Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – #8 USC vs. #5 Ohio State
Las Vegas spread: Ohio State -7
On paper, this should be a great game. Two classic schools competing in a classic bowl game. USC has had a resurgence over the past couple of years, and Ohio State is in the national title picture almost every season.
With that being said, Ohio State has the advantage offensively, defensively, and in strength of schedule. Not to mention, they are probably pretty upset with not being selected to go to the College Football Playoff and will be out to prove a point at the expense of USC. To me this is an easy pick, and my data indicates the Buckeyes as 75-25 favorites. I don’t know if I like them -7 points, but I put 38 confidence points on them.
Capital One Orange Bowl – #10 Miami vs. #6 Wisconsin
Las Vegas spread: Wisconsin -6.5
Another great matchup until you look into the numbers, Wisconsin should win the Orange Bowl in convincing fashion. Miami has been atrocious in their past two games, losing to Pittsburgh to ruin their national title hopes, and losing to Clemson 38-3 to lose the ACC title game. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has one loss this year, and it was to a team many believe is one of the four best teams in the country – Ohio State. Wisconsin took a lot of heat for their weak strength of schedule, but they were actually rated 20th overall in that category. Wisconsin’s real strength is their defense, and Miami has scored a combined 17 points in their last two games.
Vilma and Chizik took Miami for 17 and 6 confidence points, respectively, due to Miami’s speed on game tape. How strange does that sound after all of the points I just mentioned? McElroy picked Wisconsin for 33 and I’m taking them for 36. We need this, Greg!
College Football Playoff at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Las Vegas spread: Alabama -2
If you are a fan of college football and you’re not excited for this game, well, that’s impossible. This is the third time these teams have met in the College Football Playoff in the past three years, and will be the rematch of last year’s legendary National Championship game where Clemson won on Deshaun Watson’s final drive of his college career. Maybe you’ve heard of him?
Not known for their offense, Alabama actually comes in as the stronger offensive team. Clemson has been adequate offensively this year, but I could see them having a difficult time moving the ball against the always elite Crimson Tide defense.
As much as I hate to do this, I would almost throw out all numbers for this game since they are so close. I just like Alabama here. There was discussion that they wouldn’t even be selected as one of the four playoff teams due to their loss against Auburn, but the committee awarded them a spot and they opened as the Vegas favorites to win the title. Not only do I think they win this game, but they will also get back on top of the college football world with another National Championship.
