Reliaquest Bowl: LSU Tigers (9-3) vs Wisconsin Badgers (7-5)
What you need to know: LSU didn’t have the season they expected this year, but don’t blame the offense. Jayden Daniels was absolutely incredible all year, he basically was the team throwing for a lot of yards and running for nearly twice as many yards as LSUs next leading rusher, this is why he won the Heisman. He did have a pair of excellent receivers to help with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Definitely keep an eye on whether these guys play or not. This trio really was the offense and I can’t imagine they’ll be anywhere near the same without them. The Tigers defense held them back all year as stops were hard to come by. Harold Perkins Jr was the stud of this defense but wasn’t the same this year, rushing the passer is his specialty but they didn’t have him do that as much this year. Wisconsin was a big disappointment in Luke Fickell’s first year. The hope was that opening up the offense to help the passing game pair well with the Badgers always strong run game would lead to a great offense and it just didn’t happen. Frankly, Wisconsin looked like the same slow plodding Big 10 West team they were last year. RB Braelon Allen was one of the lone highlights but he is off to the NFL and opted out from this game. Wisconsin will figure out a lot about their young RBs in this game. Will Pauling was the highlight at receiver. Tanner Mordecai was so promising at QB but it didn’t go as well as expected. Wisconsin’s defense was still pretty decent. The most intrigue of with this matchup will clearly be Wisconsin’s offense vs LSU’s defense. Classic stoppable object meets the moveable force in this one. It doesn’t feel right that this isn’t the Outback Bowl anymore.
Previous Meetings: The Tigers and Badgers have met 4 times with the Tigers holding a 3-1 edge but Wisconsin upset LSU in the 2016 season opener in Lambeau the last time they met.
Motivation Edge: Wisconsin clearly will be more motivated here to somehow have a shot at a highly ranked team. It’s hard to tell how excited LSU will be to face a lousy 7-5 Big 10 West team.
Best Bet: If Daniels plays LSU -8.5 (or whatever the number moves to) is the bet because they should win this mismatch easily. If he doesn’t (and this low number implies he won’t) then just stay away from this one.
VRBO Fiesta Bowl: Liberty Flames (13-0) vs Oregon Ducks
What you need to know: This is the most remarkable season in Liberty’s history going undefeated winning their conference and now getting a shot in a major bowl. All of this happening in Jamey Chadwell’s first year. The Flames are led by a QB in Kaiden Salter who got better as the season went along, he’s electric to watch. Quinton Cooley is an excellent RB who helps give them a great backfield. Liberty ranks as the top rushing offense in college football in fact. This was an easy schedule the Flames faced, however, and it’s not even that they didn’t play a P5 opponent but that their best non conference game overall was a home opener against Bowling Green, so this will be a new challenge. Oregon was an absolute buzzsaw against everyone they played except Washington. The Ducks were led by Bo Nix who truly had his best season this year, he’s come a long ways. Oregon has a stud RB in Bucky Irving and a duo of great receivers in Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson. Oregon’s defense was very solid all year, especially against the run. You can occasionally pass on them but we’ve really only seen elite passing attacks like Washington and USC do that. Keep an eye on any opt outs for Oregon but so far Nix and Irving announced they’re playing in the game so they seem to be all on it.
Previous Meetings: First time matchup!! This isn’t a surprise since Liberty hasn’t been FBS for very long.
Motivation Edge: Liberty is clearly very excited for this one as this is far and away the biggest game in their program’s history. That being said it sounds like Dan Lanning will have the Ducks ready to play in this one.
Best Bet: Oregon -17.5 – I don’t like to do this because this Liberty team has been fun to watch but this is a terrible matchup. Liberty’s offense is predicated on running the ball which Oregon is good at stopping, and Liberty struggles to stop the pass which Oregon is very good at. Also this year when Oregon is better than someone they usually win big.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes (10-3) vs Tennessee Volunteers (8-4)
What you need to know: We all know the story with Iowa. The Hawkeyes managed to squeeze out as many wins as possible with as little offense as possible. The Brian Ferentz drive to 325 was an entertaining storyline for the early portion of the year but it became apparent his offense was never going to get there. Other than being Kirk Ferentz’s son it’s amazing he held the job for this long, his scheme seems like it never has any intention of scoring. Iowa was, of course, lifted by their defense which was once again one of the best in the country. This defense was tasked with carrying the team most weeks and they did it. Perhaps the most perplexing thing about Iowa’s record was their special teams weren’t quite as dominant as their usual standard, sure Tory Taylor was an absolute weapon punting the ball, setting the Hawkeyes defense up for several safety opportunities throughout the year but they missed a few more FGs than usual and even gave up some long returns. Cooper Dejean before he got hurt was a star returner for the Hawkeyes. Tennessee entered the season with a lot of hype around Joe Milton but it never really panned out to the level that was expected. He still wasn’t accurate enough to make the offense as scary as it was last year. Without the deep passes Tennessee had to rely on the run to move the ball. Tennessee’s defense was good against the run but they struggled a lot to stop most passing attacks. Overall this is a matchup of 2 solid teams that didn’t beat many notable opponents, had 1 bad loss each but were filler teams for the Top 25. Maybe Brian Ferentz will go out in a blaze of glory go 4WRs and open it up but let’s face he’s going to coordinate his offense to the quickest path toward the next punt. The most fun part about this bowl is that Cheez-It sponsors it and will surely do something fun. Update: Milton has opted out, it is Nico Iamaleava time, the highly touted freshman making his first start in this game will alone be worth the watch. If the winning team doesn’t get to eat a a massive Cheez-It, fans will riot.
