Welcome to the locks! We’ve got a weird bowl season upon us that kind of took us by surprise, but we’ll be covering all the bowl games leading up to the playoffs, which will be a different article, so be on the lookout! We’re still not sure who’s opting out, so some of this is subject to change. We’ll just be picking outright winners, not ATS.
Jake convinced me to be apart of this bowl pick ’em, which is all fun until you realize you also have to pick a bunch of games against teams you haven’t even seen play this year. So let’s just roll with it. Admittedly, some of these are just straight up guesses, so if Jake loses to me, he’s a scrub and doesn’t know anything about football.
Just a reminder, one of us went 36-19 on Gambling Locks, and it wasn’t Chase
12/22: Idaho Potato Bowl: Nevada vs Tulane (-3.5)
Jake’s Pick — Tulane
Love Willie Fritz, and Tulane has a lot of talent on defense and a fantastic pass rusher in Patrick Johnson. Green Wave rolls to their 7th win.
Chase’s Pick — Tulane
Couldn’t name a player on either team, but I went to LSU — Tulane is in New Orleans — I’ll go with the Green Wave.
12/22: Boca Raton Bowl: UCF vs BYU (-4.5)
Jake’s Pick — BYU
BYU caps off a pretty good season, and future Falcon Zach Wilson balls out in his last game to cement his status as a top 5 pick. I think this one is close, but BYU pulls away at the end.
Chase’s Pick — BYU
UCF has enough talent to keep this one close, and who knows how motivated BYU will be after losing to Coastal Carolina and being left out of the New Year’s Six. However, I think the Cougars are just good enough to where it doesn’t matter.
12/23: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Georgia Southern (-5.5) vs Louisiana Tech
Jake’s Pick — Georgia Southern
Of course I’m going with my undergrad alma mater here. Shai Werts has the 2nd most rushing yards in the FBS by a QB, and Louisiana Tech gives up 151 rushing YPG. Not a good recipe against an option offense. Eags by 3 scores.
Chase’s Pick — Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern Big.
12/23: Montgomery Bowl: Florida Atlantic vs Memphis (-9.5)
Jake’s Pick — Memphis
Picking all these favorites is making me nervous, but Willie Taggart has had tons of COVID issues at FAU this season. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re working with a thin roster.
Chase’s Pick — Memphis
Tigers by two scores.
12/24: New Mexico Bowl: Hawaii vs Houston (-10.5)
Jake’s Pick — Houston
I’ll ride with the big favorite here, I’d be lying if I said I watched a lot of either of these teams.
Chase’s Pick — Houston
Houston by a country mile.
12/25: Camellia Bowl: Buffalo (-3) vs Marshall
Jake’s Pick — Marshall
I gotta pick an underdog eventually, give me the Thundering Herd here. Jarrett Patterson is a problem, but I like Marshall’s offense to win a shootout.
Chase’s Pick — Marshall
Marshall has been getting exposed recently, but I think they end the year on a high note with a win over Buffalo
12/26: Gasparilla Bowl: South Carolina vs UAB (-5)
Jake’s Pick — UAB
I was gonna take UAB to mix in an underdog, but they’re favored against a pretty bad USC team now led by Mike Bobo. With a slew of players already opting out, I wouldn’t be surprised if more did. Bill Clark and the C-USA winning Blazers by 2 scores.
Chase’s Pick — UAB
Nobody on that South Carolina team wants to be in this bowl game. UAB by double digits.
12/26: Cure Bowl: Coastal Carolina (-6) vs Liberty
Jake’s Pick — Coastal Carolina
With all types of rumors surrounding Hugh Freeze, I like the Chants to cap off the best season in school history. I think Liberty covers and this ends up being one of the best bowl games of the year.
Chase’s Pick — Liberty
Upset, just because I can. In this battle of two of my favorite winners this season, I’m taking Liberty to upset Coastal Carolina and ruin their perfect season.
12/26: First Responder Bowl: Louisiana (-13) vs UTSA
Jake’s Pick — Louisiana
Don’t overthink this one. Billy Napier is a great coach, this one might get ugly.
Chase’s Pick — Louisiana
Not even close, take ULL.
12/26: Lending Tree Bowl: Georgia State (-5) vs Western Kentucky
Jake’s Pick — Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers started 1-4 before rallying to win their last 3 games, so I’ll take the team with the momentum. Expect a lot of points in this one.
Chase’s Pick — Georgia State
Panthers by a field goal
12/29: Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma State (-3) vs Miami
Jake’s Pick — Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State had one of the best defenses in the B12 this season, and I expect players like Quincy Roche to opt out along with Jaelan Phillips. Miami quits in these type of games, give me the Pokes.
Chase’s Pick — Miami
I’m not a huge Miami guy, but I think they can make enough plays in this game offensively to win.
