College Football Playoff Picks 2020: Rose Bowl & Sugar Bowl

DeVonta Smith, Alabama

 Rose Bowl (Jan. 1st)

Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1)

Despite losing the ACC Championship Game by over three touchdowns to Clemson, Notre Dame remained in the four-team Playoff field. Their reward? Having to take on the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, who have been absolutely dominant en route to an 11-0 record. What's so impressive about the Tide is their evolution under Nick Saban. Once a defensive-oriented team with a rather simplistic offense, Alabama has evolved into a fast-paced, aggressive team that is able to hurt opposing defenses in a wide variety of ways. Their success has allowed QB Mac Jones and receiver DeVonta Smith to both end up as Heisman Finalists, putting up record-setting numbers despite a shortened season. Smith in particular will be of major concern to this Notre Dame defense; he's dominated every single defense he's seen in 2020, and the Irish don't have a defensive back that can match up against him. They're going to have to bring extra coverage to help, which will leave them exposed in other areas. Of course, Alabama still has their power-run attack to lean back on if the passing game is struggling, with All-SEC tailback Najee Harris. Harris has been an absolute touchdown machine in 2020, and he's the perfect complement to the explosive passing game. Notre Dame does have a superb defensive front, led by Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but they haven't seen a rush offense as physical as Alabama's so far in 2020. The ND defense also has other difficulties beyond just what Alabama can throw at you; coordinator Clark Lea has officially taken the Vanderbilt head coaching job, and while he'll still call plays in this one you have to believe his mind is partly in Nashville. In order to have any success against the Tide, you have to be absolutely locked in, and even though this is a Playoff game with high stakes, I'm not sure Lea is.

No matter what ND is able to throw at them defensively, Alabama will put up points. Can the Irish offense do the same? QB Ian Book has had a marvelous senior season, but he really struggled in the ACC Championship Game. Book's a mobile quarterback, which has given 'Bama issues in the past, but you always wonder whether he'll be able to make the throws this offense needs. The receiver corps is solid, but lacks the elite playmakers necessary to really open things up. Guys like Javon McKinley and Avery Davis have shown flashes, but just how prepared are they for this battle? It doesn't help that, per usual, the Tide are loaded with NFL talent in the secondary, namely Patrick Surtain Jr. and Malachi Moore. You would feel more confident about this Irish offense if their offensive line didn't also struggle the way it did in that Clemson loss. Long considered one of the best in the entire nation, the ND O-Line was torn apart by the Tigers, allowing Book to be sacked six times. To be fair, Clemson has some absolute freaks on their defensive line, but so does Alabama. If Notre Dame isn't able to give Book at least some time, there's absolutely no chance they come away with the upset. We will also have to monitor whether the ground game can get back on track after a poor showing against Clemson. Kyren Williams has had a breakout campaign for the Irish and this 'Bama defense has occasionally had difficulties containing the run. But, Williams isn't the type of back that will regularly break off big runs, more of a methodical runner than anything else. Simply put, you wonder if Notre Dame has the explosiveness to keep pace with Alabama, no matter what happens on the other side of the ball. This offense has put up great numbers, but it's a group that still lacks the big-play capability you need to take down the Crimson Tide. 

Motivation is never hard to come by in the College Football Playoff, but there may be even more pressure on the Irish than Alabama in this semifinal. Notre Dame has regularly been blown out in major bowl games since the 1990s, including the infamous 2012 BCS Championship Game when they were dismantled by 'Bama, 42-17. Head coach Brian Kelly seems to have learned some lessons from these losses and he's done a great job upping ND's recruiting and development. But even after a tremendous 10-1 season, they look a step below the true "elites" of college football. They also have the luxury of facing down an Alabama team that looks like it could be the best of the Saban era, although that's said nearly every single year in Tuscaloosca. It wouldn't take an absolute miracle for Notre Dame to pull off an upset, but it would take a lot of things going right and the Tide also having a little bit of an off-day. Again, that isn't completely impossible, but to pick against this current Alabama edition would be ludicrous. They are loaded at every single level, and also seem to match up really well against the Irish. Plus, they still have en edge on the sideline, even though Kelly deserves a ton of credit for his work in South Bend. Just one more thing to note: Alabama wide out Jaylen Waddle could still possibly return for the Playoff after missing most of the season with a broken ankle. Possibly the fastest player in college football, when Waddle is paired with Smith, there is nobody in the country that can stop this Alabama offense. It's still unclear his status entering this one, but Waddle's return would only confirm this game as a lock for the Tide.

The Pick: Alabama, 38 Notre Dame, 20

Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1st)

Clemson Tigers (10-1) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0)

Clemson and Ohio State played in an instant classic a season ago in the College Football Playoff, with the Tigers coming out on top 29-23 in overtime. There may have been some controversial calls that may or may not have have helped swing the game in favor of the Tigers, but they still deserve credit for getting the job done. This season, both teams enter in slightly different situations. Clemson has still been terrific, with their only blemish an overtime loss to Notre Dame, and they enter as over a touchdown favorite in this game. Ohio State has played just six games in total and while they've managed to stay undefeated, they got all they could handle from Big Ten foes Indiana and Northwestern. Clemson's offensive core remains mostly in place from last year's team, with familiar faces Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne leading the way. Lawrence struggled early on in this matchup a season ago before figuring things out and playing really well down the stretch. He has clearly proven he isn't afraid of the big stage, and he'll have his opportunities in this game. While last season's Ohio State secondary was full of future NFL Draft selections, this group has really struggled. Aside from Shaun Wade, who was kicked out of last year's game due to targeting, it's an inexperienced group that will have a tough time containing the athletes Clemson can throw at you on the perimeter. The Tigers may not have Justyn Ross in 2020, but they still have several tremendous weapons, including Amari Rodgers, Frank Ladson, and E.J. Williams. Clemson also has a secret weapon in tight end Braden Galloway, an absolute matchup nightmare. He flashed in the Playoff last season, and has put together a productive 2020 campaign. If those guys don't hurt you enough, the ultra-reliable Travis Etienne is always ready. The Buckeyes do have a terrific rush defense, thanks in large part to a fantastic interior D-Line and an experienced linebacker corps, but Etienne is the type of athlete that you don't see very much in the Big Ten. 

Ohio State's offense has been an interesting case study over the course of their shortened 2020. Quarterback Justin Fields remains one of the most talented players in all of college football, but he's really struggled down the stretch and seems to be forcing things. He had a strong showing in this game a year ago before his OT interception that cost them the game, but how does he handle the recent cold streak? His ability to create plays with his legs adds an interesting element to this offense, but Clemson does a good job of keeping opposing quarterbacks in check. Head coach Ryan Day clearly loves to throw the ball, but it has actually been the ground game that has been more effective over the last couple weeks. Former Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon was the primary reason the Buckeyes were able to outlast Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game, and he'll put pressure on the Clemson defensive front. Sermon's also an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield, and Ohio State can keep him fresh by rotating in punishing tailback Master Teague. It's still somewhat unclear how good the Tigers are at defending against the run. Their numbers are fairly good and it's crucial that James Skalski is back playing healthy, but they didn't play very well against OSU in 2019 with an arguably more talented unit. Of course, defensive coordinator Brent Venables is a good guy to bet on, as he's regularly been the difference in huge games. With that being said, Day called a great game in this battle in 2019, and the chess match between the two is going to be a thrilling watch. The Buckeyes seem to have a clear advantage on the outside with their receiver group, particularly now that veteran Chris Olave has returned from COVID protocols. With that advantage, I am fairly curious to see how aggressive Day is going to be throwing the football even though the run game has been so effective as of late.

Only adding fuel to the fire, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has had a fun time poking at Ohio State over the last couple weeks. He's routinely criticized their shortened schedule, and even went so far as to rank Ohio State 11th in his own personal rankings that were released. Dabo has always been a guy that is going to speak his mind, but I wonder what type of effect that routine will have on the Buckeyes. Again, motivation is never an issue in these Playoff games, but Ohio State should really come out with a fury. It wasn't just the game they lost a season ago, but the way they lost it. There are several key cogs on this roster that came back with the sole intention of getting another shot at the Tigers. The thing is, Ohio State as a program has not had success against Clemson, going 0-4 against the Tigers in the historical meetings between the two. In addition, OSU is 0-3 in the past decade, which includes the 31-0 2016 Fiesta Bowl, which no Buckeye fan needs a reminder of. I truly do believe that Ohio State is one of the top four teams in the nation, and they are one of the few teams in the country with the talent to hang with Clemson for an entire sixty minutes. But, the fact of the matter is that we just haven't seen enough of this 2020 team for me to feel confident in picking them. Perhaps they will be able to hit their stride at the right time, but their recent performances inspire very little confidence, especially with the way Clemson is playing on the other side. It might end up being a boring pick, but I still lean Tigers to improve to 5-0 in the series between the two. They aren't the absolute buzzsaw they've been in year's past, but they're also a team without much clear weaknesses, and they've become very accustomed to this type of stage. Yet another Clemson-Alabama National Championship Game seems highly likely.