Previous Meetings: These programs have met 3 times before with Tennessee holding a 2-1 edge. All but one matchup was a bowl game but in 1987 they randomly met in East Rutherford, NJ for a kickoff classic. Iowa cycled through 3 QBs in that game (very on brand) but found momentum late and took the lead only for Tennessee to kick a FG with 8 seconds left to win it.
Motivation Edge: This game is equal, both teams had solid seasons and are happy to be here.
Best Bet: Under 36 – let’s face it you didn’t need to read this to know that if Iowa is involved the under is the best bet.
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential: Michigan Wolverines (13-0) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) – Playoff Semifinal #1
What you need to know: Michigan rolled through most of the season. It took a while to draw conclusions on the Wolverines because their schedule was incredibly easy. Once they faced tough opponents Michigan still rolled. JJ McCarthy is having a fantastic season and Blake Corum is leading the way running the ball. Michigan’s offensive line wasn’t as good, giving up sacks was one of the biggest issues they had. Defensively they were solid all around. The same question remains for Michigan, can they handle athletic teams that aren’t Ohio State? Outside of Ohio State, those faster teams have exposed Michigan’s defense in the playoffs. Alabama struggled a lot to begin the season but figured things out as the season went along. Jalen Milroe progressed as the season went along, he started as a great athlete at the QB position but became more of a true QB as the year went on. Alabama excels at running the ball, the offensive line still struggles to pass protect at times but it’s gotten a little better. Alabama’s defense has been mostly dominant however. Dallas Turner is going to give Michigan’s offensive line headaches and Alabama has Kool-Aid McKinstry to lead the secondary. In general Alabama’s offensive struggles made headlines all year but you’d be surprised to see Michigan actually rates worse in yards, passing and running despite their schedule.
Previous Meetings: These programs have met 5 times with Alabama holding a 3-2 edge. All but one matchup occured in bowl games. They met in Jerryworld to open the 2012 season. Saban in general is 2-0 against Michigan neither game was particularly close.
Motivation Edge: This is the playoff, if you can’t be motivated for this what can you be motivated for? Michigan is looking to prove they can win in them playoff, while Alabama wants to show everyone they belonged here.
Best Bet: Alabama +1 – You’re giving me Nick Saban with this much time to prepare as an underdog??? Sign me up for that.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Washington Huskies (13-0) vs Texas Longhorns (12-1) – CFP Semifinal #2
What you need to know: Washington is one of the best stories of the season. Led by Michael Penix Jr and Rome Odunze this passing attack is electric to watch. Don’t forget about the complimentary pieces of the offense, RB Dillon Johnson has played a key role allowing the offense to keep moving the chains. Ja’Lynn Polk is another 1000 yard receiver and Jalen McMillan is a key weapon who was injured a lot of the year but is healthy now. Washington’s defense can sometimes be taken advantage of, but they’ve come up with stops when needed. Overall this team has been doubted all year but it’s been incredible to see them come up clutch in key moments. Texas on the other hand is finally back. Entering this season I questioned if Sark could ever win some big games and go above simply being good, but he’s done it. Texas had the most impressive performance of anyone this year when they dominated Alabama in Tuscaloosa and they kept it going from there. Quinn Ewers took a step at QB and really led this team all year. Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell have been an impressive duo at receiver, watch Worthy’s status because he got hurt in the Big 12 championship but there’s optimism he will be good to go. RB Johnathon Brooks was a big loss when he got hurt but led by CJ Baxter Texas has found production there. The Longhorns defense is very solid, they get after the QB and stop the run. Their biggest flaw is they can be taken advantage of by opposing passing games. That’s a matchup to watch against Washington. Steve Sarkisian has yet to beat Washington since leaving there, going 0-2.
Previous Matchups: These programs have met 5 times before with Texas holding a 3-2 edge. They played a home and home in 1974-1975 but otherwise they’ve only met in bowl games. They faced each other just last year in the Alamo Bowl with Washington winning 27-20.
Motivation Edge: Both are very motivated since this is a playoff matchup. Washington loves proving doubters wrong and they’re underdogs in this matchup once again, and Texas would love to show they’re back.
Best Bet: Washington +4 – Vegas has surprisingly made Washington underdogs multiple times and Washington has won each time. This team just feels clutch. The over isn’t a bad bet either, especially with Washington being built to take advantage of the Texas defense.
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