Hello and welcome to the College Football New Years Six games. Let’s start with an Orange Bowl matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and the Florida State Seminoles.
| 5:00 PM PT | ESPN | MICH -6.5 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
#6 Michigan came within a play (fourth down spot against Ohio State) from advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game as well as the College Football Playoff. #11 Florida State on the other hand is reflecting on a lost season that saw the Seminoles get blown out against Louisville and blow a very winnable game at home against Clemson. FSU has a great running game with Dalvin Cook (1620 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns), but I think that a very green Deondre Francois will get exposed against a Michigan defense featuring Jabrill Peppers. Jim Harbaugh will have his team well prepared for this one.
My Pick: #6 Michigan
| 12:00 PM PT | ESPN | ALA -14.0 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
I will make this very simple. I hate UW, Bama wins this game by at least 14. Sorry but the Huskies just don’t have the skill position players to compete with Alabama’s defense.
My Pick: #1 Alabama
| 4:00 PM PT | ESPN | OSU -2.5 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
I also hate #3 Ohio State, but I think they have a great football team. Granted OSU did lose to Penn State, but #2 Clemson lost to Pittsburgh at home. Somehow the Tigers have performed all these Houdini acts and snuck out of what should be three to four close losses, but that luck runs out against Ohio State. Deshaun Watson may be the better quarterback than J.T. Barrett, but this Buckeye football team is much more battle-hardened than Clemson. Very close, but the edge goes to Urban Meyer.
My Pick: #3 Ohio State
| 10:00 AM PT | ESPN | WIS -8.5 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
#15 Western Michigan has had a great season, but I don’t think that they are going to pull a Boise State from 2006 against Oklahoma. Sure #8 Wisconsin has faltered in some big games, but they have played some of the best competition the Big Ten has to offer. WMU on the other hand barely beat a Northwestern team to start the season. You can do the “Row the boat” thing all you want to, but that is not going to help against a Badgers team that already has been assimilated to the big stage.
My Pick: #8 Wisconsin
| 2:00 PM PT | ESPN | USC -7.0 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
This rematch of the 2009 Rose Bowl could be closer than some people think. #9 USC has had a strong finish to their season, but #5 Penn State has pulled quite a few surprises out of their hat, namely against Ohio State and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Title game. I’ve got to give this one to Southern California though because they have too much momentum right now, and I don’t think that Penn State is going to have the firepower to keep up with USC.
My Pick: #9 USC
| 5:30 PM PT | ESPN | OKLA -3.0 |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
 |
Not sure what to make of this matchup. #14 Auburn initially looked like they could potentially contend with Alabama in the SEC but suffered a few losses towards the tail end of their season. #7 Oklahoma on the other hand suffered two early losses to Ohio State and Houston, but eventually were able to right the ship in a weak Big 12. As much as I want to pick against Oklahoma, I respect their turnaround as well as the Baker Mayfield to Dede Westbrook connection too much. Sooners take this, and Joe Mixon commits domestic violence against Auburn.
My Pick: #7 Oklahoma
Let me know what you think in the comments below. Happy New Year everyone.
Share this:
Categories: NCAA Football
