At this point, I'm 50% on my bowl picks. Conference USA is looking good, Sun Belt is looking bad, and it's too early for everyone else.
Wednesday Dec 27
Military Bowl : Virginia Tech Hokies v Tulane Green Wave -- Tulane failed to win their conference championship game, but they are a tough competitor. Virginia Tech just wasn't up to their usual standards this season. TULANE by 27
Mayo/Queen City Bowl : North Carolina Tar Heels v West Virginia Mountaineers -- West Virginia held their own in the tough Big XII, but North Carolina was a powerhouse for most of the season. They faded late, and their QB will not be playing, as he joined the transfer portal. However, injuries allowed the backup chances to play, so I think the Tar Heels will prevail here, although it won't be easy. NORTH CAROLINA by six
Holiday Bowl : #19 Louisville Cardinals v USC Trojans -- The ACC has been spotlighted this day, and the final day features the conference runner-up. USC might be favored if Caleb Williams played, but he is sitting it out to prevent injury and improve his draft prospects. That gives the Cardinals the edge. LOUISVILLE by 13
Texas Bowl : Texas A&M Aggies v #Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Several Aggies are out for this game, making life pretty easy for the Cowboys. OKLAHOMA STATE by lots
Thursday Dec 28
Fenway Bowl : #11 SMU Mustangs v Boston College Eagles -- SMU rolled in the American Athletic Championship Game. This is an easy pick. SMU by 23
Pinstripe Bowl : Rutgers Scarlet Knights v Miami Hurricanes -- Rutgers is a decent team, but Miami's defense loves to cause turnovers, and the Knights are vulnerable to that. MIAMI by 16
Cheez-It/Camping World Bowl : NC State Wolf Pack v #21 Kansas State Wildcats -- NC State can be a tough competitor, but let's face it -- K State did some impressive things in a tough conference. KANSAS STATE by 12
Alamo Bowl : #17 Arizona Wildcats v #10 Oklahoma Sooners -- The Wildcats ended the season strongly, but the Sooners are just a more complete team. OKLAHOMA by 21
Friday Dec 29
Gator Bowl : Clemson Tigers v Kentucky Wildcats -- This young Clemson squad improved faster than anyone expected, and I think they will end this Cinderella season with a bowl win. CLEMSON by ten
Sun Bowl : #20 Oregon State Beavers v #13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- Oregon State plays well against Pac-12 opponents, but not so well against others. The Irish are just dangerous. NOTRE DAME by 16
Liberty Bowl : #25 Memphis Tigers v Iowa State Cyclones -- It would be fun to have the Liberty Flames in the Liberty Bowl, but that is not to be. These two make a great match-up, though. The Cyclones have a tough defense that makes yardage a challenge for opponents. Memphis has a good defense, too, but they like to establish a lead and let that defense hold it. Both teams look for advantages in field position, so this will be an interesting chess match. MEMPHIS by four
Cotton Bowl : #12 Missouri Tigers at #5 Ohio State Buckeyes -- When I originally picked this game, the Buckeyes were the obvious favorite. Now with QB McCord in the transfer portal, their offense looks a little weaker. Still, their defense will make ti too difficult for Missouri, but it'll be a closer game now. OHIO STATE by 11
Sat Dec 30
Peach Bowl : #16 Ole Miss Rebels v #9 Penn State Nittany Lions -- The Rebs are good, but Penn State is just too crushing. PENN STATE by 26
Music City Bowl : Auburn Tigers v Maryland Terrapins -- Auburn has a decent defense, but it is not as strong as in years past. Maryland's offense will get past it. MARYLAND by 16
Orange Bowl : #4 Georgia Bulldgos v #3 Florida State Seminoles -- Florida State is threatening to leave the ACC because they blame a perceived weak reputation of the conference (and don't let Clemson hear you claim that!) as to why they were left out of the College Football Playoffs. News flash -- they were left out because they are missing too many starters. Their defense allowed them to win the ACC Championship Game, but that defense can't slow Georgia. GEORGIA by lots
Arizona Bowl : Toledo Rockets v Wyoming Cowboys -- Toledo may have lost the MAC Championship, but they are the best team in the conference, and this game will prove that. TOLEDO by 13
Monday Jan 1
Outback/Hall of Fame Bowl : Wisconsin Badgers v #14 LSU Tigers -- No contest here. LSU by 26
Fiesta Bowl : #18 Liberty Flames v #7 Oregon Ducks -- The Flames would like to conclude the season unbeaten, but the Ducks offense is just too strong. OREGON by 24
Citrus Bowl : Iowa Hawkeyes v #22 Tennessee Volunteers -- Tennessee has the better offense, but the Iowa defense is incredibly tough. I don't think the Vols have experienced anything like it. IOWA by six
Rose Bowl : #8 Alabama Crimson Tide v #1 Michigan Wolverines : While I would love a Big Ten team to reach the National Championship, Michigan has a traditionally atrocious bowl record; it goes back to the days of Bo. They will take an early lead, but the Tide will come back and Michigan starts making mistakes. ALABAMA by three
Sugar Bowl : #6 Texas Longhorns v #2 Washington Huskies -- The Huskies will overpower the Longhorns. WASHINGTON by 18
Championship picks: If Alabama wins the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl winner will triumph. If Michigan wins the Rose Bowl, they can beat Texas, but will fall to Washington. So, basically, I am favoring Washington (regardless of opponent), Michigan over Texas, and Texas over Alabama.
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