College football bowl picks: Predictions for every postseason game through the playoff – USA TODAY
After an unexpected and thrilling regular season, 84 college football teams emerged to extend their campaigns. They will make up the largest postseason schedule in history. The lineup during the three-week extravaganza will included 42 bowl games followed by the College Football Playoff championship game in Indianapolis.
The semifinals will see two newcomers and one one-time entrant join powerhouse Alabama. The Crimson Tide face Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl with the Bearcats the first Group of Five team to make the field. Alabama, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, will be seeking its seventh national title under Nick Saban.
The Orange Bowl has Michigan making its playoff debut against Georgia. The Wolverines already have broken two significant streaks by winning the Big Ten for the first time since 2004 and ending an eight-game skid to rival Ohio State.
POSTSEASON LINEUP: Complete bowl schedule and results
The rest of the New Year’s Six bowls are without two familiar faces as Clemson and Oklahoma miss out for the first time after six consecutive appearances.
Joining for the first time is Utah, which faces Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Pittsburgh is another newbie as the Panthers meet Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. The Fiesta Bowl sees Oklahoma State and Notre Dame face off for the first time. Baylor and Mississippi clash in the Sugar Bowl.
Among other notable matchups, Bob Stoops will return to the Oklahoma sideline as interim coach as the Sooners meet Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. Mississippi State coach Mike Leach faces former school Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl.
Our expert picks for all the games:
