December 31 College Bowl Picks: Peach, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls
By Joe Micik
Now we start getting into the good bowl games — the really good bowl games. The bowl games we wish we were playing in and hopefully winning for a change.
On New Year’s Eve 2014, the December 31 college bowl picks include the Peach, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls. The last two of those are bowls-formerly-known-as-BCS, and the third features teams that had big plans on making the Playoff, until they didn’t.
Analyzing and overanalyzing these games has gotten us nowhere. On the last day of 2014, we are going to try something different: invoking the George Costanza Opposite Rule, our picks will be the inverse of what logic suggests they should be. This is going to be fast-paced, to-the-point, and turned on its head. Let’s go.
December 31 College Bowl Picks: Peach Bowl
Mississippi vs. TCU (-3.5) | Atlanta, GA | 12:30pm ET (ESPN)
TCU feels they got jobbed in the College Football Playoff standings, being in line for a spot until they weren’t. Let’s settle this right now: Ohio State belonged in the playoff, and TCU should not have been up to number three in the first place. The committee painted themselves into a corner with their weekly rankings.
Also, the Big 12 commissioner screwed both TCU and Baylor by saying a conference with “One True Champion” actually had two, or none.
I came to admire the Horned Frogs for their tough defense and explosive offense. On the other hand, Ole Miss has a split personality quarterback in Bo Wallace but a top-flight defense.
There is a lot to like about both of these teams. It seems TCU, however, is the better one.
Costanza Opposite Rule Pick: Mississippi
December 31 College Bowl Picks: Fiesta Bowl
Boise State vs. Arizona (-3) | Glendale, AZ | 4pm ET (ESPN)
Remember what happened the last time Boise State was in the Fiesta Bowl? They beat TCU — you’re thinking of the time before that when they shocked Oklahoma in overtime.
Arizona is a fine football team, and had they won the Pac-12 title game instead of getting steamrolled by Oregon, they might be in the Playoff. Such is life.
Both schools have great offenses and average defenses, but the Wildcats seemed to have weathered the tougher schedule and are favored for a reason.
Costanza Opposite Rule Pick: Boise State
December 31 College Bowl Picks: Orange Bowl
Mississippi State (-6.5) vs. Georgia Tech | Miami, FL | 8pm ET (ESPN)
Boston College Eagles
Mississippi State had a hell of a ride this season, holding the nation’s top ranking for weeks before losing to Alabama. That unofficially ended their chances at the playoff; their in-state rivals Ole Miss made it official when they beat the Bulldogs two weeks later.
At one point in time, Dak Prescott was considered a Heisman contender. He ended up having a great season, but not Mariota-great.
On the other side they will face a talented, pesky, competitive Georgia Tech team. Paul Johnson has that triple-option firing on all cylinders, but Mississippi State has a top-25 run defense. That should slow the Jackets down somewhat.
The Bulldogs were the better team for longer this season, while Georgia Tech way overachieved and is quite pleased to be at this stage.
Costanza Opposite Rule Pick: Georgia Tech