There are so many college football bowl games being played each year it can feel like being lost at a Tupperware party. With no offense intended, I have chosen to skip the pre-Christmas games and begin with those being played Dec. 26.
With my beloved Crimson Tide booted from the Alabama Invitational (CFP Playoffs) for the first time I must confess to less anticipation than in the past. However, stomping ol’ khaki pants at Michigan would be a nice ending to an otherwise disastrous season, and I certainly hope both Iowa and Iowa State can play their way to victories.
While it will hardly matter for the Hawkeyes or Cyclones, having high-draft choice players opt to sit out their bowl game is, again this year and likely increasing in the future, a real problem. I understand the logic behind not wishing to risk anything that could negatively effect what could become, after the draft, generational wealth. That said, I cannot help but feel those who do so are quitting on their team, their school and the fans. Not knowing who may or may not sit makes the picks even more difficult, as it could make for serious point swings either way for certain teams.
Also a factor is motivation. Some teams will be jacked up just to reach a bowl and may have several reasons to spur on a full-blown effort. Others, like Alabama and Georgia, may lament what-could-have-been and sleep walk to a loss, with fan of the usual fan base buying tickets to bowls they don’t want to be in. The Alabama student bookstore, for instance, is not even selling Citrus Bowl shirts or memorabilia — they didn’t even order any, figuring it would not sell.
As always when I make public picks, the points total is irrelevant and there just as a guess. My choices are made without regard to point spreads or over/under and are strictly for fun. I hope you enjoy, and wish your team success … unless, of course, that team happens to be either Auburn or Michigan.
Unless otherwise noted, all games are broadcast on ESPN, with all times Central. Note:
Thursday, Dec. 26
Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA) 3 p.m.
Miami (Fl) (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (9-3)
Massively over-rated Miami was rated as Top 10 team at the start of the season. They have not been nationally relevant for almost 20 years … LA TECH 23-16.
Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich) 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Eastern Michigan (6-6)
Make a bowl game and earn a trip to luxurious downtown Detroit? Oh the joy! … PITT 21-17.
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Friday, Dec. 27
Military Bowl (Annapolis, Maryland) 11 a.m.
North Carolina (6-6) vs. Temple (8-4)
UNC is a blown play away from a win over Clemson. They are also 6-6 in a pathetic conference … TEMPLE 30-21.
Pinstripe Bowl (New York, NY) 2:20 p.m.
Michigan State (6-6) vs. Wake Forest (8-4)
Sparty used to be respected. The Demon Deacons are looking for respect. Michigan State also blew a three TD lead to lose at home to Illinois (Illinois!) … WAKE FOREST 27-24.
Texas Bowl (Houston) 5:45 p.m.
Texas A&M (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (8-4)
The Aggies have losses to Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Georgia, so that 7-5 mark is a little deceiving, as the Pokes will discover … TEXAS A&M 34-24.
Holiday Bowl (San Diego) FS-1 7 p.m.
Iowa (9-3) vs. USC (8-4)
The Trojans are a mess, with all sorts of questions swirling around coach Clay Helton, who was recently retained, and collapsing recruiting classes. Iowa would love to reach 10 wins and might be motivated by the recent death of iconic coach Hayden Fry, though no living player is old enough to remember when ol’ White Pants patrolled the sideline. The Trojans have shown they can throw it, and it might come down to whether Iowa QB Stanley can keep his Hawks close. I say he can … IOWA 31-24.
Cheez-It-Bowl (Phoenix) 9:15 p.m.
Washington State (6-6) vs. United States Air Force Academy (10-2)
This bowl will feature to two most striking divergences in offensive philosophy of any bowl. Wazzou wants to chuck it everywhere while Air Force is all about a ground assault … USAF 30-28.
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Saturday, Dec. 28
Camping World Bowl (Orlando) ABC 11 a.m.
Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5)
The Irish, position-by-position, are far more talented. The Cyclones are looking back at wins that were missed against Iowa, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. You can look at it as “we are good enough to have been 11-2” or “a good team would be 11-2, or at least 9-4.” ISU QB Brock Purdy has a chance to introduce himself to more of the national media, and it remains to be seen how motivated Notre Dame is. That said, the Irish are just too much … OUR LADY 30-20.
Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Tx) 11 a.m.
Pennsylvania State (10-2) vs. Memphis (12-1)
Everyone sings the praises of Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin, but I am still waiting for him to win a game that matters. Memphis can sling it, but has done so against lesser teams than Penny State has faced. The trendy pick is to go with Memphis … PENNSYLVANIA STATE 37-31.
NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
Peach Bowl (Atlanta) 3 p.m.
Oklahoma (12-1) vs. LSU (13-0)
Heisman winner Joe Burrow is getting all the quarterback ink, when the bigger story is Jalen Hurts, who will be playing in his fourth CFP and who has Character. As in Character. Along with considerable talent. Unfortunately his supporting cast is not enough to overcome what is likely a one-hit wonder in the suddenly potent Tigers. I have no love for Boomer Sooner and revile the Bayou Bums, but … LSU 45-34.
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz) 7 p.m.
Clemson (13-0) vs. Ohio State (13-0)
No team has won three titles in four years since Alabama in 2009-2012 and Clemson would love to match the run. The Tigers feel overlooked and are highly motivated to prove the naysayers wrong. Ohio State, meanwhile, has been the darling of the press (along with LSU) while dominating everyone put before them. Buckeye DE Chase Young has emerged from nowhere as a top one or two pick in the draft and will be looked upon to pressure the pale one, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. The key player may end up being Tiger RB Travis Etienne … CLEMSON 30-24.
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Monday, Dec. 30
First Responder Bowl (Dallas) 11:30 a.m.
Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Western Kentucky (8-4)
You might think this game should be played in western Indiana so as to split the difference, but instead Big D is the site for a contest few are likely to watch. Broncos? Hilltoppers? (flips coin) … Hilltoppers of WESTERN KENTUCKY 38-35.
Music City Bowl (Nashville) 3 p.m.
Louisville (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (6-6)
With apologies to Dak Prescott, the best thing to come out of Starkville is a great Johnny Cash song, but the Cowbell Crew would beg to differ … MISSISSIPPI STATE 20-16.
Red Box Bowl (Santa Clara, Cal) FOX 3 p.m.
Illinois (6-6) vs. California (7-5)
Illinois lost to Eastern Michigan, Northwestern and Nebraska, but also upset Wisconsin and scored 27 fourth-quarter points to stun host Michigan State, 37-34, so which team will Lovie Smith bring? Cal, meanwhile, has been rewarded for a bland season with a bowl game less than 50 miles from their campus … FIGHTING ILLINI 27-23.
Orange Bowl (Miami) 7 p.m.
Virginia (9-4) vs. Florida (10-2)
The Gators two losses are to LSU and Georgia and they own a win over Auburn, all of which makes them far to dangerous for the Cavaliers … FLA 38-21.
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Tuesday, Dec. 31
Belk Bowl (Charlotte, NC) 11 a.m.
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4)
Kentucky QB All-American Lynn Bowden is the best player you never heard of. An incredible talent, I would recommend looking up his long and impressive stats sheet. You will be impressed … KENTUCKY 34-23.
Sun Bowl (El Paso, Tx) CBS 1 p.m.
Arizona State (7-5) vs. Florida State (8-4)
Herm Edwards led the Sun Devils past Oregon, which made Oklahoma very grateful. Florida State used to be Florida State and may be one day again, but in this one I trust Hermie to fire up his team just enough … ASU 26-19.
Liberty Bowl (Memphis) 2:45 p.m.
United States Naval Academy (9-2) vs. Kansas State (8-4)
Navy QB Malcolm Perry is a true threat running the ball, but K-State is more battle tested. For the Midshipmen to win, they cannot fall behind, as the offense is not designed to play catch-up ball. This has the potential to be fun viewing … NAVY 31-28.
Arizona Bowl (Tucson) CBS Sports Network 3:30 p.m.
Wyoming (7-5) vs. Georgia State (7-5)
The CBS Sports Network? What? … GA STATE 14-13.
Alamo Bowl (San Antonio)
Utah (11-2) vs. Texas (7-5) 6:30 p.m.
