Welcome to my college football predictions for New Year’s Day as we have 5 great games for today. Yesterday my record was 2-1 raising my record to 62-29 and actually dropping my winning percentage from 68.2% to 68.1%. Let’s Get Started!!!!
We start things off in Tampa, FL in Raymond James Stadium as the 19th ranked Auburn Tigers face the 18th ranked Wisconsin Badgers in the Outback Bowl. The Tigers come into this game losing 3 out of their last 4 games and need to end this season on a high note. The Tigers have one of the better offenses in the country, while the defense can’t stop anyone it seems. The Badgers come into this game after being beat down by the Buckeyes in the Big 10 Championship game 59-0. Will either team step up and end the year on the right note, I’m going with the Badgers to win.
Badgers Win 45-35
We head down to Texas for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl between 2 top 10 teams when the 8th ranked Michigan State Spartans face the 5th ranked Baylor Bears. The Spartans come into this game with one of the better defenses in the nation. With that good defense, can the Spartans contain one of the better, high-powered offenses in Baylor? The Bears have the top scoring offense in the country and a top 5 passing offense; will the disappointment of not being in the playoffs effect their play? It didn’t bother TCU and I don’t think it will bother them either, so they’ll win.
Bears Win 38-31
We head down to Orlando, FL for the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl between the 16th ranked Missouri Tigers and the 25th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Tigers won the SEC East crown and then was blown out by the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game. They won 6 games in a row to capture the SEC East title before losing to the Crimson Tide. The Golden Gophers had a chance to play in the Big 10 Championship but lost 3 out of 5 games to finish the season. This could be a defensive struggle, one that I believe the Tigers will come out the winner.
Tigers Win 26-17
We head to Pasadena, CA for the 1st playoff game in the Northwestern Mutual Rose Bowl between the 2nd ranked Oregon Ducks and the 3rd ranked Florida State Seminoles. The Ducks come into this game as one of the best offenses in the country lead by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Will the Ducks be physical enough to play for 60 minutes against the Seminoles? The Seminoles come into this game on a 29 game winning streak but this year they’ve struggled so much. Jameis Winston played his best game in the ACC title game but he won’t be enough to beat the Ducks.
Ducks Win 42-31
We head to New Orleans for the 2nd playoff game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl as the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide face the 4th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The Tide has won 8 games in a row after losing to Ole Miss despite a suspect defense. Can Blake Sims shake the pressure of this game seeing he played his best games at home? The Buckeyes were thought not to have a chance after losing to Virginia Tech in the 2nd game of the year. After winning 11 in a row and a couple of QBs later, here are the Buckeyes. I think the Tide defense will frustrate them enough to pull off the win.
Crimson Tide Win 34-24
What do you think about my picks in these 5 games? Can I reach the 70% winning percentage by the end of the bowl season and do you think the Tide and Ducks will meet in the national championship game?