The Pick: Clemson, 31 Ohio State, 24

Bowl Picks 2020-21: Peach Bowl-Orange Bowl (Jan. 1-Jan. 2)

Kellen Mond, Texas A&M

 *= Excludes CFB Playoff Predictions

Peach Bowl (Jan. 1st)

Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-0)

After a season in which they were regularly disrespected by the CFB Playoff Selection Committee, Cincinnati is hopeful to prove they can play with the big boys, against a 7-2 Georgia squad. The Bearcats don't necessarily do anything flashy, but they have a productive offense and the best defense in the nation. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has put together a marvelous 2020 and leads an offense that put up over 39 PPG on the campaign. The Bearcats are especially effective on the ground, where veteran Gerrid Doaks and former Alabama transfer Jerome Ford have led the way. They've regularly dominated the line of scrimmage against their American Athletic foes, but the Bulldogs are a different story. They're loaded with former blue-chip recruits, and have perhaps the deepest defensive front in college football. Cincinnati will not be able to bully them the way they have past foes, which presents a difficult challenge for this offense. Ridder is going to have to create more than ever before and while he has the tools, he will face down a very skilled and experienced UGA secondary. The good news for Cincy is that the defense will keep them in the game no matter what, a group that gets to their spots incredibly well and doesn't give up big plays. They face a Georgia offense that has had a really interesting 2020. This unit struggled throughout the season's first half before making the switch to J.T. Daniels at QB. Since making the switch, the Bulldogs have put up point totals of 31, 45 and 49, all wins. Cincinnati is a different challenge than those last three opponents, but Daniels gives them a great opportunity. His arrival of starter has coincided with improved play from this receivers corps, which has always been talented but is inconsistent. Sophomore George Pickens looks more focused, and Jermaine Burton and Kearis Jackson know how to put pressure on opposing defenses. The key is whether or not Georgia is going to be able to run the ball; Zamir White has had a very steady 2020 but hasn't dominated either. When the ground game struggles, the Bulldogs have been prone to forcing things, which won't work against this Bearcats' defense. It won't help that White's primary helper in the backfield, James Cook, will miss the contest after the death of his father. Motivation is another factor to watch for this game. Cincy is eager to show that they were deserving of a spot in the four-team Playoff field, while Georgia has had a rocky season. Georgia's edge in talent makes them the smarter bet, but this Bearcats team will not fold easily. I expect it to be a competitive game down to the wire, with the Bulldogs finding a way to come out on top.

The Pick: Georgia, 27 Cincinnati, 23

Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1st)

Auburn Tigers (6-4) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (6-2)

Although the 2020 off-season has not yet officially begun, both Auburn and Northwestern have already had interesting starts to it. Auburn made the decision to fire Gus Malzahn and pay a hefty 21 million dollar buyout to do so, bringing on Boise State's Bryan Harsin in the process. Harsin is not slated to coach the bowl game, instead it will be interim head man Kevin Steele leading the Tigers. It's still an important game for Tiger players, eager to show the new staff what they can do. QB Bo Nix has had a frustrating sophomore season, but he's still talented enough to make things happen. He's helped out offensively by freshman phenom Tank Bigsby and stud wide out Seth Williams, but how much success will they have against this Northwestern defense? The Wildcats are fresh off a dominant performance against Justin Fields and Ohio State, and they hope to end the 2020 season with a bang. Nix could especially struggle to move the ball through the air, as the Wildcats have shut down QB after QB on the year. Perhaps Bigsby will be able to fuel the offense, but the Auburn offensive line has not helped him out very much on the season. On the other sideline, Northwestern seems to be entering somewhat of a transition mode, as they've seen a rash of transfers hit the portal in the last few weeks. It's unclear exactly why, but there's some thought that head coach Pat Fitzgerald may be interested in an NFL jump. But, for now the former NU linebacker will once again be leading the Wildcats. The offense is likely to rely on some new faces than they did during the regular season, although veteran QB Peyton Ramsey remains in the fold. He may not have the biggest arm in the country, but Ramsey has shown he can make the plays necessary to keep Northwestern rolling. The lead back is likely to be Cam Porter, a freshman that has really come on strong down the stretch. We saw Northwestern run a lot of "Wildcat" against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, and I'm sure they'll do much the same to get them different looks against a good, but far from great, Auburn defense. Truthfully, I don't feel supremely confident about picking one way or another in this New Year's Day showdown. Neither team has much momentum entering the matchup, and it's unlikely to be a very pretty game overall. However, I usually lean the team with the better defense in evenly matched contests, and the advantage there is on Northwestern's side.

The Pick: Northwestern, 17 Auburn, 14

Gator Bowl (Jan. 2nd)

NC State Wolfpack (8-3) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (4-6)

The reality of college football is that preseason predictions are constantly proven wrong quickly once the games actually begin, and certain teams or programs can make you look fairly silly in the end. That is the case for NC State in 2020, a team I picked to finish dead last in the ACC this year but they instead went 8-3 and finished the regular season ranked #23. That's a testament not only to the coaching staff, but the players for putting together such a strong season, and winning several close games. They have done so despite losing quarterback Devin Leary to a season-ending injury, opening the door for former Florida State transfer Bailey Hockman. Hockman won't throw the ball deep often, but he's proven he can command the offense and move the ball. It helps that he has several fun playmakers surrounding him in sophomore tailback Zonovan "Bam" Knight, and wide out Emeka Emezie. Defensively, the Wolfpack are rock-solid as well, led by two stud linebackers in Payton Wilson and Isaiah Moore. They match up well against a Kentucky offense that leans heavily on their ground game, ranking 46th nationally in rush offense. In addition to feature back Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky has one of the best dual threats in the nation in QB Terry Wilson, who eclipsed 400 yards rushing on the campaign. The thing is, Wilson simply has not taken the steps necessary as a passer to give defenses problems. The Wildcats have one of the worst aerial attacks in the country, and it's unlikely they suddenly found it during bowl practices. There's a possibility Kentucky will try and do some creative things offensively to make this NC State defense work. But entering the game, it's actually unclear who will actually be calling plays. New coordinator Liam Coen was hired by Mark Stoops a few weeks ago, but he will not join the staff officially until after the Los Angeles Rams' season is over. Instead, Stoops will utilize a committee to call plays and try to test the Wolfpack, which does not sound very encouraging. 

The Pick: NC State, 34 Kentucky, 20

Outback Bowl (Jan. 2nd)

Ole Miss Rebels (4-5) vs. Indiana Hoosiers (6-1)

Despite putting together a magical 2020 that will go down as one of, if not the, best seasons in school history Indiana was not selected for a New Year's Six bowl. Instead, they'll square off against Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss team, a sneaky team that is better than their 4-5 record may indicate. Kiffin's offensive genius has been on full display in his debut campaign with the Rebels, as they're averaging nearly 41 points per game and rank Top 20 nationally in nearly every offensive category. Big-armed quarterback Matt Corral has been a superstar running the offense, but he will be without his favorite target in Elijah Moore, who opted out. Moore was overshadowed inside the SEC by the brilliance of DeVonta Smith, but he was dominant throughout the fall, and his absence is notable. Instead, Ole Miss will lean on a solid crop of wide outs, namely Braylon Sanders and Dontario Drummond to test a very skilled Hoosier defense. To be fair, Indiana's defense is also undergoing a little bit of a transition as their coordinator, Kane Wommack, took the head coaching gig at South Alabama. This unit, which allowed just 19.4 PPG on the season, will still play hard and fast, but how will they respond without Wommack? His departure may put more pressure on Indiana to keep up offensively, which is a slight concern. They are without starting QB Michael Penix Jr., who tore his ACL in the Maryland win. Backup Jack Tuttle has been serviceable, but is not the type of weapon Penix is. Mississippi native Ty Fryfogle and Whop Philyor still give IU plenty of juice on offense, but the big question is the run game. It's never really shown it can guide this offense so far in 2020, even though Stevie Scott III may be one of the most underrated in the Big Ten. The good news is that Ole Miss may have one of the worst defenses they've seen all season. They've been gashed all season, whether it be by air or on the ground, and are fresh off surrendering 53 points to LSU. Indiana should still be able to put up points and their edge on defense makes them the smart selection in the Outback.

