<

p class=”mg-t-b-20 ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt88 mg-t-b-20 article-content” data-v-6bd26a2e>The No. 4-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will play the No. 3-ranked Michigan Wolverines in the national title game. Or at least that’s what I think is going to happen.

A healthy Ohio State matches up well against No. 1 Georgia as well as Oklahoma did against UGA in 2017. Marvin Harrison, Jr. against Kelee Ringo? Stetson Bennett in a pitcher’s duel with C.J. Stroud and Ryan Day vs. Kirby Smart? It all ought to be considerable fun.

What’s more? I doubt Day is going to squib kick to UGA up 17.

It’s going to be difficult for Ohio State to overcome the home-field advantage UGA will enjoy in Atlanta, but all the Buckeyes asked for was a chance to play in this game. They have it, and now they must seize it.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines have pounded on every team they’ve faced this season. Even without star running back Blake Corum in the backfield, the Michigan offensive line has dominated front sevens all year.

The No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs will have to summon more than guts to beat the most physical team they’ll face all year.

Here is the complete bowl schedule, with my analysis and picks included for every game.

For times, viewing information and a live scoreboard, click here.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE 

Saturday, Dec. 31 

Semifinal game: Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU, 4 p.m. ET

TCU got to this game by showing guts. But Michigan knows what this atmosphere is like and is chasing glory.

Pick: Michigan

Semifinal game: Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State, 8 p.m. ET

A healthy Ohio State looks built to defeat a Georgia team that has been anything but infallible throughout its 2022 run.

Pick: Ohio State

Monday, Jan. 9

Championship game
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Georgia-Ohio State winner vs. Michigan-TCU winner, 7:30 p.m. ET

I’m projecting that this will be Ohio State vs. Michigan. The Game (again) but this time with a national title on the line. I love it.

Pick: Ohio State.

*** *** ***

COMPLETE BOWL SCHEDULE 

Friday, Dec. 16 

Bahamas Bowl
Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Bahamas
Miami (Ohio) vs. UAB, 11:30 a.m. ET

This game is as much about the Blazers earning their fifth-straight bowl appearance — excluding the COVID-19 season. But the biggest story in Birmingham this side of the USFL will be what Trent Dilfer sees coming out of the game, as he will take over the program in 2023. Like UAB, Miami of Ohio is fighting to lay claim to a winning season in this battle of 6-6 teams.

Pick: UAB

Cure Bowl
Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida
No. 25 UTSA vs. No. 24 Troy, 3 p.m. ET

The Cure Bowl is for champions — this year anyway. Both UTSA (C-USA) and Troy (Sun Belt) won their respective league titles this season.

For Troy, it’s an outstanding year that featured former walk-on linebacker Carlton Martial breaking the FBS record for tackles in a career — once 545 — while winning the league title. For UTSA, it’s yet another achievement for a program that did not exist 17 years ago — when Tim McGarigle set in 2005.

Pick: UTSA

Saturday, Dec. 17

Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park in Boston
Cincinnati vs. Louisville, 11 a.m. ET

With the Bearcats still looking for the 44th head coach of their program, it feels difficult to pick against Scott Satterfield and the Cardinals in this 80-mile rivalry spanning 102 years. But bring the Keg of Nails anyway because it’s gonna be a fistfight.

Pick: Louisville

Celebration Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Jackson State vs. North Carolina Central, 12 p.m. ET

Jackson State will look to finish their season undefeated (13-0), with a win in this game serving as the Black College Football National Championship Game. JSU is no sure bet to win this game, though, having lost it to South Carolina State last year.

It’s also going to be the last game Deion Sanders coaches at JSU before permanently taking over Colorado, a job he accepted on the eve of Selection Sunday following the Tigers’ second-straight SWAC Championship victory.

Pick: Jackson State

New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico
SMU vs. BYU, 2:15 p.m. ET

Following a 4-1 start, the Cougars looked like they were contending for a New Year’s Six Bowl bid only to lose their next four in a row. Now they’re riding a three-game winning streak, helped by running back Christopher Brooks, who has averaged 6.6 yards per carry and posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances in BYU’s last two outings.

The Cougars will need Brooks if they hope to slow down Rhett Lashlee’s explosive Mustangs. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw for more 3,300 yards in the regular season including a performance against Houston where he threw for 379 pass yards and recorded 10 TDs — nine through the air — in SMU’s 77-63 win against Houston last month.

Pick: BYU

LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Fresno State vs. Washington State, 3:30 p.m. ET

This game features two of the more underrated quarterbacks on the West Coast in the Cougars’ Cameron Ward and the Bulldogs’ Jake Haener. Expect offensive fireworks in Inglewood.

Pick: Washington State

LendingTree Bowl
Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
Rice vs. Southern Miss, 5:45 p.m. ET

For Rice, this game is cause for celebration. The Owls are bowling for the first time since 2014, with an outstanding shot to finish the season without a losing record.

There is certainly reason to believe they can defeat the Golden Eagles, as they’re riding a two-game winning streak. But they’ll play a program that fought its way to 6-6 after winning just three games in 2021, and which had just 62 scholarship players when USM coach Will Hall arrived.

Pick: USM

Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Florida vs. No. 14 Oregon State, 7:30 p.m. ET

Although Oregon State seems to have been in a state of transition at quarterback for two years running, the Beavers are looking to cap off their best season since 2006 when they last won 10 games.

For the Gators, it’s a chance to remind the nation it beat the Pac-12 champions in Week 1 with another win against a Pac-12 member. It would also earn a winning season in Billy Napier’s Year 1 in Gainesville.

Pick: Oregon State

Frisco Bowl
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
North Texas vs. Boise State, 9:15 p.m. ET

The Broncos will walk into Frisco having won seven of their last eight games, but having lost 27-13 to UTEP. That’s the same UTEP the 7-6 Mean Green defeated 31-13 this season. The two programs are meeting for the first time since 2000, with the series tied 3-3.

Pick: UNT

Monday, Dec. 19 

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina
Marshall vs. UConn, 2:30 p.m. ET

No, there’s no typo here. That’s the UConn Huskies you see on the bowl calendar for the first time since 2015, with a chance at the program’s best finish since 2010 when the Huskies faced Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. But they’ll have to get past a sneaky-good Marshall team that beat Notre Dame in South Bend.

Pick: Marshall

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho
Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State, 3:30 p.m. ET

Eastern Michigan stepped into the national spotlight when the Eagles upset Arizona State 30-21 this season. EMU seeks its first bowl victory (California Bowl) since 1987. That year the Eagles not only knocked off San Jose State 30-27, but won nine games. With a win against San Jose State, they’ll win nine games for the first time since — yup — 1987.

Pick: EMU

Boca Raton Bowl
FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida
Liberty vs. Toledo, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Flames have never lost a bowl game and look to move to 4-0 with a win against the Rockets. But that might prove difficult with a new head coach — former Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell — taking the reins after Hugh Freeze accepted the head-coaching job at Auburn earlier this month.

And that’s before you find out Toledo is coming off winning their fourth MAC Championship in school history and are undefeated against Liberty, winning their last contest 35-34 on Oct. 6, 2007.

Pick: Toledo

Wednesday, Dec. 21

New Orleans Bowl
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama, 9 p.m. ET

The Hilltoppers are looking for their ninth win of the season and are led by star quarterback Austin Reed, who has thrown for 4,200 yards and 36 TDs this season. But they’ll face Kane Wommack’s 10-2 Jaguars, who are a threat to win 11 games to cap off the best season USA has ever had.

Pick: USA

Thursday, Dec. 22 

Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
Baylor vs. Air Force, 7:30 p.m. ET

Baylor will look to snap a three-game losing streak against one of the best rushing teams in the country — just three weeks after BU coach Dave Aranda let go his mentor and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. The 9-3 Falcons average more than 330 yards on the ground and hold the ball for more than 36 minutes on average.

Pick: Baylor

Friday, Dec. 23 

Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana
Louisiana vs. Houston, 3 p.m. ET

Neither Louisiana nor Houston has competed in the Independence Bowl. The Ragin Cajuns are looking to finish the season with seven wins while Dana Holgorsen’s Cougars attempt to win their last game as members of the AAC. The Cougars have scored at least 30 points in 11 of 12 games. They might need to go 12 for 13. Louisiana beat Texas State 41-13 to become bowl-eligible.

Pick: Houston

Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Wake Forest vs. Missouri, 6:30 p.m. ET

This game will be the first-ever meeting between these two Power 5 programs. Missouri will look to summon the form it showed in a close contest loss to defending national champion Georgia in October, while quarterback Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons will look to earn eight wins for the third time in four years.

Pick: Wake Forest

Saturday, Dec. 24 

Hawai’i Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai’i
Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State, 8 p.m. ET

The Blue Raiders beat Miami earlier this year — put the money in the bag — and finished third in C-USA this season. Senior defensive end Jordan Ferguson will be one to watch after amassing 63 tackles, including 16 for loss and nine sacks.

Pick: MTSU

Monday, Dec. 26 

Quick Lane Bowl
Ford Field in Detroit
New Mexico State vs. Bowling Green, 2:30 p.m. ET

The Aggies face a Falcons team that posted its best finish (6-6) since 2015. NMSU coach Jerry Kill also looks to win a bowl game as a head coach for the first time in his 32-year career.

Pick: Aggies

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Camellia Bowl
Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama
Georgia Southern vs. Buffalo, Noon ET

The Eagles upset Nebraska earlier this season in Clay Helton’s Year 1 but, like Buffalo, are 6-6. This game is purely for the right to claim a winning season by the New Year. The game also features two outstanding defenders in Georgia Southern linebacker Marques Watson-Trent, who has notched 105 tackles, and Buffalo’s Shaun Dolac, who has 134.

Pick: Georgia Southern

First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas
Memphis vs. Utah State, 3:15 p.m. ET

With early losses to Alabama and Weber State, Aggies hardly looked like a bowl team. But Blake Anderson’s squad finished 6-6 with a chance to go out with a win against Ryan Silverfield’s Tigers, whose best win this season came against UNT.

Pick: Utah State

Birmingham Bowl
Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama
Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina, 6:45 p.m. ET

After playing for the Sun Belt title, the 9-3 Chants will look to finish their season strong with a win against the Pirates. But with Chadwell accepting the head coach position at Liberty the program could be in flux enough ECU to pick off the Chants.

Pick: ECU

Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State, 10:15 p.m. ET

After looking like the class of the Big 12, the Pokes fell short of their expectations to return to the Big 12 title game. Now they face a great challenge in Wisconsin. Though Luke Fickell has been named head coach, it’s defensive savant Jim Leonhard who should be the worry for Mike Gundy’s squad.

Pick: Wisconsin

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland
UCF vs. Duke, 2 p.m. ET

The Knights fell just short of playing in the Cotton Bowl with their loss to Tulane in the AAC title game. They’ll look to finish on a high against Mike Elko’s Duke squad, which exceeded expectations by becoming bowl-eligible before Thanksgiving.

Pick: UCF

Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
Kansas vs. Arkansas, 5:30 p.m. ET

The Jayhawks are not unlike the Razorbacks were a year ago — on the come-up. While KU has a ways to go, they’re bowling for the first time and looking for their first winning season since 2008. This marks just the second time KU (6-6) has made a Liberty Bowl appearance against an Arkansas (6-6) team looking to finish the season with a winning record — just like the Jayhawks.

Pick: KU

Holiday Bowl
Petco Park in San Diego
North Carolina vs. Oregon, 8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app

The Tar Heels were once a favorite to defeat Clemson for their first conference title in 40 years, but they fell short — again. UNC has lost their last three games in a row, but they’ll get an Oregon team in transition.

Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is set to take over as head coach at Arizona State in 2023, and UNC might take advantage of a program still sorting through its coaching staff. However, the Ducks will be prepared defensively to meet the challenge Drake Maye and the UNC offense present.

Pick: Oregon

Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium in Houston
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss, 9 p.m. ET

In Year 1, Joey McGuire not only beat Texas and Oklahoma but has a chance to avenge the Red Raiders’ 20-point loss to the Rebels in 2018. With a win, the Red Raiders can earn their first eight-win season since Baker Mayfield quarterbacked the team in 2013.

Pick: Texas Tech

Thursday, Dec. 29

Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City
Syracuse vs. Minnesota, 2 p.m. ET

This game could feature two of the best tailbacks in the country in Mohamed Ibrahim and Sean Tucker — if they play. Ibrahim has been otherworldly in the backfield for Minnesota, rushing for 1,494 yards — averaging more than 144 rush yards a game — and the engine that makes P.J. Fleck’s offense go.

Pick: Minnesota

Cheez-It Bowl
Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Florida State, 5:30 p.m. ET

Oklahoma lost four of its six games by a single score and three by a field goal. If the offense and defense can play well in the same game, they ought to match up well against Mike Norvell’s FSU.

