Wednesday, December 31

Reliaquest Bowl
23 Iowa vs 14 Vanderbilt (-5.5, 46.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN) - Vanderbilt had an extraordinary season, and just missed going to the CFP. They may be facing the best defense they’ve seen all season in this match-up, but only Alabama held them under 15 (30-14) points. They’ve scored 44 points or more seven times.

This Iowa team may have been the best coach Kirk Ferentz has fielded and he’s had some very good ones over the years. The Hawkeyes were 15 points from being undefeated, including losses at Iowa State (16-13), Indiana (20-15), Oregon (18-16), and USC (26-21). No team has beaten them by more than five points and they’ve held opponents to under 17 points seven times. Is Vandy that good? Some give and take on both sides. Iowa will allow more than usual, Vandy will score less than usual.

Coin Flip: Iowa

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commodores 23 Hawkeyes 20

Sun Bowl
Arizona State vs Duke (-3.5, 49.5) 2:00 pm (CBS) - The Blue Devils (8-5, 6-2) are very unpredictable. They won the ACC Championship, defeating Virginia, 27-20, after losing to them in the regular season, 34-17. Their ability to score is unquestioned. The defense often makes costly mistakes.

Other than a 42-10 blowout loss at Utah, the Sun Devils were extremely competitive this season, handing Texas Tech their only loss of the season (26-22) and also winning at Iowa State (24-19). Somewhat surprised they were not favored here.

Coin Flip: Duke

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sun Devils 27 Blue Devils 24

Citrus Bowl
18 Michigan vs 13 Texas (-7, 48.5) 3:00 pm (ABC) - With all the problems at Michigan, it’s hard to see them winning against a Texas squad that has improved as the season has progressed. The Longhorns began the season with that tough, 14-7, loss to Ohio State, but outside of a 29-21 loss at Florida, they won seven games and beat Vanderbilt, 34-31, before being ambushed at Georgia, 35-10. They closed out the season upending Texas A&M 27-17 and were close to making the CFP. They have one of the best defenses in the country.

Michigan fired their head coach (Sherrone Moore) hired another (Kyle Wittingham), but will be coached by interim HC Biff Poggi. Despite going 9-3, it’s a touch spot for coaches and players alike. They don’t have much offense, which will be a real detriment.

Coin Flip: Michigan

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Longhorns 31 Wolverines 13

Las Vegas Bowl
Nebraska at 15 Utah (-14, 51) 3:30 pm (ESPN) - If the Utes come ready to rumble, Nebraska will have a very long afternoon. The Cornhuskers were just 4-5 in the Big Ten and have consistently underperformed. After losing QB Dylan Raiola, the beat UCLA, 28-21, but were buried by Penn State, 37-10, and Iowa, 40-16.

Utah went 10-2 overall and lost only to Texas Tech, 34-10, and BYU, 24-21. As their defense often leaves much to be desired, the Utah offense ought to have a field day here. A complete mismatch.

Coin Flip: Utah

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Utes 44 Cornhuskers 10

CFP Quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic
10 Miami vs 2 Ohio State (-9.5, 41) 7:30 pm (ESPN) - While Ohio State took a bye, Miami prevailed over Texas A&M, 7-3, in the opening round of the CFP, proving that they belonged over Notre Dame, which they topped in week one, 27-24. Other than two midseason mishaps against Louisville (24-21) and at SMU, 26-20, the Hurricanes are a threat to unseat the reigning national champs. Giving Miami 9.5 points could prove to be a grave error.

Since their loss to SMU, the Hurricanes demolished their final four opponents, including polishing off Pitt, 38-7, to close out the regular season. Carson Beck is playing like a pro. The defense has been suffocating.

Ohio State went unbeaten through what has to be considered a light schedule until they dropped the ball in the Big Ten championship, 13-10, to Indiana. In what figures to be a tight, defensive struggle, give Mimia QB Beck the nod over freshman Julian Sayin.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hurricanes 21 Buckeyes 14