New Year’s Six Bowls

Christmas day has passed and that only means we are one more day closer to one of the best weeks in college football…the New Year’s Six Bowls. 

The New Year’s Six Bowls consist of some of the oldest and biggest bowl games in college football: 

*Rose Bowl   Alabama v. Michigan (-1.5) Jan. 1, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.

*Sugar Bowl Texas (-4.5) v. Washington Jan. 1, 2024 @ 8:45 p.m.

Fiesta Bowl Liberty v. Oregon (-16.5) Jan 1, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m.

Cotton Bowl Missouri v. Ohio State (-3) Dec. 29, 2023 @ 8:00 p.m.

Peach Bowl Ole Miss v. Penn State (-4.5) Dec. 30, 2023 @ Noon

Orange Bowl Georgia (-19) v. Florida State Dec. 30, 2023 @ 4:00 p.m.

* indicates playoff games

Playoff Preview 

Rose Bowl 

I don’t think any number 1 team in the nation would want to play the Crimson Tide in the first round of the playoffs, but the Wolverines draw them for a chance at their first championship since 1997. This Bama team is completely different from the beginning of the season after losing to Texas 34-24 at home and barely beating South Florida the following week. After quarterback Jalen Milroe was benched and then returned as the starter he has been one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and is leading a team with a lot of momentum. 

Conversely, the Wolverines have dominated every team this season behind their two-head monster run game with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, a stout defense, and their leader JJ McCarthy. They have faced a lot of coaching controversy regarding sign stealing, but even with the head coach Jim Harbaugh for almost half the season, the Wolverines have remained strong. 

Sugar Bowl 

Even without the best running back in the nation, Jonathan Brooks, the Longhorns have shown how dynamic their offense is behind leader Quinn Ewers. Ranking 11th in total yards per game  (487.9) and 17th in points per game (36.0) Texas can score with the best of them. The Longhorns’ best win comes in Week 2 against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and in the Big 12 Championship when they blew Oklahoma State out of the water. They did suffer a loss to Oklahoma during the Red River Rivalry but closed out the season strong to make the playoffs and cement their ticket to the playoffs. 

Washington has been one of the most exciting teams to watch with Heisman runner-up quarterback Michael Penix and his favorite target Rome Odunze. The Huskies’ elite offense can be a problem for any defense even the best of the best like Texas, Michigan, and Alabama. The Huskies may have a perfect record on the season, but they have squeaked out some close games. Seven out of their thirteen games have been one-score games, but they always find a way to close them out. Their two biggest wins came against Oregon, both by three points, and the previous one in the Pac-12 Championship where they were 10.5-point underdogs. 

My Playoff Predictions 

Rose Bowl

Alabama Moneyline +105

Alabama Spread +1.5 

Under 44.5 

Score Prediction: Alabama 23   Michigan 17

Alabama is going to prove they deserve to be in the playoffs. Nick Saban will not let Corum and Edwards run all over him and Milroe will use his legs to help Bama run away with a victory.  

Sugar Bowl 

Texas Moneyline -190

Washington Spread +4.5 

Over 63.5 

Score Prediction: Texas 36 Washington 34

This was a tough one to pick I can see it going either way. If Texas can limit Odunze on third downs and in the redzone then I think they will come out with a close win. 

Other Bowl Game Picks 

Fiesta Bowl Liberty v. Oregon (-16.5)

-Oregon Moneyline 

-Oregon Spread

-Under Over 67.5

Cotton Bowl Missouri v. Ohio State (-3) 

-Missouri Moneyline

-Missouri Spread 

-Under 48.5

Peach Bowl Ole Miss v. Penn State (-4.5)

-Ole Miss Moneyline

-Ole Miss Spread 

-Under 48.5 

Orange Bowl Georgia (-19) v. Florida State 

-Georgia Moneyline 

-Georgia Spread 

-Over 44.5