Nevertheless, here is our final installment of Bet the House for this season, and it includes the last of the college bowl games. We’ve picked them all, from the Cheez-It to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
And there’s plenty to bet on this final list. Time to muster your tiger-blood, like our man in the photo, and get to winning.
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) — I’ll take the team that didn’t lose to Old Dominion. Pick: Cincinnati
Stanford vs Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) — Stanford’s four losses were all to quality bowl teams. Panthers limped to finish. Pick: Stanford
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Spartans’ defense and Dantonio factor provide the difference. Pick: Michigan State
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — Depends on which Okie State shows up. Pick: Missouri
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) — Utes coach Kyle Whittingham is 11-1 in bowl games. Pick: Utah
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) — Aggies are better than NC State in nearly every area. Pick: A&M
Mississippi State vs Iowa +7 (Tampa) — Taking the points in a close game. Pick: Iowa
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — Tigers’ stout defense will be missing key performers because of injuries, a suspension and two early NFL departees. But UCF’s silly mouthing off will guarantee LSU’s attention. Pick: LSU
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — Underdog role suits Kentucky, though Penn State has better QB. Pick: Kentucky
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) — A traditional Rose Bowl, matching Pac-12 and Big Ten champs, and that’s a plus for motivated Buckeyes in Urban Meyer’s final game. Pick: Ohio State
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Bulldogs won’t overlook this game, but that seems like a lot of points to be giving. Pick: Texas
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — Sadly, I just can’t find enough good reasons to think Alabama will lose. Pick: Alabama
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech + 6 1/2 (Annapolis) — Virginia Tech may win this outright, much less with points on the side. Pick: Virginia Tech
Stanford vs Pitt + 4 1/2 (El Paso) — Even without standout RB Bryce Love, Stanford is at least a touchdown better than this Pitt “juggernaut” with a 7-6 record. Pick: Stanford
Michigan State vs Oregon – 1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Oregon QB Justin Herbert, who has announced plans to return for his senior season, begins his push to be the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by lighting up the Spartans. Pick: Oregon
Missouri vs Oklahoma State + 9 (Memphis) — The schizophrenic Cowboys are not playing in Stillwater or facing a significant Big 12 rival, which means that “Bad OSU” will take the field in Memphis. Pick: Missouri
Northwestern vs Utah – 7 (San Diego) — No coach does bowls better than Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, who has won five in a row and has an 11-1 postseason mark. Pick: Utah
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M – 7 (Jacksonville) — The Aggies probably win, but they won’t make it easy on themselves. Pick: NC State
Mississippi State vs Iowa + 7 (Tampa) — The Bulldogs have too much QB run game and too much defense for the Hawkeyes to handle. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs Central Florida + 7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — The Golden Knights make this one more interesting than SEC and CFP loyalists would prefer, especially with so many of the Tigers’ key defenders sitting out to prep for the NFL Draft. Pick: UCF
Kentucky vs Penn State – 6 1/2 (Orlando) — No team has had more success this season despite wretched quarterback play than Kentucky, but that won’t carry the day against the Nittany Lions. Pick: Penn State
Washington vs Ohio State – 6 1/2 (Pasadena) — Urban Meyer has had the magic touch throughout his tenure in Columbus and that won’t change in his finale with the Buckeyes. Pick: Ohio State
Texas vs Georgia – 12 1/2 (New Orleans) — That’s a lot of points for Georgia to be giving when its top DB will sit out this contest and the Bulldogs’ level of motivation is a topic for discussion after the team’s CFP snub. Pick: Texas
Clemson vs Alabama – 6 (Santa Clara) — At the risk of offending Forrest Gump or Paul Finebaum, I think Big Bad Bama is in for its toughest fight of the season … and maybe its first loss. Pick: Clemson
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) — Not sure the Hokies are a touchdown better than anyone. Pick: Virginia Tech
Stanford vs Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) — The Cardinal have a really good QB-WR duo. Pick: Stanford
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Oregon plans to celebrate its QB staying in school. Pick: Oregon
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — A lot of points for two really unpredictable teams. Pick: Oklahoma State
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) — Northwestern can find a way to grind. Pick: Northwestern
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) — Aggies a better team but a touchdown better? Pick: North Carolina St.
Mississippi State vs Iowa +7 (Tampa) — It hasn’t been a banner bowl season for Big 10. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — Does UCF claim a title if it covers? Pick: UCF
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — Kentucky too good for this spread. Pick: Kentucky
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) — The best news is Urban Meyer’s slimy run is done. Pick: Ohio State
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Good opportunity for Georgia to show it should have been a playoff team. Pick: Georgia
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — A freshman QB against the Alabama defense. Pick: Alabama
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) — Bearkats’ freshman QB Desmond Ridder is worth a watch. Pick: Cincinnati
Stanford vs Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) — Panthers control the clock via smash-mouth running game. Pick: Pitt
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Ducks’ QB Justin Herbert gives him a team lift by forgoing NFL Draft. Spartans’ offense is atrocious. Pick: Oregon
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — Tigers are better and Big 12 only 2-3 in bowls, but that’s a lot of points for an offense that can put up 30+. Pick: Oklahoma State
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) — In a game where first team to 14 will win, give me the coach (Kyle Whittingham) that’s 11-1 in bowls. Pick: Utah
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) — Wolfpack’s Ryan Findley is the best QB you’ve never heard of. Pick: North Carolina State
Mississippi State vs Iowa +7 (Tampa) — We know how it goes when SEC plays Big Ten don’t we? Yes, we do. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — Without its leader QB and against a legit opponent, UCF’s 25-game winning streak is flattened in the desert. Pick: LSU
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — Nittany Lions have the better QB in Trace McSorley, but Wildcats’ defense can be dominant. Pick: Kentucky
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) — Buckeyes are – again – strangely motivated by not making the playoff. Pick: Ohio State
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Ouch. I think Longhorns take a serious whooping at hands of talented Georgia team that’s better in all three phases. Pick: Georgia
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — This whole season has merely been a sideshow to the Crimson Tide’s dominance. The capper will be another blowout. Pick: Alabama
John Henry
Last week: 9-0
Season: 85-82-3, 50.9 percent
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) – The Bearcats, who can run the ball well, against Virginia Tech, which doesn’t stop the run well. Advantage: Cincy, even giving the points. Pick: Cincinnati.
Stanford vs Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) – Down in the West Texas town of El Paso, there will be no Bryce Love. Will anybody notice? The Cardinal wins the Sun Bowl for the second time in three years. Pick: Stanford.
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) – Justin Hebert reminds the Spartans what an offense looks like. Pick: Oregon.
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) – My last memory of Oklahoma State was that walking-dead appearance at Amon G. Carter Stadium. And the Cowboys will be without NFL-aspirant Justice Hill. Pick: Missouri.
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) – Not sure the Wildcats win, but the underdog looks good here even in the midst of Pat Fitzgerald-to-the-Packers whispers. Pick: Northwestern.
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) – Seems like too many points to give, but the Wolfpack will be without two key pieces, who have chosen the NFL Draft over their team. I’ll go with the Aggies, who should be – better be – inspired to win a ninth game in Jimbo’s debut season. Pick: A&M.
Mississippi State vs Iowa +7 (Tampa) – In games between the SEC and Big Ten middle-of-the-pack teams I’m always taking the SEC, but I like those points Iowa is getting. Pick: Iowa.
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) – I’m not a believer in UCF, though it has far more reason to care about this game than LSU. Pick: Central Florida.
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) – Kentucky lost to Georgia – excusable – and Tennessee – inexcusable – in consecutive week before finishing with Middle Tennessee and Louisville. Penn State has won five of its last six, though that loss was a bad one to Michigan. I’ll take the points. Pick: Kentucky.
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) – Buckeyes have something to prove in the Granddaddy of Them All. Pick: Ohio State.
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Can’t help but see the Bulldogs suffering from an acute case of bowl attention deficit disorder. Not making the CFP was their season. Pick: Texas.
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) – Clemson won’t sleep walk through the first quarter and won’t allow Alabama to get away with a sleepwalk through the second half. Pick: Clemson.
