2023 FBS G5 College Football Bowl Game Predictions, Including Peach Bowl, Frisco Bowl & More

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09 October 2023

2023 FBS G5 College Football Bowl Game Predictions, Including Peach Bowl, Frisco Bowl & More

It’s still early in the college football season, which means Group of Five teams still have plenty of time to position themselves for a berth in a bowl game.

Here’s a look at each bowl game with a G5 tie-in and predictions for those matchups, as well as the G5 team I believe has the best shot to make a New Year’s Six bowl.

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Peach Bowl Prediction

For my Peach Bowl prediction, I project Tulane will play Notre Dame with Tulane winning.

Though Tulane has one loss, I still believe the Green Wave have the best shot of making a New Year’s Six bowl among any Group of Five team. But that’s only if quarterback Michael Pratt will be healthy. If not, plenty of other teams will challenge for this spot.

Teams likely to play in the Peach Bowl:

Tulane
Fresno State
SMU
Toledo
Memphis

Military Bowl Prediction

For my Military Bowl prediction, I project Memphis will play Wake Forest with Memphis winning.

Memphis has started the season 4-1 and 1-0 in AAC play. The Tigers have as good of shot as anyone to win their conference. However, people’s perceptions of the Tigers could change once they play Tulane next week.

Teams likely to play in the Military Bowl:

Memphis
SMU
UTSA
USF
Rice

Arizona Bowl Prediction

For my Arizona Bowl prediction, I project Toledo will play Wyoming with Toledo winning.

Wyoming has been a pleasant surprise this season. The Cowboys began the year 5-1 win a victory over Texas Tech in overtime. However, Toledo is a more complete team and would win this matchup in my mind.

Teams likely to play in the Arizona Bowl:

Toledo
Ohio
Wyoming
Air Force
Boise State

Fenway Bowl Prediction

For my Fenway Bowl prediction, I project Tulsa will play North Carolina with UNC winning.

Tulsa has exceeded some expectations and started the year 3-3. I expect the Golden Hurricanes to win many more games. But if Tulsa faces UNC in a bowl game, I would have North Carolina being victorious.

Teams likely to play in the Fenway Bowl:

Tulsa
Memphis
Rice
North Carolina
Clemson

First Responder Bowl Prediction

For my First Responder Bowl prediction, I project USF will play Kansas with Kansas winning.

USF showed potential in its victory over Rice in Week 4 and nearly defeated Alabama earlier this season. USF’s defense has played well, and quarterback Byrum Brown has also been impressive. But if the Bulls play Kansas, I would anticipate Kansas to triumph.

Teams likely to play in the First Responder Bowl:

USF
East Carolina
UTSA
Tulsa
Rice

Quick Lane Bowl Prediction

For my Quick Lane Bowl prediction, I project Miami (Ohio) will play Minnesota with Minnesota winning.

Miami (Ohio) may have began the year with a 38-3 loss to Miami, but the RedHawks responded by winning their next five games, including a victory against Cincinnati. I could see the RedHawks reaching a bowl game, but I think Minnesota would be a tough matchup if they did meet in the postseason.

Teams likely to play in the Quick Lane Bowl:

Miami (Ohio)
Central Michigan
Ohio
Minnesota
Iowa

Hawai’i Bowl Prediction

For my Hawai’i Bowl prediction, I project Boise State will play North Texas with Boise State winning.

Many have doubted Boise State after the Broncos started 3-3, but I think they are simply too talented not to be one of the top teams in the Mountain West. North Texas also has a good roster, but I think Boise State would have a better shot to win this game.

Teams likely to play in the Hawai’i Bowl:

Rice
Memphis
Tulsa
Wyoming
San Diego State

68 Ventures Bowl Prediction

For my 68 Ventures Bowl prediction, I project Northern Illinois will play South Alabama with South Alabama winning.

South Alabama was viewed as a dark horse pick to make a New Year’s Six bowl, but the Jaguars have had an inconsistent season. I believe they’re talented enough to bounce back, though. Northern Illinois is also capable of rebounding with its MAC schedule ahead, but I think South Alabama’s offense would be tough for NIU to stop in this matchup.

Teams likely to play in the 68 Ventures Bowl:

NIU
Miami (Ohio)
Central Michigan
South Alabama
Texas State

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction

For my Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prediction, I project Ohio will play San Jose State with Ohio winning.

This would be an extremely entertaining matchup. Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke and San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro are two of the best players at their position in the Group of Five. I think Ohio’s depth might be just a little better, though.

Teams likely to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl:

San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State
Ohio
Miami (Ohio)

Armed Forces Bowl Prediction

For my Armed Forces Bowl prediction, I project Temple will play UCF with UCF winning.

