The idea of picking all the bowl matchups immediately after they’re set is equal parts fun and chaotic. Kind of like the college football season.
But we’ll do it here — all 43 games — from the Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl to the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T.
Key players likely will opt out of games in the coming days, and many teams are dealing with coaching changes — at the top and/or the assistant ranks. Motivation is always a huge factor for bowl games. Teams like Duke, Kansas, UConn and New Mexico State will be stoked to play in bowls, while other squads will have a tougher time getting revved up.
Certain matchups jump out, not only those in the CFP/New Year’s Six but Group of 5 games like Troy-UTSA. Or pairings with contrasting styles like Illinois-Mississippi State. There’s plenty of history in these matchups, from Tulane’s return to the big bowl stage to Missouri and Arkansas meeting for the first time in more than 100 years.
These picks are straight up — I have enough factors working against me here — although point spreads and other tools were used in making the selections.
Ready, set, bowl!
College Football Playoff
Dec. 31
CFP semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Georgia is primed to defend its national title and opens the CFP with a virtual home game. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, defensive lineman Jalen Carter, tight end Brock Bowers and the Bulldogs look unstoppable, having won eight straight games by 10 points or more since a 26-22 Oct. 1 scare at Missouri.
Ohio State has new life after the Michigan loss, and it’s notable that the Buckeyes’ only CFP championship came in a season (2014) where they were largely counted out because of injuries. Still, Georgia seems like a better version of Michigan, which repeatedly gashed the Buckeyes for long touchdowns. Ohio State starts quickly with a long touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., but Bennett and the Dawgs take control down the stretch and advance to the national title game.
Prediction: Georgia 38, Ohio State 28
College football bowl picks
