RFC Postseason's Greetings: 1983 Cotton Bowl Pitt vs. SMU

(Video courtesy of CBS Sports.)

The 2022 edition of the "RFC Post Season's Greetings" series concludes by turning the clock back to New Year's Day, Saturday, January 1, 1983. That was when the undefeated SMU Mustangs squared off against future Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Cotton Bowl. In a low-scoring defensive struggle, SMU outlasted Pitt 7-3 to finish the 1982 season at 11-0-1 overall, with the Mustangs' lone blemish coming at the hands of Arkansas in a 17-17 tie in the regular season finale on November 20.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Postseason's Greetings: 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Ohio vs. Utah State

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Today's installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings" turns the clock back to December 17, 2011. That was when the Ohio University Bobcats faced the Utah State University Aggies at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho. Thanks to a 1-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Tyler Tettleton, the Bobcats rallied in the final seconds to edge the Aggies 24-23. With their first-ever bowl win, Ohio finished the 2011 season at 10-4 overall, while Utah State settled for a final overall record of 7-6.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Postseason's Greetings: 2003 GMAC Bowl Miami (Ohio) vs. Louisville

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Today's installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings turns the clock back to December 18, 2003. That was when the Miami University Redhawks, led by future NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, faced the University of Louisville Cardinals, who were then members of Conference USA, in the GMAC Bowl (now the Lending Tree Bowl). In his final game before declaring for the NFL Draft in 2004, Roethlisberger led the Redhawks to a 49-28 rout over the Cardinals to finish the 2003 season at 13-1 overall, winning the Mid-American Conference championship along the way. Miami (Ohio) ended that season on a 13-game winning streak after losing its season opener 21-3 to Iowa on August 30.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Postseason's Greetings: 2000 Motor City Bowl Marshall vs. Cincinnati

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Today's installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings turns the clock back to December 27, 2000. That was when the Thundering Herd of Marshall University, led by then-star turned former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich, took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in the Motor City Bowl. Thanks to a strong performance from Leftwich, which resulted in winning the bowl's MVP award, the Thundering Herd outlasted the Bearcats 25-14 to claim a bowl championship to go with the Mid-American Conference championship they won that season. Marshall finished the 2000 season at 8-5 overall, while Cincinnati finished its season at 7-5 overall with the loss.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Postseason's Greetings: 1993 Las Vegas Bowl Ball State vs. Utah State

(Video #1 courtesy of ESPN.)

(Video #2 courtesy of ESPN.)

The latest installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings" turns the clock back to December 17, 1993. That was when the then-Big West Conference (defunct) champion Utah State University Aggies did battle with the then-Mid-American Conference champion Ball State University Cardinals in the second edition of the Las Vegas Bowl. Thanks to gaining 491 total yards while scoring on several sustained drives, the Aggies pulled the upset over the Cardinals to finish the 1993 season at 7-5 overall, ending it with six straight wins after starting 1-5. As for Ball State, their season ended at 8-3-1 overall after finishing MAC play unbeaten at 7-0-1. 

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Postseason's Greetings: 1992 Las Vegas Bowl Bowling Green vs. Nevada

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Today's installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings" turns the clock back to December 18, 1992. That was when Bowling Green State University Falcons did battle with the University of Nevada (Reno) Wolfpack in the inaugural Las Vegas Bowl. The Falcons built a 28-3 lead at halftime, only to hold off the Wolfpack in the final seconds for a 35-34. Bowling Green finished the 1992 season at 10-2 overall, while Nevada finished at 7-5 overall.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: 2017 Arizona Bowl New Mexico State vs. Utah State

 

(Video courtesy of the CBS Sports Network.)

This special Christmas Day edition of "RFC Post Season's Greetings turns the clock to December 29, 2017. That was when the New Mexico State University Aggies faced the Utah State University Aggies in the Arizona Bowl. In a contest that was tight from start to finish, New Mexico State outlasted Utah State 26-20 in overtime. NMSU finished the 2017 campaign with a rare winning record at 7-6 overall, while USU had a losing season at 6-7 overall.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: 2002 Hawai'i Bowl Hawai'i vs Tulane

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

The "RFC Post Season's Greetings" series moves forward on this Christmas Eve by turning the clock back to Christmas Day 2002. That was when the Tulane University Green Wave took on the host Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors in the inaugural Hawai'i Bowl. Tulane managed to pull off the upset over Hawai'i to finish the season at 8-5 overall, while the Rainbow Warriors finished their campaign at 10-3 overall.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: 1983 Independence Bowl Air Force vs. Mississippi

(Video courtesy of the Mizlou Television Network [defunct].)

