College football matches today: schedule with predictions, picks, odds, lines for Fiesta, Orange, Outback

Four exciting, albeit bizarre, months of college football have unfolded until the last day of the bowling season. The final two New Years games will be played with the Fiesta Bowl leading up to the Orange Bowl on a four-game day before the National College Football Playoffs, which will be played in nine days.

The No.10 from Iowa State, having failed in the Big Ten Championship Game, will arguably be looking to end the greatest season in program history with a big win in a bowl, while the No.25 from Oregon is hoping to gain further momentum in the 2021 season after being a surprise participant and victory in the Pac-12 championship game.

On the night, the No.5 Texas A&M will attempt to prove they should have been the last team in the college football playoffs as the No.13 North Carolina looks to end its season on a high note after some tough losses. who have sullied a campaign. that the Tar Heels hoped had resulted in a spot in the CCA Championship game.

So what will happen on Saturday and which teams should you be coming back to during the day? Our CBS Sports college football experts share their thoughts on all four games and come up with their picks both against the spread and to the top. Click on the bowl game names below for a more detailed look at each game.

Gator Bowl: (23) NC State v Kentucky

Yes, even though NC State is ranked and Kentucky is 4-6, it’s the favored Wildcats in this game. How is it possible? Well, on the one hand, public perception has a lot to do with it. When the general public watches this game, they see an SEC team taking on an ACC team that is not considered one of the conference’s elite programs, which will push them towards the the SEC. Now I will not lie. The fact that Kentucky is favored makes me wonder if there is something bettors know that I don’t know, but I’m going to ignore that idea and go with common sense. Take the team that has been better all season. Select: NC State +2.5 | State NC 24, Kentucky 20 – Tom Fornelli

Outback Bowl: (11) Indiana vs. Ole Miss

Catch the points, but you won’t need them as Ole Miss will win this game straight away. Even though Elijah Moore and Kenny Yeboah won’t be there, Coach Lane Kiffin will have a lot up his sleeve and will want to do a national TV show with the college football world. Quarterback Matt Corral has moments of ineptitude, but that won’t happen now that he’s had a little more time to hone his craft. Pick: Ole Miss (+8.5) | Ole Miss 45, Indiana 42 – Barrett Sallee

Fiesta Bowl: (10) Iowa State vs. (25) Oregon

It is true that Oregon is a bit cooler than the state of Iowa when entering this game. It will be interesting to see how much of a factor this becomes. But Iowa State is poised to have its best season with its most talented team of all time. With the bitter taste of the Big 12 title game loss still in their mouths, the Cyclones find a way to end the season on a high note. Pick: State of Iowa -4.5 | Iowa State 31, Oregon 24 – Ben Kercheval

Orange Bowl: (5) Texas A&M vs. (13) North Carolina

I understand North Carolina is missing a ton here and their young defense will have their hands full with one of the best offensive lines in the country for Texas A&M, but the last time I checked Sam Howell was still playing in this match and that means the backdoor will be absolutely open for the Tar Heels. I think bettors are also made aware of this fact considering how little the spread has grown with the news of all opt-outs, so give me Howell and the underdogs to make it exciting in the fourth quarter. Picks: North Carolina +7.5 | Texas A&M 31, North Carolina 25 – Chip Patterson