Four exciting, though odd months of college football, come down to the final day of the bowling season. The final two New Year’s six games are contested with the Fiesta Bowl going ahead of the Orange Bowl, on a four-game day ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship, which is being played nine days from now.
No. 10 Iowa State, after a deficit at the Big Ten Championship Game, is likely to end the biggest season in program history with a big win in the coming, while Oregon no. 25 hope to take further momentum in the 2021 season after a surprise contest and a victory in the Pac-12 championship game
5 Texas A&M will try to prove that it had to be the final team in the College Football Playoff, as North Carolina looks like No. 13 on a high note after some tough losses that tainted a campaign. that the tar heels were hoping that the ACC championship railing would lead.
So what will take off on Saturday, and which teams should you take back over the course of the day? Our CBS Sports College football experts share their insights on the four games and offer their choice against the distribution as well as straight. Click on the game names below for a more detailed look at each game.
Gator Bowl: (23) NC State vs Kentucky
Last chance:
Kentucky Wildcats -2.5
Yes, even though NC State is ranked and Kentucky is 4-6, it is the Wildcats who are favored in this game. How is this possible? Well, first of all, public perception has a lot to do with it. If the general public watches this game, they see an SEC team against an ACC team that is not considered one of the elite programs of the conference, and that will send them to the SEC team. Now I will not lie. The fact that Kentucky is preferred makes me wonder if there is something the strangers know that I do not know, but I am not going to ignore it and go with common sense. Take the team that has been better all season. Select: NC State +2.5 | NC State 24, Kentucky 20 – Tom Fornelli
Outback Bowl: (11) Indiana teen Ole Miss
Last chance:
Indiana Hoosiers -9.5
Grab the points, but you do not need them, because Ole Miss will win this game straight. Although Elijah Moore and Kenny Yeboah will not be there, coach Lane Kiffin will have a lot up his sleeve and will want to present a program on national TV featuring world college football. Quarterback Matt Corral has moments of disability, but that will not happen now that he has had a little more time to hone his trade. Choose: Ole Miss (+8.5) | Ole Miss 45, Indiana 42 – Barrett Sallee
Fiesta Bowl: (10) Iowa State vs. (25) Oregon
Last chance:
Iowa State Cyclones -5
It’s true that Oregon is a little fresher than the state of Iowa. It will be interesting to see how much factor ends up. But the state of Iowa is about to have its best season ever with its most talented team ever. With the bitter taste of defeat from the Big 12 title game still in their mouths, the Cyclones are finding a way to end the season on a positive note. Select: Iowa State -4.5 | Iowa State 31, Oregon 24 – Ben Kercheval
Orange Bowl: (5) Texas A&M vs. (13) North Carolina
Last chance:
Texas A&M Aggies -7.5
I understand that North Carolina is missing a ton here and that his young defense will have his hands full with one of the best offensive lines in the country for Texas A&M, but last time I watched, Sam Howell was still playing in this match and that means back door will be absolutely open for the Tar Heels. I think the oddsmakers are also taking into account how little the spread has moved with the news of all the opt-outs, so give me Howell and the underdog Heels to make it exciting in the fourth quarter. Select: North Carolina +7.5 | Texas A&M 31, North Carolina 25 – Chip Patterson