Remember all the bluster about “Texas is back” and how QB Sam Ehlinger was going to win the Heisman? Remember all the bluster about how super-physical Utah was going to make the CFP? The crowd will be pro-cattle and the Utes are likely still wondering how they fell to this bowl, but … UTAH 35-24.
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Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020
Outback Bowl (Tampa) 12 p.m.
Minnesota (10-2) vs. Auburn (9-3)
The Gophers fell apart when their schedule finally caught up to them, while Auburn and QB Bo Nix (err, Mo Picks) needed two unlikely breaks to top Bama and reach this game. The Tiger/War Chicken defense will be the best, by far, the boat-rowers have seen … AUBURN 26-16.
Citrus Bowl (Orlando) ABC 12 p.m.
Michigan (9-3) vs. Alabama (10-2)
Bama is projected to have as many as six first round draft picks, including three receivers. Will they play? Will a team that is two inexcusable pick-sixes away from a sixth CFP appearance decide to care and play up to their level? Michigan and coach khaki pants will have no say on the outcome whatsoever — it all comes down to Alabama’s player availability and motivation. If they have both, it is a blowout. I suspect some will sit out, but that, either way, Saban will have the team fired up to prove a two-loss regular season (the first such disaster since 2010) was an anomaly … CRIMSON TIDE 41-17.
Rose Bowl (Pasadena) 4 p.m.
Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Oregon (11-2) 4 p.m.
Which Wisconsin will make the trip to Pasadena, the one which sank Minnesota’s boat or the one what spilled their season in Champaign? Running back Jonathan Taylor (if he plays) could be the difference, while Duck QB Justin Herbert will be looking to secure a top 10 draft spot. This should be close game … WISCONSIN 24-23.
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) 7:45 p.m.
Georgia (11-2) vs Baylor (11-2)
Georgia has no truly dangerous offensive attack, and if tailback Swift sits out the problem will be acute. Baylor would dearly love to knock off an SEC power while the Dawgs will either A.) be smarting over losing out on the CFP and lay another bowl egg, or B.) wish to avenge a poor bowl performance last year which soured their spring and summer … BAYLOR 27-20.
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Thursday, Jan. 2
Birmingham Bowl (Legion Field, Birmingham, Al) 2 p.m.
Boston College (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (10-3)
Historic Legion Field, somehow still standing, will be perhaps one-third full for this yawner. The Bearcats are the better team and should win … CINCY 27-16.
Gator Bowl (Jacksonville) 6 p.m.
Tennessee (7-5) vs. Indiana (8-4)
Jauan Jennings (57-942, 8 TDs) is a big, physical receiver for Tennessee, which is desperately trying to return to relevance in the SEC East. Meanwhile Indiana has quietly had a quality season and looks to be in decent shape going forward … IU 24-20.
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Friday, Jan. 3
Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise) 2:30 p.m.
Nevada (7-5) vs. Ohio (6-6)
Ahh, the Blue Field. That is the limit of my research for this game … NEVADA 46-41.
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Saturday, Jan. 4
Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, Tx.) 10:30 a.m.
Tulane (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (7-5)
Teams from New Orleans and Hattiesberg fly due west to meet. Tulane is lucky to be bowl eligible while Southern Miss has underachieved, if you listen to those who follow the Golden Eagles. I am suspecting a blowout, but which way? Hmmm … TULANE 37-13.
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Monday, Jan. 6
Lending Tree Bowl (Mobile, Al.) 6:30 p.m.
Louisiana (10-3) vs. Miami (Ohio) (8-5)
With no pro football, ESPN will be hoping gridiron fans — those not already overly sated — might tune in, at least for a while. I doubt many will … LOUISIANA 23-21.
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Monday, Jan. 13
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) 7 p.m.
Semifinal winners
Based upon my picks from above, I see this being a showdown between Clemson and LSU. This Tiger v Tiger battle should be an entertaining watch, and maybe, just maybe, a Clemson win will make the country as tired of Dabo and the boys as they appear to be of Saban and the Tide (who am I kidding? Hating Bama has become a cult). This is where the one-year, one-trick pony of LSU receives their comeuppance … CLEMSON 38-30.
