College football picks and preview for the New Year's Six bowls and more

This was slated to be a matchup featuring two of the top players in the country -- Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker. However, both opted out, leaving the game starless (though keep an eye on MSU receiver Jayden Reed), but still expected to be competitive. The Panthers rolled over Wake Forest 45-21 for their fifth consecutive win and ACC title. The Spartans, meanwhile, look to end the season on a positive note after going 2-2 following that 8-0 start.

Prediction: Michigan State (-2 1/2)

Undefeated Cincinnati , the first team from a Group of Five conference to reach the College Football Playoff, gets its shot. One of the most balanced teams in the nation averaging 39.2 points and allowing 16.1 per contest), the Bearcats have just one loss in their last 23 games. However, the defending national champion Crimson Tide are truly rolling behind Heisman winner Bryce Young (4,322 yards, 43 touchdowns, four interceptions). Everybody loves an underdog, but is Cincinnati really in the same class as Alabama?

Prediction: Alabama (-13 1/2)

Jim Harbaugh finally beat Ohio State, then won that elusive Big Ten title with the Wolverines, who average 223.8 yards on the ground and feature a defense giving up 16.1 points per contest. However, Georgia allows a national-leading 9.5 points but has to regroup after that 41-24 loss to Alabama in the SEC title game. The challenge for Michigan will come on the field, while the Bulldogs need to regain their mental confidence in a matchup that could be the best of the entire 2021-22 bowl slate.

Prediction: Michigan (+7 1/2)

As is the case this time of year with non-CFP bowls, the opt-out tracker remains front and center. Penn State could be down a host of key contributors in a game it could have a challenge trying to win. The Nittany Lions went 2-4 against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25, but those four losses came by a total of 19 points. Meanwhile, it's been a special season for Arkansas, which secured its first winning campaign since 2016 thanks to an offense that averages 31.5 points.

Prediction: Arkansas (+1)

Iowa's quarterback situation involving Spencer Petras (1,669 yards) and Alex Padilla (636 yards) might be the most intriguing pregame storyline at this point. Especially after the Hawkeyes, riding a three-game bowl winning streak, were limited to three points against Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game. Kentucky has also won three consecutive bowl games and its final three regular-season contests. The Wildcats might have the two best skill players on the field in receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (94 receptions, 1,164 yards, seven touchdowns) and running back Chris Rodriguez (1,272 yards, eight touchdowns).

Prediction: Iowa (+3)

It's Marcus Freeman's time to shine with the Irish, who have won seven in a row and outscored their last four opponents 162-23. He's the future of a program that appears to be in good hands. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong season but must find a way to rebound from that harrowing 21-16 loss to Baylor in the Big 12 title game. Having star running back Jaylen Warren (1,134 yards, 11 touchdowns) on the field after missing that contest would provide a huge boost for the Cowboys.

Prediction: Notre Dame (-2 1/2)

This is a historic moment for the Utah program, playing in its first Rose Bowl. The Utes have won six in a row, including two victories over Oregon to claim the Pac-12 title, while outscoring those opponents 238-90 in the process. Ohio State, however, isn't where it wants to be at this point in the season, and its fan base apparently has lost some interest in this matchup. Losing to Michigan ended the Buckeyes' national title hopes, so it will be interesting to see how motivated they are against an opponent playing the biggest game in program history. Ohio State's C.J. Stroud (70.9 completion percentage, 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns, five) gets his rightful praise, but don't sleep on Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (2,279 yards, 18 touchdowns, five interceptions; 407 rushing yards, five touchdowns).

Prediction: Utah (+6 1/2)

Dave Aranda's Baylor group enters the Sugar Bowl as Big 12 champs but still seems to be flying under the radar. The Bears enter on a four-game winning streak, during which only one opponent scored more than 16 points. That Baylor defense, however, will be put to the test against Matt Corral (68.4 completion percentage, 3,339 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, four interceptions) and an Ole Miss offense that averages 35.9 points per contest.

Prediction: Mississippi (-1)

Does it really make sense to have a middling bowl game after the CFP semifinals and before the national championship game? We get one again, like it or not. Kansas State is expected to have a full roster while trying to avoid ending the season with a third straight defeat. LSU, meanwhile, reportedly has roughly 50 scholarship players available and a question mark at quarterback for this contest as it eyes a future with new coach Brian Kelly.

Prediction: Kansas State (-3 1/2)

After failing to reach the "2020" FCS title game last Spring, NDSU is back and looking to pad its record with a ninth championship. The Bison, whose eight titles have all come since the start of the 2011 season, are a balanced and deep squad that rallied by rival James Madison 20-14 in the semifinals. Montana State, meanwhile, is back in the championship game for the first time since winning its only crown in 1984. Though the Bobcats, who have lost their last three meetings with NDSU by an average margin of 31.7 points, face a stiff challenge, they boast one of the nation's top rushers in Isaiah Ifanse (1,539 yards, 10 touchdowns).

Prediction: NDSU (-8)