Tonight, Eddie and I will hop on the Twitch streaming and podcasting machine to bring you the picks for 2021 bowl games, including the New Year’s Six (and it’s lone Dec 30 matchup), at a slightly later hour: 10 PM CST / 11 PM EST. The podcast will drop on Wednesday morning, but that still leaves all games from today (Tuesday), December 29 through Thursday, December 31.
I’m actually not doing half-bad this bowl season, so here’s hoping the good vibes and good picks continue for your enjoyment/degenerate investment opportunities.
#HAILGAMBLOR
Current Record
Winner: 6-4
Spread: 6-4
Total: 6-3-1
Overall Record: 18-11-1
Tuesday, December 29
Cheez-It Bowl, 5:30 PM EST, ESPN
#21 Oklahoma State (-1) vs #18 Miami (Total: 61)
Winner: Miami
Spread: Miami +1
Total: Over 61
This game initially opened as Okie State -3, which is an incredible surprise. The Cowboys offense hasn’t been what we’ve expected it to be and now Chubba Hubbard has opted out. Have fun!
Meanwhile, Miami has D’Eriq King, who is confirmed returning for the Canes next season. All the motivation is on Miami’s sideline and I’m going with that, plus the best player on the field.
Valero Alamo Bowl, 9 PM EST, ESPN
#20 Texas (-7.5) vs Colorado (Total: 63.5)
Winner: Texas
Spread: Texas -7.5
Total: Over 63.5
Y’all, this isn’t the Big XII reunion anyone actually wants to see Texas have, but I digress.
This game opened with Texas as a much bigger favorite: -12.5. Then 99% of the freakin’ money has gone to Colorado and the line started moving. I have no idea when that money hit, but I’m running to the other side.
Colorado has only played six games, losing only to Utah, but beating…really no one. I don’t trust Texas, but I trust the Buffaloes less, especially with the big money going to those tall and shiny buildings.
Wednesday, December 30
Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 12 PM EST, ESPN
Wake Forest vs Wisconsin (-7.5) (Total: 51.5)
Winner: Wisconsin
Spread: Wake +7.5
Total: Over 51.5
Wake Forest’s offense is too damn good and fun to not make this interesting. With Wisconsin all over the map in their shortened season, I’m going with the points.
The Badgers should have what it takes to win on paper (Action Network’s projection line is -9.5!), but I just don’t see Wake getting steam-rolled like that.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, 8 PM EST, ESPN
#7 Florida vs. #6 Oklahoma
Will be picked on the podcast
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
#15 Iowa vs Missouri
CANCELLED
Thursday, December 31
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, 12 PM EST, ESPN
#24 Tulsa (-3) vs Mississippi State (Total: 46.5)
Winner: Tulsa
Spread: Tulsa -3
Total: Under 46.5
Yep, here I am taking a Mike Leach team under. It’s time for the full Mike Leach experience to complete and losing to a Group of Five with an inept offensive effort just feels right. Seriously, it’s been bad for Clanga, and it’s going to take Leach a while to right the ship (if he doesn’t sink it himself).
Offerpad Arizona Bowl, 2 PM EST, CBS
Ball State vs #24 San Jose State (-9.5) (Total: 64)
Winner: San Jose State
Spread: San Jose State -9.5
Total: Under 64
San Jose State has just been one of the best stories this season and I’m picking with my heart for it to keep going. I’m absolutely with the public too on this one (77% of the bets), but I don’t care.
Logic should absolutely be with Ball State, especially after their solid MAC Championship win, but I just can’t. Let me go walking into that trap all happy and whistling.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl, 4 PM EST, ESPN
West Virginia (-7) vs Army (Total: 41.5)
Winner: West Virginia
Spread: Army +7
Total: Under 41.5
Army found themselves a dance partner and there is no way in hell I’m picking against them. Going with the heart again, even though 99% of the early money is with them.
But here’s the thing: West Virginia has been not great this season. They’ve been mediocre in a mediocre conference and their offense has been just awful this season to boot.
I’m most confident in the under, but Army has to be able to cover here. Not sure if they can pull the full upset, but I know I’m going to be pulling for it despite my straight-up pick.
Mercari Texas Bowl, 9 PM EST, ESPN
Arkansas vs TCU (-4.5) (Total: 57)
Winner: Arkansas
Spread: Arkansas +4.5
Total: Under 57
God help me, I’m picking a 3-7 team to win a bowl game. Arkansas’ schedule was just a miserable draw and they also had one win ripped from them with questionable officiating. I love what they’ve done this season, despite their record.
TCU, on the other hand, has had a relatively easy stroll this season and despite that, they still have weird losses to Kansas State and West Virginia.
I’m calling the Hogs–WOO PIG SOOIE TURN IT AROUND WITH AN UPSET!
CANCELLED
Texan by birth, Irish by choice.
First-generation Domer and a former student manager, HLS podcast host, HLS Sim creator, Extra Life streamer, and technical problem haver. You can find more non-Notre Dame related writing on his Patreon.
- Epilogue - January 3, 2022
- HLS Podcast Finale - January 2, 2022
- The Final Fiesta: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State NCAA ’14 Sim - December 31, 2021