Bill Nichols
Last week: 5-4
Season: 75-81-3, 48.1 percent
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Oregon’s high-powered offense is no match for Michigan State’s shutdown defense. Pick: Michigan State
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — Tough to know which OSU team will show up but the spread is too good to resist. Pick: Oklahoma State
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) — In a defensive matchup, give me the points. Pick: Northwestern
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) — Aggies will roll in this one even without its top two tacklers. Pick: Texas A&M
Mississippi State vs Iowa 7+ (Tampa) — Dual-threat QB Nick Fitzgerald will be too tough for the Hawkeyes to contain. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — The Knights have a great motivator _ lack of respect _ and a generous spread. Pick: Central Florida
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — The Wildcats have been great as underdogs (4-2 this season) and have beaten three ranked teams. Pick: Kentucky
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) – Hard to go against the Buckeyes, who can put up big numbers against strong defenses. Pick: Ohio State
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Bulldogs just missed out on the playoff but Longhorns will surprise them, or at least cover. Pick: Texas
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — Clemson’s defense is good enough to stem a blowout and its offense will make the difference. Pick: Clemson
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) — The Bearcats have a better offense, stingier defense and they didn’t lose to Old Dominion. Pick: Cincinnati
Stanford vs. Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) – Is it possible the California team can match the ruggedness of blue-collar Pennsylvanians? Yes. Pick: Stanford
Michigan State vs. Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Spartan’s defense will test Oregon, but Ducks have too much fire power. Pick: Oregon
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — Ah, Oklahoma State. Great one week, bad the next. This is a big line, however, so I’m going to guess that OSU shows up for this one. Pick: Oklahoma State
Northwestern vs. Utah -7 (San Diego) — Utah had a poor conference start, losing to Washington and Washington State, but Utes came back and won Pac-12 South title. They’re consistent and that will be the difference. Pick: Utah
North Carolina State vs. Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) – Jimbo Fisher earned his salary in his first A&M season but will have difficulty against the Wolfpack defense. Pick: North Carolina State.
Mississippi State vs. Iowa +7 (Tampa) — As long as the subject is defense, then the Bulldogs are in the conversation. They gave up an average of only 12 points per game and won their last two games by a combined score of 88-9. A blowout would not be surprising. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs. Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — Central Florida will never get respect, but Auburn found out last year and LSU will find out this year that the Knights are for real. Pick: Central Florida
Kentucky vs. Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — Classic matchup: Kentucky defense vs. Nittany Lions offense that scores almost 35 points a game. Defense wins this one. Pick: Kentucky
Washington vs. Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) — Urban Meyer’s last game at Ohio State. Win One for Urban doesn’t match Win One for The Gipper, and Huskies are not sentimental. Pick: Washington
Texas vs. Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — Tom Herman’s program seems ready to take off, but Kirby Smart’s program is still significantly better. Pick: Georgia.
Clemson vs. Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — Alabama has won two of the last three NCAA Championships and it would have been three if not for Clemson two years ago. It appears only one team in the country can beat Alabama and that is the team it will play. Pick: Clemson
Last week: 5-4
Season: 69-98-3, 41.5 percent
Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech +6 1/2 (Annapolis) — Cincy finishes off a solid campaign. Pick: Cincinnati
Stanford vs Pitt +4 1/2 (El Paso) — Bryce Love and the Cardinal shine in the Sun. Pick: Stanford
Michigan State vs Oregon -1 1/2 (Santa Clara) — Trip out west doesn’t work out well for Sparty. Pick: Oregon
Missouri vs Oklahoma State +9 (Memphis) — Former Big 12 rivals hook up in what promises to be shootout. Pick: Missouri
Northwestern vs Utah -7 (San Diego) — Wildcats won’t have enough offense. Pick: Utah
North Carolina State vs Texas A&M -7 (Jacksonville) — Jimbo knows the Wolfpack well from his ACC days and finishes his first season in Aggieland with nine wins. Pick: A&M
Mississippi State vs Iowa +7 (Tampa) — SEC rolls in another Florida bowl. Pick: Mississippi State
LSU vs Central Florida +7 1/2 (Glendale, Ariz.) — Central Florida’s bid for a second straight national title comes up dry. Pick: LSU
Kentucky vs Penn State -6 1/2 (Orlando) — A great season for the Wildcats falls just short of 10 wins. Pick: Penn State
Washington vs Ohio State -6 1/2 (Pasadena) — Urban’s career ends with a dud. Pick: Washington
Texas vs Georgia -12 1/2 (New Orleans) — This could get ugly fast for the overmatched Horns against the disrespected Dawgs. Pick: Georgia
Clemson vs Alabama -6 (Santa Clara) — We’ve got the two best and there’s no debate. Tigers keep it relatively close but Nick claims seven. Pick: Alabama
