New Year's Day Bowl Games by the Numbers

Happy New Year! The sports world is ringing it in with bowl games across the country. Here are a few eye-opening numbers from the games that are kicking off 2024.

85 Year Old Record will be Shattered in the Citrus Bowl

In 1938 Johnny Pingel punted for 4,138 yards. The Michigan State punter’s mark once seemed untouchable thanks to changes in play. Brian Ferentz in the Iowa offense turned back the clock to make history.

Iowa punter Tory Taylor only need 19 yards to shatter the single-season record that’s stood the test of time. Even though Taylor is accomplishing the feat in 13 games compared to Pingel’s nine, his grandson acknowledged the changes in the game since the early 20th century and congratulated the Iowa kicker for taking the Hawkeyes to new heights.

Johnny Pingel’s grandson passed along this statement. As he points out, the game was far different in 1938: Pingel set his record in fewer games but had more opportunities to punt per game pic.twitter.com/YtdPCeeVRc

— Kyle Austin (@kylebaustin) January 1, 2024

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6 Michigan Bowl Losses

Similar to the early Nick Saban years in Tuscaloosa, Jim Harbaugh has created murderball in Michigan, mowing down opponents via force in the trenches. It’s been effective in the Big Ten, winning three straight over Ohio State to take home the conference title. That formula has not worked in bowl games.

The Wolverines have lost six straight bowl games dating back to the Citrus Bowl win over Florida following the 2015 season. Jim Harbaugh is 1-6 in bowl games as the Michigan head coach, 2-7 overall. He has lost two straight CFB Playoff Semifinals and Michigan opponents have scored at least 34 points over the last four years. Even though on paper the game might appear to be a slobber-knocker, Michigan postseason games have a way of turning into points-a-paloozas.

Michigan and Alabama kickoff in the Rose Bowl at 5 pm EST on ESPN.

4 Indiana Injuries

Michael Penix had a season-ending injury in four straight years. It was a sick game of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. There’s just something about the state of Indiana…

He’ll try to cap off a miraculous comeback story by knocking out Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Kickoff is set for 8:45 pm EST.

Michael Penix Jr.’s college journey has had plenty of highs and lows.

Ahead of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, he reflects on how he got here 👏 #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/wHh1E0pm7s

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 1, 2024

2 CFB Playoff Picks

Luckett and I both believe Alabama will meet Texas in the National Championship for a rematch of the September showdown in Tuscaloosa. Our friends at FanDuel have created an exacta wager to predict the outcomes of the next three games. An Alabama victory over Texas is currently going off at +440. It’s something to consider, like the three-leg parlays constructed for today’s games. You can sign up, place a winning $5 moneyline bet and get $150 in bonus beets at Fanduel.com/Pigskin.

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