This is gonna be long. Buckle up.
BOWL GAMES
DECEMBER 15
Cure Bowl Orlando, Fla. 1:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Tulane (6-6) vs. Louisiana (7-6)
The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the most accurate QBs in the country and he will make swiss cheese out of the Green Wave defense.
Louisiana 27, Tulane 13
New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque, N.M. 2 p.m. (ESPN)
N. Texas (9-3) vs. Utah State (10-2)
The Aggies are a stout bunch but Seth Littrell's Mean Green can score like a Big 12 team. The Albequerque scoreboard may go TILT before this one is done.
North Texas 47, Utah State 45
Las Vegas Bowl Las Vegas, Nev. 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Arizona State (7-5) vs. Fresno State (11-2)
Fresno State under Jeff Tedford are a solid, all-around squad. Forget the conference affliations, the better team is the Bulldogs.
Fresno State 24, Arizona State 16
Camellia Bowl Montgomery, Ala. 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
E. Michigan (7-5) vs. Ga. Southern (9-3)
Option teams are hard to defend when you never see them. The Eagles won't be able to keep up here.
Georgia Southern 26, Eastern Michigan 20
New Orleans Bowl New Orleans, La. 9 p.m. (ESPN)
App. State (10-2) vs. MTSU (8-5)
The Mountaineers are a fast team and indoors on turf, they are going to be harder to catch. The Blue Raiders fight hard but I don't think they can stop App. all night long.
App. State 30, MTSU 25
DECEMBER 18
Boca Raton Bowl Boca Raton, Fla. 7 p.m. (ESPN)
UAB (10-3) vs. N. Illinois (8-5)
A couple of conference champions here who will flat punch opponents in the guts. UAB is an amazing story and, ultimately, a better team, but don't sleep on N. Illinois. They are more balanced than the average Illinois state budget.
UAB 20, N. Illinois 17
DECEMBER 19
Frisco Bowl Frisco, Tex. 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Ohio (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5)
Ohio continues to be a solid running team as does San Diego State. This game might be fast with all the rush attempts but the better defense belongs to the Bobcats.
Ohio 23, San Diego St. 20
DECEMBER 20
Gasparilla Bowl Tampa, Fla. 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Marshall (8-4) vs. S. Florida (7-5)
Marshall gets the nod here even though South Florida is basically playing a home game. The Bulls defense folds like a house of cards in second halfs and that's a problem they can't fix before a bowl game.
Marshall 28, S. Florida 17
DECEMBER 21
Bahamas Nassau Bowl, Bahamas 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Toledo (7-5) vs. FIU (8-4)
This is a bowl sponsored by a Chicago suburb. Yeah, nothing shady there at all. FIU was close to being 10-2 this year and have a good quarterback who can throw and run. The Rockets are no slouches but the Panthers overall team speed is the difference here.
FIU 24, Toledo 22
Idaho Potato Bowl Boise, Idaho 4 p.m. (ESPN)
BYU (6-6) vs. W. Michigan (7-5)
The Broncos ride onto the blue turf ready to french fry the 35 year old Mormons. Those old men have learned a few things though and, despite the record, aren't the lesser team here.
BYU 24, W. Michigan 21
DECEMBER 22
Birmingham Bowl Birmingham, Ala. Noon (ESPN)
Wake Forest (6-6) vs. Memphis (8-5)
Last time Memphis came to the Ham it didn't go so well, but this Wake team doesn't have the horses on defense to keep up with that Tigers' run game.
Memphis 36, Wake Forest 23
Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Army (10-2) vs. Houston (8-4)
Army may only have the ball for six drives but they will score on four of them and hold the ball for over 40 minutes against the Cougs.
Army 20, Houston 14
Dollar General Bowl Mobile, Ala. 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Buffalo (10-3) vs. Troy (9-3)
Could nickname this the disappointment bowl as both teams hoped to win conferences and both coaches hoped to get pulled up to the next level. Oh, well. Enjoy scenic Mobile, AL and lock your doors when you park.
Buffalo 22, Troy 17
Hawaii Bowl Honolulu 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Hawaii (8-5) vs. La. Tech (7-5)
Nick Rolovich has made Hawaii football fun again and unlike some teams (USF) they like playing on the home turf. La. Tech is tough but not deep enough to hang with the 'Bows who can score fast and furious.
Hawaii 31, La. Tech 24
DECEMBER 26
Quick Lane Bowl Detroit 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)
I'd like to see Paul Johnson ride that option attack to a final win but the Gophers defense has come to life late in the season. While they don't see the option much, Minnesota is fast enough to play here and keep this interesting.