Pick: Oklahoma

Alamo Bowl
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
No. 20 Texas vs. No. 12 Washington, 9 p.m. ET

With Washington possessing one of the best passing offenses in the country and two former UW coaches — including one head coach in Steve Sarkisian — on the UT sideline, this game should mean a bit more to each party. Even if it doesn’t, Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson — if they play — are worth a watch.

Pick: Texas

Friday, Dec. 30 

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
Maryland vs. No. 23 NC State, Noon ET

Without Devin Leary, the Wolfpack took a step back. And Mike Locksley’s Maryland has played great, gutsy football all season. The Terps should handle their one-time ACC foe.

Pick: Maryland

Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas
Pittsburgh vs. No. 18 UCLA, 2 p.m. ET

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson headed to the NFL, Chip Kelly’s Bruins will be without their first five-year starter against a Panther team that possesses one of the best running backs in the country in Israel Abanikanda.

Pick: UCLA

Gator Bowl
TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida
No. 21 Notre Dame vs. No. 19 South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Gamecocks have been giant-killing in their last two outings — knocking off both Orange Bowl participants (Tennessee and Clemson) in back-to-back weeks. With ND quarterback Drew Pyne entering the transfer portal, ND will have to show up tough if it doesn’t want it to end up a pelt on the South Carolina hunting room wall.

Pick: South Carolina

Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona
Ohio vs. Wyoming, 4:30 p.m. ET

It might be difficult for UW to overcome the loss of Titus Swen, who became just the 12th player in history to rush for 1,000 yards at the program that gave the NFL Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. Ohio ought to be mad after falling short of winning the MAC title against Toledo and take it all out on the Pokes.

Pick: Ohio

Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
No. 7 Clemson vs. No. 6 Tennessee, 8 p.m. ET 

Could there be more orange in the Orange Bowl? Hardly. The Vols and Tigers will meet to find out who will likely roll into the 2023 offseason not only with a New Year’s Six bowl win.

Pick: Tennessee

Saturday, Dec. 31

Sugar Bowl
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
No. 9 Kansas State vs. No. 5 Alabama, Noon ET

This game is about Bryce Young — his absence or his presence. If the 2021 Heisman winner plays, Alabama ought to challenge the Big 12 champs. If he doesn’t, K-State should beat back-to-back SEC West opponents in bowl games marking their best season in Manhattan since 2012.

Pick: Kansas State

Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
Iowa vs. Kentucky, Noon ET

If you told me the over/under in this game was 10, I’d believe you. These teams play great defense and are anemic — sometimes dead in the case of Iowa — on offense. But the Hawkeyes are feeling good about earning the commitment of former Michigan quarterback and Big Ten champion Cade McNamara heading into 2023.

Meanwhile, UK will play without NFL Draft-bound Will Levis.

Pick: Iowa

Monday, Jan. 2

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
No. 22 Mississippi State vs. Illinois, Noon ET

This game should be one hell of a fight. Illini coach Bret Bielema would run the ball on every play if he thought it could help him win, and Bulldogs coach Mike Leach won’t run it until he knows it can help him win. But the Illini hold the ball and play stifling defense. Leach is gonna need his best players to play like his best if they’re to win.

Pick: Illinois

Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium in Orlando
No. 17 LSU vs. Purdue, 1 p.m. ET

The Boilermakers have a chance to earn their ninth win this season with a win against the SEC West champs. But the Bayou Bengals looked lethal through the air with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback against Georgia, and he’ll be a threat in this battle for bragging rights between the nation’s two best conferences.

Pick: Purdue

Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
No. 16 Tulane vs. No. 10 USC, 1 p.m. ET 

With Lincoln Riley detailing the severity of star quarterback Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury, it’s an open question as to whether he’ll play against the Green Wave. Tulane, who has played its best season since 1998 and won the American Athletic Conference crown, might not care either way. They’re just that good.

Pick: Tulane

Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
No. 8 Utah vs. No. 11 Penn State, 5 p.m. ET

Utah is the closest thing on the West Coast to a bona fide no-nonsense Big Ten squad. The Utes possess an outstanding offensive line and want to own the line of scrimmage — just like Penn State.

The Nittany Lions will play without star corner Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver Parker Washington against Kyle Whittingham, Cam Rising and the Utes in a game Utah fell just short of winning against Ohio State last year. This year they’ll look to finish what they started.

Pick: Utah

Read more:

Top stories from FOX Sports:

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.

---

---

---

Source FOX Sports Digital