After six weeks, Temple is 2-4. However, I think the Owls are just talented enough to bounce back and make a bowl game. But if they face UCF, Temple would have a difficult time winning.

Teams likely to play in the Armed Forces Bowl:

Temple
North Texas
Navy
UCF
TCU

Camellia Bowl Prediction

For my Camellia Bowl prediction, I project Central Michigan will play Troy with Troy winning.

Troy started the season 1-2, but the Trojans are back on track after beating Western Kentucky and Georgia State. I think Central Michigan is talented enough to reach a bowl game, but I would pick Troy to win here.

Teams likely to play in the Camellia Bowl:

Central Michigan
Ohio
Toledo
Troy
Coastal Carolina

Birmingham Bowl Prediction

For my Birmingham Bowl prediction, I project Mississippi State will play Syracuse with Syracuse winning.

There’s a chance an AAC team makes this bowl. However, I have the AAC teams which I believe will be bowl-eligible making other games.

Teams likely to play in the Birmingham Bowl:

Mississippi State
Syracuse
Tulane
SMU
Memphis

Gasparilla Bowl Prediction

For my Gasparilla Bowl prediction, I project Florida will play N.C. State with Florida winning.

Teams from the AAC like SMU and Memphis could end up playing in this game. However, I have them going to other bowls right now.

Teams likely to play in the Gasparilla Bowl:

Florida
N.C. State
SMU
Memphis
USF

Boca Raton Bowl Prediction

For my Boca Raton Bowl prediction, I project San Diego State will play Georgia State with Georgia State winning.

This would be a great matchup. The Aztecs began the year 2-4 with losses to UCLA and Oregon State, while Georgia State started out 4-1. I think SDSU will bounce back after some Mountain West games, but Georgia State’s offense is playing exceptionally well recently.

Teams likely to play in the Boca Raton Bowl:

San Diego State
Georgia State
UNLV
Marshall
Georgia Southern

Frisco Bowl Prediction

For my Frisco Bowl prediction, I project SMU will play Western Kentucky with SMU winning.

SMU is arguably one of the best G5 teams in the country. Western Kentucky’s high-flying offense will certainly present some problems. But the Mustangs’ offense, led by quarterback Preston Stone, is also impressive and would help SMU ultimately win in my mind.

Teams likely to play in the Frisco Bowl:

SMU
UTSA
Memphis
Texas State
Western Kentucky

Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction

For my Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction, I project UNLV will play Texas State with Texas State winning.

I believe UNLV has a strong team and could reach a bowl game. However, Texas State’s high-powered offense would be able to help the Bobcats win this tilt.

Teams likely to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl:

UNLV
Air Force
San Jose State
Texas State
Georgia State

LA Bowl Prediction

For my LA Bowl prediction, I project Air Force will play Washington State with Air Force winning.

Air Force is going to be difficult for any Mountain West foe to defeat. I believe the Falcons would be well-equipped to take down a Power Five opponent like Washington State.

Teams likely to play in the LA Bowl:

Air Force
Fresno State
Boise State
Washington State
Oregon State

New Mexico Bowl Prediction

For my New Mexico Bowl prediction, I project FIU will play Fresno State with Fresno State winning.

Fresno State has two Power Five wins and is 5-1 overall. The Bulldogs would be too strong on both sides of the ball for FIU to win here in my opinion.

Teams likely to play in the New Mexico Bowl:

Western Kentucky
FIU
Louisiana Tech
Fresno State
Boise State

Cure Bowl Prediction

For my Cure Bowl prediction, I project Marshall will play UTSA with Marshall winning.

With a 4-1 start, Marshall has been fun to watch. Meanwhile, UTSA has had a rough beginning of the season, but I still think that roster has what it takes to reach a bowl game. And if this is the matchup, I believe the Thundering Herd will be in a better position to win.

Teams likely to play in the Cure Bowl:

Marshall
Georgia Southern
App State
UTSA
USF

New Orleans Bowl Prediction

For my New Orleans Bowl prediction, I project Louisiana Tech will play Georgia Southern with Georgia Southern winning.

This would be a great turnaround as a program if Louisiana Tech reached a bowl game. But I believe Georgia Southern has enough talent on both sides of the ball to win in this matchup.

Teams likely to play in the New Orleans Bowl:

Louisiana Tech
Western Kentucky
Liberty
Georgia Southern
South Alabama

Bahamas Bowl Prediction

For my Bahamas Bowl prediction, I project Liberty will play Eastern Michigan with Liberty winning.

Eastern Michigan has shown some promise, though it is now 3-3. However, Liberty is playing at a high level with Kaidon Salter at quarterback. I would predict the Flames would be too strong on offense to lose here.