Allstate Sugar Bowl: (3)Ohio State vs (2)Clemson: This game is going to be an epic rematch of last season’s semifinal game that ended in an Ohio State interception to move Clemson on to the finals, in which they would get slaughtered by LSU. Dabo Swinney has added more fuel to Ohio State’s fire by ranking them 11th in his coaches’ poll last week. Clemson blew out Notre Dame in their final game, while Ohio State struggled against Northwestern. Justin Fields looked terrible, and if it wasn’t for the run game and Trey Sermon, I don’t think they would have won. I think Fields is going to play much better against Clemson, though, especially as revenge for last year’s game. I think this game is going to be very close, but I have not seen enough from Ohio State to prove that they can win. If Clemson plays the way they played against Notre Dame last weekend, I think they will win pretty easily.
Rose Bowl: (1)Alabama vs (4)Notre Dame: I think this game has the possibility to go two ways; either Notre Dame keeps it pretty close or it's an ugly blowout like their second game against Clemson. The key for ND is to get their offense started early. They had chances to go up in the first quarter against Clemson, but blew them. When you are playing Alabama’s offense, you can not afford missed opportunities. Notre Dame’s defense was not able to stop Lawrance on his feet, but luckily for them Mac Jones is not so much of a mobile quarterback. I think that Notre Dame’s defense will be able to make some stops, but not enough to keep Alabama from scoring a large amount. Bama is averaging 49 points per game, but I don’t think they will score that much. Notre Dame only averaged 35 points a game, so if they want to beat Bama, Ian Book and his offense will have to step up. If Notre Dame can use the run game efficiently to manage the clock and keep Mac Jones off the field, it will help. I think that Alabama will win this game, but Notre Dame will definitely cover the 20 point spread.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: (8)UC vs (9)Georgia: Georgia has already had five players opt out of playing in the Peach Bowl. This game is going to be the biggest challenge yet for UC’s elite defense. UC has one of the best pass defenses, and will need it to stop JT Daniels. Daniels came in during the second half of the season and gave the offense some new life. I have not been a fan of Georgia all season, and I don’t think they will play any better during this game than they have been. If UC’s defense can make some big stops, I think they will be able to upset Georgia.
Capital One Orange Bowl: (5)Texas A&M vs (13)North Carolina: This is actually going to be a very interesting matchup. North Carolina has a super explosive offense led by Sam Howell. Howell has thrown for 3,352 yards this season, the sixth most by any quarterback in the country, and the offense is averaging 43 points per game. Their defense has not been amazing, but is holding opponents to only 28 points per game. Texas A&M is only averaging 31 points per game, but is holding opponents to 21 points per game. North Carolina has really done well running the ball, however, Texas A&M is the third best team in the country in stopping the run. It is going to be interesting to see how much North Carolina is able to get the run game going. I think this game is going to get into a shootout and North Carolina will upset A&M.
Outback Bowl: (11)Indiana vs Ole Miss: Indiana has not played a football game in almost a month, but I am sure coach Tom Allen will find a way to get them fired up. Indiana will be without starting quarterback Michael Penix (ACL), but backup Jack Throttle played really well in their last two games. Indiana’s defense has been great at coming up with turnovers, something they will likely force Ole Miss into. Ole Miss has had an explosive offense, but has multiple turnovers each game. Indiana is going to be one of the best defenses Ole Miss has faced, and I think they will be able to shut them down. I think IU will win this game big.
VRBO Citrus Bowl: (14)Northwestern vs Auburn: I do not think that this will even be much of a game. Northwestern has an impressive defense, and their offense can score, especially against bad teams. Auburn’s quarterback Bo Nix has not shown much improvement from his freshman season and their offense has not been consistent. The defense has not played that well either. Besides the Michigan State game, Northwestern has been dominant on both sides of the ball, and has shut opponents down. I think that Northwestern will stop Auburn’s offense and they will win pretty easily.
Cheez-It Bowl: (21)Oklahoma State vs (18)Miami: Both of these teams had promising beginnings to their seasons, climbing high into the rankings, before falling apart the second half of the season. Miami only has two losses, but had a lot of games they barely won against not great opponents. Oklahoma State really struggled to compete with better teams and had quarterback play that varied each game. Miami looked terrible on both sides of the ball in their last game against North Carolina. Oklahoma State’s best running back Chubba Hubbard already opted out and will not be playing in this game. I think this game is going to be pretty close, especially with the injuries Oklahoma State has. Oklahoma State is currently a two point favorite, and while I don’t think they are that different from Miami, I can not bring myself to pick Miami to win after they way they played against North Carolina.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl: (7)Florida vs (6)Oklahoma: This game has potential to be one of the most fun bowl games of the season. Both teams have high flying offenses and are averaging 41 points a game, but neither one likes to play defense. They have had some good performances, but both have some bad losses as well. Florida will be without their tight end Kyle Pitts, likely a first round pick, who has opted out. I think that this will be a very close game, but Florida will win.
Playstation Fiesta Bowl: (25)Oregon vs (10)Iowa State: Oregon was not originally supposed to even play in the Pac 12 Championship game, but stepped in when Washington went down with COVID cases, and ended up winning the Pac 12. Iowa State was down big at half, but made a comeback attempt that came up just short in the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma. Oregon has not looked that steady this year and has only played six games. I think that Iowa State will win this game pretty easily and their running back Byrce Hall will put up big numbers.
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