The Pick: Indiana, 38 Ole Miss, 30

Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 2nd)

Oregon Ducks (4-2) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (8-3)

Although they were not even slated to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game until Washington had to drop out due to COVID issues, Oregon will represent the Pac-12 in a New Year's Six. They face down Iowa State, who narrowly missed a chance to win their first conference title in a century a few weeks ago. You can never be quite sure what you're getting from Oregon's offense, which has put up strong numbers but has also struggled at times. QB Tyler Shough has actually been really solid in his first season as starter, but he does face a really skilled Iowa State defense. It's also likely we will see his backup, Anthony Brown, in certain packages. Brown had not seen a second of game time until that Pac-12 Championship, when he threw for two touchdowns. His presence will force ISU to be concerned about his legs, but he's a proven QB at the Power Five level, previously at Boston College. The key to Oregon's offense will be the running game, which has been their primary fuel all 2020. C.J. Verdell, who has topped 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons, missed their last outing and his status is still unclear. That may put even more pressure on Travis Dye and Sean Dollars to carry the load against a very good Cyclone rush defense, which is led by Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Rose. Defensively, Oregon has not had a very good year, but that can be attributed primarily to the large number of opt-outs they saw when the Pac-12 season was originally cancelled. They're still really good up front, thanks in large part to defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, and will put pressure on a solid ISU offensive line. The Cyclones are going to have opportunities through the air, but can they take advantage of them? QB Brock Purdy has proven himself as one of the best in the Big 12 in his time in Ames, but he is still mistake-prone at big moments. For all their faults, Oregon still forces turnovers as well as any defense in the nation, which puts significant pressure on Purdy. However, Iowa State can always sit back and feed back tailback Breece Hall, who finished Top 10 in Heisman voting. Hall has had 1,436 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year, but he has slowed down a little bit over their last three games, at least compared to what he was doing through the first half of 2020. Another tough selection to make here; I truly believe Oregon is a better team than their 4-2 record may indicate, but ISU has the offensive weapons to make them pay. In the end, I'll lean Ducks, as they enter with slightly more momentum and have more experience playing on this type of stage as of late.

The Pick: Oregon, 29 Iowa State, 24

Orange Bowl (Jan. 2nd)

Texas A&M Aggies (8-1) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-3)

Two flaming hot teams arrive in the Orange Bowl here, which pits 8-1 Texas A&M against 8-3 North Carolina. The Aggies have won seven straight after losing by four touchdowns to Alabama, thanks to an improved offense. Veteran quarterback Kellen Mond has put together since his best season since arriving in College Station, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns on the campaign. He's done so despite a depleted receiver corps that has dealt with injuries throughout all of 2020. Tight end Jalen Wydermeyer has once again stepped up and become Mond's favorite target through the air, while running back/receiver hybrid Ainias Smith has also proven his worth to this passing attack. Can others step up beyond those two, and put pressure on a mediocre UNC secondary? Either way, the Aggies remain confident in their ground game, which is led by Isaiah Spiller, running behind a strong offensive line. Spiller has been an absolute workhorse in 2020 and aside from the 'Bama game, has been amazingly consistent throughout the season. North Carolina's defensive front is awfully talented, but they don't see a lot of power-run attacks quite like A&M. How they're able to respond may determine the eventual result here. The Tar Heels have one of the most fun offenses in the entire country, but it's crippled entering this one. Their top receiver, Dyami Brown, opted out prior to this matchup and just a few days ago, both tailbacks Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, also announced they would not play. Brown is a major loss as he opens up this offense vertically, but Carter and Williams are even more crucial absences. They've often fueled the UNC offense in 2020, and have been especially dominant down the stretch. Without them, QB Sam Howell is forced to rely on an unproven cast of characters. Howell certainly has proven he can make things happen, but the Aggie defense is tough, even if the offense is full-strength. A&M is physical and athletic up front and while the secondary still can be inconsistent, there's more than enough talent back there. Even if Howell is able to work some magic, A&M is the better team up and down their roster and they also have more motivation, being left out of the four-team Playoff field a couple weeks ago. Jimbo Fisher and company should cap off their impressive 2020 with a NY6 victory.

The Pick: Texas A&M, 31 North Carolina, 24

Bowl Picks 2020-21: Mayo Bowl-Texas Bowl (Dec. 30th-Dec. 31st)

Kyle Trask, Florida

 Duke's Mayo Bowl (Dec. 30th)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-4) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (3-3)

While several other big-name Big Ten programs decided to opt-out of bowl season this year, Wisconsin choose to go forward with their matchup against Wake Forest in the illustrious Duke's Mayo Bowl. The Badgers started off the season hot before their offense really stalled down the stretch, putting up double-digits just once in their final four games. The hope is that QB Graham Mertz can find some rhythm after his recent struggles, but he needs other pieces in this offense to step up. The receiver group has been hit hard by injuries, but veterans like tight end Jake Ferguson and wide out Jack Dunn have to get back on track. The ground game has also been very suspect all season and the injury to stud freshman Jalen Berger hasn't helped. Wake Forest's defense is decent, but their defensive front is not up to par with the Badgers. A typical ground-and-pound offensive attack should be expected from Wisconsin here. The good news is that their defense remains one of the best in the entire country, which will be quite useful against a Top 25 Wake Forest offense. Quarterback Sam Hartman has put together a strong 2020 showing and has also been very efficient (10 TD, 1 INT). He's aided by an interesting cast of offensive playmakers, which includes receivers Jaquarii Roberson and Donovan Greene, as well as an effective ground game. The Demon Deacons don't do anything particularly special on offense, but they execute well and attack opposing weaknesses really well. There aren't a lot of weaknesses on this Badger defense, aside from the fact they could be susceptible to the deep pass. Their rush defense is absolutely elite and although the pass rush doesn't have many big names, they'll get after Hartman. It could certainly be the toughest defense Wake has seen since they opened the year back in early September against Clemson. Although both teams appear evenly matched on paper, the Badgers do have a better bowl tradition and they enter with slightly more momentum after an OT victory in their rivalry game against Minnesota. 

The Pick: Wisconsin, 27 Wake Forest, 17

Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 30th)

Florida Gators (8-3) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (8-2)

The first of this season's New Year's Six Bowls pits two explosive offenses against each other in Florida and Oklahoma. The Gators are led by two players who finished Top 10 in Heisman voting, QB Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts. Trask eclipsed 4,000 yards on the year so far and is the perfect quarterback for head coach Dan Mullen's system, while Pitts became the first TE to finish in Heisman voting since the late 1970s. Opposing defenses usually have to commit one of their best coverage defenders to stop Pitts, which then allows the rest of this Gator offense to get going. Receivers Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland are a pretty potent trio themselves, and will test this Sooner defense vertically. The big question mark for Florida on offense is whether they can find any semblance of balance. The ground game has been nearly non-existent all season and while UF has made do without, they need it to beat really strong teams. If not, an improved Oklahoma secondary will drop back in coverage and force Trask to beat them. Trask certainly can do it, but it makes life significantly more difficult without a ground game to also lean on. This improved Sooner defense should be getting more attention; after a poor start to 2020, they've been tremendous down the stretch. The defense is currently allowing just 20.5 PPG in their seven game win streak and that number was a little bit inflated by Texas dropping 45 on them. Oklahoma's offense looks similar to what it has in year's past, even if Spencer Rattler is not a Heisman finalist QB. He was very mistake prone early on, but Rattler has really settled down into his comfort zone. He still has a rocket of an arm and can make things happen with his legs, a real test for a bad Gator defense. Oklahoma's skill positions were beat up to begin 2020, but they've played well down the stretch. Rhamondre Stevenson is back from his suspension and leads the ground attack, while the cast of Marvin Mims, Theo Wease and Charleston Rambo make things happen at receiver. It's an offense that might not be as talented as past editions, but one that is still highly effective. There's nothing this Gator defense has done this season to make me feel confident they can stop the Sooners. Although it has good individual pieces, such as linebacker Brenton Cox and defensive back Kaiir Elam, the numbers speak for themselves. A shootout should definitely be expected, but I trust the Sooner defense a little bit more at this point. They also enter the game on a seven game win streak, while Florida has dropped their last two.

The Pick: Oklahoma, 44 Florida, 35

Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 31st)

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-2) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-7)

Despite going just 3-7 on the season, Mississippi State accepted a bowl invite to square off against the American Athletic runner-up Tulsa. It's been a tough transition for Mike Leach as he brings his air raid attack to the SEC. After a great start against LSU, the offense has been wildly inconsistent and has seen a host of players opt-out. QB Will Rogers appears to have taken ahold of the job and is the quarterback of the future in Starkville, but you never quite know what you're getting out of the young signal-caller. He is a fairly good decision-maker for his age and has had his moments, but the inconsistency is still there. Mississippi State doesn't really have an elite wide out on the perimeter, but they have a bunch of pass-catchers that can open things up downfield. The bigger question for them is their O-Line play, which has been decent this season, but faces a very good Tulsa pass rush. The Golden Hurricane defense as a whole deserves much more credit for the season it has had in 2020, but it is notable that they will be without their top player in Zaven Collins, the Bronko Nagurski Award winner who opted out. Perhaps his absence will force the Bulldogs to run more, but that's unlikely. On offense, Tulsa is far from elite but they do get the job done. QB Zach Smith, who started his career at Baylor, is an efficient passer who can face any type of defense. He's joined by a group of playmakers that aren't big names, but can make things happen. Wide out Josh Johnson is probably the most dangerous of that group, leading the Golden Hurricane with six receiving touchdowns. Mississippi State's defense is pretty poor, as is common with Leach teams. They do have a good defensive line, but the back seven just hasn't put it together in 2020. This is actually a tough game to pick for me. While Mississippi State has had a bad season, Leach offenses are tough to prepare for, and they probably have a talent advantage. But, I still lean Tulsa primarily because this Bulldog defense is so bad, and the Golden Hurricane's own defense inspires more confidence even without Collins.

The Pick: Tulsa, 30 Mississippi State, 21

Arizona Bowl (Dec. 31st)

Ball State Cardinals (6-1) vs. San Jose State Spartans (7-0)

Even with shortened schedules, San Jose State and Ball State going a combined 13-1 is one of the most surprising developments of the 2020 college football season. Both are hoping to cap off their magical seasons by winning the Arizona Bowl in Tucson. San Jose State's success can be attributed primarily to an improved aerial attack with the addition of former Texas A&M QB Nick Starkel, as well as a defense that ranks in the Top 25 in scoring defense. Starkel will face a quality Ball State defense in this one, but he's proven that he can put together some of his best performances against the best defenses he's seen, such as going for 453 and three touchdowns against Boise State. Several big-play threats on the perimeter, namely Bailey Gaither and Tre Walker, are sure to stretch the Cardinal defense. SJSU's defense is really strong against the run and does a decent job forcing turnovers. They'll be an interesting matchup against a Ball State offense that is very balanced, with a punishing ground game and efficient passing attack. QB Drew Plitt has put together a solid 2020 campaign but the rush offense, led by Caleb Huntley, can still move the chains. The player SJSU has to be the most concerned about is wide out Justin Hall, who not only leads Ball State in receptions and yards, he's also dangerous on jet sweeps and other creative plays. These two match up fairly well top to bottom, and I'm conflicted on who to take. Usually I'll roll with the better QB (Starkel in my opinion) or the better defense, but my theory that undefeated seasons are so difficult holds. That remains the case for the Spartans, even with a shortened season.

The Pick: Ball State, 28 San Jose State, 27

Liberty Bowl (Dec. 31st)

West Virginia Mountaineers (5-4) vs. Army Black Knights (9-2)

The harsh realities of 2020 are on display in the Liberty Bowl, where 5-4 West Virginia was slated to play Tennessee before the Volunteers had to drop out due to COVID issues. Their replacement is the 9-2 Army Black Knights, whose triple-option offense offers a very unique challenge. Army has the No. 4 rush offense in the nation, one that uses a wide variety of playmakers to eat up yardage and clock. Christian Anderson has taken the reigns of the offense as the starting QB, but it wouldn't be surprising to see multiple Army quarterbacks running the show in this one. Backs Tyrell Robinson and Jakobi Buchanan will be focused on heavily by the West Virginia defense, while Sandon McCoy is the short yardage monster (10 TDs in 2020). It will be fascinating to see how WVU controls the triple-option; defensively they've been solid all year, but will be without one of their top players in linebacker Tony Fields, who opted out. They also haven't had a ton of time to prepare for Army, which always makes stopping this offense much more difficult. The Mountaineers are certainly a different offense in how they choose to attack opponents, running a fairly balanced attack. Quarterback Jarret Doege has put together a fine 2020 campaign, but the real star on offense has been tailback Leddie Brown, who has 945 yards in just nine contests. The big question for Brown is whether he can keep it going against one of the best defenses he's seen this fall. Army might not have the talent of some Big 12 defenses, but they fill gaps really well and do what they do very well. They're one of the top rush defenses in the entire nation, and will force Doege to beat them over the top. For me, this is a similar matchup to the Tulsa-Mississippi State game. WVU may be more talented on paper, but I think Army is the better team top to bottom. I think they come home with their tenth victory of 2020 in a defensive struggle.

The Pick: Army, 23 West Virginia, 20

Texas Bowl (Dec. 31st)

Arkansas Razorbacks (3-7) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (6-4)

Arkansas is back in a bowl game for the first time since competing in the 2016 Belk Bowl against Virginia Tech, matched up against a sneaky TCU squad. These two teams are going in opposite directions to end 2020; Arkansas has lost four straight after a .500 start, while TCU has won five of their last six. To be fair to Arkansas, it hasn't been like they've fallen off a cliff. Their final four games have included two Top 10 teams in Alabama and Florida, and their other two losses were by a combined five points. Veteran QB Feleipe Franks has been a great story finding success with the Razorbacks, but he hasn't been completely healthy, sitting out the Missouri game due to a rib injury. Franks isn't necessarily an elite QB, but he's done a really good job running OC Kendall Briles' system, and he is a dual threat. The greater concern for TCU may end up being the Razorback ground game, spearheaded by Trelon Smith. Smith took over feature back duties about halfway through 2020 when starter Rakeem Boyd opted out, and he's been terrific. TCU does a good job stopping the run but Smith can be really dangerous, as shown in his 172-yard, 3 touchdown domination of Missouri. The greater strength for Arkansas is their own defense, which matches up well against the Horned Frogs. The Razorbacks play a physical, smash-mouth brand of football that relies heavily on their top two linebackers, Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool. TCU's offense leans heavily on the run game, particularly with freshman Zach Evans surging down the stretch. QB Max Duggan can throw the ball, but he's much more dangerous as a runner, currently leading TCU in rushing yards. It's going to be interesting to see whether TCU tries to do things a little bit different here to possibly capitalize on Arkansas' inconsistent secondary. The Horned Frogs have several interesting weapons on this roster, such as do-it-all speedster Taye Barber, who has gotten hot down the stretch. Despite TCU's recent hot streak, I think Arkansas remains the smarter pick here. They match up really well against the Horned Frogs, and play a brand of football vastly different than what TCU sees every week in the Big 12.

The Pick: Arkansas, 28 TCU, 19

Bowl Picks 2020-21: Camellia to Alamo Bowl (Dec.25-Dec.29)

Sam Noyer, Colorado

 Camellia Bowl (Dec. 25th)

Marshall Thundering Herd (7-2) vs. Buffalo Bulls (5-1)

Two of the best Group of Five teams in the nation collide in Montgomery for the Camellia Bowl. Buffalo began the 2020 campaign 5-0 prior to a loss in the MAC Championship Game, which should provide them plenty of motivation for this one. Superstar tailback Jaret Patterson, my "Group of Five Heisman" winner, was knocked out of the MAC Championship, but the expectation is that he should be able to play in this game. If so, the Bulls have one of the nation's most talented weapons, led by a player that recorded over 1,000 yards in just six total games. Their passing attack hasn't been as strong, but QB Kyle Vantrease can still get the job done. It's not a balanced group but the results speak for themselves, as Buffalo is averaging nearly 47 points per game this fall. On the other side, Marshall has been an interesting story, looking to get back on track after a recent cold streak. They began their 2020 7-0, but have looked very underwhelming in their two straight losses to Rice and UAB. The offensive struggles have been noticeable; true freshman QB Grant Wells began the season on fire but he's really struggled with turnovers down the stretch, tossing five in the Rice game. Not only does Wells have to get back on track, but the rushing attack has to find some momentum as feature back Brenden Knox has been held below four yards per carry in those last two losses. Even if their offense does get it back going, the Marshall defense has been the story of their season. It's allowing just 12.6 points per game on the season and allowing under 280 yards per, which both rank in the Top 3 nationally. However, the recent offensive problems and Patterson's improved health make me lean Buffalo here. The Bulls should still be motivated and get up for this matchup, and they have enough offensive punch to get over the top on the Herd.

The Pick: Buffalo, 26 Marshall, 17

First Responder Bowl (Dec. 26th)

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (9-1) vs. UTSA Roadrunners (7-4)

Despite flirting with several SEC jobs, Billy Napier is back as Louisiana-Lafayette head coach and will lead the 9-1 Ragin' Cajuns against UTSA. The Cajuns have a balanced offensive attack that leans heavily on dual-threat QB Levi Lewis, who will be eager to get back on the field after a poor showing in his last game against Appalachian State. The ground game is among the most underrated nationally, with Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas both going over 650 yards on the season. Defensively, Louisiana's numbers are fairly average, but they do a great job of forcing turnovers. The main player they'll have to key on is UTSA's Sincere McCormick, who finished second in FBS with 1,345 yards. McCormick isn't the most explosive running back in the nation, but he's a powerful one who excels through contact. The Cajuns are going to need to wrap up and tackle in space, which has been an issue at times for them in 2020. UTSA may be at a slight disadvantage in this one; they were originally scheduled to play SMU in the Frisco Bowl before it was cancelled last week. Of course, the Cajuns didn't have much prep time for the Roadrunners either, but it's a little bit easier for the 9-1 team.

The Pick: Louisiana, 34 UTSA, 23

LendingTree Bowl (Dec. 26th)

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-6) vs. Georgia State Panthers (5-4)

Even though they began the 2020 season 2-6, Western Kentucky's three game win streak to end the regular season helped them land a spot in the LendingTree Bowl against a sneaky Georgia State squad. The Hilltoppers are led by a former Power Five transfer at quarterback in Tyrell Pigrome. Pigrome has not only proven himself as a playmaker with his legs, but he's also taken very good care of the ball, without an interception on the 2020 season. However, Pigrome needs more help from a supporting cast that has been awfully inconsistent this fall. Wide outs Xavier Lane and Mitchell Tinsley have shown potential to open up the offense, but drops have also been a problem. Georgia State is a little bit more creative with what they can do offensively and quarterback Cornelious Brown IV has been very effective in his first season as starting QB. The primary weapon all season long for Brown has been dynamic wide out Sam Pinckney, but it will be interesting to see whether any other Panthers can take advantage of this WKU defense. Cornelius McCoy is coming off an 111-yard showing in the victory over Georgia Southern, and looking to keep his recent hot streak going. Defensively, Western Kentucky has played a lot better in their recent three-game win streak than to begin the season, but they also haven't faced elite offenses. It will be interesting to see how they play against a balanced GSU attack. The last time these two programs met was back in 2017 in the Cure Bowl, which was won by Georgia State. Even though WKU is on a hot streak, I think history repeats itself with another Panther victory.

