With bowl season already underway, it's time to get excited about the huge slate of bowl games we have coming our way after Christmas Day. It's not just about the College Football Playoff or even the New Year's Six, either. We've looked into the PFF College data to bring you predictions -- with scores! -- for all of the bowl games from Dec. 26th on.
Dec. 26
St. Petersburg Bowl: Connecticut vs. Marshall
This one has the potential to be a defensive struggle, with both teams grading far better on defense than they do on offense. Still, for a freshman quarterback, Marshall's Chase Litton had some big performances that should have Thundering Herd fans excited about the future.
The pick: Marshall 27, UConn 17
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Miami vs. Washington State
All signs at the time of writing point to Luke Falk starting at quarterback for the Cougars, and that's a good thing. Only one other quarterback in the Pac-12 has a higher PFF grade this year, and he is second in the nation in adjusted accuracy percentage. Even with the impressive Corn Elder at cornerback for Miami, Falk gives the Cougars the edge.
The pick: Washington State 37, Miami 24
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Washington vs. Southern Miss
One of the best kept secrets in college football is Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens, who was our fifth-highest grade QB this year. He'll have a tough test against a Washington defense that is better than its six wins suggest, but Mullens is good enough to get the job done.
The pick: Southern Miss 27, Washington 20
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Indiana vs. Duke
The star of the Blue Devils defense is in-the-box safety Jeremy Cash, who is a monster against the run and as a pass rusher, but the Indiana offense should be too strong for Duke. Nate Sudfeld has impressed at quarterback, while all but one starting offensive linemen has a positive PFF grade.
The pick: Indiana 27, Duke 21
Camping World Independence Bowl: Tulsa vs. Virginia Tech
Tulsa has some firepower on offense, with quarterback Dane Evans and wide receiver Keyarris Garrett as a strong passing duo. That being said, Virginia Tech ended the season well and with all five defensive linemen who played 250 snaps finishing the year with a positive grade, the Hokies can slow that offense down.
Virginia Tech 28, Tulsa 23
Foster Farms Bowl: UCLA vs. Nebraska
This game will come down to how UCLA's freshman quarterback Josh Rosen performs. PFF grade-wise, he was very much up and down throughout the year, and hasn't looked particularly good since the win over Oregon State. His highs have looked impressive, though, and it wouldn't shock me to see him end the year strong.
UCLA 31, Nebraska 13
Dec. 28
Military Bowl presented By Northrop Grumman: Pittsburgh vs. Navy
This is the final game in the career of Keenan Reynolds, so it's fitting that it takes place in the stadium where he scored so many rushing touchdowns. The Panthers are no slouches, either, with wide receiver Tyler Boyd likely to cause Navy problems, but look for Reynolds to run that triple option to perfection once again and go out in style.
The pick: Navy 31, Pittsburgh 17
Quick Lane Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Minnesota
Minnesota played some good teams, notably Iowa and Michigan, very close down the stretch, so the Gophers will have confidence going into a game against a non-Power Five opponent. However, Central Michigan's offense can give them problems, with quarterback Cooper Rush grading well, along with his four top receivers, and CMU just might spring the upset.
The pick: Central Michigan 31, Minnesota 24
Dec. 29
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: California vs. Air Force
This is potentially the last game of NFL hopeful Jared Goff's career at Cal. Air Force will give the Golden Bears a tougher matchup than most expect. That being said, Goff was fourth-highest graded quarterback for a reason, so look for him to continue his strong finish to the season.
The pick: California 38, Air Force 28
Russell Athletic Bowl: North Carolina vs. Baylor
This has the makings of a shootout, with both offenses looking good in 2015, but Baylor's key injuries are likely to see them struggle. Star wide receiver Corey Coleman, running back Shock Linwood and backup, though current starting, quarterback Jarrett Stidham are all out. Meanwhile, dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams came up just short against Clemson in the ACC Championship game.
The pick: North Carolina 42, Baylor 31
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Nevada vs. Colorado State
Nevada will do its best to run the ball against Colorado State and control the clock, with quarterback Tyler Stewart and James Butler both capable of doing damage there. The Rams have a star at wide receiver though, and in potentially his last game for the team, look for Rashard Higgins to have a big game.
The pick: Colorado State 35, Nevada 27
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Texas Tech
It feels like so much longer than half a season ago that running back Leonard Fournette seemed like the lock for the Heisman Trophy. Outshone by Derrick Henry in the second half of the year, he's still good enough to do damage against this Texas Tech defense.
The pick: LSU 45, Texas Tech 35
Dec. 30
Birmingham Bowl: Auburn vs. Memphis
He may already have one big win over an SEC school to his name this year, but look for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch to showcase his strong arm against Auburn once again. Auburn's defensive backfield has just two starters with positive grades, something the Memphis offense can and will exploit.
