Consider opt-outs when picking games
Liberty Bowl (Dec. 28); 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Kansas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6): The Jayhawks are back in a bowl game for the first time since the 2008 Insight Bowl against Minnesota. Arkansas has had an up-and-down season, ticking off wins over bowl teams Cincinnati, Mississippi and South Carolina, but also posting losses to Liberty and Missouri, among others. The Razorbacks have a bevy of opt-outs and transfer portal players, including their top two leading tacklers (Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool), who want to preserve themselves for the NFL draft. WR Jadon Haselwood is also an opt-out, taking away an option for all-everything QB KJ Jefferson. The Hogs still have Jefferson, though, the best player on either side, and he’ll shine in a surprisingly entertaining game.
Pick: Arkansas (-3)
Cheez-It Bowl (Dec. 29); 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Oklahoma (6-6) vs. No. 13 Florida State (9-3):
It’s like a recording. Optouts and portal departures have been crushing teams during bowl season, and the Sooners are definitely no exception. OT Wanya Morris is projected as an early-round NFL draft pick, so he is playing it safe, while leading rusher RB Eric Gray (1,364 rush yards, 11 TD) joins him in the draft pool. Those are big losses for an OU team that was already rather ordinary. In fact, the Sooners are just 1-6 against the spread (ATS) in the past seven games against winning teams. FSU is rather fortunate, as it didn’t have any notable departures at press time. Advantage Seminoles, and FSU will not only feed off the energy of a full team, but it will likely feed off the energy of a pro-Florida State crowd playing in Orlando.
Pick: Florida State (-9.5)
Gator Bowl (Dec. 30); 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 20 Notre Dame (8-4) vs. No. 19 South Carolina (8-4): The Irish were
stunned when QB Drew Pyne elected to hit the transfer portal, while TE Michael Mayer and edge rusher rusher Isaiah Foskey opted out to get ready for the draft. QB Tyler Buchner has been practicing, as he recovers from surgery on his left non-throwing shoulder. He hasn’t played since early September. If he can’t start, it would be QB Steve Angeli, who has not thrown a pass in a collegiate game. South Carolina, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back wins over Tennessee and Clemson, and the Gamecocks are riding as high as they’ve been in quite some time. The fact South Carolina is catching points is a late holiday gift. Take advantage.
Pick: South Carolina (+2.5)
Cotton Bowl (Jan. 2); 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 17 Tulane (11-2) vs. No. 8 USC
(11-2): Tulane has been a feel-good story. However, while the Green Wave have a nice win over Kansas State and an OT win at Houston, the rest of the schedule wasn’t terribly impressive. USC has wins over Fresno State, Notre Dame, Oregon State and UCLA. The Trojans are a playoff-caliber team, and they sport Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams. USC will head to Jerry World looking to make a statement after the Utes bumped the Trojans from College Football Playoff consideration in the Pac-12 Championship Game. USC will either be flat or angry. Expect the latter.
Pick: USC (-2.5)