Citizens, I am a creature of habit. I’m not very spontaneous and prefer the comfort of routine. Therefore it cannot be taken lightly when I decide to switch things up. For as long as we’ve been doing our annual Bowl-a-Palooza two things have been true: 1) we pick all the bowl games, and 2) bowl games do not count as part of our weekly Pigskin Picks. In recent years I had even embraced the idea of “the more bowl games the merrier” after always being one of those curmudgeons who opined that there were too many bowl games. However, when I looked at this year’s bowl lineup I literally yawned. I knew I just didn’t have it in me to give a damn about many of these putrid matchups. A decision was made, and here is the deal. Zach is picking nine games, while I am picking nine different games. We’ll both pick the CFP Championship, which takes place the day after the end of the NFL regular season. These bowl picks will be factored into our season total. If it works out perhaps it’ll be how we do things going forward. We’ll see.

LA Bowl

Saturday 12/16

7:30pm/ABC

Boise State vs. UCLA

It’s one of the newer bowl games, in existence for only a few years, but they’ve landed a solid matchup. The 8-5 Broncos got off to a slow start but ended up with a nice season. The 7-5 Bruins lost two of their final three games and will need to kick it up a notch when they move to the Big Ten next year. Zach likes Boise’s balanced attack and believes they’ll find a way to win.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Independence Bowl (Shreveport)

Saturday 12/16

9:15pm/ESPN

California vs. Texas Tech

The 6-6 Golden Bears had a rough four game losing skid in the middle of the season, but won their final three games. The 6-6 Red Raiders lost three of their first four games, but also won three of their final four. I’d definitely take the over, and I like Tech to win comfortably.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Birmingham Bowl

Saturday 12/23

Noon/ABC

Duke vs. Troy

I believe both teams will be led by interim coaches. The 7-5 Blue Devils had a rough second half of the season after a promising start, mostly due to a toe injury to QB Riley Leonard, who has now entered the transfer portal. The 11-2 Trojans have to be salivating at the opportunity to take on a Power 5 foe. I think we’ll see a low scoring, sloppy slugfest, with Troy getting an important win for their program.

My Pick: Troy

Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth)

Saturday 12/23

3:30pm/ABC

James Madison vs. Air Force

I don’t know if the 11-1 Dukes received a bowl bid because the NCAA decided to do the right thing or there just weren’t enough eligible teams. Whatever the reason, here’s their opportunity to prove themselves. The 8-4 Falcons haven’t won a game since October but have won their last four bowl games. Zach really likes JMU quarterback Jordan McCloud and thinks he’ll lead his team to victory.

Zach’s Pick: James Madison

Las Vegas Bowl

Saturday 12/23

7:30pm/ABC

Northwestern vs. Utah

It’s been an uphill battle for the 8-4 Utes. One can’t help but wonder how they might’ve fared if QB Cam Rising would’ve been healthy, and the Big 12 should be put on notice because they’ll probably make alot of noise next year. The 7-5 Wildcats are the Big Ten’s forgotten program, consistently lost in the shuffle amongst some of the nation’s elite teams. Zach thinks team speed is a huge advantage that will lead to an easy Utah win.

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Phoenix)

Tuesday 12/26

9pm/ESPN

Kansas vs. UNLV

I’m really interested in this matchup. The 8-4 Jayhawks are having their best season since 2007, although they faded late after coming out strong to begin the campaign. The Runnin’ Rebels lost the Mountain West title game, but at 9-4 haven’t been this successful since 1984. It has the potential to be one of the better bowl games we’ll see this year, and I like Kansas to wear down their opponents in the fourth quarter.

My Pick: Kansas

Military Bowl (Annapolis)

Wednesday 12/27

2pm/ESPN

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane

The 6-6 Hokies aren’t what they once were, but I always feel like they could be on the cusp of reclaiming their former glory. The 11-2 Green Wave landed here after losing the AAC title game. It’s certainly a different fate than a year ago when they defeated USC in the Cotton Bowl. I don’t believe they’ll be as pleased with the outcome of this game.

My Pick: Virginia Tech

Holiday Bowl (San Diego)

Wednesday 12/27

8pm/FOX

Louisville vs. USC

The 10-3 Cardinals haven’t gotten much respect from the masses, perhaps deservedly so given the perceived weakness of the ACC. Conversely, the sports media absolutely loves the 7-5 Trojans, although after imploding in the latter portion of the season I’m not sure how much respect they deserve. To no one’s surprise USC quarterback Caleb Williams is off exploring the ins & outs of NFL ownership and won’t play. Zach isn’t a fan of the matchup and has a low opinion of USC’s defense. He’s rolling the dice on a Louisville upset.

Zach’s Pick: Louisville

Texas Bowl (Houston)

Wednesday 12/27

9pm/ESPN

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State

The 7-5 Aggies fired head coach Jimbo Fisher in November. The 9-4 Cowboys are difficult to figure out after beating archrival Oklahoma but getting shellacked by Central Florida. It’s a good landing spot for both teams and their fans. I think it’ll be a hard fought battle decided by turnovers & penalties. Maybe we’ll even be treated to overtime. At the end of the day I think OK St. wins by less than a touchdown.

My Pick: Oklahoma St.

Pop-Tarts Bowl (Orlando)

Thursday 12/28

5:45pm/ESPN

North Carolina State vs. Kansas State

This bowl game changes names more often than Taylor Swift changes boyfriends. The 9-3 Wolfpack come into the game riding a five game win streak, while the 8-4 Wildcats have had a roller coaster season, culminating with starting QB Will Howard entering into the transfer portal. I had high hopes for K St., but the dominoes just haven’t fallen the right way, and now NC St. is clearly the hotter team.

My Pick: North Carolina St.

Alamo Bowl (San Antonio)

Thursday 12/28

9:15pm/ESPN

Arizona vs. Oklahoma

I’m not sure if this is a sneaky good matchup or might end up being a total dud. The 9-3 Wildcats have won six straight games, while the 10-2 Sooners have rebounded nicely from whatever that 6-6 abomination was a season ago. Zach notes that the transfer portal has negatively impacted Oklahoma considerably, but he feels like they have enough depth to weather the storm and win comfortably.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma