I never did get around to finishing the lesser bowls. But here are my picks going forward from today.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com Tulane vs. Virginia Tech
I have been eating lunch and every time I bend over to take a bite, it feels like I am dropping food from my fork onto my leg. I look around, but I do not see the dropped food anywhere. I just realized what I am feeling is the badge dangling from my lanyard. I write this in lieu of having to say something about this game. For my friend Bill. VCU
Dukes Mayo Bowl North Carolina vs. West Virginia
I sense I have made fun of this Bowl Game Sponsor mash up before. Drake Maye is understandably opting out, and when you have difficulty winning with Maye, you maye have trouble winning without him. Morgantown School of Applied Technology
DIRECTV Holiday Bowl Louisville vs. Southern Cal
I will be watching this on the Dish Network. Fight the power! Williams sits this out to prepare for the draft, and another QB is hitting the portal. Which means a diminished SC offense and, well, their congenitally diminished defense. Yeah, the Ville offense looked awful against the FSU defense, but they will not be playing the FSU defense. Louisville
Tax Act Texas Bowl Oklahoma State vs. Texas A and M
Well, you know what they said about Jimbo Fisher He could take his talent and lose to yours, or he could take your talent and lose to his. The kids are auditioning for Elko, and Okie State was a bad team that got some breaks. TAMU
Thursday, Dec. 28
Wasabi Fenway Bowl SMU vs. Boston College
SMU joins the South Atlantic League next year. There is a Museum of the War in the Pacific in Fredricksburg, Texas*, which makes more sense than having a School in Dallas play in a Conference named for an Ocean that is 1000 miles away. Say what you want about Cal and Stanford, but at least there is water nearby. BCU
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl Rutgers vs. Miami of Florida
Maybe it is the Midwesterner in me, but I remember when bowl games were a chance for boosters and the like to travel from whatever snow bound Hell they lived in to some place warm and fun. Granted, that assumes living in Piscataway rather than Miami, but for both teams, this seems like more something the Krampus left behind. No one will cry for dear old Rutgers. Miami
Pop Tarts Bowl NC State vs. Kansas State
All games feature an edible mascot, if you have the will to make it so. Anyway, this would be an easy pick if not for Howard portalling away. NC State
Valero Alamo Bowl Oklahoma vs. Arizona
Arizona is pretty much pulling into the parking space Oklahoma is pulling out of. Gabriel is another starter portalling. So, let me tell you a story bout a man named Jedd. No, have I got a Fisch story for you. No, I am still auditioning replacement jokes for my truly hilarious but no longer applicable Archangel Gabriel joke. To quote the doctor I see for my constipation, Bear Down. That joke gets a lot of play in Phoenix.
Friday, Dec. 29
Tax Slayer Gator Bowl Clemson vs. Kentucky
It kind of feels unkind to make a joke about their name after they have come down to earth the last three years, but this is the time of year for traditions, no matter how stupid. ClemSIN
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Our Lady of the Perpetual Tie vs. Thanks for the Coach
Is there anyone left to play Quarterback for the Beavers? Yeah, we lost three of ours, but we are not playing for another nine months. I do not know who the Beaver third stringer is, but I do know OLotPT has a good enough defense to shut down that guy who has run the Scout Team for three years. Our Lady of the Perpetual Tie
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Memphis vs. Iowa State
No clue. Iowa State
Cotton Bowl Classic the vs. Missouri
It appears Harrison is sitting the game out although there is nothing official and he has not actually announced for the draft, and McCord has transferred out, but a surprising number of top flight the players are playing, including their other projected first round WR, starting RB and their best corner. The offense just seemed a little not dynamic with McCord, so we will see what Brown can do them. the
Saturday, Dec. 30
Chik fil A Peach Bowl Penn State vs. Old Mississippi
I had the PSU as my Big Whatever champ pre season, but they let me down. I expect more from their offense then we got this year. But that is still a pretty good defense. Both teams have managed to lose to two of the best teams in the country. But, I am going down this road because I am happy to see cap back and want to reward him. the Pennsylvania State University
TransPerfect Music City Bowl Auburn vs. Maryland
Not just perfect, fabulous. Last I checked, Auburn had serious Quarterback issues. Meaning, their quarterback is a real Thorne in the side of any success they might have. Maryland
Capital One Orange Bowl Florida State vs. Georgia
Words cannot express how much I want Florida State to win this game. But they are down to their third string QB, and I cannot see the Georgia defense taking its collective foot off the collective pedal. Loss to Nick Satan notwithstanding, I still think they are the best team in college football this year. But to get in the playoffs you have to prove that on the field, unless you are Alabama. Georgia
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl Wyoming vs. Toledo
I have as much interest in this game as I do in looking up whatever the Hell Barstool Sports actually is. None. Toledo
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
ReliaQuest Bowl LSU vs. Wisconsin
Wisky is missing Allen, and one of their best defensive players just joined my beloved Spartans. LSU has had defensive issues, and Daniels is opting out, but I still think LSU has more going for it. Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical College
Cheez it Citrus Bowl Iowa vs Tennessee
Take the under. But you do have to, you know, actually score to win a football game. Tennessee
[i[Vrbo Fiesta Bowl[/i] Oregon vs. Liberty
Luck Fiberty. I hope the Ducks burn them like Jerry Falwell burns in Hell. Oregon
College Football Playoff Semifinals
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential Meatchicken vs. Alabama
Alabama should not be here. I think despite the loss they are a better team than either Washington or Texas right now, but they should not be here. I note, by the way, the no one thinks Meatchicken should be shunted off to a non playoff bowl despite a strength of schedule that is roughly equivalent to Florida State. Anyway, I have become grudgingly impressed with Meatchicken this year, and as much as it pains me to say it, they look like the team to beat. Meatchicken
Allstate Sugar Bowl Washington vs. Texas
If the Committee could have figured an out around the head to head, Texas would be in the Orange Bowl, and FSU would be the three seed. But this is the game we have. It should be entertaining, as both teams can score, and score quickly. I think Texas has a better defense, so that is my data point. Texas
* Because it is the hometown of Admiral Chester Nimitz, that is why.