2024 College Football Predictions: Non-Playoff Bowl Game Picks
Although the 12-team College Football Playoff is certain to garner most attention, the 2024 bowl season is loaded with entertaining games.
Sure, you might believe there are too many bowls—particularly due to the attention given to the chase for a national championship. And, look, everyone is entitled to their own wrong opinion. You can think that.
More football is good with me, though!
Beyond the CFP, there are 35 bowls involving 70 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. While the results aren't necessarily critical, the games are not insignificant, either. Plenty of programs and players are chasing records, and it doesn't hurt to begin the offseason on a celebratory note.
The bowls are broken into groups chronologically and feature a brief preview of a few marquee matchups.
All predictions are based on info available as of Dec. 12. Opt-outs and transfers may alter the players involved in the game.
Dec. 23-27 Bowls
1 of 3
Armed Forces (Dec. 27): Oklahoma (6-6) vs. Navy (8-3)
Jackson Arnold is leaving Oklahoma, so Michael Hawkins Jr. is officially the QB to watch for the Sooners. They presumably won't have much trouble opposite Navy, provided an OU defense that is sixth nationally in yards allowed per carry does not collapse.
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Navy 14
Holiday (Dec. 27): No. 21 Syracuse (9-3) vs. Washington State (8-4)
You like offense? Be sure to check out the Holiday Bowl—as long as John Mateer remains the quarterback at Washington State. He's been the subject of not-so-secret transfer rumors in December. Either way, I'm taking Kyle McCord-led Syracuse. But if Mateer is playing for Wazzu, buckle up and be ready for an offensive showcase.
Prediction: Syracuse 38, Washington State 33
Las Vegas (Dec. 27): Texas A&M (9-3) vs. USC (6-6)
Does the good or bad version of Texas A&M's defense show up? November was not kind to the Aggies, who dropped three of their four games in the closing month. USC's run defense is the concern, though; Notre Dame scampered for 258 yards in the regular-season finale.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, USC 20
More Picks
Myrtle Beach (Dec. 23): UTSA 31, Coastal Carolina 27
Idaho Potato (Dec. 23): Northern Illinois 24, Fresno State 20
Hawai'i (Dec. 24): San Jose State 37, South Florida 31
GameAbove Sports (Dec. 26): Pitt 29, Toledo 17
Rate (Dec. 26): Kansas State 30, Rutgers 24
68 Ventures (Dec. 26): Arkansas State 28, Bowling Green 23
Birmingham (Dec. 27): Vanderbilt 24, Georgia Tech 21
Liberty (Dec. 27): Texas Tech 34, Arkansas 30
Dec. 28 Bowls
2 of 3
Pop-Tarts: No. 18 Iowa State (10-3) vs. No. 13 Miami (10-2)
On the busiest day of bowl season, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is the featured attraction—and not solely due to "toasting" the mascot into a giant, edible treat. Miami quarterback Cam Ward is expected to play, and a high-powered UM offense should be able to run all over Iowa State, too. Just don't expect Miami's defense—which, in short, is the reason the 'Canes didn't make the CFP—to stop ISU, either.
Prediction: Miami 34, Iowa State 28
Alamo: No. 17 BYU (10-2) vs. No. 23 Colorado (9-3)
As with Ward at Miami, Colorado is expected to have quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter on the field. (Hunter may have a Heisman Trophy on his mantle by then, too). BYU's secondary poses a fascinating test for Colorado's talented offense, but the opposite matchup likely decides the game. I'll take CU's defense over a BYU scoring attack that faded down the stretch.
Prediction: Colorado 27, BYU 23
Independence: Louisiana Tech (5-7) vs No. 22 Army (11-1)
Conference USA champ Marshall withdrew from its postseason game after dozens of players entered the portal once coach Charles Huff left for Southern Miss. In the Herd's place is a logical replacement, Louisiana Tech, where the Independence Bowl is played. Army rolls, but it's a fascinating story. Probably won't be the last time it happens, either.
Prediction: Army 24, Louisiana Tech 13
More Picks
Fenway: North Carolina 28, Connecticut 20
Pinstripe: Nebraska 23, Boston College 19
New Mexico: TCU 34, Louisiana 24
Arizona: Colorado State 24, Miami (Ohio) 23
Military: North Carolina State 28, East Carolina 24
Dec. 30-Jan. 4 Bowls
3 of 3
Music City (Dec. 30): Iowa (8-4) vs. No. 19 Missouri (9-3)
Between opt-outs and transfers, Iowa's roster has taken a heavy hit recently. The defense is still an agonizing thorn to play against, but somebody has to score. Give me Missouri in a low-scoring slog.
Prediction: Missouri 17, Iowa 13
ReliaQuest (Dec. 31): No. 11 Alabama (9-3) vs. Michigan (7-5)
Michigan is riding high after an upset of Ohio State. But, look, the Wolverines weren't great in 2024. That's not a controversial opinion. They got up for a rivalry game—equal parts unexpectedly and impressively—to ruin OSU's pursuit of a Big Ten crown. But between the season overall for U-M and a rumored handful of opt-outs, this is a rough matchup if Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe plays.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Michigan 14
Citrus (Dec. 31): South Carolina (9-3) vs. No. 20 Illinois (9-3)
South Carolina rightfully didn't get the Playoff call because of its three losses, and also I would not want to play South Carolina. This defense is a menace. Illinois needs quarterback Luke Altmyer to snap a trend of shaky performance against top competition, but I don't see it happening.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Illinois 13
More Picks
Sun (Dec. 31): Louisville 26, Washington 21
Texas (Dec. 31): Baylor 34, LSU 30
Gator (Jan. 2): Ole Miss 33, Duke 17
First Responder (Jan. 3): Texas State 36, North Texas 28
Mayo (Jan. 3): Minnesota 24, Virginia Tech 20
Bahamas (Jan. 4): Buffalo 23, Liberty 21
.jpg?w=600 "Battery Charges Against Arike Dropped")
.jpg?w=600 "AEW Dynamite Results & Grades")
.jpg?w=600 "Jameis to Cover World Cup for Fox")
