2016 College Football Bowl Game Picks & Predictions: Orange Bowl, Citrus Bowl and TaxSlayer Bowl:All eyes will be on the College Football Playoff matchups as 2017 approaches, but there are a couple of other bowl games on tap before we ring in the New Year. Michigan and Florida State face off Friday night in the first of the six major bowls, and the Citrus Bowl and TaxSlayer Bowl serve as an appetizer Saturday to the two playoff semifinals. Let’s take a closer look at all three matchups.
Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State
This game seems destined to be a low-scoring, defensive battle. Led by do-it-all linebacker Jabrill Peppers, the Michigan Wolverines may have the best front seven in the country. However, the Florida State Seminoles have been nearly as dominant, and defensive end DeMarcus Walker helped FSU lead the nation in sacks.
Florida State boasts the better offensive weapons, and running back Dalvin Cook could be the X-factor if he is able to rip off a few big runs. On the flip side, the Seminoles have had issues protecting the quarterback, which is bad news against a Michigan defense that has logged 44 sacks of its own. On the other hand, Michigan has just flat out struggled to move the ball at times, especially down the stretch.
In the end, I expect this game to come down to one or two plays, and while Michigan received more hype throughout the year as the Wolverines battled for a spot in the College Football Playoff, sleeping on the Seminoles is a mistake. Either team could come out on top on this one, so I’ll take Florida State and a touchdown in a game I expect to be decided on the final possessions.
Prediction: Florida State Seminoles (+7) Cover the Spread
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville
It seemed unimaginable a month or so ago that the Louisville Cardinals wouldn’t be playing in one of the six major bowls, and it seemed equally unlikely that the LSU Tigers would ever be favored in this matchup. However, a lot has changed in the final few weeks of the season, and this is suddenly an intriguing showdown between top 20 teams.
Yes, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Heisman, but he and the entire offense were a little sloppy down the stretch. Perhaps more concerning, the Cardinals defense really struggled in losses to Houston and Kentucky to close the year. On the flip side, LSU Has held opponents to 21 points or less in all but one game this season.
LSU has enough talent on defense to at least slow Jackson, and with Jackson and company scuffling a bit, the Tigers’ defense has an even better chance. Granted, LSU has been abysmal on offense at times, but the Tigers appeared to find their power ground attack over the last couple of games. Look for LSU to control the clock on offense against a leaky Louisville defense and wear down the Cardinals with physical play on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: LSU Tigers (-3) Cover the Spread
TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky
It will be a battle of run-first teams, but this should still be a higher-scoring game. Led by quarterback Justin Thomas, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets boast an explosive option attack. The Kentucky Wildcats ground game is a bit more traditional, but they boast a pair of 1,000-yard backs in Stanley Williams and Benny Snell Jr.
While both teams like to run the ball, the matchup should favor the Yellow Jackets. Kentucky has struggled to defend the run, allowing more than 200 yards per game on the ground. Stopping Georgia Tech is going to be even more of a challenge because of the unconventional nature of the option attack. Throw in the fact that Thomas has been able to keep defenses honest with the pass, and I expect the Yellow Jackets to come out on top.
Prediction: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-3.5) Cover the Spread
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