Predictions for top 10 college football bowl games

UPDATE: Missouri 33, Minnesota 17
The skinny: Neither team is all that flashy, though No. 16 Mizzou does have pass-rush star Shane Ray (above). Running back David Cobb (above) is No. 25-rated Minnesota's key player, and TE Maxx Williams is a big talent, albeit underutilized in the Golden Gophers' run-heavy attack. This is Minnesota's first Jan. 1 bowl appearance since the 1961 season, and the Gophers are looking for just their second nine-win season since 1905.
Game picks:
Brandt: Missouri, 24-21
Brooks: Missouri, 30-28
Jeremiah: Missouri, 28-21
Fischer: Missouri, 27-17
Goodbread: Missouri, 24-16
Huguenin: Missouri, 21-16

1 / 10

10. Citrus Bowl

UPDATE: Missouri 33, Minnesota 17
The skinny: Neither team is all that flashy, though No. 16 Mizzou does have pass-rush star Shane Ray (above). Running back David Cobb (above) is No. 25-rated Minnesota's key player, and TE Maxx Williams is a big talent, albeit underutilized in the Golden Gophers' run-heavy attack. This is Minnesota's first Jan. 1 bowl appearance since the 1961 season, and the Gophers are looking for just their second nine-win season since 1905.
Game picks:
Brandt: Missouri, 24-21

Brooks: Missouri, 30-28

Jeremiah: Missouri, 28-21

Fischer: Missouri, 27-17
Goodbread: Missouri, 24-16
Huguenin: Missouri, 21-16

Associated Press

UPDATE: Wisconsin 34, Auburn 31, OT
The skinny: The always-timeless "SEC speed vs. Big Ten brawn" storyline is in play here. No. 18-rated Wisconsin has RB Melvin Gordon (above), the nation's leading rusher with 2,336 yards. No. 19 Auburn counters with Cameron Artis-Payne (above), the SEC's leading rusher. Wisconsin is playing with an interim coach (AD Barry Alvarez) since Gary Andersen shockingly left for Oregon State. Gordon needs just 7 yards to move into third place on the single-season rushing list.
Game picks:
Brandt: Auburn, 31-27
Brooks: Auburn, 37-35
Jeremiah: Auburn, 35-28
Fischer: Auburn, 43-30
Goodbread: Auburn, 41-17
Huguenin: Auburn, 38-28

2 / 10

9. Outback Bowl

UPDATE: Wisconsin 34, Auburn 31, OT
The skinny: The always-timeless "SEC speed vs. Big Ten brawn" storyline is in play here. No. 18-rated Wisconsin has RB Melvin Gordon (above), the nation's leading rusher with 2,336 yards. No. 19 Auburn counters with Cameron Artis-Payne (above), the SEC's leading rusher. Wisconsin is playing with an interim coach (AD Barry Alvarez) since Gary Andersen shockingly left for Oregon State. Gordon needs just 7 yards to move into third place on the single-season rushing list.
Game picks:
Brandt: Auburn, 31-27
Brooks: Auburn, 37-35
Jeremiah: Auburn, 35-28

Fischer: Auburn, 43-30
Goodbread: Auburn, 41-17
Huguenin: Auburn, 38-28

Associated Press

UPDATE: Georgia 37, Louisville 14
The skinny: A good SEC team against a good ACC team. No. 13-rated Georgia needs a big game from true freshman RB Nick Chubb (above). No. 21 Louisville's best player is senior WR DeVante Parker (above). Will either offense have much success? Georgia must run effectively against Louisville's stout defense. Louisville, meanwhile, has injuries at quarterback, which begs this question: How often will Parker get the ball?
Game picks:
Brandt: Georgia, 28-21
Brooks: Louisville, 38-35
Jeremiah: Louisville, 34-28
Fischer: Georgia, 28-17
Goodbread: Georgia, 21-17
Huguenin: Georgia, 24-21

3 / 10

8. Belk Bowl

UPDATE: Georgia 37, Louisville 14
The skinny: A good SEC team against a good ACC team. No. 13-rated Georgia needs a big game from true freshman RB Nick Chubb (above). No. 21 Louisville's best player is senior WR DeVante Parker (above). Will either offense have much success? Georgia must run effectively against Louisville's stout defense. Louisville, meanwhile, has injuries at quarterback, which begs this question: How often will Parker get the ball?
Game picks:
Brandt: Georgia, 28-21
Brooks: Louisville, 38-35

Jeremiah: Louisville, 34-28

Fischer: Georgia, 28-17
Goodbread: Georgia, 21-17
Huguenin: Georgia, 24-21

Associated Press

UPDATE: Georgia Tech 49, Mississippi State 34
The skinny: Both offenses should have success. The key might be that No. 7-rated Mississippi State's defense is better than No. 12 Georgia Tech's and seems likely to get more stops. Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott (above) struggled some down the stretch, but his dual-threat abilities should hurt Tech. A big key for the Yellow Jackets is senior LB Quayshawn Nealy (above); Tech has to stop Mississippi State's ground attack, which means Nealy and his mates will be in the spotlight.
Game picks:
Brandt: Mississippi State, 35-20
Brooks: Mississippi State, 27-25
Jeremiah: Mississippi State, 21-17
Fischer: Mississippi State, 30-27
Goodbread: Mississippi State, 27-21
Huguenin: Mississippi State, 27-24

