Four games on tap today including Tennessee versus Clemson in the Orange Bowl
A full schedule of games today. Here’s a look at each game along with predictions.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Maryland (7-5) vs. No. 23 NC State (8-4)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. 75,412
11 AM CT
ESPN
Anish Shroff, Brock Osweiler, Andraya Carter
Whistles, PAC-12, Mike McCabe
Wolfpack by 1
Give me Dave Doeren and his Wolfpack squad. They seem to usually find a way.
NC State 28, Maryland 24
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Pittsburgh (8-4) vs. No.18 UCLA (9-3)
Sun Bowl, El Paso, 51,500
1 PM CT
CBS
Brad, Gary, Jenny
Laundry, Big 12, Derek “O’Neal” Anderson
UCLA by 8
Pitt’s quarterback, Kedon Slovis, entered the transfer portal and is now at BYU, his third stop as a collegiate quarterback. His first stop was USC then Pitt. Running back Israel Abanikanda, and his 1,431 yards and 20 TDs, is not playing as he is opting out for the draft. Several other Panthers have opted out. Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, (2,883 passing yards, 25 TDs, 632 rush yards, 11 TDs) and running back Zach Charbonnet (1,359 yards, 14 TDs) are both playing. With all that, it could very well be a long day for Pat Narduzzi and his undermanned Panthers squad against Chip Kelly and his complete Bruins’ squad.
UCLA 42, Pitt 21
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
No. 21 Notre Dame (8-4) vs No. 9 South Carolina (8-4)
TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, 67,164
2:30 PM CT
ESPN
Taylor, Stinch, Alyssa
Mark’s Cleaners, Big Ten, Mark Cannon
Fighting Irish by 3 1/2
I’m taking Shane Beamer, Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks all day in Jax.
South Carolina 31, Notre Dame 30
New Year’s Six Games commence!
Capital One Orange Bowl
No.6 Tennessee (10-2) vs. No.7 Clemson (11-2)
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL. 65,326
7 PM CT
ESPN
Tess, Gregory, Katie
Whistles, Big Ten, Ron Snodgrass
Clemson by 6
The Vols have put together a terrific season that could have even been better. Hendon Hooker is out for the game with an ACL injury and will be entering the draft, so Joe Milton gets the start. He played well in a 56-0 demolition of Vanderbilt. This is a strong game. I’m going to take Clemson and new starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. The true 5 star freshman looks like he’s going to be sensational. I like him to do well against a suspect Vols’ secondary. Tigers sophomore running back Will Shipley has rushed for 1,110 yards and 15 TDs. He’ll be a big factor. Dabo finally made the move to Klubnik in the ACC Championship Game against UNC and it paid off. It took him a while. DJ Uiagalelei never panned out and is in the transfer portal. It’ll work out a lot better for Clemson with Klubnik under center and for Uiagalelei to try somewhere else. Five destinations have been mentioned for DJ. UCLA, Oregon, though it’ll be hard to beat out Bo Nix, Notre Dame, seems logical. Virginia, where his previous offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is the head coach, and Arizona State. So, best of luck to Uiagalelei.
I like Clemson against a strong Vols offense, but a highly suspect defense. Clemson’s defense is stout.
Clemson 38, Tennessee 28
Saturday’s Games
AllState Sugar Bowl
No. 5 Alabama (10-2) vs. No. 9 Kansas State (10-3)
11 AM CT, Caesar’s Superdome, New Orleans, ESPN
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Iowa (7-5), Yawn…
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, 11 AM CT, ABC
****Playoff Starts****
CFB Semifinal 1
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
No.3 TCU (12-1) vs. No.2 Michigan (13-0)
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ. 3 PM CT, ESPN