Anyway, a couple picks up front from games that happened yesterday (Tuesday). I posted these on Twitter to ensure the selections were made before the games took place.
Championship week's record: 7-1
Overall: 76-30 (.717 win %)
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings
*Rankings below are CFB Playoff Committee rankings
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Russell Athletic Bowl - Orlando, Fla.
No. 10 North Carolina vs. No. 17 Baylor (Line: North Carolina -3)
*This game has already been played. My prediction: North Carolina 45, Baylor 35
FINAL: Baylor 49, North Carolina 38
Texas Bowl - Houston, Texas
No. 20 LSU vs. Texas Tech (Line: LSU -7)
*This game has already been played. My prediction was: LSU 34, Texas Tech 28
FINAL: LSU 56, Texas Tech 27
Birmingham Bowl - Birmingham, Ala.
Auburn vs. Memphis (Line: Auburn -3)
Memphis, which beat Ole Miss early, struggled late in the season, losing three straight to the top three teams in the AAC to fall to B-ham. Auburn was predicted by the media to win the SEC during preseason. Instead, both are here. Paxton Lynch is the X-factor in this one. Memphis 42, Auburn 27
Belk Bowl - Charlotte, N.C.
NC State vs. Mississippi State (Line: Mississippi State -6)
The Wolfpack did not beat a conference team with a winning record. The Bulldogs lost two of their final three, and should have lost the third. Each team could use a win to head into the offseason with some momentum. NC State 48, Mississippi State 47
Music City Bowl - Nashville, Tenn.
Texas A&M vs. Louisville (Line: Louisville -4.5)
The Aggies are in disarray and can't keep a quarterback to stay in College Station. Bobby Petrino played musical chairs with his quarterbacks, but seemed to settle on Lamar Jackson. The Cards defense should be able to come up with enough stops against Jake Hubenak. Louisville 27, Texas A&M 20
Holiday Bowl - San Diego, Calif.
No. 25 USC vs. Wisconsin (Line: USC -3.5)
How much does USC want to be here instead of about 90 miles north in Pasadena? Not sure. The Trojans, though, were much better under Clay Helton, who now has the full-time gig. Wisconsin's record is in part because it plays in the much maligned Big Ten West. USC 42, Wisconsin 24
Thursday, Dec. 31
Peach Bowl - Atlanta, Ga.
No. 18 Houston vs. No. 9 Florida State (Line: Florida State -7)
Tom Herman has Houston flexing its collective muscle, hoping anyone from the Big 12 will take notice. Greg Ward Jr. is a phenomenal athlete and fits perfectly in Herman's system. The Noles, however, are a powerhouse with talent across the board. This is the best team the 'Cougs will have seen. Florida State 41, Houston 31
Orange Bowl - Miami Gardens, Fla.
No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Clemson (Line: Oklahoma -3.5)
The first of the Playoff Semifinals pits the Big 12 champion Sooners against the ACC champion Tigers. Both have great quarterbacks. Both have outstanding defenses. Both are extremely talented at the skill positions. And both are here for that reason. I've been back and forth on this and may flip my decision again before it's all said and done. Clemson 34, Oklahoma 27
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| The four teams in their Nike Mach Speed uniforms for the College Football Playoff. (Photo courtesy Nike) |
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Alabama (Line: Alabama -10)
Alabama is one-dimensional on offense. But that one dimension is a freak running back in Derrick Henry who happened to win the Heisman Trophy. Michigan State did nothing but win the big games it needed to, including at Michigan, at Ohio State, and in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa. Does Sparty have another last-minute miracle? Alabama 21, Michigan State 13
Friday, Jan. 1
Outback Bowl - Tampa, Fla.