4 / 10

7. Orange Bowl

UPDATE: Georgia Tech 49, Mississippi State 34
The skinny: Both offenses should have success. The key might be that No. 7-rated Mississippi State's defense is better than No. 12 Georgia Tech's and seems likely to get more stops. Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott (above) struggled some down the stretch, but his dual-threat abilities should hurt Tech. A big key for the Yellow Jackets is senior LB Quayshawn Nealy (above); Tech has to stop Mississippi State's ground attack, which means Nealy and his mates will be in the spotlight.
Game picks:
Brandt: Mississippi State, 35-20

Brooks: Mississippi State, 27-25
Jeremiah: Mississippi State, 21-17

Fischer: Mississippi State, 30-27
Goodbread: Mississippi State, 27-21
Huguenin: Mississippi State, 27-24

Associated Press/USA Today Sports

UPDATE: Boise State 38, Arizona 30
The skinny: No. 20-rated Boise State gets another opportunity on the national stage in a "big bowl." No. 10 Arizona LB Scooby Wright (above) has had a great season, and his main task in this one will be to help stymie Boise State RB Jay Ajayi (above). Arizona's spread offense should have success against Boise's defense, and Arizona knows that stopping Ajayi will go a long way toward securing a win.
Game picks:
Brandt: Arizona, 37-30
Brooks: Boise State, 27-24
Jeremiah: Arizona, 28-24
Fischer: Arizona, 42-31
Goodbread: Boise State, 35-30
Huguenin: Arizona, 40-31

5 / 10

6. Fiesta Bowl

UPDATE: Boise State 38, Arizona 30
The skinny: No. 20-rated Boise State gets another opportunity on the national stage in a "big bowl." No. 10 Arizona LB Scooby Wright (above) has had a great season, and his main task in this one will be to help stymie Boise State RB Jay Ajayi (above). Arizona's spread offense should have success against Boise's defense, and Arizona knows that stopping Ajayi will go a long way toward securing a win.
Game picks:
Brandt: Arizona, 37-30

Brooks: Boise State, 27-24

Jeremiah: Arizona, 28-24

Fischer: Arizona, 42-31
Goodbread: Boise State, 35-30
Huguenin: Arizona, 40-31

Associated Press

UPDATE: UCLA 40, Kansas State 35
The skinny: An intriguing Big 12/Pac-12 matchup. And it also matches teams that overachieved (No. 11-rated K-State) and underachieved (No. 14 UCLA) relative to their talent levels. K-State senior WR Tyler Lockett (above) is a dynamic playmaker. This is the final college game for UCLA QB Brett Hundley (above), and he'll be facing a physical defense.
Game picks:
Brandt: Kansas State, 28-27
Brooks: UCLA, 31-28
Jeremiah: UCLA, 21-20
Fischer: Kansas State, 35-28
Goodbread: UCLA, 43-14
Huguenin: UCLA, 28-23

6 / 10

5. Alamo Bowl

UPDATE: UCLA 40, Kansas State 35
The skinny: An intriguing Big 12/Pac-12 matchup. And it also matches teams that overachieved (No. 11-rated K-State) and underachieved (No. 14 UCLA) relative to their talent levels. K-State senior WR Tyler Lockett (above) is a dynamic playmaker. This is the final college game for UCLA QB Brett Hundley (above), and he'll be facing a physical defense.
Game picks:
Brandt: Kansas State, 28-27
Brooks: UCLA, 31-28

Jeremiah: UCLA, 21-20

Fischer: Kansas State, 35-28
Goodbread: UCLA, 43-14
Huguenin: UCLA, 28-23

Associated Press

UPDATE: TCU 42, Ole Miss 3
The skinny: No. 6-rated TCU should be playing with a chip on its shoulder, given that it fell from No. 3 to No. 6 in the final playoff rankings. While TCU has won with offense, No. 9 Ole Miss with defense. TCU QB Trevone Boykin (above) had a huge season, and he poses a stern test for the Rebels' defense. Rebels CB Senquez Golson (above) is second nationally with nine interceptions, and he and the rest of Ole Miss' "Land Shark" defense know that the outcome of this one is in their hands.
Game picks:
Brandt: TCU, 21-20
Brooks: TCU, 24-20
Jeremiah: Ole Miss, 28-24
Fischer: TCU, 33-28
Goodbread: Ole Miss, 31-27
Huguenin: TCU, 27-21

7 / 10

4. Peach Bowl

UPDATE: TCU 42, Ole Miss 3
The skinny: No. 6-rated TCU should be playing with a chip on its shoulder, given that it fell from No. 3 to No. 6 in the final playoff rankings. While TCU has won with offense, No. 9 Ole Miss with defense. TCU QB Trevone Boykin (above) had a huge season, and he poses a stern test for the Rebels' defense. Rebels CB Senquez Golson (above) is second nationally with nine interceptions, and he and the rest of Ole Miss' "Land Shark" defense know that the outcome of this one is in their hands.
Game picks:
Brandt: TCU, 21-20
Brooks: TCU, 24-20

Jeremiah: Ole Miss, 28-24

Fischer: TCU, 33-28
Goodbread: Ole Miss, 31-27
Huguenin: TCU, 27-21

Associated Press

UPDATE: Michigan State 42, Baylor 41
The skinny: The offensive-minded Bears meet up against the tough-minded Spartans. Worth noting is that in two games against good teams that run the spread, No. 8-rated Michigan State was sliced-and-diced by Oregon and Ohio State. But while the Spartans' defense could have trouble with No. 5 Baylor, the same goes for the Bears' defense against the Spartans' offense. Two high-level junior defensive ends will be on view in Baylor's Shawn Oakman (above), who said Monday he is staying in school, and Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun (above).
Game picks:
Brandt: Michigan State, 37-34
Brooks: Baylor, 40-38
Jeremiah: Michigan State, 31-30
Fischer: Baylor, 30-24
Goodbread: Michigan State, 42-24
Huguenin: Baylor, 34-31

8 / 10

3. Cotton Bowl

UPDATE: Michigan State 42, Baylor 41
The skinny: The offensive-minded Bears meet up against the tough-minded Spartans. Worth noting is that in two games against good teams that run the spread, No. 8-rated Michigan State was sliced-and-diced by Oregon and Ohio State. But while the Spartans' defense could have trouble with No. 5 Baylor, the same goes for the Bears' defense against the Spartans' offense. Two high-level junior defensive ends will be on view in Baylor's Shawn Oakman (above), who said Monday he is staying in school, and Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun (above).
Game picks:
Brandt: Michigan State, 37-34

Brooks: Baylor, 40-38
Jeremiah: Michigan State, 31-30
Fischer: Baylor, 30-24
Goodbread: Michigan State, 42-24
Huguenin: Baylor, 34-31

Associated Press

UPDATE: Ohio State 42, Alabama 35
The skinny: It doesn't get much better than Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer, with a spot in the national title game on the line. There is talent galore on both teams, headed by No. 1-rated Alabama WR Amari Cooper (above) and No. 4 Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (above). The biggest storyline: This will be just the second career start for Ohio State sophomore QB Cardale Jones, and you have to figure Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart are prepared to throw a ton of different looks at Jones.
Game picks:
Brandt: Alabama, 34-24
Brooks: Alabama, 25-22
Jeremiah: Ohio State, 28-27
Fischer: Alabama, 31-17
Goodbread: Alabama, 27-17
Huguenin: Alabama, 28-17

9 / 10

2. Sugar Bowl

UPDATE: Ohio State 42, Alabama 35
The skinny: It doesn't get much better than Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer, with a spot in the national title game on the line. There is talent galore on both teams, headed by No. 1-rated Alabama WR Amari Cooper (above) and No. 4 Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (above). The biggest storyline: This will be just the second career start for Ohio State sophomore QB Cardale Jones, and you have to figure Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart are prepared to throw a ton of different looks at Jones.
Game picks:
Brandt: Alabama, 34-24

Brooks: Alabama, 25-22

Jeremiah: Ohio State, 28-27

Fischer: Alabama, 31-17
Goodbread: Alabama, 27-17
Huguenin: Alabama, 28-17

Associated Press

UPDATE: Oregon 59, Florida State 20
The skinny: No. 3-rated FSU is the only unbeaten team in the nation, but seemingly everyone not wearing garnet and gold questions the Seminoles. There's a great quarterback matchup: No. 2 Oregon's Marcus Mariota (above), this season's Heisman winner, vs. FSU's Jameis Winston (above), last season's Heisman winner. The absence of Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who is injured, is big. But how big? Oregon's offense is going to have success. Can the Ducks stymie FSU's passing attack without Ekpre-Olomu? Expect a shootout.
Game picks:
Brandt: Florida State, 35-31
Brooks: Florida State, 30-27
Jeremiah: Florida State, 38-31
Fischer: Oregon, 40-31
Goodbread: Florida State, 30-24
Huguenin: Oregon, 38-34

10 / 10

1. Rose Bowl

UPDATE: Oregon 59, Florida State 20
The skinny: No. 3-rated FSU is the only unbeaten team in the nation, but seemingly everyone not wearing garnet and gold questions the Seminoles. There's a great quarterback matchup: No. 2 Oregon's Marcus Mariota (above), this season's Heisman winner, vs. FSU's Jameis Winston (above), last season's Heisman winner. The absence of Oregon CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who is injured, is big. But how big? Oregon's offense is going to have success. Can the Ducks stymie FSU's passing attack without Ekpre-Olomu? Expect a shootout.
Game picks:
Brandt: Florida State, 35-31
Brooks: Florida State, 30-27

Jeremiah: Florida State, 38-31

Fischer: Oregon, 40-31
Goodbread: Florida State, 30-24
Huguenin: Oregon, 38-34

Associated Press

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Super Bowl LIX - Style Guide & Décor

Take a look at the photographs that served as the artistic blueprint for Super Bowl LIX, and see how they were incorporated into the numerous event spaces throughout New Orleans.