College Bowl Picks

You know, it's kind of fitting that gold is over $1,000 an ounce. Because after the season I've had handicapping college football, I might have to move to the Klondike and eat shoe leather with Charlie Chaplin. Our most recent batch of completed bowl picks went a big fat 3-6 ATS, leaving us at 29-39-2 ATS on the season and needing a festive holiday miracle to turn a profit before it's all over. At least we have volume on our side. There are 14 games left to handicap, and we're going to hit them all tout de suite. Thank you for following us this year; I can only encourage you to check out our NFL picks, which have kept the S.S. Raine afloat so far.

Friday, January 1: Northwestern vs. Auburn (-7.5)
This is the time of the bowl season where the favorites start to take over. Northwestern loses points for coming out of a weak Big Ten with such a long layoff.

Friday, January 1: Florida State vs. No. 16 West Virginia (-2.5)
Florida State (3-9 ATS) only got into the Gator Bowl because of name value, and the coaching situation is FUBAR.

Friday, January 1: No. 12 Louisiana State vs. No. 13 Penn State (-2)
LSU was flat during the second half, while PSU won seven of eight at 5-2 ATS.

Friday, January 1: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Oregon: UNDER 50.5
No fun picking the total for the Rose Bowl, but the line is tight at Oregon -4. The underrated Ducks defense is key here.

Friday, January 1: No. 3 Cincinnati (+12.5) vs. No. 5 Florida
Both teams are in coaching turmoil, but the Bearcats are simply getting way too many points at the Sugar Bowl for such a good team.

Saturday, January 2: Northern Illinois (+7) vs. South Florida
It's a long trip to Toronto for the Bulls, who are 2-5 SU and ATS in their last seven and not terribly motivated to win this one.

Saturday, January 2: Connecticut (+4.5) vs. South Carolina
UConn is 10-2 ATS this year. Can't argue with that.

Saturday, January 2: Mississippi vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State (+3.5)
I love the extra half-point in what should be a close contest. Ole Miss is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games.

Saturday, January 2: Arkansas (-7.5) vs. East Carolina
The rebirth of the Razorbacks continues against a decent, but overmatched C-USA opponent.

Saturday, January 2: Michigan State (+7.5) vs. Texas Tech
Red Raiders head coach Mike Leach has been suspended, although he's filed a restraining order to be allowed to coach the Alamo Bowl. Not good.

Monday, January 4: No. 6 Boise State (+7.5) vs. No. 4 Texas Christian
In the battle of undefeated BCS busters, I can see TCU winning the Fiesta Bowl, but 7.5 points is a lot of points.

Tuesday, January 5: No. 10 Iowa vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech (-3.5)
Again fading the Big Ten team against the better-prepared ACC team, not to mention one running the flexbone and covering eight of its last 10 games.

Wednesday, January 6: Troy vs. Central Michigan (-3.5)
Two very profitable teams here, but Troy looks like a paper tiger with one of the worst defenses in the FBS.

Thursday, January 7: No. 2 Texas vs. No. 1 Alabama (-4)
This one has Crimson Tide written all over it. The Longhorns just didn't get tested enough in the Big 12 this year.