ESPN Bowl Predictions

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Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl: Baylor vs. Vanderbilt

(9 p.m. ET on ESPN at NRG Stadium in Houston)

Both coaches (Matt Rhule and Derek Mason) deserve a lot of credit for getting their teams bowl-eligible. Vanderbilt was better down the stretch, though, winning three of its last four and pushing Kentucky and Missouri in losses. Kyle Shurmur displays his trademark efficiency against a vulnerable Baylor defense, and Vanderbilt limits familiar face Jalen Hurd and the Bears' offense.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 37, Baylor 24

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Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Purdue vs. Auburn

(1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee)

Motivation should be a factor here. Purdue is energized with coach Jeff Brohm staying at the school to keep building with stars like wide receiver Rondale Moore. Auburn, a preseason top-10 team, envisioned much grander goals and has plenty of tension swirling around its coaches. Brohm calls an aggressive game, Moore scores three times and quarterback David Blough sparkles in his final college game.

Prediction: Purdue 35, Auburn 31

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Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Florida vs. Michigan

(Noon ET on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)

The Wolverines are better, but will they be motivated after the Ohio State meltdown? While Michigan will be without several draft-eligible defensive standouts, the offense steps up as Shea Patterson and Karan Higdon each account for two touchdowns and the Wolverines avoid a second straight bowl face-plant.

Prediction: Michigan 31, Florida 21

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Belk Bowl: South Carolina vs. Virginia

(Noon ET on ABC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina)

Bronco Mendenhall will really need his defense to step up against Jake Bentley, Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and a South Carolina offense that looked very productive down the stretch. After two brutal Virginia losses to end the regular season, it's hard to see the Cavaliers keeping up with Will Muschamp's team.

Prediction: South Carolina 37, Virginia 21

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AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State

(3:45 p.m. ET at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee)

Oklahoma State might be the weirdest team in the country this season, with wins over Texas and West Virginia, a one-point loss to Oklahoma and blowout losses to both Texas Tech and Kansas State. Give me the more consistent team in Missouri, which finished really well down the stretch and gets a big performance from quarterback Drew Lock.

Prediction: Missouri 41, Oklahoma State 27

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TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: NC State vs. Texas A&M

(7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida)

Clemson is a common opponent and Texas A&M fared much better in defeat to the Tigers than NC State did. The Aggies also have two top-15 wins (LSU, Kentucky), while NC State's record came against mostly weak competition. Quarterbacks Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) and Ryan Finley (NC State) both perform well, but coach Jimbo Fisher's team owns the fourth quarter to finish 9-4.

Prediction: Texas A&M 38, NC State 28

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Outback Bowl: Mississippi St. vs. Iowa

(Noon ET on ESPN2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida)

Both of these teams underachieved a bit this season. Both are talented at the line of scrimmage and can shut down opposing offenses. Mississippi State is the pick because of defensive line tandem Montez Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons, who force Iowa's Nathan Stanley into some mistakes. Tight end Noah Fant's absence also hurts the Hawkeyes in this one.

Prediction: Mississippi State 28, Iowa 17

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VRBO Citrus Bowl: Kentucky vs. Penn State

(1 p.m. ET on ABC at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida)

Record-setting Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley takes on national awards candidate Josh Allen and a ferocious Kentucky defense. Expect a very tight game, but the Lions are a more complete team and McSorley goes out a winner after a highlight-reel touchdown scamper in the final minute.

Prediction: Penn State 28, Kentucky 23

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PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: LSU vs. UCF

(1 p.m. ET on ESPN at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona)

I love the way UCF rallied behind new quarterback Darriel Mack to win another AAC title and post another perfect regular season, honoring injured QB McKenzie Milton in the process. But the streak ends in the desert as an LSU team, more motivated than Auburn was last year, uses its running game and defense to hold the Knights down just enough.

Prediction: LSU 40, UCF 33

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Allstate Sugar Bowl: Texas vs. Georgia

(8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans)

Texas might be the more motivated team and Sam Ehlinger and his gifted receivers will test Georgia's talented secondary. But Bulldogs backfield tandem D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield, along with a bullying offensive line, overwhelm the Longhorns in the second half.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Texas 27

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