The Pick: Georgia State, 28 Western Kentucky, 20

Cure Bowl (Dec. 26th)

Liberty Flames (9-1) vs. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (11-0)

Perhaps the most underrated matchup of the bowl season will take place on December 26th in the Cure Bowl, pitting two teams that were supposed to play each other in the regular season before Liberty had to cancel due to COVID problems. Both teams have been fantastic stories, the Flames going 9-1 with their only loss coming to a good NC State team, while Coastal Carolina has been even better, going 11-0 and taking down BYU in a thriller. The Liberty offense averages over 38 points per game, thanks in large part to the play of Auburn transfer Malik Willis at quarterback. The dual threat currently leads the Flames in passing and rushing, and has proven he can play well against strong defenses. Willis hasn't played in nearly a month due to COVID, so it will be interesting to see whether rust is a factor. He also does have to play against a very underrated CCU defense, especially the front seven. The Chanticleers aren't big in the trenches but they play hard through the entire sixty minutes. The Chanticleers are unique offensively, running a lot of triple-option and RPO looks. Freshman QB Grayson McCall has been a revelation in his first season in Conway, but the real playmaker on offense is running back C.J. Marable, who has helped lead the nation's 15th-ranked rush offense. I am curious to see how Liberty and defensive coordinator Scott Symons chooses to play on defense. This is a group that generally plays aggressive and downhill, but Coastal Carolina does a really good job of getting you out of your comfort zone. Overall, I expect a fun, competitive game between two rising programs and two soon-to-be Power Five head coaches in Hugh Freeze and Jamey Chadwell. I think top to bottom, Coastal is the better team but my pick in this one is actually Liberty. Willis will put them in position to succeed, and putting together an undefeated season in modern college football is just such a tall task.

The Pick: Liberty, 38 Coastal Carolina, 33

Cheez-It Bowl (Dec. 29th)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3) vs. Miami Hurricanes (8-2)

Neither Oklahoma State nor Miami finished the 2020 campaign on particularly high notes, with Miami getting run all over by UNC in their final regular season game, while Oklahoma State went 3-3 in their final six after a 4-0 start. A Cheez-It Bowl may not be the most prestigious honor in college football, but both teams are aware a win could give them important momentum entering 2021. Oklahoma State's offense has been crippled by injuries all season, including ones to starting QB Spencer Sanders and tailback Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard has officially opted out, leaving the primary playmaking duties of the offense up to wide out Tylan Wallace, who has been incredibly consistent. It also appears that they've found a nice complementary weapon as well in Dillon Stoner, who had a big day in their blowout of Baylor. The Cowboys should still try and run the ball, as Miami's loss to North Carolina proved this rush defense is terrible. Miami has really improved offensively under coordinator Rhett Lashlee and Houston transfer D'Eriq King, but this Oklahoma State defense has also really improved. The big question before every game for the Hurricanes is whether somebody is able to step up at receiver. It's a group that has had its moments in 2020 but it's also been awfully inconsistent. If it struggles once again, it's hard to imagine the offense having much success leaning on their ground game against a solid OSU defensive front. King has also taken really good care of the ball this year, but the Cowboys do a good job forcing you over. Even without Hubbard, I trust Oklahoma State more than a Miami team that has won a lot of close games, and been blown out in their two biggest of the season. 

The Pick: Oklahoma State, 34 Miami, 24

Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29th)

Texas Longhorns (6-3) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (4-1)

Old Big 12 foes collide in the Alamo Bowl between a relatively disappointing Texas team and a surprising Colorado one. The Longhorns play a similar brand of football that they have throughout the Tom Herman era, running a physical offense that also isn't afraid to take shots down the field. Sam Ehlinger is once again the focal point of the UT attack, although you're never sure who else is going to step up. Freshman back Bijan Robinson has had a tremendous second half of the season but is still unreliable, and the receivers are similarly inconsistent. The offensive line has been pretty good in 2020 but could be susceptible, as their top blocker, Samuel Cosmi, has opted out. Colorado has been a pleasant surprise under first-year head man Karl Dorrell, thanks in large part to a ground game that ranks 17th nationally in yards per game. Sophomore Jarek Broussard has over 800 yards in just five games and has proven he can break open games, putting up over 300 yards in the Arizona win. QB Sam Noyer can also get things going on the ground, but the pass defense problems Texas has had could make the Buffs look to throw the ball more often. The Longhorns have not been very good against the pass all year and that was before one of their top defenders, safety Caden Sterns, opted out. A name to watch on the outside is Brenden Rice, the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice. He's not just notable for his bloodlines, but he's also a dangerous weapon as a deep threat and punt returner. I'm not sure who I like in this game, but I'll lean Texas because they dominated in this exact bowl game last season and they're more talented, even with the opt-outs. With that being said, the Buffaloes are a lot better team than most people realize, and it should be a good one.

The Pick: Texas, 27 Colorado, 18

Bowl Picks 2020-21: Famous Idaho Potato-New Mexico Bowl (Dec.22-Dec.24)

Carson Strong, Nevada

 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 22nd)

Tulane Green Wave (6-5) vs. Nevada Wolfpack (6-2)

Two of the most underrated Group of Five teams in the country square off in the iconic Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. After a slow start to the 2020 campaign, Tulane has won four of their last five, including a recent two-touchdown victory over Memphis. Much of that success can be attributed to an offense that is playing well down the stretch, leaning on a ground game that was among the best in the American Athletic. The trio of running backs which includes Stephon Huderson, Cameron Carroll and Amare Jones should apply plenty of pressure on a decent Nevada defense. Quarterback Michael Pratt also had some dual threat potential, but he's been streaky as a passer. He was strong a few weeks ago against Memphis, but was held to just 76 yards on 8-17 passing the week prior against Tulsa. What edition of Pratt arrives in Boise will be crucial to deciding this one. Nevada enters this game on a little bit of a cold stretch, losing two of their final three after a 5-0 start. Offensively, they are the polar opposite of Tulane, instead leaning on an explosive passing attack and a workhorse tailback in Toa Taua. The Green Wave have done a decent job defending the pass in 2020, but they haven't seen a lot of quarterbacks with the deep arm of Carson Strong. I'm not sure whether this one is going to turn into a shootout, but neither defense is considered shutdown. Nevada is able to score in a hurry, but I like Tulane's ability to control the ball and manage the clock. They also enter the game with a little bit more momentum, giving them an upper hand it what should be a fairly evenly matched game.

The Pick: Tulane, 31 Nevada, 27

Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 22nd)

UCF Knights (6-3) vs. BYU Cougars (10-1)

Although BYU would've loved to get an opportunity to play for a New Year's Six Bowl prior to the loss to Coastal Carolina, a matchup against a quality UCF team in the Boca Raton Bowl is not a terrible consolation. The quarterback battle in this game should be extra exciting, with Dillon Gabriel on the Knights side and Zach Wilson for BYU. While they're both supremely talented, they operate in a bit of a different way. Gabriel is a fearless competitor with a huge arm that loves to throw the deep ball, while Wilson is more of an accurate and efficient signal-caller. Of course, both offenses also have plenty of other weapons. Wide out Marlon Williams is the big name on the perimeter for UCF, but they can also hit you with dynamic running backs Greg McCrae and Otis Anderson. BYU has an advantage in the trenches and also has playmakers on the outside in Dax Milne and Gunner Romney, who is expected to play in this game after missing the San Diego State game. While both offenses should be highly effective, the big concern for these teams is how their defenses perform. UCF has struggled to stop the run all season long, and faces a Cougar team with a size advantage up front. BYU, meanwhile, has put up strong numbers all 2020, but this is the best quarterback they've seen all season long and a very vertical offense. I like BYU's chances to put up a superior defensive showing, and I think Wilson outplays Gabriel, helping secure the Cougars 11th win on the season.

