While there have certainly been a few stinkers, many of the bowl games on offer — especially post-Christmas — have produced close games, with a smattering of upsets tossed into the mix as well.
Beginning Friday 14 bowls (including the Jan. 9 National Championship game) remain. Here are my predictions of the outcomes, with the two national semifinals picked last.
FRIDAY BOWLS:
Liberty Bowl
at Memphis
Georgia vs. TCU
Things have not gone as swimmingly from new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart as some might have expected, but give him time — the Bulldog recruiting class is a strong one. TCU was hit-and-miss this year, creating what may be a tossup. SEC bias should come into play, and Georgia will have far more fans present, but … TCU 30-23.
Sun Bowl
at El Paso
(18) Stanford vs North Carolina
Better things were expected of both teams, but with Christian McCaffrey opting to sit the game out it is the Cardinals who enter the game with the biggest piece missing. That said, UNC has no one to blame but themselves for two costly losses … STANFORD 26-21.
Music City Bowl
at Nashville
Nebraska vs. (21) Tennessee
Bigger things were expected of the Big Orange, but a loss to Texas A&M and a blowout loss at home to Alabama wrecked the season. The crowd will be partisan Vols fans, and though disappointed to be playing here, they are the more talented team … TENNESSEE 38-20.
Arizona Bowl
at Tempe
South Alabama vs Air Force
Nothing against the Jaguars, but given a choice between two teams I know nothing about, I will take the USAF over USA … AIR FORCE 34-28.
Orange Bowl
at Miami Gardens(6) Michigan vs. (11) Florida State
Both are good teams, but FSU started the season badly overrated, while Michigan ended the season receiving more love than they deserved. The defenses will be key, with an offensive edge to the Seminoles and the nod on the opposite side to the Wolverines. A toss-up … MICHIGAN 31-27.
SATURDAY BOWLS
Citrus Bowl
at Orlando
(20) LSU vs (13) Louisville
Hotshot Heisman winning quarterback Lamar Jackson has not seen a defense like LSU will field and while he will make some plays but is unlikely to go wild. LSU, however, is far from sparkling on offense. This could be a sneaky-good game … LOUISVILLE 24-23.
TaxSlayer Bowl
at Jacksonville
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky
Kentucky is bowling for the first time since … well, a long time. The Wildcats are better than their record, but the Yellow Jacket triple-option is a tough assignment … GEORGIA TECH 40-24.
MONDAY BOWLS
Outback Bowl
at Tampa
(17) Florida vs Iowa
Florida’s vaunted defense was demolished, 54-16, by Alabama in the SEC title game. Iowa won’t score half as many points, but might hold Florida in check. The key could be the play of Hawkeye offensive line. If they hold their own, Iowa’s odds dramatically increase. I like what Iowa has done under the radar, but the Gators will chomp down on a running game not as good as some think … FLORIDA 24-13.
Cotton Bowl
at Arlington
15 Western Michigan vs 8 Wisconsin
The Broncos are a great story and the Badgers would be well-advised to take them seriously. In the end, the Madison crowd will prove too physical … WISCONSIN 27-17.
Rose Bowl
at Pasadena(9) USC vs (5) Penn State
Southern California started the season having their manhood questioned by Alabama in a 52-6 thrashing. They will end it by ripping a Nittany Lion team that in no way deserves this high a ranking, as the Trojans will prove … USC 41-20.
Sugar Bowl
at New Orleans(14) Auburn vs. (7) Oklahoma
I remember watching the Sooners walk by me at Jack Trice field and thinking “these guys are huge!” They also have a solid, veteran quarterback in Baker Mayfield … OKLAHOMA 30-16.
SATURDAY’s NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
Peach Bowl
at Atlanta
(1) Alabama vs. (4) Washington
Jake Browning is the best quarterback the Crimson Tide has faced to date, and the Huskies possess a defense that could cause trouble for Bama, especially if the defending national champions have to play catch-up. True frosh quarterback Jalen Hurts is the real deal at Bama and has shown incredible calm in tough moments. Alabama’s offense has not been given their due, but that is because the defense is … well … Godzilla. Everyone says (in a show of respect) “We Want Bama” which simply feeds the beast … ALABAMA 37-20.
Fiesta Bowl
at Glendale, Ariz.
(3) Ohio State vs. (2) Clemson
A pair of great teams, but lucky ones. Clemson is a missed field goal by NC State from being out of the picture, and Ohio State is a pair of boneheaded self-inflicted wounds from Michigan and several homer calls from also being out. Look for an average Buckeye offense to be exposed, and while DeShaun Watson will not go crazy, he will be wild enough to set up a repeat with Bama … CLEMSON 29-20.ri