Minnesota 30, Georgia Tech 26
Cheez-It Bowl Phoenix, Az 9 p.m. (ESPN)
TCU (6-6) vs. California (7-5)
TCU is a shell of their former selves while Cal continues to improve and the Bears defense shouldn't have trouble containing the Horned Frogs in the crackers bowl.
Cal 30, TCU 16
DECEMBER 27
Independence Bowl Shreveport, La. 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Temple (8-4) vs. Duke (7-5)
NO SEC teams in the Independence Bowl?!? What's the world coming to? This game will be as boring and unwatchable as a botanical gardens event in Shreveport.
Duke 20, Temple 16
Pinstripe Bowl New York, NY 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Miami (7-5) vs. Wisconsin (7-5)
Miami fans will feel at home here. Wisconsin's offensive line is garbage. Is it less garbage than Miami's? Nope. 'Canes can still run the ball.
Miami 24, Wisconsin 21
Texas Bowl Houston 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Baylor (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)
Vanderbilt doesn't do anything flashy or great, per se. They do play for four quarters though. Baylor is still learning how to be a real football team after being nuked from orbit a few years ago. However, they will have the crowd.
Baylor 29, Vanderbilt 27
DECEMBER 28
Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn. 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Auburn (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)
Auburn needs to bracket Rondale Moore and they can contain the Purdue offense. The Auburn offense doesn't have to be great to move the ball on this bunch. If the Tigers show up interested, they should win with ease.
Auburn 31, Purdue 17
Camping World Bowl Orlando, Fla. 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
W. Virginia (8-3) vs. Syracuse (9-3)
The Mountaineers have to go without Will Grier but that offense system produces points no matter the triggerman. Syracuse is stout-ish on defense and can run the ball. If the Orange can keep the turnovers at bay, they should win.
Syracuse 34, West Virginia 31
Alamo Bowl San Antonio 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Iowa State (8-4) vs. Washington State (10-2)
The Cyclones will have their hands full with Mike Leach's offense in a domed stadium. However, Iowa State has played and beaten that (West Virginia) already this year and David Montgomery can run for daylight on the Cougs porous defense.
Iowa State 24, Washington State 20
DECEMBER 29
Peach Bowl Atlanta Noon (ESPN)
Michigan (10-2) vs. Florida (9-3)
If you think you've seen this before, you have, many times. This one won't be any more interesting. Florida is finding it's groove. Michigan's defense is good but they are a slower version of LSU. Florida's overall speed and depth give them the edge.
Florida 27, Michigan 20
Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C. 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
South Carolina (7-5) vs. Virginia (7-5)
Virginia's defense isn't good and South Carolina's Jake Bentley should be able to pick them apart through the air all day. It'll probably be cold and rainy. More people will be driving around Uptown Charlotte than at this game.
South Carolina 31, Virginia 14
Arizona Bowl Tucson, Ariz. 1:15 p.m. (CBSSN)
Nevada (7-5) vs. Arkansas St. (8-4)
Arkansas State doesn't have much of a defense but they have an offense that can give any team fits. Nevada's good enough to neutralize that if they can control the ball but that's a tall task for the Wolf Pack. I like the Red Wolves here. Dog fight.
Arkansas State 45, Nevada 34
DECEMBER 31
Military Bowl Annapolis, Md. Noon (ESPN)
Cincinnati (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
Cincinnati is well-coached and can play with a lot of P5 teams. Virginia Tech is really a mess on offense and has been a taped-together piece of junk on defense all year. Bearcats should roll.
Cincinnati 41, Virginia Tech 24
Redbox Bowl Santa Clara, Calif. 3 p.m. (FOX)
Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4)
Tune in to watch Justin Herbert tear up a slow, plodding, middle-of-the road BIG10 defense. And hope he turns pro so Auburn doesn't have to fool with him next year.
Oregon 30, Michigan State 17
Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tenn. 3:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Missouri (8-4) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)
Oklahoma State is a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get. Missouri has been steady all year on both sides of the ball. Drew Lock gets another showcase before riding off into the NFL backup squad life.
Missouri 34, Oklahoma State 24
Holiday Bowl San Diego 7 p.m. (FS1)
Northwestern (8-5) vs. Utah (9-4)
The Holiday Bowl usually gets a good matchup and they did again this year. These are a couple of tough, physical defenses. There won't be many points but there will be blood! The Wildcats can manifest just enough to get by but it won't be pretty.
