. I'm rolling with Old Dominion in their first bowl game but like Eastern Michigan to keep it close. (Getty)
Pick: Old Dominion Straight Up & Take the (+4) Points
No. 5 Navy Over Louisiana Tech
Bowl: Armed Forces Bowl
Date: Friday, December 23, 2016
Spread: Louisiana Tech by 6
Outlook: Neither of these teams enters the Armed Forces Bowl particularly hot as both are riding two-game losing streaks. Both teams went 7-5-1 against the spread this season. The OddsShark computer projects a 41.2-32.7 Louisiana Tech victory. Six points is a lot for a team to be favored by that enters the contest on a two-game losing streak. I think the Navy offense gives Louisiana Tech fits. Look for Navy to pull off the upset. (Getty)
Pick: Navy Straight Up & Take the (+6) points
No. 4 BYU Over Wyoming
Bowl: Poinsettia Bowl
Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Spread: BYU by 10
Outlook: After pulling off upsets over Boise State and San Diego State during the regular season, Wyoming enters this bowl matchup having lost three of their last four games. BYU is on the other end of the spectrum with its four-game winning streak and has won seven of their last eight games. The OddsShark computer projects a 37.8-29 BYU victory while the S&P+ projections give the Cougars a 70 percent chance of winning. Wyoming has proven they can play with the best teams on their schedule. I like BYU to edge them out in a close game. (Getty)
Pick: BYU Straight Up & Take the (+10) Points
No. 3 Colorado State Over Idaho
Bowl: Famous Idaho Potatoes Bowl
Date: Thursday, December 22, 2016
Spread: Colorado State by 13
Outlook: Colorado State finished the season strong with wins over New Mexico and San Diego State who both made bowl games. Idaho enters this matchup as nearly a two touchdown underdog despite playing inside the state. I like Colorado to win the game but expect Idaho to hang around. The OddsShark computer agrees with its projections of a 39.3-28.3 Colorado State victory. The S&P+ projections are more bullish as it gives Colorado State an 85% chance of winning the matchup. (Getty)
Pick: Colorado State Straight Up & Take the (+13) Points
No. 2 Troy Over Ohio
Bowl: Dollar General Bowl
Date: Friday, December 23, 2016
Spread: Troy by 3.5
Outlook: Troy has been great this season in the Sun Belt with wins over Southern Miss and Appalachian State. They have the advantage of playing what is essentially a home game as the Troy faithful will fill up Ladd-Peebles Stadium where they face rival South Alabama every other season. The OddsShark computer projects a 32.6-24.6 victory. I like Troy to win big in this one in front of a large Troy contingent in the stands. (Getty)
Pick: Troy Straight Up & Covers the (-3.5) Spread
No. 1 Middle Tennessee Over Hawai'i
Bowl: Hawai'i Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 24, 2016
Spread: Not Listed
Outlook: Christmas Eve would not be complete without the Hawai'i Bowl. This year's game features the home team taking on a solid Middle Tennessee team. The spread remains off the books but there is no doubt Middle Tennessee enters the game as the favorite. The Blue Raiders are 8-4 with a schedule that included games against Vanderbilt, Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky and Missouri. Middle Tennessee had wins against Missouri and Louisiana Tech. Hawai'i enters the bowl matchup as one of the few teams with a losing record at 6-7. The OddsShark computer projects a 42-22.2 Middle Tennessee victory. Look for the Blue Raiders to win comfortably and put up a lot of points. (Getty)
Pick: Middle Tennessee Straight Up
College Football Bowl Predictions 2016: Picks Against the Spread, Odds & Best Bets Week 2