With the First Responder Bowl declared a “no contest” because of lightning, 19 games had been played in the 2018 college football bowl season as of the morning of Dec. 28.
My picks started well, as I was off to a 9-1 start before stumbling a bit and coming in at 13-6 to date.
Now come the better games, the ones that have more national interest and matter more than the others (of course, the two semis and the finals of the Alabama Invitational are the only ones that really matter).
Friday, Dec. 28
Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tenn.) 12:30 p.m. ESPN
AUBURN (7-5) vs. PURDUE (6-6)
There is no way I will ever love the Boilermakers than I will today … PURDUE 30-23.
Camping World Bowl (Orlando, Fla.) 4:15 p.m.
WEST VIRGINIA (8-3) vs. SYRACUSE (9-3)
Players sitting out have dulled what little sparkle there was to this yawned … CUSE 22-15.
Alamo Bowl (San Antonio, Tex.) 8 p.m. ESPN
IOWA STATE (8-4) vs. WASHINGTON STATE (10-2)
Wazzou and the ‘stache’ will pass it all over the place, but the receiver everyone will remember will be Hakeem Butler … IOWA STATE 38-35.
Saturday, Dec. 29
Peach Bowl (Atlanta, Ga.) 11 a.m. ESPN
MICHIGAN (10-2) vs. FLORIDA (9-3)
IMHO Michigan has been overrated all year, but so has Florida. Going against SEC here … MICH 31-23.
Belk Bowl (Charlotte, N.C.) 11 a.m. ABC
SOUTH CAROLINA (7-5) vs. VIRGINIA (7-5)
Gamecock aerial.attack will shred Cavalier defense … SC 41-20.
Arizona Bowl (Tuscon, Ariz.) 12:15 p.m. CBS Sports Network
NEVADA (7-5) vs. ARKANSAS ST (8-4)
Likely the lowest-rated bowl in terms of viewership … ARK ST. 24-16.
National Semifinals
Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Tex.) 3 p.m. ESPN
NOTRE DAME (12-0) vs. CLEMSON (13-0)
The Irish have more than a fighting chance of pulling out the victory, especially as the Tiger pass defense has been shown to be far less deadly than advertised. The problem is that the most likely scenario for an ND win is a quick two-score lead, than shortening the game, and the Irish running attack is not good enough against a d-line like the Tigers bring, suspensions notwithstanding. Dabo’s offense will do more than enough to set up Showdown IV … CLEMSON 37-27.
Orange Bowl (Miami, Fla.) 7 p.m. ESPN
OKLAHOMA (12-1) vs. ALABAMA (13-0)
Mr. Murray and the Sooner offense is going to score. A lot. Just not enough. And when Alabama inevitably goes in front by two TDs, the monstrous offensive line and knee-deep running attack will choke the life out of the game and hammer the opponent into submission — the traditional Saban mode of crushing the will of the enemy to compete. It will be exciting for the Haters for awhile, and OU will score late, but by then it will not matter … ROLL TIDE 55-42.
Monday, Dec. 31
Military Bowl (Annapolis, Mar.) 11 a.m. ESPN
CINCINNATI (10-2) vs. VIRGINIA TECH (6-6)
Hokies lucky to be here and Bearcats will show why … CINCY 35-17.
Sun Bowl (El Paso, Tex.) 1 p.m. CBS
PITTSBURGH (7-6) vs. STANFORD (8-4)
I usually watch the Sun Bowl. It has a scenic setting and the games are usually entertaining … STANFORD 34-24.
Redbox Bowl (Santa Clara, Cal.) 2 p.m. FOX
MICHIGAN ST (7-5) vs. OREGON (8-4)
Duck QB Justin Herbert’s return for next year is big news, but the most important thing here is for the turf to remain in excellent condition for the natty … OREGON 31-27.
Liberty Bowl (Memphis, Tenn.) 2:45 p.m. ESPN
MISSOURI (8-4) vs. OKLAHOMA ST (6-6)
Hey, didn’t you used to be Drew Lock? and Hey, weren’t you just trying to sell us on your program being relevant in the Little Dozen? … MIZZOU 26-19.
Holiday Bowl (San Diego, Cal.) 6 p.m. FS-1
NORTHWESTERN (8-5) vs. UTAH (9-4)
This team won the Big When West? Ute gotta be kidding me! Still … GO YOU, NORTHWESTERN … 33-25.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, Fla.) 6:30 p.m. ESPN
TEXAS A&M (8-4) vs. NORTH CAROLINA ST (9-3)
Aggies have faced, by far, the tougher schedule … A&M 30-20.
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019
OutBack Bowl (Tampa, Fla.) 11 a.m. ESPN2
MISSISSIPPI ST (8-4) vs. IOWA (8-4)
I doubt a lackluster Bulldog offense will do much against the Hawks, but their defense blanked Alabama in the second half of a 24-0 loss, and Iowa has not seen anything close to that … MISSISSIPPI STATE 20-13.
Citrus Bowl (Tampa, Fla.) 12 p.m. ABC
KENTUCKY (9-3) vs. PENN ST (9-3)
Kentucky’s Josh Allen and Benny Snell are two of the best players must non-SEC fans have ever heard of. It would be an upset, but I am taking it … KENTUCKY 31-30.
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.) 12 p.m. ESPN
CENTRAL FLORIDA (12-0) vs. LSU (9-3)
Comeuppance comes at last for the Knights … LOSER STATE 27-17.
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Cal.) 4 p.m. ESPN
OHIO ST (12-1) vs. WASHINGTON (10-3)
Urban Meyer will be sent out with a big win … OHIO STATE 38-17.
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, La.) 7:45 p.m. ESPN
TEXAS (9-4) vs. GEORGIA (11-2)
There is a world of difference between good in the Little Dozen and good in the SEC … UGA 34-20.
The National Championship will receive its own posting once the teams are set.
