December 31st
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX 8pm ET
The Spartans are going to need to rely on Connor Cook to win this game. Both teams are set up to stop the run. MSU's secondary has been leaky all season while Alabama doesn't have that strong of a passing game. Alabama will try to rely on Derrick Henry and their other running backs to try to grind out a win.
I think Cook gets it done. The Spartans find a way to win these games. Go Green!
This guy gets it.
January 1st
Northwestern vs. Tennessee Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL Noon, ET
Pretty simple on this one. If Northwestern can play its stifling style of defense they'll win. If Tennessee can open the game up, it's theirs for the taking. The Vols were the best team in the SEC East by the end of the season while the Wildcats finished strong albeit against weaker opponents without much scoring needed.
Leaning toward Tennessee.
No. 14 Michigan vs. No. 19 Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, 1pm ET
I can't see Michigan losing this game. Florida has no offense, none, zero. I have no love for either of these teams.
This never gets old. And it's the last thing anyone will ever remember about Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney, what a bust.
No. 8 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Ohio State Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, 1pm ET
How is this game not on in prime time? Games with Ohio State have set records for ESPN and ABC. This will be played at 11am local time. That's plain dumb. These are two teams that are a play or two away from being in the playoff.
Ohio State came back after they imploded following the loss to Michigan State. Notre Dame has managed to play great despite many injuries. If Notre Dame stayed healthy I have no doubt they would be in the playoff, they only missed by a couple plays against stiff competition - Clemson and Stanford.
This could be the best game of all the bowls - I think the Irish pull it out but I wouldn't put money on it. Arizona's economy will really benefit from two fan bases that travel.
No. 6 Stanford vs. No. 5 Iowa Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA 5pm ET
So many great games in two days, this is why the new alignment of the big six bowl games is so good. The best teams play each other instead of punishing teams for losing in a championship game. Back in the BCS days, Iowa would probably have wound up in the Citrus Bowl.
I think this game comes down to who has the best player. Iowa lost in the Big 10 championship game because MSU's L.J. Scott was the best player at the end of the game. This will come down to the end and Stanford has the best player, Christian McCaffrey.
The Cardinal pull it out in the end. (Sorry Bobby)
No. 16 Oklahoma State vs. No. 12 Ole Miss Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, 8:30pm ET
This could be a giant egg laying by Oklahoma State. They finished poorly, giving up at least 45 points in their last two games against quality opponents. Ole Miss likes to play wide open. Rebels here in a snooze of a game when this should have been where the Fiesta Bowl is played.
January 2nd
Georgia vs. Penn State Taxslayer Bowl, Jacksonville, FL, Noon ET
Two big name programs who need to find an identity. Georgia is going through a coaching change while Penn State is getting antsy with James Franklin at the wheel. Penn State's wins came against weak opponents and they have a terrible offensive line. The Georgia defense gets it done.
The folks at Taxslayer should be ashamed that they've removed the Gator from the Gator Bowl. One of the great bowl game names dashed by some goofy tax prep company. No one's buying a Taxslayer Bowl shirt. I'd buy a shirt with this logo right now. (This is the original Gator Bowl logo, used from 1774 to 1985, yes 211 years.)
Kansas State vs. Arkansas Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN, 3:20pm ET
Hey, if you've made it this far into these game previews, put this one up high in your confidence picks game. The Wildcats are lucky to make a game, they lost six games in a row at one point in the season. Arkansas is good, and Alabama should be sending gift baskets to them every day. The Hogs win over Ole Miss in overtime put Alabama in the SEC Championship game and the playoff.
As they say, it often comes down to one play. Ole Miss knows it every day. Here it is, and the damn Bud Light ad again.
I can't think of one season that has had more back breaking plays at the end of games than this one. Take the Hogs.
No. 15 Oregon v. No. 11 TCU Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX, 6:45pm ET
Sweet Daddy, this could be a four hour game in regulation. Oregon finished with six straight wins and TCU should be healthy again. Take the over. I'll take TCU in what should be a great game.
West Virginia vs. Arizona State Cactus Bowl, Phoenix, AZ, 10:15pm ET
Hey, this is it, 40th bowl game. I imagine Mrs. Keith will be questioning my sanity at this point. I'll be questioning my sanity at this point. Boy No.1 and No. 2 will be asking if they need to watch this for me to finish the quest. My daughter will ask if this is the last game, which she'll likely ask 10 other times. Hey, at least the GoDaddy Bowl isn't waiting for me at the end of Sunday night.
I like the Sun Devils here, the Mountaineers give up a lot of points against good teams.
Game 41 is the National Championship, hopefully Michigan State against Clemson or Oklahoma.
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