College Football Picks: College Football Bowl Game Picks, Part 2
The second wave of 2023 bowl season delivers the start of marquee games around college football.
So far, the 17 tilts between FBS programs have not included a ranked team. Beginning on Dec. 26, though, the matchups over a three-day period feature a pair of Top 25 clashes and seven ranked teams.
Among the most notable showdowns is the Alamo Bowl, which pits No. 14 Arizona against No. 12 Oklahoma.
B/R has a final prediction for that contest, along with the 10 other bowl games on the upcoming slate.
Quick Lane Bowl: Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7), 2 p.m. ET
Because of transfers, Minnesota is starting third-string quarterback Cole Kramer. Incidentally, the career backup ran for a touchdown during a 2021 loss to Bowling Green. As long as BGSU's defense continues to carry the team, the Falcons can secure their first eight-win record since 2015.
Prediction: Bowling Green 24, Minnesota 17
First Responder Bowl: Texas State (7-5) vs. Rice (6-6), 5:30 p.m. ET
Texas State surrendered 30-plus points in eight games this season, and Rice is fully capable of making it nine. However, a potent offense helped Texas State overcome that weakness. Rice should push the Bobcats, but they'll earn the program's first-ever bowl victory.
Prediction: Texas State 34, Rice 30
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas (8-4) vs. UNLV (9-4), 9 p.m. ET
UNLV limped to the finish, ceding 534 rushing yards in late losses to San Jose State and Boise State. That's a concerning trend heading into a matchup with Kansas, which is ninth nationally in rushing yards per game.
Prediction: Kansas 38, UNLV 27
Military Bowl: Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Tulane (11-2), 2 p.m. ET
Highlighted by quarterback Michael Pratt, opt-outs and transfers have created a short-handed Tulane team for the bowl. This is a great opportunity for Virginia Tech, which opened the season 1-3, to close the campaign on a winning note.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Tulane 23
Mayo Bowl: North Carolina (8-4) vs. West Virginia (8-4), 5:30 p.m. ET
North Carolina, similarly, will be dealing with the absences of quarterback Drake Maye, receiver Tez Walker and linebacker Cedric Gray, among others. UNC's defense collapsed down the stretch, and an offense sans Maye and Walker is a major concern. West Virginia's powerful rushing attack may control the night.
Prediction: West Virginia 35, North Carolina 24
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Louisville (10-3) vs. USC (7-5), 8 p.m. ET
What should we expect here? Louisville has a stingy defense, while USC's unit has been a mess. From a talent perspective, USC's offense is more dangerous, but Miller Moss is set to replace Caleb Williams. I'll lean on UL's defense, although it's not a confident pick.
Prediction: Louisville 27, USC 22
Texas Bowl: Texas A&M (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (9-4), 9 p.m. ET
Wednesday's slate has quite a trend, huh? Texas A&M must handle a slew of opt-outs and transfers while playing for an interim coach, too. Now that Oklahoma State knows star running back Ollie Gordon II is coming back, the Pokes are well-built for a charge at a 10th victory.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 26, Texas A&M 23
Fenway Bowl: SMU (11-2) vs. Boston College (6-6), 11 a.m. ET
Next season, this would be a conference game. Boston College probably won't enjoy its introduction to SMU, which boasted a shockingly great defense in 2023. The unit ascended from 105th in yards allowed per play to seventh this season. Even without injured QB Preston Stone, the Mustangs are the clear favorite.
Prediction: SMU 26, Boston College 17
Miami is rolling out third-string quarterback Jacurri Brown and must replace a few impactful NFL-bound defenders. Rutgers has a limited offense, though, so the 'Canes should be able to clip an old Big East counterpart and muster their second bowl victory in the past 15 years.
Prediction: Miami 24, Rutgers 16
Pop-Tarts Bowl: North Carolina State (9-3) vs. Kansas State (8-4), 5:45 p.m. ET
More backup quarterbacks! Kansas State starter Will Howard entered the transfer portal, nudging dual-threat freshman Avery Johnson into the lineup. It'll be a tough debut opposite a NC State defense that barely yields 100 rushing yards per game.
Prediction: NC State 23, Kansas State 20
Alamo Bowl: Arizona (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (10-2), 9:15 p.m. ET
The most-anticipated backup of bowl season is Jackson Arnold, a former top prospect who is primed to replace Dillon Gabriel as OU's full-time starter in 2024. The challenge for the Sooners is slowing a surging Arizona squad, which enters on a six-game winning streak. Arizona pulls out a tight one, recording only the fourth 10-win season in program history.
Prediction: Arizona 30, Oklahoma 27