The Pick: BYU, 38 UCF, 28

New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 23rd)

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5-4) vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (7-5)

In a season where postponements and cancellations became an unfortunate commonality, Georgia Southern deserves a lot of credit for still getting a 12-game regular season in and finishing off a respectable 7-5. This particular Eagles team looks very similar to past editions, with a creative triple-option that has allowed them to once again finish Top 10 nationally in rushing. Leading the offense is talented quarterback Shai Werts, who led Southern in both passing and rushing. He's an expert on running the offense and making the pitch, but did miss the final two regular-season games so his status is unclear for this game. He's joined by a host of various Eagle rushers that includes J.D. King and Logan Wright, who both went 560 yards of rushing. In total, Georgia Southern had seven separate players record at least 190 yards on the ground. That's a lot for any type of defense to prepare for, but especially difficult for a Louisiana Tech team that already hasn't have much time to prepare for the triple-option. Louisiana Tech will have to put together their best defensive showing of the season, which may be a tough ask for a rush defense that ranks right in the middle-of-the-pack nationally (184.6 YPG allowed). On offense, the Bulldogs have been decent for most the season, but they will be without starting QB Luke Anthony after he suffered a season-ending injury in the loss to TCU. It's now sophomore Aaron Allen's time, who is talented but has to take care of the football, with a 4-5 TD-INT ratio on the season. The offense also has to find some balance in this one, as the rush offense has really struggled down the stretch. The Bulldogs do have the advantage of recent bowl success, winning every bowl they've been in since 2014. Unfortunately, I think that the streak comes to an end against a tough Georgia Southern team.

The Pick: Georgia Southern, 24 Louisiana Tech, 14

Montgomery Bowl (Dec. 23rd)

Memphis Tigers (7-3) vs. Florida Atlantic Owls (5-3)

One year removed from a New Year's Six Bowl, Memphis would've loved to play in another major bowl game, but the Montgomery Bowl will do just fine for the 7-3 Tigers. They square off against a Florida Atlantic team that put together a rock-solid 5-3 mark in Willie Taggart's first season at the helm. Memphis is once again led by one of the nation's most underrated quarterbacks in Brady White, who threw for 3,096 yards and 28 touchdowns in his final season with the Tigers. He's done so even without the help of two his top playmakers in Kenneth Gainwell and Damonte Coxie, who both opted out of the season. Instead, wide out Calvin Austin III has been the breakout target on the outside for White, while Rodrigues Clarke leads a backfield that uses a committee approach instead of leaning on Gainwell. The offensive numbers are still incredibly good, speaking to White's ability to still keep the offense humming. The defense is a different story, really struggling in all three of their losses. The good news is that Florida Atlantic is not exactly a team that is going to light up the scoreboard, putting up just 20 points per game. Taggart-led teams always run the ball well and this team is no different, led by running QB Javion Posey and the two-headed monster of James Charles and Malcolm Davidson. The Owls would love nothing more than to slow this one down and play ball control, while Memphis should look to speed it up. Memphis should have the advantage thanks in large part to their edge in experience offensively, as well as their recent hot streak. 

The Pick: Memphis, 30 Florida Atlantic, 21

New Mexico Bowl

Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (4-4) vs. Houston Cougars (3-4)

A pair of coaches known for their offensive prowess, Todd Graham & Dana Holgorsen, collide in the New Mexico Bowl. It's been an interesting season for both teams; Hawai'i started their season in late October with the rest of the Mountain West and flipped between win and loss nearly every single week. Houston was supposed to begin in early September but had three straight games postponed, before finally getting their season off the ground in early October. They then had three separate games postponed later on the in the season before finishing off with a loss to Memphis, leaving them 3-4. The Cougars can still put points with the offensive weapons they possess, spearheaded by running back Kyle Porter and receiver Keith Corbin. They also have one of the best special team units in the entire country, with a pair of explosive kick returners in Marcus Jones and Marques Stevenson. Defensively they're not as great but can still get after the opposing quarterback, and they also have one of the most versatile defenders in the nation in Grant Stuard. Hawai'i has long been a program that loves to move the ball aggressively down the field, and that hasn't changed under Graham. QB Chevan Cordeiro currently leads the Rainbow Warriors in passing and rushing, and he has had some huge moments in 2020. The Cougar secondary could definitely be susceptible to the big play, and Cordeiro has four explosive receivers to choose from in Calvin Turner, Jared Smart, Rico Bussey and Melquise Stovall. Bussey is particularly interesting, as he was a 1,000 yard receiver in 2018 for North Texas before missing basically of 2019. 

The Pick: Hawai'i, 35 Houston, 24

2020 College Football Picks: Week Sixteen (Conference Championship Week)

 

Ian Book, Notre Dame

Current Picks Record: 44-19 (3-7 Upset)

ACC Championship: (#3) Clemson Tigers vs. (#2) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Line: Clemson -10.5

Over/Under: 60.5

Clemson and Notre Dame's first meeting of the 2020 season was one of the most exciting games of the year, and now the two meet in a rematch in the ACC Championship Game. Trevor Lawrence did not play in the first meeting as he had COVID-19, but the superstar quarterback is back to run the show, and the Tigers are also healthier defensively than they were in the prior matchup. Lawrence has been tremendous in what should be his final collegiate season, and Clemson has their usual collection of playmakers surrounding him. Amari Rodgers, Cornell Powell and tight end Braden Galloway will all test an experienced Notre Dame secondary, while Travis Etienne operates out of the backfield. Etienne should be eager and ready to go in this one, as he was held to just 28 yards on 18 carries in the last game. The key for Clemson might not end up being the skill positions, but how the offensive line holds up. This is not an elite group, but it held up against a physical ND defensive front last time, holding them to just two sacks. If they can have another strong showing, you get the feeling the Tigers will put up points, even against a really quality Irish defense. Something to note on the ND offense: coordinator Clark Lea recently took the Vanderbilt job and while he remains committed to the Irish for now, he's also been forced to focus on the Commodores' recruiting and all the other distractions that come with a new gig. With his hand in two cookie jars at the same time, I wonder if the Irish defense will be properly prepared.

Notre Dame's offense looks much the same it has for the last couple seasons, although it has been generally more productive overall. Quarterback Ian Book is still running the offense and while his receiver corps has been depleted most of the season, he's put together his best year in college so far. It will be fascinating to see how aggressive Book is in attacking the Clemson secondary. It's a talented group but an inconsistent one, and if Book makes the necessary throws Notre Dame wins this football game. He is going to need more help from his receivers beyond just Javon McKinley and Ben Skowronek. At running back, Kyren Williams has been a pleasant surprise. He won the feature back job coming out of camp and has responded with 1,011 yards and 12 touchdowns. Williams is the type punishing runner that really seems to work in this Irish offense, but they do have a nice change of pace in true freshman Chris Tyree. With all that being said, ND's offensive success may also come down to the play in the trenches. This is one of the best offensive lines in the nation and a major reason for the Irish success the last few years. But Clemson is loaded with absolute freaks on the defensive side of the ball, including Myles Murphy, Baylon Spector, and Xavier Thomas. Also notable is the health of the "quarterback" of the defense, hard-nosed linebacker James Skalski. He missed about a month in the middle of the season, including the previous matchup, but is back healthy now. His return comes at the right time for Clemson, who needs his leadership if they want to win another National Title.

The expectation around most of the college football community is that Clemson will get vengeance in this rematch, essentially guaranteeing the ACC gets two teams in the College Football Playoff. It's an understandable point of view, with the Tigers back at full strength and the two playing at a neutral site this time around. With that being said, I truly believe Notre Dame is a Top 3 team in college football this season, and I don't hate their chances to sweep the season series. This program has proven they can not just hang with the likes of Clemson, but they can beat them. I think they definitely cover the 10.5 point spread here, and I've considered taking them to win outright. But, Clemson is the smarter pick, only because beating the Tigers twice in one season is a near impossible task. Dabo Swinney's team should respond with a hard-fought, thrilling victory.

The Pick: Clemson, 31 Notre Dame, 27

SEC Championship: (#1) Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (#7) Florida Gators

Line: Alabama -17

Over/Under: 74.5

Life in the SEC is an unforgiving one, a lesson that Florida is proving first-hand. The Gators lost a heart-breaker last weekend to LSU and now they travel to Atlanta to square off against an Alabama team that is beating their opponents by an average of nearly 38 points the last seven games. Any hopes of Florida springing an upset rely not only on an improved defensive performance but a huge game from their Heisman contender, Kyle Trask. Trask has been tremendous all season before a sloppy showing against LSU that eventually doomed the Gators. The good news is that his favorite target, tight end Kyle Pitts, is back healthy for this game after missing against the Tigers. Pitts leads a group of pass-catchers that can break open games in a heartbeat with Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes. Even a deep and talented Alabama defense is going to have a tough time slowing them down. LSU was able to have moderate success, primarily because Pitts was not only out but because they made Trask very uncomfortable. The formula is there for 'Bama to do the same thing, especially with the freaks they can put out there on the D-Line. Florida's lack of offensive balance is another major concern for the Gators. The rushing attack has been nearly non-existent the last two seasons, and I have serious doubts Alabama is the defense they'll get it rolling against. If the Tide aren't forced to be honest and at least consider stopping the run, Florida's going to be in for a tough game.

