Unfortunately bowl season has been hit hard by the new strain of coronavirus and many games have had to be canceled. Many of these seniors were left without closure on their college football careers. The good news is so far the major new year six bowls still appear to be on, and fingers crossed it stays this way. Enjoy my last picks of the season!
Cotton Bowl:
(1)Alabama vs (4)UC
This game marks a historic moment in college football history when UC becomes the first non power five team to play in a playoff game. The Bearcats are over a two touchdown underdog, but I am very conflicted in how I think this game will go. Despite being a huge Vegas favorite, the Alabama players are not feeling like that, with linebacker Will Anderson telling the media that they “felt like an underdog”. It’s very clear his education is from Alabama. If you’re on the number one team in the country, you don’t get to be calling yourself an underdog.
UC’s leading rusher, Jerome Ford, transferred from Alabama, and is a huge part of the Bearcat’s offense, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. In order for Ford to be a threat against the Tide, the UC offensive line will need to be strong. Alabama’s defensive line has been up and down throughout the season, but if UC is going to win the line needs to be dominant to give the offense time and options.
UC is undefeated largely because of their defense. They are only allowing 16 points per game and are extremely effective in limiting the passing game because of cornerbacks Ahmahd “Sauce” Gardner and Coby Bryant. Gardner was selected as a First Team All American and has yet to allow a touchdown to be scored on him during his college career. Alabama is a two touchdown favorite, in large part because they have more talent on their roster. However, this talent does not automatically make one win games. After-all, UC is the only undefeated team left in the country. I don’t think UC will pull the biggest upset in CFB history, but I think the Bearcats will be able to keep the game closer.
Orange Bowl:
(2)Michigan vs (3)Georgia
With a season filled with so many crazy storylines, it’s easy to forget that Michigan making the playoffs seemed like a crazy idea entering the season. The Wolverines did not start the season ranked in the top 25 (proving yet again how stupid preseason rankings are), and were coming off a 2-4 season, with their coach taking a pay cut to stay. This did nothing to hold Michigan back, who plowed through Big 10 play and finally took down their hated Buckeyes.
Georgia ran through their regular season games, making everyone believe they could be a historic college football team behind their dominating defense. I myself thought so highly of them, but should have taken a step back and realized that while yes, this is still a great defense, much of it came against very inferior opponents. They were exposed against Alabama in their loss in the SEC Championship game.
I know it is recency bias with the SEC title game, but I have a hard time putting a lot of faith in the Bulldogs. Michigan, on the other hand, absolutely commanded their past few opponents. Georgia’s quarterback is original walk-on Stetson Bennet, which causes some concerns for their offense. Michigan has two good quarterbacks, but their main component is their run game.
I think this game will come down to how well Georgia can stop the run. If the Bulldogs can force Michigan into a heavy passing offense, Georgia will likely make many stops and give their offense plenty of chances to put up some points. If they can’t stop it though, I think Michigan will run all over them and win convincingly. I really don’t know which way to go but since the SEC has been doing so bad in bowl games (0-4 record currently) I will pick a team from the best conference. Hail to the Victors.
Sugar Bowl:
(7)Baylor vs (8)Ole Miss
Baylor ended the season on a high note, winning the Big 12 championship just one season after going 2-7. Ole Miss, after losing to Alabama, seemed to fly under the radar the rest of the season. Their huge offensive numbers slowed down in the second half of the season, but the defense stepped it up. Neither team has any opt outs, which is very surprising considering the high number in so many other games. I expect a close game, but Ole Miss has a better offense, so I think they will end up winning.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl:
UNC vs South Carolina
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl might be the most fun bowl game of the season because both coaches have agreed to be dumped in Mayo if they win. This Carolina rivalry has teams in two very different situations. UNC was a preseason top ten team, but finished at a disappointing 6-6. USC also finished 6-6, but this record was met with much more enthusiasm. Shane Beamer was not expected to take the Gamecocks to a bowl game in his first year, and he has quarterback transfer Spencer Rattler lined up for next season (although I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a good thing). Although USC has done much better than expected, I could see them getting blown out. North Carolina has much better talent and a way better quarterback. I think we’ll be seeing Mac Brown dumped with Mayo.
Outback Bowl:
Penn State vs (22)Arkansas
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who is from Cincy, has announced he will be back for yet another year. I swear this guy has been in college forever. Clifford, who was hurt on and off throughout the season, did not do that much to help the Nittany Lions. They finished at 7-5 but failed to beat OSU, Michigan, and Michigan State, plus lost to Illinois at home. Arkansas finished 8-4, third in the west, and took Bama down to the wire in Tuscaloosa. Their quarterback, KJ Jefferson, is a dual threat and very underrated. I think Arkansas will win this game pretty easily. Sam Pittman knows how to rally his guys up and Penn State likely wants this season to be over. Arkansas has also looked better on both sides of the ball, and has not been faced with as many injuries.
Fiesta Bowl:
(5)Notre Dame vs (9)Oklahoma State
So much has occurred with the Notre Dame football program the past month it’s easy to forget they still have a bowl game to play in. The Irish will be led by their new coach Marcus Freeman, who was promoted to head coach after Brian Kelly unexpectedly left for LSU. After losing to UC early in the season, Notre Dame quietly plowed through the remainder of their schedule and continued to improve, despite continuing to switch quarterbacks.
All Oklahoma State had to do was beat Baylor in the Big 12 title game to make the playoffs, but their defense couldn’t make up for their stagnant offense, and they fell to the Bears. The Cowboys still had a great season, finally taking down rival Oklahoma, and boast one of the best defenses. This will be the best defense the Irish have faced since UC in October. I am picking Notre Dame to win this game because the players seem to LOVE Marcus Freeman, they have a more explosive offense than Oklahoma State, and they have a strong defense as well.
Rose Bowl:
(6)Ohio State vs (11) Utah
The Granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl, proves to be a more interesting match as more and more Buckeye players continue to opt out. They will be without many of their top receivers, but star QB CJ Stroud will still be playing, and many of the young wide receivers will have their moment to shine. Utah finished the regular season on a six game winning streak and have not lost in over two months. Once they switched their quarterback to Cam Rising the team became much better. If there was an expanded playoffs, no one would want to face the Utes. I think they will want to play this game more than Ohio State and I predict they will win in a fun, offensive battle.
Cheers to the new year and the end of the amazing 2021 college football season!
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