If you're not exhausted by now, you will be later.
Today's slate gives us the first of the inaccurately named "New Year's Six" bowls later in the day and a host of tasty appetizers before then.
Let's get to it.
The Belk Bowl. 1:00 PM ET. Friday, Dec 29th.
[7-5] Wake Forest (-3) vs. [7-5] Texas A&M T: 65
The Demon Deacons and the Aggies have had uneven, at times frustrating seasons. Both SHOULD show up to play for this game with pride on the line. The Deacons want to win close to home, and the Aggies want to both win for former coach Kevin Sumlin, AND impress incoming boss Jimbo Fisher. As a happy surprise, aTm playmaker Christian Kirk is planning to play. Despite all of this I think Wake Forest is the better team here, they've got better wins and the ACC schedule is tougher than the SEC schedule right now. Plus, they didn't get humiliated in any of their losses.
Pick: Wake Forest to COVER -3 and UNDER.
Hyundai Sun Bowl. 3:00 ET. Friday, Dec 29th.
[8-4] North Carolina State (-6.5) vs. [7-5] Arizona State. T: 59.5
God bless the Sun Bowl, an American Treasure that's been going since the 1930's. Also, the only jewel in CBS' bowl package. And it doesn't even feature the SEC. I was not high on either of these teams to start the season but I did eventually come around to NC State. That said I think that Arizona State has more talent than they've shown of late, something I don't see improving under new HC Herm Edwards (once he figures out the team's mascot that is). The Sun Devils will score points but their problem is that their defense is god-awful.
Pick: NC State to COVER -6.5 and OVER.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. 4:30 PM ET. Friday, Dec 29th.
[7-5] Kentucky vs. [9-3] Northwestern. (-7.5) T: 51
I'll be honest, as a Michigan fan I thought this was to be our location with Michigan State in the Outback and Northwestern in the Holiday Bowl. But, the Outback Bowl had other plans. What this provides us with an interesting match-up against two non-traditional football schools who have been running better of late. Northwestern is the hottest team in the land right now and Kentucky has been struggling, and might even lose their head coach after this game. I don't think this one is going to be all that close.
Pick: Northwestern to COVER -7.5 and UNDER.
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. 5:30 PM ET. Friday, Dec 29th.
[6-6] Utah State vs. [6-6] New Mexico State University (-4) T: 61.5
While most people are going to ignore this game, it's worth watching for the New Mexico State Aggies making only their 2nd bowl appearance of all time, right before they get booted out of the SunBelt and go independent next year. Neither of these teams has a win over anyone bowl eligible and neither team is going to set the world on fire but I'm going to be rooting for NMSU regardless. Occasionally, in sports, fairy tales do occur. I'm pulling for one here between two teams that really don't have much to differentiate them from one another.
Pick: NMSU to COVER -4 and UNDER.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. 8:30 PM ET. Friday, Dec 29th.
[11-2] University of Southern California vs. [11-2] Ohio State (-7.5) T: 64.5
The only thing that would make this game any better were if it were played in Pasadena and Keith Jackson came out of retirement and called it, in his prime of course. The Trojans vs. the Buckeyes ARE big time college football. These are also two of the most supremely talented, yet disappointing, teams in all the land. I think OSU is a little better on defense and I think Urban Meyer is going to do what he usually does and rely on the legs of Dobbins and 10th year Sr. JT Barrett. Will this be enough against a good and smoking hot USC team?
Pick: USC to WIN on the ML and UNDER.
Up next we'll round up the remaining non-playoff games and then focus on the final two.
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