Bowl bets: Picking winners for all 39 bowl games
Each week during the college football season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of picks.
Season Record
Gold/Silver/Bronze: 21-19-2
Other: 22-19
Twitter picks: 7-3
Overall: 50-41-2
Last year's Bowl picks: 24-15-1
Birmingham Bowl - South Florida (-2.5) vs. Texas Tech
Quinton Flowers and the high-powered South Florida offense against the air assault of Texas Tech could be the highest-scoring bowl game of the season. Both teams averaged over 34 points per contest on the season, and Flowers is coming off a 605-yard total offense performance in a loss to UCF to end the regular season. This one will be a track meet, but it's the Bulls' defense that will make the difference. South Florida ranks 37th in the country in points allowed per game, while the Red Raiders are significantly worse at 94th. Take the Bulls in this one. South Florida 40, Texas Tech 30
Holiday Bowl - Michigan State (+3) vs. Washington State
From 3-9 last year to 9-3 this year, 2017 was a remarkable turnaround for Michigan State. Its reward is a matchup with Washington State's high-powered offense in the Holiday Bowl. Once again, the Cougars have one of the nation's best passing attacks under Mike Leach, ranking second at 374 yards per contest. The Spartans' attack is more balanced, but have three passing games of 340-plus yards by Brian Lewerke on the season. Look for Michigan State to slow the Cougars passing game without leading receiver Tavares Martin Jr., and get the bowl victory for the Big Ten. Michigan State 31, Washington State 27
Military Bowl - Virginia (-2) vs. Navy
Virginia won't be fooled by the option-attack that Navy runs, as they already dealt with it earlier this year in a win over Georgia Tech. With weeks to prepare for their opponent, the Cavaliers should be well disciplined for the number of looks Navy can give, and the Midshipmen will be on an emotional low after losing to Army. Look for Kurt Benkert to open up the Navy defense with some deep passes and the Cavaliers to pull away late. Virginia 28, Navy 21
3 other matchups
Orange Bowl - Miami (+6.5) vs. Wisconsin
After winning the first 10 games of the season, Miami has crashed back to earth with losses to Pitt and Clemson. While those losses are concerning, the Hurricanes have been excellent at home this season, and the Orange Bowl is played at their home venue, Hard Rock Stadium. Wisconsin finally lost for the first time this season in the Big Ten title game with Alex Hornibrook struggling mightily without the usually dominant run game. Look for the Hurricanes to stack the box and force the Badgers pivot to make some throws against the ball-hawking secondary. That won't end well. Miami 27, Wisconsin 24
Heart of Dallas Bowl - West Virginia (+7) vs. Utah
It doesn't look like Will Grier will be healed in time to play in this one, but this spread still seems rather high for 6-6 Utah. The Utes breezed through non-conference play but were just 3-6 in the Pac-12. Dana Holgorsen and Jake Spavital have plenty of time to develop an offensive game plan without Grier and should be able to roll some points up on the Utes. Look for a big rushing day for the Mountaineers' stable of running backs and West Virginia to get the upset win. West Virginia 31, Utah 28
Cotton Bowl - USC (+7.5) vs. Ohio State
A blockbuster matchup for the Cotton Bowl sees traditional powerhouse programs USC and Ohio State face off. NFL scouts will be all over this contest to see how Sam Darnold fares against a pro-laden Buckeyes' defense. Darnold has shown numerous times he doesn't shy away from the big moment and this contest will be no different. Together with star running back Ronald Jones II, Darnold and USC will move the ball against the Buckeyes, who will still be smarting from missing out on the College Football Playoff. Darnold will end his college career with a win and head to the NFL with No. 1 pick buzz surrounding him. USC 33, Ohio State 30
Complete bowl picks
BOWL | PICK | OPPOSITION |
---|---|---|
New Orleans Bowl | North Texas +7 | Troy |
Cure Bowl | Western Kentucky +6.5 | Georgia State |
Las Vegas Bowl | Oregon -7.5 | Boise State |
New Mexico Bowl | Colorado State -5.5 | Marshall |
Camellia Bowl | Arkansas State -3.5 | Middle Tennessee |
Boca Raton Bowl | Florida Atlantic -22 | Akron |
Frisco Bowl | SMU -5 | Louisiana Tech |
Gasparilla Bowl | FIU +7.5 | Temple |
Bahamas Bowl | Ohio -7.5 | UAB |
Idaho Potato Bowl | Wyoming (pick) | Central Michigan |
Birmingham Bowl | South Florida -2.5 | Texas Tech |
Armed Forces Bowl | Army +7.5 | San Diego State |
Dollar General Bowl | Appalachian State +8 | Toledo |
Hawaii Bowl | Fresno State +2.5 | Houston |
Heart of Dallas Bowl | West Virginia +7 | Utah |
Quick Lane Bowl | Duke -5 | Northern Illinois |
Cactus Bowl | Kansas State -2.5 | UCLA |
Independence Bowl | Southern Miss +15.5 | Florida State |
Pinstripe Bowl | Iowa -3 | Boston College |
Foster Farms Bowl | Purdue +3.5 | Arizona |
Texas Bowl | Missouri -3 | Texas |
Military Bowl | Virginia -2 | Navy |
Camping World Bowl | Oklahoma State -4.5 | Virginia Tech |
Alamo Bowl | TCU -2.5 | Stanford |
Holiday Bowl | Michigan State +3 | Washington State |
Belk Bowl | Texas A&M +3 | Wake Forest |
Sun Bowl | Arizona State +6.5 | NC State |
Music City Bowl | Northwestern -7.5 | Kentucky |
Arizona Bowl | Utah State -4 | New Mexico State |
Cotton Bowl | USC +7.5 | Ohio State |
Taxslayer Bowl | Louisville -6.5 | Mississippi State |
Liberty Bowl | Iowa State +3.5 | Memphis |
Fiesta Bowl | Penn State -2 | Washington |
Orange Bowl | Miami +6.5 | Wisconsin |
Outback Bowl | South Carolina +7.5 | Michigan |
Peach Bowl | Auburn -9.5 | UCF |
Citrus Bowl | LSU -3 | Notre Dame |
Rose Bowl | Oklahoma +2 | Georgia |
Sugar Bowl | Alabama -2 | Clemson |