The "RFC Post Season's Greetings" series continues by turning the clock back to the night of Saturday, December 10, 1983. That was when the Air Force Falcons faced the University of Mississippi in the Independence Bowl. The Falcons won 9-3 on the strength of three field goals to finish the 1983 season at 10-2 overall.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: 2016 Armed Forces Bowl Louisiana Tech vs. Navy

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

The "RFC Post Season's Greetings" series rolls on with a look back at the Armed Forces Bowl from December 23, 2016. Thanks to a 32-yard field goal from Jonathan Barnes as time ran out, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs won a high-scoring contest over the Navy Midshipmen 48-45. Louisiana Tech finished the 2016 season at 9-5 overall with the win, while Navy finished its campaign with that same record.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: 2014 Bahamas Bowl Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Today's installment of "RFC Post Season's Greetings turns the clock back to Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014. That was when the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers faced the Central Michigan University Chippewas in the Bahamas Bowl. In a contest that turned out to be one of the greatest bowl games of all time, the Hilltoppers held off a late rally from the Chippewas to win 49-48. Both teams finished the 2014 season at 7-5 overall.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Post-Season's Greetings: THE DEBUT-1987 California Bowl Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State

 

(Video courtesy of ESPN.)

Editor's Note: Effective with this post, "RFC Post-Season's Greetings" (or "The 12 Days of Bowl Games"), makes its 2022 debut. The purpose of this series is to post at least one postseason game per day, between now and New Year's Eve, involving programs that are currently members of FBS Group of Five conferences or below. That also includes the FCS, as well as the NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA ranks.

The debut video above features the 1987 California Bowl between Eastern Michigan and San Jose State. In a contest that was close and high-scoring from start to finish, EMU emerged victorious over SJSU 30-27. Both teams finished the 1987 season at 10-2 after the now-defunct Fresno, California-based bowl game was played on December 12.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Throwback Thursday: University of Northern Colorado Football 1996-1997

(Video #1 courtesy of University of Northern Colorado Athletics.)

(Video #2 courtesy of ESPN2.)

(Video #3 courtesy of ESPN.)

This week's installment of "RFC Throwback Thursday" turns the clock back to both 1996 & 1997. That was when the University of Northern Colorado Bears found themselves on an unlikely run to winning back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships. The 1996 squad defeated Carson-Newman 23-14 to finish that season at 12-3 overall, while the 1997 squad crushed New Haven 51-0 to finish at 13-2 overall. The former team ended the 1996 season with seven straight wins after starting it at 5-3 overall, while the latter team finished the 1997 season with 10 straight wins after a 3-2 start. Additionally, UNC competed in the now-defunct North Central Conference with current FCS powers North Dakota State and South Dakota State.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

 

RFC Weekly Predictions: Week Of December 17, 2022-FCS Semifinal And Small College Championship Predictions, Plus The Celebration Bowl

Last Week: 8-1 (.889)

This Year: 1,031-440 (.701)

KEY: Projected winners are marked in RED.

Featured games in BOLD type.

FCS Semifinals

Interactive Bracket

Friday, December 16 (7 pm EST/6 pm CST on ESPN2.)

Incarnate Word (12-1) at North Dakota State (11-2)

Saturday, December 17 (4 pm EST/3 pm CST/ 2 pm MST on ESPN2.)

 Montana State (12-1) at South Dakota State (12-1)

NCAA Division II Championship Game at McKinney, Texas 

Saturday, December 17 (1 pm EST/noon CST on ESPNU.)

Ferris State (13-1) vs. Colorado School of Mines (13-2)

NCAA Division III Championship Game (Stagg Bowl) at Canton, Ohio 

Friday, December 16 (7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST on ESPNU.)

North Central (14-0) vs. Mount Union (13-0)

NAIA Championship Game at Durham, N.C.

Saturday, December 17 (noon EST/11 am CST on ESPN3.)

Keiser (Fla.)-(10-3) vs. Northwestern (Iowa)-(12-1)

Celebration Bowl at Mercedes Benz Stadium-Atlanta

Saturday, December 17 (noon EST/11 a.m. CST on ABC.)

North Carolina Central (9-2) vs. Jackson State (12-0)

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Group Of Five Bowl Predictions Special 2022 (REVISED)

Editor's Note: Only the bowl games involving at least two teams from any two of the FBS Group Of Five Conferences (American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt) are eligible for inclusion in this post. 