No. 13 Northwestern vs. No. 23 Tennessee (Line: Tennessee -8.5)
Tennessee is here because it couldn't close out fourth quarter leads against Florida, Oklahoma, or Alabama. The Vols won five straight to close the year and beating a solid Northwestern team would boost Butch Jones' squad into the spring. The Wildcats, as good as their 10-2 record is, were blown out by a combined 78-10 in their two losses to Michigan and Iowa. Tennessee's offense is rolling right now, so watch out. Tennessee 49, Northwestern 21
Citrus Bowl - Orlando, Fla.
No. 14 Michigan vs. No. 19 Florida (Line: Michigan -4.5)
Michigan was humbled in a 42-13 loss at home to rival Ohio State. The Wolverines, though, have played great defense for much of the year. That bodes well against a Gator team still searching for an offensive identity. Florida dropped its final two against Florida State and Alabama, scoring one offensive TD in the two games. Michigan 27, Florida 16
Fiesta Bowl - Glendale, Ariz.
No. 8 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Ohio State (Line: Ohio State -6.5)
Call this the game of Oh-So-Close teams. Notre Dame's two losses game to the teams ranked No. 1 and No. 6 by a combined four points. Ohio State would be in the Playoff if it hadn't lost at home on a last-second field goal to Michigan State. Either way, two very talented teams in what should be a fun chess match between Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly. Ohio State 37, Notre Dame 31
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, Calif.
No. 6 Stanford vs. No. 5 Iowa (Line: Stanford -6)
The hottest ticket this bowl season is not a Playoff game, but the Rose Bowl. Stanford and Iowa match styles offensively. Kudos to Kirk Ferentz for getting his team to the Rose Bowl for the first time in several decades. Christian McCaffrey finished second in the Heisman voting. I'm going to love watching this one. Stanford 27, Iowa 24
Sugar Bowl - New Orleans, La.
No. 16 Oklahoma State vs. No. 12 Ole Miss (Line: Ole Miss -7)
Chad Kelly kept Ole Miss afloat and the Rebels are out to avenge a 42-3 loss in the Peach Bowl to another Big 12 team (TCU) a year ago. The Cowboys may or may not have their gunslinger Mason Rudolph for the game. If he's there, this could be a shootout. If not, what OSU does with JW Walsh, who is mostly a running quarterback, but can sling it himself. Ole Miss 42, Oklahoma State 34
Saturday, Jan. 2
Taxslayer Bowl- Jacksonville, Fla.
Penn State vs. Georgia (Line: Georgia -6.5)
Georgia is without its head coach and both coordinators, and never could find rhythm on offense all year. Penn State never could win the big game, losing to the top three teams in its division. The guess here is the Dawgs are able to get to Christian Hackenberg ... a lot. Georgia 24, Penn State 7
Liberty Bowl - Memphis, Tenn.
Kansas State vs. Arkansas (Line: Arkansas -13)
The Hogs finished strong again, including pulling off wins over Ole Miss and LSU on the road down the stretch after a rough 2-4 start. K-State fell in the bottom tier of the Big 12, just above Iowa State and Kansas. The Wildcats won't have enough to slow down Alex Collins. Arkansas 35, Kansas State 20
Alamo Bowl - San Antonio, Texas
No. 15 Oregon vs. No. 11 TCU (Line: Pick 'em)
Trevone Boykin and Vernon Adams Jr. should provide fireworks. The two quarterbacks are exciting to watch. Oregon won six in a row, including knocking off Stanford, once Adams came back healthy. Boykin was the Heisman front-runner until an injury derailed his campaign and TCU's season. The Frogs will be without star receive Josh Doctson, and that might hurt TCU in this fireworks show. Oregon 55, TCU 44
Cactus Bowl - Phoenix, Ariz.
West Virginia vs. Arizona State (Line: West Virginia -1)
A de facto home game for the Sun Devils, who get to stay in the Phoenix for this one. Dana Holgorsen's Mountaineers fell in the middle of the Big 12, but never threatened the top tier. Arizona State was a popular Top 15 pick, but the formula for success never came together. Will it in the final game? Arizona State 37, West Virginia 27
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