January 3 College Bowl Picks: Birmingham Bowl
By Joe Micik
The bowl picks are winding down, and now after almost 40 games have been played, there are just three left to go. The only of the January 3 college bowl picks involves the Birmingham Bowl.
January 3 College Bowl Picks: Birmingham Bowl
East Carolina vs. Florida (-6.5) | Birmingham, AL | 12pm ET (ESPN)
Way to rub it in, college football. After all, Birmingham just lost its college football team and you’re going to have a bowl game there, on UAB’s field no less? I guess somebody has to use that stadium.
This is a more intriguing game than one might initially believe. ECU was at one point ranked this season and have one of the most explosive passing offenses in the country. Florida always seems interesting because of something they’ve done on the field, good or bad, and this year they fired their coach.
Boston College Eagles
The Gators have gotten some better quarterback play out of Treon Harris than they did Jeff Driskel, but that’s a low bar to clear and right now, neither one is any good. Yet, they are about a touchdown favorite over their foes out of the AAC.
Shane Carden of East Carolina threw for over 4,300 yards this season, making him number two on the list of quarterbacks in terms of yardage this year. His passer rating for the season was just outside the top 30, but rest assured, he has had a good year.
What we are left with is a game that features a good offense (ECU) and a good defense (Florida); each of those units is responsible for their respective teams making a bowl.
In many cases, good defense beats out good offense, but up-and-down Florida is not a particularly trustworthy team. If this thing turns into a slugfest, the Gators have next to no chance with their flimsy passing game. Take the Birmingham Bowl upset.
Pick: East Carolina