UNLV vs Kansas

Tuesday, December 26
6:00 pm PT, ESPN
Phoenix, AZ

This game feels tricky because of the quarterback situation.

Kansas’s signal-caller Jason Bean has proven solid but he’s not Tom Brady. It’s also important to note that the Jayhawks have two offensive linemen who are probably not at 100 percent.

With that being stated, KU’s backfield of Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. bring some “Wham!” to the Jayhawks offense.

For UNLV, this feels like one of those games that depends on the quarterback-receiver combination.

If Jayden Maiava and Ricky White can find a rhythm and connect on a big play or two, the Rebels might be able to do some thangs.

But this will probably be difficult against Kansas’ Top 50 secondary. UNLV’s run defense has also struggled to play at a guaranteed rate all season, which is why the Jayhawks will win. That had to be done.

KU by eleven.

Kansas 38, UNLV 27

USC vs No. 15 Louisville

Wednesday, December 27
5:00 pm PT, FOX
San Diego, CA

USC’s season has felt long.

It was a long time ago that they were 5-0 before everything slowly began to fall apart. As it currently stands, the Trojans enter this matchup 7-5 on the backend on a three-game stinker.

If USC is  going to win this matchup they’ll need to find some offensive production from new dudes. Caleb Williams, MarShawn Lloyd, and wide receiver Brenden Rice are all opts-outs for this contest.

For Louisville, this game is all about how they’ll respond to their first losing streak of the season. The Cardinals enter this contest after a loss to Kentucky to end the regular season and Florida State in the ACC Championship.

Louisville will also be without their top two playmakers in running back Jawhar Jordan and wideout Jamari Thrash.

This feels odd, but USC’s 125th ranked scoring defense is going to do just enough to win this game.

Trojans slide by.

USC 31, Louisville 28

No. 14 Arizona vs No. 12 Oklahoma

Thursday, December 28
6:15 pm PT, ESPN
San Antonio, TX

This is one of the tougher bowl games to pick, kinda.

Arizona enters this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the country and features a flashy offense. The Wildcats also enter the Alamo with the 27th-ranked scoring defense in the country.

The key for AZ is how freshman quarterback Noah Fifita performs against an opponent of this magnitude.

For Oklahoma, it’s all about how backup quarterback Jackson Arnold plays with Dillon Gabriel transferring to Oregon. The Sooners scoring offense ranks third in the nation but that’s including Gabriel’s 42 touchdowns.

OU will also need to stop dominant wideout Tetairoa McMillan from making TSN’s Top Ten Plays. Oklahoma’s scoring defense ranks 40th in the nation.

Maybe big brands are hot, or maybe the Sooners are just a little too deep.

Oklahoma survives.

Oklahoma 28, Arizona 27

No. 19 Oregon State vs No. 16 Notre Dame

Friday, December 29
11:00 am PT, CBS
El Paso, TX

So there was this really cool story about this guy named Jonathan Smith who went back to his alma mater and got them into big games against storied teams like Notre Dame and then radio edit.

But in this new age of college football, feelings don’t matter.

On the field, most of the notable players opted out of this game. Oregon State is starting quarterback Ben Gulbranson who they found working at Blockbuster. It’s been that long.

Steve Angeli is starting for the Fighting Irish in place of Sam Hartman. Gulbranson has more experience but the Irish probably have more depth as a team.

And for that reason, OSU’s going to win.

Oregon State 24, Notre Dame 23

Happy Holidays!