12/29: Alamo Bowl: Texas (-12) vs Colorado
Jake’s Pick — Colorado
Buffs went 4-1 this season, but I just think Tom Herman is a whiner and I love fading Texas. Colorado pulls off the upset.
Chase’s Pick — Colorado
Don’t know anything about the Buffs, but I’m picking them to win because I think they have a lot more to play for.
12/30: Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wisconsin (-7) vs Wake Forest
Jake’s Pick — Wisconsin
Wake had a good season, but I love Graham Mertz. Give me the Badgers.
Chase’s Pick — Wisconsin
Badgers by 2 scores.
12/30: Music City Bowl: Iowa (-14) vs Missouri
Jake’s Pick — Iowa
I think Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes get the win, but Missouri keeps it close and covers.
Chase’s Pick — Iowa
Too much talent on Iowa for Missouri to overcome, but this one could be closer than most think.
12/31: Armed Forces Bowl: Tulsa (-2) vs Mississippi State
Jake’s Pick — Tulsa
Mike Leach will be in his bag for this game, but Tulsa is a really good football team. Big day for Future Falcon Zaven Collins as well.
Chase’s Pick — Tulsa
This game won’t be close. Tulsa rolls.
12/31: Liberty Bowl: Army (?) vs West Virginia
Jake’s Pick — Army
Give me the troops! It was so dumb they weren’t in a bowl game over Tennessee, and I think they dust West Virginia and Neal Brown. Jeff Monken gets his team to 10 wins.
Chase’s Pick — Army
C’mon… Army all the way.
12/31: Arizona Bowl: San Jose State (-7) vs Ball State
Jake’s Pick — San Jose State
The Spartans had the quietest undefeated season in CFB and won the Mountain West, I think this one is a really good game with San Jose State winning close.
Chase’s Pick — San Jose State
San Jose State rolls, finishing their perfect season.
12/31: Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs TCU (-5)
Jake’s Pick — Arkansas
I love what Sam Pittman is doing with the Hogs, and they have a lot to prove. Get the mashed potatoes ready!
Chase’s Pick — Arkansas
Razorbacks end the year on a high note with a quality victory over TCU.
1/1: Citrus Bowl: Northwestern (-3.5) vs Auburn
Jake’s Pick — Northwestern
Look, this one was tough for me. Auburn is a MESS right now, and I love Pat Fitzgerald and what he’s done. Auburn may come out as a live dog and surprise everyone, but for now — I’m going with Northwestern.
Chase’s Pick — Northwestern
Northwestern takes care of business against an Auburn team that disappointed the entire season.
1/2: Gator Bowl: Kentucky (-3) vs NC State
Jake’s Pick — NC State
I’m taking the dog here (literally), and NC State was a very surprisingly good team in 2020. Kentucky took a step back this year, so why not — give me the Wolfpack.
Chase’s Pick — NC State
I don’t trust the Wildcats here.
1/2: Outback Bowl: Indiana (-7) vs Ole Miss
Jake’s Pick — Indiana
I wanted to go Ole Miss here and Lane Kiffin’s high flying offense, but I just can’t fade Tom Allen. I love that guy. Hoosiers get it done, even without Penix.
Chase’s Pick — Indiana
This one could be fun, but I expect Indiana to win.
New Years Six & Playoffs:
12/30: Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma vs Florida (-3)
Jake’s Pick — Oklahoma
I think Florida is in a letdown spot and Oklahoma gets the best of them, but barely.
Chase’s Pick — Oklahoma
Sooners come up with their biggest win of the Spencer Rattler era and finally beat an SEC opponent, ending 2020 on a high note and beginning the Sooners hype train heading into next season.
1/1: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Georgia (-7) vs Cincinnati
Jake’s Pick — Georgia
As a UGA student, this game makes me nauseous. Big time letdown spot for UGA against a Cincinnati team with a lot to prove, but I think the dawgs show up and get it done with JT Daniels is looking very impressive.
Chase’s Pick — Georgia
Georgia has been a different team with J.T. Daniels under center. Who knows why it took them so long to start him, but I think Georgia has a lot to play for in this one, and they take care of business against an undefeated Cincinnati team.
1/2: Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs Iowa State (-4.5)
Jake’s Pick — Oregon
I think Matt Campbell is nails and I like the Cyclones a lot, but I think Oregon gets up and plays their best game of the season for Mario Cristobal.
Chase’s Pick — Iowa State
Close game. Iowa State wins by a field goal.
1/2: Orange Bowl: Texas A&M (-4.5) vs North Carolina
Jake’s Pick — A&M
Aggies come out pissed off with something to prove and steamroll Sam Howell and a good UNC team.
Chase’s Pick — UNC
The team that finishes #5 in the final CFB Playoff poll rarely shows up for their bowl game. On top of that, I just don’t think A&M is very good. They are in a position for a monster let down. I actually think this one could get ugly in favor of UNC.
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Photo: Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire
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