FAVORITE TEAMS

CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL 9AM PT/ 12PM ET [ESPN]

10 FLORIDA (9-3) VS 7 MICHIGAN (10-2)

Michigan and Florida meet for the fifth time, and Michigan is undefeated in this series. That includes their last two wins under coach Jim Harbaugh, but Dan Mullen has a win against Michigan while coaching for Mississippi State in 2011. Florida is 0-2 in the Peach Bowl, while Michigan lost their last two bowls. At first, this would’ve been an extraordinary pre-Playoff game. But Michigan lost several players due to skipping the game for the NFL and that hurts their depth. Dan Mullen’s second stint with Florida and first year as Florida’s head coach was a positive transition for the program. They go back to their ways as a defensive team and their offense has slowly improved too. I’m picking Florida because of one player, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson. In his career, he’s struggled against good defensive teams.

MY PICK: FLORIDA

BELK BOWL 9AM PT/ 12PM ET [ABC]

SOUTH CAROLINA (7-5) VS. VIRGINIA (7-5)

First meeting since 2003 for these two. South Carolina is 21-13 in this meeting and won five of the last six bowl games. Coach Bronco Mendenhall leads Virginia to their second straight bowl game, but are 0-3 in bowl games since 2007. Both teams had so-so seasons, but Virginia had a more improved season. They would’ve had a better season, but their five losses were by 14 points or less. South Carolina wasn’t as great due to injuries in most of their positions. South Carolina won five of their last six bowl games since 2011 while Virginia is trying to get their first bowl win since 2005 under Bronco Mendenhall and he’s trying to end his four straight bowl losses. This is an intriguing game to watch, but this could be low-scoring game.

MY PICK: VIRGINIA

NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL 10:15AM PT/ 1:15 PM ET [CBS Sports Network]

ARKANSAS STATE (8-4) VS NEVADA (7-5)

Congrats to my alma mater, Nevada, for a good season. I gave the Pack one more year of work, but the young skilled players and an experienced offensive line led by quarterback Ty Gangi made Nevada such an electrifying offense this season. They meet Arkansas State for the sixth time, their  first since 1999, and lead 3-2 in this meeting. However, they’re 5-10 in bowls all-time and are 1-2 since joining the Mountain West conference. Arkansas State has a similar type of offense led by quarterback Justice Hansen and all-purpose player Warren Wand. They came close to a conference title bit, but losses to conference winner Appalachian State, well-improved Georgia Southern, and conference title runner-up Louisiana prevented their opportunity. They make their eighth straight bowl game, but coach Blake Anderson is 1-3 in bowl games.

MY PICK: NEVADA