The pick: Memphis 38, Auburn 35
Belk Bowl: NC State vs. Mississippi State
This should be a fun game, with two quarterbacks who can hurt you both with their arms and legs. Dak Prescott had the 10th-highest PFF rushing grade amongst quarterbacks, while Brissett was 33rd. Look for Prescott to make a game-defining play with his legs late to pick up the win.
The pick: Mississippi State 24, NC State 21
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Louisville
Texas A&M comes into this game loaded with controversy around two quarterbacks transferring away from the school. That's not good news going into a game against a Louisville defense loaded with talent. Sheldon Rankins has registered seven sacks, nine hits and 26 hurries this season, and has looked good against the run, too.
The pick: Louisville 31, Texas A&M 20
National Funding Holiday Bowl: USC vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin had a solid season, with three losses coming against good teams in Alabama, Iowa and Northwestern. They face another tough team in USC here, though, with quarterback Cody Kessler playing well, a good receiving option in JuJu Smith-Schuster and explosive playmaker Adoree' Jackson who contributes on offense, defense and special teams.
The pick: USC 27, Wisconsin 21
Dec. 31
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Houston vs. Florida State
Houston earned their spot in a New Year's Six bowl with an impressive season, particularly from quarterback Greg Ward Jr. Our highest-graded quarterback as a runner this season, Ward will find it tough against a Florida State defense littered with stars.
The pick: Florida State 31, Houston 24
College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Clemson
No quarterbacks have graded higher in the second half of the season than Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Clemson's Deshaun Watson, with Mayfield edging it as a passer, and Watson as a runner. Clemson has a slightly better defense, so they just get the edge here for me.
The pick: Clemson 41, Oklahoma 38
College Football Playoff semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Michigan State vs. Alabama
Michigan State will need big games from their trio of stars on offense in quarterback Connor Cook, wide receiver Aaron Burbridge and running back L.J. Scott. That won't be easy against an Alabama defense that has shut down and smothered opponents all year long, while the Tide can run Derrick Henry all game long on the other side of the ball.
The pick: Alabama 31, Michigan State 24
Jan. 1
Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Tennessee
Northwestern had an underrated regular season in 2015, with their only two losses coming against Michigan and Iowa. They won't win this game based on their offense, but their defense, led by Dean Lowry and Deonte Gibson up front, is good enough to get the job done.
The pick: Northwestern 18, Tennessee 13
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida
If you like defensive battles, this one should be a lot of fun. Both teams were contenders through much of the season based on the strength of their defense, and in spite of struggles at the quarterback position. In this battle, Michigan's defense just edges it.
The pick: Michigan 17, Florida 10
BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
This could have easily been a College Football Playoff matchup, with both suffering losses only against teams in, or in contention for, a spot in the top four late in the year. Both have standout defensive stars, but in his last game for the Buckeyes, it would be fitting for Ezekiel Elliott to have a big game.
The pick: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 28
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: Stanford vs. Iowa
After an undefeated regular season, the Hawkeyes reward to coming up just short in the Big Ten Championship is a game against Christian McCaffrey and Stanford. McCaffrey comes into the game ready to add to his all purpose yardage record and, while the Hawkeyes will do everything they can to slow him down on offense, look for him to make a big play on special teams.
The pick: Stanford 31, Iowa 17
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
Ole Miss played pretty well throughout the year, with three big hiccups in their losses to Florida, Memphis and Arkansas. But in this game, the Rebels go up against our sixth-highest graded quarterback in Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph. Rudolph threw 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions on passes 20 yards or more downfield in the regular season.
The pick: Oklahoma State 37, Ole Miss 31
Jan. 2
TaxSlayer Bowl: Penn State vs. Georgia
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has never graded as high as his draft buzz suggests he should, and the Georgia defense should give him some problems. Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins are big-time weapons at linebacker, combining for four sacks, 12 hits and 42 hurries off the edge.
The pick: Georgia 15, Penn State 10
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Kansas State vs. Arkansas
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen has been a revelation in the second half of the season with two huge performances against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. If that continues against Kansas State, the Wildcats won't have a chance of picking up the win.
The pick: Arkansas 38, Kansas State 30
Valero Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs. TCU
With Trevone Boykin back healthy for this game, we should see an explosive offensive encounter. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't expect to see any big defensive plays, with Oregon boasting DeForest Buckner on their defensive line. If any defensive player is going to make a play to change the game, it'll be him.
The pick: Oregon 38, TCU 31
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: West Virginia vs. Arizona State
This one will be as much about which team shows up for each side as anything else, with both teams up and down throughout 2015. On offense, Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage at running back could be the difference for Arizona State.
The pick: Arizona State 31, West Virginia 24
Jan. 11
National championship: Clemson vs. Alabama
Highlighted by two big players in Watson and Henry, this is the game would have the most star power. Watson has been unstoppable in the second half of the year, but that Crimson Tide defense has the potential to shut him down. From Jarran Reed in the middle of the line, to Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson off the edge, this Alabama defense might just be too strong for Watson to handle.
The pick: Alabama 27, Clemson 24