I went 2-1 yesterday and am now 2-5 on bowl picks.
Here's today's games:
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers (6-6) vs. Notre Dame (8-4)
New York - Noon ESPN
Rutgers slipped into bowl eligibility by beating South Florida, 31-6, on Dec. 6. The list of opponents Rutgers beat this season is no who's who of college football. The Scarlet Knights beat zero, yes zero, teams with winning records. They also lost a game to Connecticut by 11 points, which went 3-9. Notre Dame certainly didn't have a banner year, but the Fighting Irish did collect wins over USC, Michigan State, and BYU. If they come out motivated, they should be able to cruise past the Scarlet Knights.
Notre Dame 31, Rutgers 21
Belk Bowl
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. North Carolina (6-6)
Charlotte, N.C. - 3:20 p.m. ESPN
Both of these teams seemed to get better as the year went on. UNC had to win five of its last six games to get to bowl eligibility and did just that, beating BC, N.C. State, UVa, Pittsburgh, and ODU and losing to Duke, 27-25. Cincinnati lost in its second game to Illinois, which ended up going 4-8 and 1-7 in the Big Ten. By the end of the year, however, the Bearcats were battling with Central Florida and Louisville for an American Athletic Conference title. Cincy lost in its regular-season finale, 31-24, in OT against Louisville. Before that, the Bearcats had won six games in a row. I think this will be a tough game but I expect UNC to give the ACC a 3-1 bowl record.
North Carolina 27, Cincinnati 23
Russell Athletic Bowl
Miami (9-3) vs. Louisville (11-1)
Orlando, Fla. - 6:45 p.m. ESPN
Both of these teams feasted on easy schedules. For Miami, this is probably its hardest game this year outside of Florida State. Same for Louisville, with the exception of Central Florida. I think Louisville is just the better overall team by a little bit and will win this game in what is expected to be Cardinals QB Teddy Bridgewater's final college game.
Louisville 31, Miami 28
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5)
Tempe, Ariz. - 10:15 p.m. ESPN
Michigan will be without starting QB Devin Gardner in this one because of turf toe and will instead start true freshman Shane Morris, a highly regarded prospect who has only thrown nine passes this year. The Wolverines struggled all year, especially near the end. They started out 5-0 but lost five of seven down the stretch and needed triple OT to top an ailing Northwestern team. Kansas State, meanwhile, had a rough beginning, going 2-4 with a loss to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. The Wildcats turned things around, though, and won five of their last six games. With a freshman starting under center and the momentum on KSU's side, I like the Wildcats to take this one.
Kansas State 35, Michigan 24
Here's today's games:
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers (6-6) vs. Notre Dame (8-4)
New York - Noon ESPN
Rutgers slipped into bowl eligibility by beating South Florida, 31-6, on Dec. 6. The list of opponents Rutgers beat this season is no who's who of college football. The Scarlet Knights beat zero, yes zero, teams with winning records. They also lost a game to Connecticut by 11 points, which went 3-9. Notre Dame certainly didn't have a banner year, but the Fighting Irish did collect wins over USC, Michigan State, and BYU. If they come out motivated, they should be able to cruise past the Scarlet Knights.
Notre Dame 31, Rutgers 21
Belk Bowl
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. North Carolina (6-6)
Charlotte, N.C. - 3:20 p.m. ESPN
Both of these teams seemed to get better as the year went on. UNC had to win five of its last six games to get to bowl eligibility and did just that, beating BC, N.C. State, UVa, Pittsburgh, and ODU and losing to Duke, 27-25. Cincinnati lost in its second game to Illinois, which ended up going 4-8 and 1-7 in the Big Ten. By the end of the year, however, the Bearcats were battling with Central Florida and Louisville for an American Athletic Conference title. Cincy lost in its regular-season finale, 31-24, in OT against Louisville. Before that, the Bearcats had won six games in a row. I think this will be a tough game but I expect UNC to give the ACC a 3-1 bowl record.
North Carolina 27, Cincinnati 23
Russell Athletic Bowl
Miami (9-3) vs. Louisville (11-1)
Orlando, Fla. - 6:45 p.m. ESPN
Both of these teams feasted on easy schedules. For Miami, this is probably its hardest game this year outside of Florida State. Same for Louisville, with the exception of Central Florida. I think Louisville is just the better overall team by a little bit and will win this game in what is expected to be Cardinals QB Teddy Bridgewater's final college game.
Louisville 31, Miami 28
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5)
Tempe, Ariz. - 10:15 p.m. ESPN
Michigan will be without starting QB Devin Gardner in this one because of turf toe and will instead start true freshman Shane Morris, a highly regarded prospect who has only thrown nine passes this year. The Wolverines struggled all year, especially near the end. They started out 5-0 but lost five of seven down the stretch and needed triple OT to top an ailing Northwestern team. Kansas State, meanwhile, had a rough beginning, going 2-4 with a loss to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. The Wildcats turned things around, though, and won five of their last six games. With a freshman starting under center and the momentum on KSU's side, I like the Wildcats to take this one.
Kansas State 35, Michigan 24
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