College football bowl games, schedule 2023: Predictions, picks for each matchup

Sat., Dec. 16

Myrtle Beach Bowl: Ohio over Ga. Southern, as the Bobcats come in, albeit without quarterback Kurtis Rourke, but with college football's 5th ranked scoring defense.

Celebration Bowl: Fla. A&M over Howard, although both teams play strong defense, A&M has looked more impressive later in the season.

New Orleans Bowl: Jacksonville St. over Louisiana, as the Gamecocks 5th ranked rushing attack should hold the advantage over the Cajuns' 86th scoring defense.

Cure Bowl: Miami (OH) over App State, in an upset, thanks to a RedHawks defense that is among the nation's best at pressuring the quarterback.

New Mexico Bowl: NM State over Fresno State, thanks to Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia, a noted dual-threat, and the Bulldogs without their coach.

LA Bowl: Boise State over UCLA, although the Bruins' defense will keep things honest, the Broncos have a ton of momentum as MWC champs and tailback Ashton Jeanty, who has over 1,800 total yards this year.

Independence Bowl: Texas Tech over Cal, though both teams can run the ball well, the Red Raiders have the overall defensive advantage.

Mon., Dec. 18

Famous Toastery Bowl: WKU over Old Dominion, thanks to the Hilltoppers' apparent edge on offense.

Tues., Dec. 19

Frisco Bowl: UTSA over Marshall, as quarterback Frank Harris should find room to work against this defense.

Thurs., Dec. 21

Boca Raton Bowl: Syracuse over USF, with the Orange defense able to gain the advantage against an inconsistent Bulls' offense.

Fri., Dec. 22

Gasparilla Bowl: UCF over Georgia Tech, as the Knights' 4th ranked rushing attack goes up against Tech's 104th ranked scoring defense.

Sat., Dec. 23

Birmingham Bowl: Troy over Duke, and the Sun Belt champions and their strong defense against a Duke team that lost its coach and quarterback.

Camellia Bowl: Northern Illinois over Ark. State, thanks to the superior defense, and a chance to end a seven-game bowl losing streak.

Armed Forces Bowl: James Madison over Air Force, and the Dukes' superb run-stop against the Falcons' 2nd ranked rushing attack.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State over Ga. State, after the Aggies won three of their final four while the Panthers dropped their last five coming in.

68 Ventures Bowl: South Ala. over Eastern Mich., as the Jags hold a decisive advantage against the Eagles' 111th run game, 124th air attack, and 114th scoring offense.

Las Vegas Bowl: Utah over Northwestern, thanks to the Utes' more physical defense.

Hawaii Bowl: San Jose St. over Coastal Carolina, with the Spartans' marked edge at quarterback after Grayson McCall's decision to transfer.

Tues., Dec. 26

Quick Lane Bowl: Bowling Green over Minnesota, in a big win over a Power Five team thanks to its aggressive defense and the Gophers' change at QB.

First Responder Bowl: Tex. State over Rice, behind an offense that ranks 10th nationally with almost 471 total yards per game.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas over UNLV, in a battle of two decent offenses, although the Rebels come in on a 2-game losing skid.

Wed., Dec. 27

Military Bowl: Virginia Tech over Tulane, in a game close to home with a defense that can pull out the win, against a team that just lost its coach and a shot at a New Year's bowl game.

Duke's Mayo Bowl: West Virginia over North Carolina, thanks to the Mountaineers' more impressive balance and some expected Tar Heel opt-outs, including quarterback Drake Maye.

Holiday Bowl: Louisville over USC, as the Cardinals are more balanced and should find some angles against the Trojans' deservedly-maligned defense.

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M over Oklahoma State, since the Aggies should have the bodies up front to thwart the Cowboys' strong ground attack.

Thurs., Dec. 28

Fenway Bowl: SMU over Boston College, after the Mustangs were deprived a New Year's game despite winning the AAC and playing stronger defense.

Pinstripe Bowl: Miami (Fla.) over Rutgers, for just being the overall more talented team, although the Scarlet Knights defense will keep it close.

Pop-Tarts Bowl: NC State over Kansas State, behind a better defense and since the Wildcats lost quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal.

Alamo Bowl: Arizona over Oklahoma, as the Wildcats have built some tremendous momentum, especially on offense, and the Sooners just lost their quarterback.

Fri., Dec. 29

Gator Bowl: Clemson over Kentucky, as the Tigers' defense should contain UK's attempt to control the game on the ground.

Sun Bowl: Notre Dame over Oregon State, although the Irish won't have quarterback Sam Hartman, but the Beavers won't have back Damien Martinez after a suspension.

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State over Memphis, with the Cyclones playing improved offensively, and a strong pass defense.

Sat., Dec. 30

Music City Bowl: Maryland over Auburn, since the Terrapins play a more varied kind of offense compared to the Tigers' one-dimensional approach.

Arizona Bowl: Toledo over Wyoming, although the latter can play tough defense, the Rockets have the skill threats to make the difference.

Mon., Jan. 1

ReliaQuest Bowl: LSU over Wisconsin, as it boasts college football's top offense and the Badgers will be without star back Braelon Allen.

Citrus Bowl: Tennessee over Iowa, as the Volunteers' front seven should easily gain the edge against the Hawkeyes' legendarily-anemic offense, although Iowa's D can get some pressure and is strong against the pass, too.

New Year's Six Bowl Games

Fri., Dec. 29

Cotton Bowl: Missouri over Ohio State, with the Buckeyes losing key playmakers and, although they play stronger defense, the Tigers have elite offensive weapons.

Sat., Dec. 30

Peach Bowl: Penn State over Ole Miss, because even though the Rebs play an aggressive brand of offense, the Lions are college football's top defense.

Orange Bowl: Georgia over Florida State, after watching the Seminoles offense since Jordan Travis' injury and the Bulldogs' deep front-seven rotation and balanced offense.

Mon., Jan. 1

Fiesta Bowl: Oregon over Liberty, although the Flames lead college football in rushing and will be more inspired to play the game, the Ducks have a superior scrimmage defense.

College Football Playoff

Mon., Jan. 1

Rose Bowl: Alabama over Michigan, because, even though the Wolverines pack a punch on both sides of the ball, the talent and speed discrepancy between the SEC and Big Ten just repeatedly becomes apparent in postseason games.

Sugar Bowl: Washington over Texas, thanks to the Huskies' uber-productive passing attack against a susceptible Longhorn secondary, and by largely circumnavigating a strong Texas front seven by not emphasizing too heavily on the run.

National Championship Game

Alabama over Washington. Who thought back in September that the Crimson Tide would be in the race for the title? But thanks to a strong defense and an attack that has capitalized on quarterback Jalen Milroe's mobility and improved accuracy, Nick Saban could be on the cusp of his most impressive coaching job yet.