College football bowl games, schedule 2023-24: Predictions, picks for each matchup

Locking in our predictions for the 2023-24 College Football Bowl Season games, including the playoff and national championship

The regular season is over, a very controversial Selection Sunday has come and gone, the Heisman Trophy has been handed out, the transfer portal is open, and the coaching carousel is spinning off its axis once again. Now comes the next phase of the 2023 calendar, as College Football Bowl Season kicks off around the country, leading into the national championship. Making predictions for bowl games is famously difficult, given the opt-outs, transfers, and coaching changes. But we soldier on, locking in our picks for each matchup in one sentence.

Predicting every game for College Football Bowl Season

Predictions for College Football Bowl Season / USA Today Images

Tues., Dec. 26

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota over Bowling Green, given the Gophers should have the edge running the football against a struggling Falcons rush defense.

First Responder Bowl: Tex. State over Rice, behind an offense that ranks 10th nationally with almost 471 total yards per game.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas over UNLV, in a battle of two talented offenses, although the Rebels could struggle containing the Jayhawks' front and run game.

Wed., Dec. 27

Military Bowl: Virginia Tech over Tulane, in a game close to home with a defense that can pull out the win, against a team that just lost its coach and a shot at a New Year's bowl game.

Duke's Mayo Bowl: West Virginia over North Carolina, thanks to the Mountaineers' more impressive balance and some expected Tar Heel opt-outs, including quarterback Drake Maye.

Holiday Bowl: Louisville over USC, as the Cardinals are more balanced and should find some angles against the Trojans' deservedly-maligned defense.

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M over Oklahoma State, since the Aggies should have the bodies up front to thwart the Cowboys' strong ground attack.

Thurs., Dec. 28

Fenway Bowl: SMU over Boston College, after the Mustangs were deprived a New Year's game despite winning the AAC and playing stronger defense.

Pinstripe Bowl: Miami (Fla.) over Rutgers, for just being the overall more talented team, although the Scarlet Knights defense will keep it close.

Pop-Tarts Bowl: NC State over Kansas State, behind a better defense and since the Wildcats lost quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal.

Alamo Bowl: Arizona over Oklahoma, as the Wildcats have built some tremendous momentum, especially on offense, and the Sooners just lost their quarterback.

Fri., Dec. 29

Gator Bowl: Clemson over Kentucky, as the Tigers' defense should contain UK's attempt to control the game on the ground.

Sun Bowl: Notre Dame over Oregon State, although the Irish won't have quarterback Sam Hartman, but the Beavers won't have back Damien Martinez after a suspension.

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State over Memphis, with the Cyclones playing improved offensively, and a strong pass defense.

Sat., Dec. 30

Music City Bowl: Maryland over Auburn, since the Terrapins play a more varied kind of offense compared to the Tigers' one-dimensional approach.

Arizona Bowl: Toledo over Wyoming, although the latter can play tough defense, the Rockets have the skill threats to make the difference.

Mon., Jan. 1

ReliaQuest Bowl: LSU over Wisconsin, as it boasts college football's top offense and the Badgers will be without star back Braelon Allen.

Citrus Bowl: Tennessee over Iowa, as the Volunteers' front seven should easily gain the edge against the Hawkeyes' legendarily-anemic offense, although Iowa's D can get some pressure and is strong against the pass, too.

New Year's Six Bowl Games

Picks for college football's biggest bowl games / USA Today Images

Fri., Dec. 29

Cotton Bowl: Missouri over Ohio State, with the Buckeyes losing key playmakers and, although they play stronger defense, the Tigers have elite offensive weapons.

Sat., Dec. 30

Peach Bowl: Penn State over Ole Miss, because even though the Rebs play an aggressive brand of offense, the Lions are college football's top defense.

Orange Bowl: Georgia over Florida State, after watching the Seminoles offense since Jordan Travis' injury and the Bulldogs' deep front-seven rotation and balanced offense.

Mon., Jan. 1

Fiesta Bowl: Oregon over Liberty, although the Flames lead college football in rushing and will be more inspired to play the game, the Ducks have a superior scrimmage defense.

College Football Playoff

Playoff semifinal game predictions / USA Today Images

Mon., Jan. 1

Rose Bowl: Alabama over Michigan, because, even though the Wolverines pack a punch on both sides of the ball, the talent and speed discrepancy between the SEC and Big Ten just repeatedly becomes apparent in postseason games.

Sugar Bowl: Washington over Texas, thanks to the Huskies' uber-productive passing attack against a susceptible Longhorn secondary, and by largely circumnavigating a strong Texas front seven by not emphasizing too heavily on the run.

National Championship Game

Alabama over Washington. Who thought back in September that the Crimson Tide would be in the race for the title? But thanks to a strong defense and an attack that has capitalized on quarterback Jalen Milroe's mobility and improved accuracy, Nick Saban could be on the cusp of his most impressive coaching job yet.

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks