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#1 (6) Michigan Wolverines vs. (11) Florida State Seminoles - Orange Bowl
This will feel like a playoff game despite the fact it has a team outside the top 10 in the mix. The amount of NFL talent on these two rosters will be ridiculous- Derwin James, Dalvin Cook, Jabrill Peppers, Jourdan Lewis, Jake Butt, Travis Rudolph, DeMarcus Walker and Deondre Francois. Just to name a few. While both have great offensive production, the game will be won in the trenches, grinding over one another to victory. FSU has the edge here with stud running back Cook ending the season hot, with 486 yards and six touchdowns in the last three games of the season. While the Lewis led secondary of the Wolverines will get turnovers off of the freshman quarterback Francois, it will not be enough against a FSU offense that has hit their stride to end the year.
FSU wins 31-28
#2 (9) USC Trojans vs. (5) Penn State Nittany Lions - Rose Bowl
Talk about a college classic, two of some of the most storied programs in college and traditional powers head to the Rose Bowl to square off in a fantastic matchup. The top match ups to watch will be corner Adoree Jackson of the Trojans up against the Nittany Lions tandem of quarterback Trace McSorley with wide receiver Chris Godwin and which running back will outdo the other: Ronald Jones II of USC or Saquon Barkley of Penn State, both have rushed for over 1,000 yards and double digit touchdowns. The x-factor will be Sam Darnold, who has been an outstanding freshman performer this season in place of Max Browne. He is going to be enough to top Penn State in a close shootout.
USC wins 35-27
#3 (13) Louisville Cardinals vs. (20) LSU Tigers - Citrus Bowl
Explosion in the passing game clashes with a front seven that stopped the tide and a running game that will not quit despite the loss of Leonard Fournette. LSU is the 5th best total defense in college, only letting up 16.4 points a game. Against the run they only let up 3.4 yards an attempt and 6.6 yards a passing attempt. This is one of the most oppressive defenses in college football that is paired with a prolific running attack, lead by 1,249 yard back Derrius Guice. This is all far too much for Lamar Jackson and his defense that has let up 110 rushing yards a game against mediocre running teams.
LSU wins 41-30
#4 (12) Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. (10) Colorado Buffaloes- Alamo Bowl
This is one of the more under the radar great bowl games this year as the rebound Buffaloes take on the hot and cold Cowboys. This will be a game filled with fireworks as Phillip Lindsey and company will try and keep ahead of the electric Oklahoma State offense that scores 38.7 points a game. Mason Rudolph is the 8th quarterback in the country with 3,777 yards through the air and has paired well with a running attack that has scored 30 touchdowns. While Colorado’s bounce back from last season has been impressive, this offense presents too many problems. Much like the game against Washington, they will be overwhelmed early and struggle to get back in front.
Oklahoma wins 35-17
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