The Gator defense is awfully talented, but the poor numbers speak for themselves. This unit will now have to go up against an Alabama offense that may be the best of the Nick Saban era, spearheaded by Heisman frontrunners Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith. Personally, Smith is my pick for college football's most prestigious award. He's tallied 83 catches for 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns in just ten games and also proven he can do damage on special teams. There is nobody on this Gator roster that can defend him for the entire sixty minutes, even talented Kaiir Elam. If Smith isn't enough to finish you off, the Tide can hit you with their usual ground-and-pound, led by Najee Harris and Brian Robinson. Harris has been a touchdown machine in 2020, with 22 scores on the season. Also important to note: there was some hope speed demon Jaylen Waddle may be able to come back and play in this one after missing a big chunk of the year with a broken ankle. Saban seemed to squash those rumors earlier in the week so it's unlikely, but at least a distant possibility. The thing is, Alabama doesn't even really need Waddle to put up points in this game. They are the third scoring offense in the nation at 49.5 points per game, going up against the 80th scoring defense.

There still remains a chance if Florida is able to pull off the upset here that they could sneak into the Top 4 come Sunday, but I don't think that's anything the Selection Committee will have to worry about. Alabama looks absolutely unstoppable right now, and the only teams that could possibly beat them are Clemson, or Ohio State. The Gators simply don't have enough defensively and while their offense might be able to keep things close into the second half, picking against the Tide here would be foolish.

The Pick: Alabama, 49 Florida, 28

Big Ten Championship: (#14) Northwestern Wildcats vs. (#4) Ohio State Buckeyes

Line: Ohio State -21

Over/Under: 57.5

There has been plenty of debate about the Big Ten Championship and whether Ohio State deserves a spot despite not meeting the six-game threshold originally set out by the conference. But here the Buckeyes are, looking for one more win to add to a relatively thin resume (compared to the other serious Playoff contenders). The Buckeye offense has looked about what we expected them to, guided by one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Justin Fields. In his first game back from a three INT showing against Indiana, Fields went for 199 through the air and 104 on the ground against Michigan State. He has a collection of elite receivers on the perimeter in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who both have gone over 500 yards on the shortened season. The big question offensively is whether the ground game can keep up. The Buckeyes pretty clearly miss superstar tailback J.K. Dobbins, even with Master Teague and Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon leading the charge. Northwestern's physical defense is one built to stop the run, and they do a fairly good job against the pass. They don't have the athletes that Ohio State has, but they're well-coached and disciplined. Ohio State is going to be able to create some big plays, but don't expect this offense to get anything easy. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if this turns into more of a defensive battle than anything else.

Northwestern has been a great story, recovering from a disastrous 3-9 record in 2019 to win the Big Ten West. The arrival of Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey has been huge for the offense, giving them a veteran signal-caller who has proven he can win in the league. The thing is, Ramsey doesn't really strike fear into opposing defenses. While he can make plays with his legs, Ramsey does leave a lot to be desired as a passer. He may get some opportunities against a weak Buckeye pass defense, but we will see just how many. The Wildcats do have several interesting offensive weapons, namely Kyric McGowan and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman. They'll make Ohio State's defense work, but how much remains to be seen. Unsurprisingly, Northwestern does have a powerful ground attack split up amongst a trio of Drake Anderson, Isaiah Bowser, and Evan Hull. But, the Ohio State front is certainly the strength of the defense and they have an experienced linebacker corps. I'm just not sure there's enough here for the Wildcats to put up the necessary points.

Ohio State would love nothing more than dominating victory to leave no doubt in the eyes of the Playoff Selection Committee, but Northwestern is a tough team to blow out. Their defense allows them to be competitive in each game and they have a roster full of fighters. They're going to make the Buckeyes work for every point they score and the offense may be able to find a spark. But, Ohio State's just too talented up and down this roster to lose this game. Perhaps things may be interesting going into the second half, before the edge on the depth chart really begins to show. I'm not sure it will be pretty, but I like the Buckeyes to win relatively comfortably.

The Pick: Ohio State, 31 Northwestern, 14

Other Picks

American Athletic Championship: Cincinnati, 34 Tulsa, 20

Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma, 35 Iowa State, 28

Conference USA Championship: Marshall, 27 UAB, 20

MAC Championship: Buffalo, 28 Ball State, 18

Mountain West Championship: Boise State, 30 San Jose State, 21

Pac-12 Championship: USC, 37 Oregon, 27

Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Wisconsin, 24 Minnesota, 20

Week 15 College Football Power Rankings

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Click to see the full McGowanMania Power Rankings Here are the top 6:

 1. Alabama Crimson Tide -- After a "down" 2019, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have come back with a fury so far in 2020. Aside from a close test from Ole Miss, they've obliterated their competition, and are likely to send two Heisman Finalists to New York in Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith.

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- The Irish have answered every challenge against them, with their most notable victories coming against Clemson and North Carolina. Even if they lose the ACC Championship Game matchup against the Tigers, their resume is strong enough to still be among the Top 4.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Yes, Ohio State has only played five games, but they've still been able to build a quality resume in that span. The Indiana victory continues to look even more impressive every passing week, and taking down Northwestern this weekend should lock them in.

4. Clemson Tigers -- It's hard to fault Clemson's one loss considering they were on the road without their superstar QB. They're favored by nearly two touchdowns in the rematch against Notre Dame, but will need to protect the ball better this time around.

5. Texas A&M Aggies -- Jimbo Fisher's team is still firmly in the hunt. While their stock might've been hurt by their best win losing (Florida) their only loss remains to the No. 1 team in the nation. They'll need help in front of them to get in, but they could still theoretically do it.

6. Cincinnati Bearcats -- I understand the problems with Cincinnati's schedule, but the Bearcats have done everything asked of them en route to an 8-0 record. They've dominated their competition throughout the entire fall, and have a chance to add a Top 25 win against Tulsa in the AAC Championship.

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2020 College Football Picks: Week Fifteen

 

Sam Howell, UNC

Current Picks Record: 38-17 (3-6 Upset)

(#17) North Carolina Tar Heels @ (#10) Miami Hurricanes

Line: Miami -3

Over/Under: 67

Although neither UNC nor Miami will get a chance to play for the ACC Championship in 2020, this game has still New Year's Six implications. Both of these teams have explosive offenses, led by the quarterback position. On the Miami side, D'Eriq King has been exactly what they hoped he would be after transferring from Houston, compiling 24 total touchdowns on the season. The big question is whether the rest of the Hurricane offense will be able to provide enough support. The ground game has had its moments but remains fairly inconsistent, while you never know what is going to come from the Miami receivers. Tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory are dominant in the red zone, but can they make enough plays in the open field to get them there? The good news is that the Tar Heel defense is far from an elite group. It's a defense that can pressure the quarterback and force turnovers, but big plays have often killed them this season. The Hurricane offense is one able to create those types of big plays, and they should be able to have success.

A shootout is a high possibility when we consider that the UNC offense ranks fifth in total yardage per game, putting up 534.5 YPG. Not only do the Heels have a star quarterback in Sam Howell, but they also have a potent 1-2 punch at running back in Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. Howell gives them an opportunity in every game they play in, and the Miami defense is susceptible. Williams & Carter should be able to find success against a decent Miami rush defense, while Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome challenge them over the top. I will say, the big advantage the Hurricane defense has is their pass rush. Led by former transfers Jaelen Phillips and Quincy Roche, they do a great job getting opposing offenses out of their comfort zone. The UNC O-Line is decent, but whether they're up for the challenge remains to be seen.

I was surprised to see the over/under number at just 67, which I think these two should be able to eclipse with relative ease. That isn't to say these defenses are terrible by any means, but it has more to do with how strong these individual offenses are. The difference may end up being the turnover battle; I trust Miami to be able to turn over UNC, but yet I still like the Tar Heels in this one. I trust their entire offense a little bit more than Miami at this point, and I also think they have an advantage on the sidelines. It should be a fun one, but I'm taking the Heels.

The Picks: North Carolina, 38 Miami, 34

(#9) Georgia Bulldogs @ (#25) Missouri Tigers

Line: Georgia -13

Over/Under: 54

Another game that might not have major SEC East implications at this point in the season, but Georgia and Missouri still have an opportunity to gain momentum before the postseason. The Bulldogs are starting to play much better after a midseason lull, thanks in large part to new QB J.T. Daniels. In his two starts, Daniels has gone for 540 yards in two seasons along with six touchdowns to just one interception. His play has not only elevated the UGA passing attack, it has also allowed the ground game to flourish because defenses must stay honest now. Zamir White and James Cook have played well down the stretch, while Kendall Milton also offers a nice change of pace. The passing game has always had the potential to be very dangerous, and they're starting to hit their stride. Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton, and George Pickens are a very effective trio when they're all healthy and have a QB that can get them the ball. Missouri has a decent defense, but their secondary could be in store for a tough game. UGA also has an advantage on the line of scrimmage that you best believe Kirby Smart will utilize early and often here. 

The Missouri offense has been a streaky one most of 2020, but they appear to also be heating up at the right time, totaling 91 points in the past two games. Their 50-point performance against Arkansas last weekend was incredibly impressive when you consider what the Razorback defense has played like this fall. Connor Bazelak won the QB competition to begin the year and has played really well, fresh off a 380-yard showing. He leads an offense that also includes workhorse tailback Larry Rountree III, who isn't much of a speedster but finds ways to rack up yardage. The receiver group is fairly "no-name" but they should still provide enough of a supporting cast needed. It will be interesting to see how the Bulldog defense fares. At the beginning of the year, it was a group playing as well as anybody in the country but it has begun trailing off down the stretch. What's really shocking is how bad their defensive front has been, a group with a bunch of depth and talent. I think they have an advantage in the trenches once again, but will it actually show up here? Eli Drinkwitz and Missouri do an excellent job disguising some of their deficiencies up front and still finding ways to move the ball.

It's not crazy to say that these two teams might be playing their best football right now, as they cap off their 2020 regular seasons here. Georgia has a major talent advantage roster-wise, but to think that they will run away with this one doesn't give enough credit to what Missouri has done in the debut season for Drinkwitz. Playing on their homefield should also give Mizzou an opportunity at potentially pulling an upset here, but I still lean Bulldogs. Daniels has been the addition they needed offensively, and the defense should be playing better than they are. I'm taking the Tigers to cover, but I'll take UGA in the victory column.

The Pick: Georgia, 31 Missouri, 24

(#1) Alabama Crimson Tide @ Arkansas Razorbacks

Line: Alabama -31

Over/Under: 68.5

Fresh off an absolute destruction of LSU, Alabama looks nearly unstoppable at this point in the season. But, can Arkansas catch them off guard looking ahead to the SEC Championship? In order to have any shot at coming away with a massive upset, the Razorbacks need their defense to show up after a down couple weeks. That's easier said than done when they have to square off against a Tide offense with a Heisman frontrunner (Mac Jones) and the Biletnikoff Award favorite (DeVonta Smith). Smith in particular has been unbelievably good over the course of the 2020 season and while Arkansas is solid in the secondary, they definitely don't have anyone that can match up against him for sixty minutes. The Alabama ground game is not very fun to play against either, with Najee Harris and Brian Robinson leading the charge. I feel more confident about Arkansas ability to stop the run than the pass considering what they have at linebacker, but Alabama should still be able to move the ball. The offense is an absolute buzzsaw destroying everything in its path, and even a quality defensive group like Arkansas won't be able to contain it.

Any upset of Alabama would also rely on a tremendous performance from Feleipe Franks. In fact, the veteran QB would probably need the game of his life for them to have any shot. The Tide secondary has been susceptible at times in 2020, and the Razorbacks do have some interesting pieces on the perimeter, so perhaps there's a chance, even if it's slim. The big problem for Arkansas is that they're going to struggle to run the ball against this vaunted Tide front. It has its usual cast of future NFL contributors leading the way, but it has been the young guys that have really stepped up defensively. The crazy amount of depth 'Bama has every single season has never been more obvious than this defense, which has also been trending up at the right moment. 

Arkansas has been one of the best stories of 2020 for the SEC, as they've gone from the doormat of the conference to a respectable, competitive SEC West foe. Yet, as I mentioned previewing the LSU-Alabama game last week, the Tide are basically unstoppable right now. There's a very short list of teams that can beat them right now, and I don't think any of them are in the SEC. I do think the Razorbacks may be able to keep things tight deeper into the second half than most would expect, but coming out with the win outright? I just don't see it happening this week.

The Pick: Alabama, 42 Arkansas, 17

Other Picks

Wisconsin @ (#16) Iowa: Iowa, 24 Wisconsin, 21

(#15) USC @ UCLA: USC, 35 UCLA, 27

San Diego State @ (#18) BYU: BYU, 34 San Diego State, 21

LSU @ (#6) Florida: Florida, 45 LSU, 24

Upset: Baylor, 33 Oklahoma State, 30

A Tribute to BYU-Coastal Carolina

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

For much of the spring and summer, the reality of 2020 put the possibility of a college football season in doubt. Would the season even be able to get off the ground and if it did, would it be able to finish? We aren't out of the woods just yet, but in a year filled with uncertainties it looks like we will be able to crown a National Champion. Nothing about 2020 has been easy, and that holds true for college football, where delayed games and cancellations have become an unfortunate theme. However, on a cool Saturday night in December, 2020 did give us something magical: BYU versus Coastal Carolina. Both teams played a hard-fought, chaotic game that ended up with Coastal Carolina squeaking out a program-defining victory. The game might not even mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things with regards to the National Championship race, but it was a reminder of many of the things that make college sports great, and gives us important lessons about the future of college football.

The most amazing thing about the BYU-Coastal Carolina matchup was the fact it was not supposed to happen. The Chanticleers were previously scheduled against Liberty, a team having a tremendous 2020 season of their own. However, due to COVID issues at Liberty, Coastal acted quickly to set up a matchup with the 9-0 BYU Cougars. Within the span of just a few days, the Chanticleers had switched opponents, and the Cougars were all of the sudden making a trip across the country to the Southeast. Give credit to both these athletic directors for figuring it out, but also having the guts to make the game happen. Many others in their shoes simply might not do it, or work as hard as they did to put it on. BYU in particular would've been fine sitting on the sidelines for another week, but they instead choose to go up against a tremendous Group of Five foe. My hope is that this type of scheduling flexibility and this forward thinking is not just a 2020 thing. Athletic directors and administrators should understand that being flexible is key to putting a good product on the field, and providing matchups fans want to see. Sure, it's more difficult for coaches and players to not necessarily know their opponent far in advance, but such is the reality of the times. 

To even be able to see this one play out was a win for the college football fan, but it was particularly awesome how the sixty minutes played out. The atmosphere in Conway, South Carolina was about as good as you'll see anywhere for a college football game, with many Coastal fans rocking a now legendary "Mormons vs. Mullets" shirt. The fans all seemed to be having the time of their lives, and the players echoed that out on the field. You could tell they fed off that energy, particularly late in the game when things were tight. There's something to be said for how much this was needed for so many people. It has been such a rough year even for the most optimistic of individuals, but this game gave an opportunity for thousands of fans to cheer on the team they love in the biggest game of college football history. There's something magical about that, and I don't think it should be taken for granted. No matter what else is going on in these fans' lives, for a few hours on a Saturday night, all of that was forgotten. The power of sports is a magical thing, and something much needed in the year 2020.

The product on the field wasn't so bad either. BYU is led by a Heisman-contending QB almost sure to go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and Zach Wilson didn't disappoint. Despite facing down a very underrated Coastal defense, he was sharp and put his team in a position to win the football game. On the other side, the Chanticleers did a tremendous job of feeding off the emotion of the game, but still playing in a controlled matter. This game ended up getting chippy, especially towards the end of the second half. It easily could have gotten out of hand, but credit should be given not only to the referees but also the players. It's possible to play with emotion and passion and not get completely out of hand. Also, if you question how much these players care about these games, this game should've answered it. These two teams have absolutely no history together, and yet it still had the feel of a rivalry game. Again, this game probably won't even make that big of an impact in the National Championship picture but you couldn't tell from the atmosphere on the field. If you didn't know it was simply a non-conference battle between two ranked teams, you'd think it was either a massive rivalry game or some sort of championship game.

To say this game may have an impact on the future of college football may seem hyperbolic to some, but consider this: the possibility of a Group of Five Playoff of its own. The Group of Five has obviously been disenfranchised by a Playoff system that essentially punishes them for being smaller schools or brands. This is especially confusing when we consider that Group of Five schools often have just as rabid fanbases as the Power Five, and that they've held their own in New Year's Six bowls against P5 foes (2014 Boise, 2015 Houston, 2017 UCF all beat Power Five teams). The reality of the current Playoff system is that unless it expands, Group of Five programs may realize they need their own system to create some form of adequate national representation. Ideas of a Group of Five Playoff of its own have been thrown around more as pipe dreams than serious proposals, but this game may help the idea gain more actual traction. The common arguments against the idea are about money, and whether people would actually watch. I understand the concerns about money and labor involved particularly in the world we live in today, but to think people wouldn't watch? This relatively meaningless game between two teams without significant ties to each other captivated the college football universe on ESPNU in the middle of the day. Can you imagine meaningful matchups between teams competing for a championship, strategically placed at relative dead times in the football calendar? The one truth about football is that people will watch it, especially the rabid college football fans that would watch a pair of JUCO teams go up against each other if it was the only football on. I'm not saying this hypothetical GO5 Playoff would be perfect, but momentum seems to be rolling towards it, as the current Playoff system continues to ignore the prospect of expansion. If you don't understand why, simply look at how big of a business college football has become. To think that administrators, athletic directors, and other power-brokers don't see a money-making possibility here is ludicrous. 

Perhaps five years from now, BYU-Coastal Carolina will be forgotten about in the grand narrative of college football. The ideas of a Group of Five Playoff remain mainly just pipe dreams, and even if this game may help develop some momentum and appetite for it, it would be awhile away. But, even if it doesn't materialize into anything substantial, this game should still hold particular reverence for the college football community. These two programs fearlessly set up a matchup in the span of just 24 hours and it worked out perfectly. Coastal Carolina will earn huge money from College GameDay coming to town that will pay huge dividends for the university as a whole, while BYU will never have to wrestle with the "What if?" question of them missing the 2020 CFB Playoff. And while COVID-19 rages on all around the United States and the world, we got the most beautiful distraction for a few fun, wacky hours on Saturday. That's what makes college football and sports so great, and so important to so many of us.