College Football Picks for Every Game: CFB Playoff and New Year's Six
The final stretch of bowl season is here. And so, soon enough, the College Football Playoff will command the spotlight.
Among the 13 matchups on the slate, those two national semifinals on New Year's Day are the prize. Alabama takes on Michigan in the Rose Bowl, and Texas clashes with Washington in the Sugar Bowl.
Still, we have showdowns galore on the slate.
Headlined by the four other remaining New Year's Six contests, there are six clashes of Top 25 teams. Liberty, in particular, has an opportunity to make headlines against Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
You have thoughts. We have predictions. One last time before the national championship, let's get to it.
Dec. 29 Bowls
1 of 3
Gator Bowl: Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5), Noon ET
Although opt-outs have stung Clemson's solid defense, the unit is built to withstand a few notable absences—particularly against a limited Kentucky offense. Running back Ray Davis is a star, but UK failed to surpass 300 offensive yards in any November game.
Prediction: Clemson 24, Kentucky 20
Sun Bowl: Oregon State (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (9-3), 2 p.m. ET
Notre Dame is missing quarterback Sam Hartman, running back Audric Estime and a bunch of NFL-bound players. Oregon State is without a handful of transfers, including signal-callers DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles. In this battle of attrition, I'll unconfidently pick a talented Notre Dame defense to win a rock fight.
Prediction: Notre Dame 23, Oregon State 16
Liberty Bowl: Memphis (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Memphis is a high-quality Group of Five squad in a less-than-ideal matchup. The offense leans heavily on quarterback Seth Henigan, but Iowa State is 15th nationally in yards allowed per attempt and eighth in interceptions. Factor in Memphis' issues against the run, and the Cyclones are built to take out the Tigers in their own building.
Prediction: Iowa State 33, Memphis 27
Cotton Bowl: Missouri (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1), 8 p.m. ET
Ending a breakout season with a victory over Ohio State would be enormous for Missouri. Yes, the transfer of quarterback Kyle McCord hurts the Buckeyes, and wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. seems unlikely to play. The entire OSU defense is expected to suit up, however, so Missouri is still rightfully a slight underdog in Arlington.
Prediction: Ohio State 30, Missouri 24
Dec. 30 Bowls
2 of 3
Peach Bowl: Ole Miss (10-2) vs. Penn State (10-2), Noon ET
Ole Miss hasn't quite managed to figure out elite defenses. Alabama and Georgia held the Rebels to 10 and 17 points, respectively. Penn State is a rough matchup for Ole Miss. But, hey, we get to watch Lane Kiffin try to scheme against the nation's stingiest defense? Sign me up.
Prediction: Penn State 23, Ole Miss 19
Music City Bowl: Auburn (6-6) vs. Maryland (7-5), 2 p.m. ET
The moment Maryland announced that quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa would not be playing, my prediction flipped. Auburn has a flawed defense, but Maryland's (understandable) plan to use both Billy Edwards Jr. and Cam Edge is not convincing me to stick with the Terps.
Prediction: Auburn 27, Maryland 24
Orange Bowl: Georgia (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0), 4 p.m. ET
As much as FSU toppling Georgia would be a wild story, I can't possibly believe it. Florida State will be without quarterback Jordan Travis, his backup Tate Rodemaker, running back Trey Benson, receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, tight end Jaheim Bell—deep breath—defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, edge-rusher Jared Verse, linebacker DJ Lundy and safety Akeen Dent.
Prediction: Georgia 37, Florida State 14
Arizona Bowl: Toledo (11-2) vs. Wyoming (8-4), 4:30 p.m. ET
In the send-off for retiring Wyoming coach Craig Bohl, the Pokes are aiming to stack his legacy. Before him, no head coach in program history had multiple bowl victories. This would be Bohl's fourth. Aided by the transfer of Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn, the Cowboys get it done.
Prediction: Wyoming 24, Toledo 23
Jan. 1 Bowls
3 of 3
ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin (7-5) vs. LSU (9-3), Noon ET
Wisconsin should be thanking its lucky brandy sweet-flavored stars that Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels won't be playing in this contest. LSU's defense has struggled for much of the season, but the Badgers haven't cracked 28 points since September. While not a blowout in a Daniels-less game, LSU figures to win comfortably.
Prediction: LSU 31, Wisconsin 17
Citrus Bowl: Iowa (10-3) vs. Tennessee (8-4), 1 p.m. ET
Similarly, this prediction would be painless if Tennessee QB Joe Milton had decided to play. You likely know the story: Iowa averaged just 16.6 points this year. Thanks to a spectacular defense, the Hawkeyes reached the Big Ten title game anyway. Tennessee's shift to much-anticipated freshman Nico Iamaleava, on paper, should benefit Iowa. Still, that might not be enough for the Hawkeyes.
Prediction: Tennessee 16, Iowa 13
Fiesta Bowl: Liberty (13-0) vs. Oregon (11-2), 1 p.m. ET
Between coach Jamey Chadwell's unique system and quarterback Kaidon Salter's dynamism, Liberty has a really fun offense. The team has scored 38-plus points in seven straight games. Oregon, however, has largely avoided the opt-out trend and expects Bo Nix to play. Not overthinking this one.
Prediction: Oregon 43, Liberty 24
Rose Bowl: No. 4 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 1 Michigan (13-0), 5 p.m. ET
Controversial as they are, the Crimson Tide can win it all. Mobile quarterbacks have given Alabama some fits in 2023, but Michigan tends not to lean on J.J. McCarthy in that way. If the Wolverines are forced to throw more than usual, they'd better hope an elite defense is overwhelming what has mostly been a shaky Alabama offensive line.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Michigan 19
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas (12-1) vs. No. 2 Washington (13-0), 8:45 p.m. ET
Find a way, find a way, find a way. Washington's ability to squeeze out of tight games cannot be underestimated. I also believe this is the moment where the competition is strong enough that UW, for the first time, narrowly misses. Texas has a sensational run defense, so Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. might hit 350-plus yards. But the Longhorns will clip the Pac-12 champs in a thriller.
Prediction: Texas 41, Washington 38
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