Wednesday, January 1

#18 Minnesota vs. #12 Auburn

Outback Bowl

1:00 p.m.

Tampa, FL

ESPN

Auburn (-7)

Prediction: I spent most of the year wondering if Minnesota was for real or not. I decided after they beat #4 Penn State and were still undefeated at the second week of November that they were. But then they turn around and lose two of the next three and give away their chance at the 4-team playoff. Auburn on the other hand is a very good team who has played a brutal schedule. They have three losses, but they are to Florida, LSU, and Georgia, and have beat Alabama and Oregon. I’m confident if they would’ve had Minnesota’s schedule they would’ve went undefeated. Therefore, I’m going with the Tigers in this game over a very solid Minnesota team.

#14 Michigan vs. #13 Alabama

Citrus Bowl

1:00 p.m.

Orlando, FL

ABC

Alabama (-7)

Prediction: I’m very intrigued by this game, even though I think there’s a decent chance it’s a blowout. This is the first time Alabama has not been in the playoff and they will come out with an edge. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s job could be on the line here, as well. If the Wolverines get beat convincingly, he might be gone. If they pull off the win against a huge program like Alabama, they have to bring him back. This is a big game for him and for the entire Wolverine program as they continue to try to turn the corner. Unfortunately for them, I think Alabama wins this game by three touchdowns.

#6 Oregon vs. #8 Wisconsin

Rose Bowl

5:00 p.m.

Pasadena, CA

ESPN

Wisconsin (-3)

Prediction: This should be a very good game which I’m excited about. Both of these teams can put up some points, so there’s a good chance it will be a shootout. Wisconsin has three losses on the year, but two of them were to Ohio State. Oregon’s two losses came to Auburn and Arizona State. I believe that Justin Herbert has a big game and lifts Oregon over Wisconsin in a pretty tightly contested game.

#5 Georgia vs. # 7 Baylor

Sugar Bowl

8:45 p.m.

New Orleans, LA

ESPN

Georgia (-5)

Prediction: Georgia is one of the premier teams of the country. Aside from losing to LSU (which everyone does this season) or a head-scratching loss to South Carolina, they would have been in the playoff this year. They are a very dangerous team to any opponent. I feel like Baylor is a step behind, although they are a very good team as well. Their only problem was losing to Oklahoma twice. But Oklahoma was the only ranked team they played all year. They aren’t as battle-tested going into this game as Georgia is and I think the Bulldogs will win in the 14-20 point range.

Thursday, January 2

Boston College vs. #21 Cincinnati

Birmingham Bowl

3:00 p.m.

Birmingham, AL

ESPN

Cincinnati (-7)

Prediction: Six-win teams should not receive aa bowl bid in my opinion and Boston College is one of them. At 6-6 in the ACC, they’re not a very good football team. But the bowl system decided they are worthy and they are facing off against a much better Cincinnati team who is 10-3 on the season. The Bearcats just couldn’t quite get over the hump in the AAC and lost to Memphis twice at the end of their schedule. But Cincinnati will avenge those losses with a win here by at least 10 points.

Indiana vs. Tennessee

Gator Bowl

7:00 p.m.

Jacksonville, FL

ESPN

Tennessee (-2)

Prediction: What a year Tennessee has had. With losses to BYU and Georgia State, they looked doomed. But here they are now with seven wins and a bowl game after closing out the season with five straight wins. They still have to prove they belong though. And so does Indiana who hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent all year. Indiana has a better offense in my opinion and will take home the victory over the Volunteers, who will be left trying to figure out what direction they are going in as they enter the offseason.

Friday, January 3

Ohio vs. Nevada

Potato Bowl

3:30 p.m.

Boise, ID

ESPN

Ohio (-8)

Prediction: Nothing like picking the winner of a 6-win team from the MAC against a 7-win team from the Mountain West. This game just oozes excitement. Nevada has a win over Purdue, but go smoked by Oregon 77-6. Ohio’s biggest game was against Pittsburgh, which they lost by 10. This one is honestly a toss up to me, but Nevada has had trouble scoring this year, while Ohio averages 34 points per game. I’m choosing the Bobcats over the Wolf Pack.

Saturday, January 4

Southern Mississippi vs. Tulane

Armed Forces Bowl

11:30 a.m.

Fort Worth, TX

ESPN

Tulane (-7)

Prediction: Tulane is heading into this one with six wins on the year and they’re facing a 7-5 Southern Miss team. Southern Miss has lost their previous two games, which isn’t good heading into a bowl game, but not bad compared to Tulane losing 5 of their last 6. There’s no way Tulane survives here. They have the cooler nickname (Green Wave) but will lose to the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi on Saturday.

Garett

New Year’s Week Bowl Games Preview and Predictions (Part II)