Here are predictions for the next 5 bowl games with 2 today and 3 tomorrow.
So Far, SU, 6-2, ATS, 5-3
All Times Central
Today
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
No. 23 Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)
EverBank Stadium, Jaxville, 67,838
11 AM
ESPN
Wes Durham, Tim Hasselbeck, Taylor Tannebaum
Refs, PAC-12, John Love
Clemson by 3 1/2
Clemson has several opt outs, particularly on defense. I’m going to take running back Ray Davis, 1066 yards, 13 TDs, and the Wildcats in an upset.
Kentucky 24, Clemson 21
Goodyear Cotton Bowl
No.9 Missouri (10-2) vs No. 7 Ohio State (11-1)
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX., 90,000
7 PM
ESPN
Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoraceck, Lugues
Aladdin, Big 12, Derek Anderson
Ohio State by 5
The Buckeyes will be missing quarterback Kyle McCord and probably receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., though Harrison Jr. is in Arlington, but probably not playing. Missouri has the trifecta on offense of quarterback Brady Cook, running back Cody Schrader and all world receiver Luther Burden III, but I still like the Buckeyes. Quarterback Devin Brown will do enough agains the Mizzou defense and running back TreVeyon Henderson, who rushed for 854 yards and 11 TDs, will be a load for the Tigers to contain. You wonder about Ohio State’s motivation for this one, but from what I’ve been reading and hearing, they sound like they are motivated.
Ohio State 31, Missouri 24
Saturday
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 11 Ole Miss (10-2 vs. No. 10 Penn State (10-2)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ATL., 75,000
11 AM
ESPN
Mark Jones, Louis Riddick, Quint Kessenich
Vogue, PAC-12, Mike McCabe
Nittany Lions by 4 1/2
I’m going to take Lane, the SEC and the upset here.
Ole Miss 20, Penn State 17
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Auburn (6-6) vs. Maryland (7-5)
Nissan Stadium, Nashvegas, 67,700
1 PM
ABC
Taylor, Matt, Alyssa
Whistles, Big 12, David Alvarez
Auburn by 6 1/2
Give my Hugh, who just secured the 7th best recruiting class for 2024 per 247 sports, and is now ranked 3rd in 2025 behind No.1 Notre Dame and No.2 Alabama, to move to 6-2 in bowl games.
Auburn 27, Maryland 17
Capital One Orange Bowl
No.6 Georgia (11-1) vs. No.5 Florida State (13-0)
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL. 65,326
3 PM
ESPN
Tess, Jess, Katie
Stripes, Big Ten, Greg Blum
UGA by 20
Is Florida State going to even try? They were deflated by the difficult decision by the committee to exclude them from the Playoff, and have really taken it to an extreme to voice their outrage with the decision. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers will probably not play due to the draft, but Georgia has plenty of talent that’ll be on the field including quarterback Carson Beck, and FSU is decimated by opt outs. Their entire NFL draft pick group is not playing.
Georgia 42, Florida State 7
Monday’s Predictions
ReliaQuest Bowl, Wisconsin vs No. 13 LSU, 11 AM ESPN2
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, No.8 Oregon vs. No.23 Liberty? 12 PM, ESPN
No.17 The Expolsive Iowa vs. No.21 Tennessee, 12 PM, ABC
Play-offs? You want to talk about the Playoffs?
No.4 Alabama vs. No.1 Michigan, Rose Bowl, 4 PM, ESPN
No.3 Texas vs. No.2 Washington, All State Sugar Bowl, 7:45 PM, ESPN
11 Responses
I will take the flip side on Ole Miss and Penn State but otherwise agree.
Looking forward to your playoff thoughts.
Thanks, MB.
Looks like it will be a good run for the SEC. Thanks DW!
Thanks, Walter!
Taking some chances, but trusting the conference.
Good analysis DW. Even with all the opt outs at FSU, I hope the shellacking GA will administer to the Seminoles with close the arguments. We’re all tired of it (especially us Bama fans). If #13 decides to whine similarly next year, I think we can collectively give them a “€>#% OFF”!
Thanks, Perkins Building!
Nice picking DW. You are a Vegas nightmare! I like the picks on this piece as well. All games seem to be high scoring so we will see if that continues. I agree with your Georgia prediction. Roll your putts true.
Thanks, Bama!
Good pick on the Wildcats thus far and hope the SEC can get the big win. I like the rest, but kind of leaning towards Maryland against the Tigers. Looking forward to New Year’s Day games and seeing your picks on those.
Thanks, D!