KEY: Projected winners are marked in RED.

NOTE: Post last revised at 6:05 pm EST on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Friday, December 16

Bahamas Bowl at Nassau, Bahamas 

Miami (Ohio)-(6-6) vs. UAB (6-6)

Cure Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Troy (10-2) vs. UTSA (10-2)

Saturday, December 17

LendingTree Bowl at Mobile, Ala.

Rice (5-7) vs. Southern Mississippi (6-6)

New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque, N.M.

SMU (7-5) vs. BYU (7-5)

Frisco Bowl at Frisco, Texas

North Texas (7-6) vs. Boise State (9-4)

Monday, December 19

Myrtle Beach Bowl at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Marshall (8-4) vs. UConn (6-6)

Tuesday, December 20

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise, Idaho

San Jose State (7-4) vs. Eastern Michigan (8-4)

Boca Raton Bowl at Boca Raton, Fla.

Toledo (8-5) vs. Liberty (8-4)

Wednesday, December 21

New Orleans Bowl at New Orleans, La.

South Alabama (10-2) vs. Western Kentucky (8-5)

Friday, December 23

Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La.

Louisiana (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5)

Saturday, December 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE)

Hawai'i Bowl at Honolulu, Hawai'i

Middle Tennessee State (7-5) vs. San Diego State (7-5)

Monday, December 26

Quick Lane Bowl at Detroit

New Mexico State (6-6) vs. Bowling Green (6-6)

Tuesday, December 27

Camellia Bowl at Montgomery, Ala.

Georgia Southern (6-6) vs. Buffalo (6-6)

First Responders Bowl at Dallas, Texas

Memphis (6-6) vs. Utah State (6-6)

Birmingham Bowl at Birmingham, Ala.

Coastal Carolina (9-3) vs. East Carolina (7-5)

Friday, December 30

Arizona Bowl at Tucson, Ariz.

Ohio (9-4) vs. Wyoming (7-5)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM REAL FOOTBALL CENTRAL!!!!!!

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Throwback Thursday: History of Tulane Football-2022

(Video courtesy of History Media HD.)

This week's installment of "RFC Throwback Thursday" takes a look back at the history of the Tulane University football program. The more than half-hour video talks about the program's long history, from its humble beginnings in 1893, to its days in the SEC, the unbeaten season of 1998, up until the present day.

NOTE: For last week's installment on the 1973, 1979, and 1998 teams at Tulane, please click here.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Weekly Predictions: Week Of December 10, 2022-FCS/Small College Playoff Predictions, Plus The Army-Navy Game

Last Week: 21-6 (.777)

This Year: 1,023-439 (.700)

KEY: Projected winners are marked in RED.

Featured games in BOLD type.

FBS Group Of Five

Saturday, December 11

The Army/Navy Game at East Rutherford, N.J. (3 p.m. EST on CBS.)

Army (5-6) vs. Navy (4-7)

FCS Quarterfinals

Interactive Bracket

Friday, December 9 

Samford (11-1) at North Dakota State (10-2)

William & Mary (11-1) at Montana State (11-1)

Incarnate Word (11-1) at Sacramento State (12-0)

Saturday, December 10

Holy Cross (12-0) at South Dakota State (11-1)

NCAA Division II Semifinals

Saturday, December 10

West Florida (12-1) at Ferris State (12-1)

Shepherd (13-1) at Colorado School of Mines (12-2)

NCAA Division III Semifinals

Saturday, December 10

Wartburg (13-0) at Mount Union (13-0)

Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-1) at North Central (13-0)

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.

RFC Throwback Thursday: Tulane Football-1973, 1979 & 1998

(Video #1 courtesy of Tulane University.)

(Video #2 courtesy of Tulane University.)

(Video #3 courtesy of ABC Sports.)

(Video #4 courtesy of Tulane University.)

With their imminent appearance in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship game vs. UCF looming this Saturday, this week's installment of "RFC Throwback Thursday" turns the clock back to 1973, 1979, and 1998 for the Tulane University football program. The 1973 Green Wave squad finished their season at 9-3 overall, falling to Houston in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl on December 29. The 1979 squad also finished at 9-3 after losing to Penn State in the Liberty Bowl on December 22, and the 1998 squad finished the season undefeated at 12-0 overall. The third and final aforementioned team finished No. 7 in the final Associated Press and coaches polls, respectively, after beating BYU 41-27 in the Liberty Bowl on December 31, 1998.

Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.