5 best predictions for College Football Playoff Semifinals and other December 30th and 31st games.
5 Best College Football Bowl Predictions College Football Playoff, December 30th, 31st Games
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Expert Picks Dec 28-Jan 2, NY6, CFP
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Results So Far: 82-70-1
Bowl Season: 8-7
I was about to be more insufferable than I already am.
After a rough start to the bowl season, I was right there. My picks for the last round of games were about to be 4-1 against the spread, all I needed was one Minnesota stop in the Pinstripe against Syracuse, I got it, and … 12 men on the field flag, an Orange score on 4th and goal, just like that, I’m back to being just okay.
But in this wacky bowl season I’ll take 60% for that last run. Now it’s time to do better with five to end 2022 on a high note, starting with …
Click on each game for the game preview
5. Capital One Orange Bowl: Tennessee vs Clemson
Friday, December 30, 2022, 8:00 ET, ESPN
ATS Line Clemson -6
Pick Tennessee
I’m still not sold on the Clemson secondary.
Tennessee is missing a ton. Combine that with the public having little faith in Joe Milton at quarterback, and Clemson is almost a touchdown favorite. The Tiger defensive line might have something to do with that, and overall, the losses for a team of this caliber were relatively minimal.
I’m still not sold.
Not to dog Jalin Hyatt or Cedric Tillman in any way, but I do believe Tennessee’s system has as much to do with the success – if not more – than the receivers and the parts in the roles.
I’m going with the idea that Milton can do enough with the returning receivers to hit the Tiger secondary sort of like Sam Hartman and Wake Forest did, sort of like North Carolina’s Drake Maye did – at least in terms of total yards – and sort of like Florida State’s Jordan Travis did.
I do believe that the atmosphere in the Orange Bowl will be great, both teams will trade big offensive punches, and I’m even buying in that Clemson will probably win this.
I’ll take my chances walking into the stadium up 6-0 with the team that’s been through the SEC wars this season.