Northwestern 16, Utah 13
Taxslayer Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Texas A&M (8-4) vs. NC State (9-3)
If you like "pro-style" offenses that can score like "spread" teams, this is your game. The funny thing is both teams have good defenses as well. They've played a common opponent and TAMU came out way better there (Clemson beat them both). I like the Aggies overall depth and speed but the Wolf Pack could do this.
Texas A&M 34, NC State 31
Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas 2 p.m. (CBS)
Pittsburgh (7-6) vs. Stanford (8-4)
Pittsburgh's offense is best when it looks like Stanford used to look and runs the ball well. Stanford is best when they uncork the QB and let him throw it. Neither defense is all that good. In fact, they are mostly bad. Edge to David Shaw's coaching ability.
Stanford 23, Pittsburgh 17
JANUARY 1
Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla. Noon (ESPN2)
Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Iowa (8-4)
Mississippi State has one of the best defenses against scoring in the country. They gave up 12 TDs all year. Iowa doesn't score a lot anyway, but this doesn't help. Nick Fitzgerald gets to ride the QB Iso to one more win before he moves to TE or LB in the NFL.
Mississippi State 20, Iowa 10
Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m. (ABC)
Kentucky (9-3) vs. Penn State (9-3)
Kentucky's ability to run the ball is going to be the key here. Yes, the Wildcats defense will need to stop Trace McSorley more than not, but if they can run the ball, it won't matter what they give up to the Nittany Lions on the other side of the ball. Feed Benny Snell and let him wear out the opponent.
Kentucky 24, Penn State 17
Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz. 1 p.m. (ESPN)
UCF (12-0) vs. LSU (9-3)
LSU's offense isn't flashy but it gets the job done unless they are playing a team that can do two things. First, pressure then with their own offense. UCF can and will do some of that. Second, keep them off the field. UCF's defense gives up a lot of yards. LSU knows what happened to Auburn last year and I don't see Ed O letting his guys look passed this one. LSU ends the 25 game win streak and all UCF fans will say is "Well, if we'd have had our starting QB..." or "We wanted to be in the playoffs anyway."
LSU 26, UCF 21
Rose Bowl Pasadena, Calif. 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Ohio State (12-1) vs. Washington (10-3)
Urban goes out with a win...until he takes another job in a year or so. Washington's defense hasn't seen anything like the passing attack Ohio State is going to unleash in the Rose Bowl. Washington's only chance is try and control the clock but they are up and down moving the ball. Giving Ohio State more chances isn't going to go well for the Huskies.
Ohio State 45, Washington 20
Sugar Bowl New Orleans 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Texas (9-4) vs. Georgia (11-2)
Georgia can run the ball with a cadre of fast RBs. They can throw it around with accurate game-manager Fromm. The Bulldogs defense is really good against the run. All of that is a problem for Texas. Their defense bends and hopes not to break. They have played one team with this kind of speed and they split games wiht them (Oklahoma) and could have lost both. The Texas offense is a somewhat faster version of what K-State has run for years and that isn't going to get it done. If Georgia isn't interested, Texas can make a game and win this, but something tells me Kirby Smart isn't going to overlook this chance. Either way, the post game whining from the losing coach will be epic.
Georgia 27, Texas 17
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
DECEMBER 29
Cotton Bowl Arlington, Texas 4 p.m. (ESPN)
No. 2 Clemson (13-0) vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0)
Notre Dame beat a bunch of meh to bad ACC teams to get here. So, it's only fair they play the best ACC team. Clemson's weakness on defense is in the DBs but you have to keep that front seven off your QB long enough to do something about it. On offense, Clemson is a lot like Georgia last year (or not, actually) and keyed off the run game to set up high-percentage throws from a young stud at QB. The Domers will make this look good for a long time as Ian Book really gives them a good chance with how he directs the offensive attack. Clemson's depth is just too much to overlook. The Tigers roll two and three deep everywhere except QB. Even if they just ran wildcat the whole second half, I still think they can win. Clemson's the better team.
Clemson 31, Notre Dame 20
Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Fla. 8 p.m. (ESPN)
No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)
Oklahoma's offense is going to score points here. Alabama's defense is phenominal but the Sooners know their chance is go fast, go hard, and score every time they can. I expect Kyler Murray is going to get his in this game. Problem is the Oklahoma defense gives up too many yards and points (especially on the ground). While Alabama's attack has been pass-heavy this year, they can still rush with the best of them. I think that's what we'll see here. Similar to how Georgia got by Oklahoma last year, Alabama's run game should find plenty of room to roll. That works well for the Tide especially if Tua is still injured or just limited. It's a scorefest for a half but there may not be a team that adjusts at halftime better than Alabama.
Alabama 51, Oklahoma 34
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