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College football bowl games 2021: ATS expert picks for every bowl game

By Cody Williams

Nov 13, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Purdue (Dec. 30, 3 p.m.)

Purdue not having David Bell for this game is something that sticks out like a major red flag. Tennessee has shown they can score on average teams and, without Bell to largely carry the offense, the Boilermakers might actually be less than that.

Pick: Tennessee -4.5

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State (Dec. 30, 7 p.m.)

It’s a bit of a bummer that the two biggest stars of this game, Kenny Pickett and Kenneth Walker III, aren’t playing. With that said, in that scenario, I prefer Mel Tucker’s team based on the overall roster talent and functionality that they could have in this game.

Pick: Michigan State – Pick ‘Em

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Arizona State (Dec. 30, 10:30 p.m.)

Jayden Daniels announcing he’s coming back to the Sun Devils next season definitely gave me some pause, but Wisconsin (outside of playing Minnesota) found their full identity at the end of the season. Simply, the Badgers should run, run, run through Arizona State on Dec. 30.

Pick: Wisconsin -7.0

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M (Dec. 31, 11 a.m.)

This feels like a classic case of motivation. Texas A&M came into the season with playoff hopes and, in a year they beat Alabama, they fell well short. I don’t see the Aggies being ready to roll while Wake Forest will look to be ready to finish the year strong and bounce back from the ACC Championship Game loss.

Pick: Wake Forest +5.0

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Washington State vs. Miami (Dec. 31, Noon)

Miami is the better overall team here and, though Manny Diaz is out, let’s not forget that Washington State has been without their initial head coach for some time too (though that may have been a good thing). Still, I’m not sure the Cougars have the goods to keep up with Tyler Van Dyke the way he’s been playing of late.

Pick: Miami -2.5

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Boise State (Dec. 31, 2 p.m.)

Boise State should pretty much take care of this game. The Broncos do have some slight uncertainty at quarterback but, overall, they still have experience on the depth chart. Playing much closer to home — even if the turf is green — they feel like the move in the Arizona Bowl.

Pick: Boise State -7.5

CFP Semifinal, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Cincinnati vs. Alabama (Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.)

The first of two College Football Playoff games, the simple truth of this game is that Alabama even coming close to losing would be a monstrous shock. The Crimson Tide can overwhelm Cincinnati on almost every level but, most importantly, I could see Saban just pounding the rock and bleeding the Bearcats dry to get a comfortable win.

Pick: Alabama -13.5

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