Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Now we're getting to the good stuff. Six more games and then the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's Day to close out the pick'em season.
Make your picks here.
Duke's Mayo Bowl: North Carolina (8-4) vs. West Virginia (8-4)
Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. MST (ESPN)
It's an Appalachian Battle in Charlotte to start off the post-Christmas slate.
Why North Carolina will win: The Tar Heels may have dropped their final two games of the regular season, but there's always a chance with quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton.
Maye has 3,608 passing yards on the season and Hampton has 15 touchdowns on 1,442 rushing yards to lead an explosive UNC attack.
Why West Virginia will win: The Mountaineers had the opposite end to their season, winning four of their last five to own most of the momentum in this matchup.
Quarterback Garrett Greene has been efficient with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions on 2,178 passing yards this season.
Line: West Virginia -6.5
Over/under: 54.5
TaxAct Texas Bowl: Texas A&M (7-5) vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State (9-4)
Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. MST (ESPN)
The Cowboys travel to Houston to take on the Aggies and try to reach 10 wins.
Why Texas A&M will win: Both teams dropped their last game coming into the bowl, but A&M's new QB1 Jaylen Henderson was solid against LSU in a 42-30 loss with two touchdowns on 294 yards and 25-of-35 passing.
The Aggie defense held their last two opponents before LSU to just 10 points each and will look to mimic the Texas Longhorns' recipe from a 49-21 win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game.
Why Oklahoma State will win: The Cowboys were held to 21 points by Texas but dropped at least 40 in their two games before that.
Ollie Gordon II will lead the charge for the Cowboys as he looks to add to his 20 rushing touchdowns on the year.
Line: Oklahoma State -2.0
Over/under: 53.5
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 18 NC State (9-3) vs. No. 25 Kansas State (8-4)
Thursday, Dec. 28 at 3:45 p.m. MST (ESPN)
Football, Pop-Tarts and Camping World in Orlando, what more could you want?
Why NC State will win: The Wolfpack rides a five-game winning streak into the bowl game, with quarterback Brennan Armstrong leading the team in both passing and rushing touchdowns.
Why Kansas State will win: Starting quarterback Will Howard is currently in the transfer portal, but running back DJ Giddens leads a dangerous Wildcat attack with 1,075 rushing yards and nine scores on the year.
Line: Kansas State -2.5
Over/under: 47.5
Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 14 Arizona (9-3) vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (10-2)
Thursday, Dec. 28 at 7:15 p.m. MST (ESPN)
A surging Arizona squad with six straight wins meets a Top-12 Sooner squad spurned by the New Year's Six Bowls.
Why Arizona will win: Freshman Noah Fifita has been an absolute revelation at quarterback with 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions and six wins, a triple-OT loss to USC and a single-digit loss to to Washington since taking over as starter on Sept. 30.
Why Oklahoma will win: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has already announced his transfer to Oregon and will not be playing, but a defense that held three of its last four opponents to 24 points or less should still show up in San Antonio.
Line: Arizona -3.0
Over/under: 60.5
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 9 Missouri (10-2) vs. No. 7 Ohio State (11-1)
Friday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m MST (ESPN)
The New Year's Six Bowls get underway with a classic Midwest matchup.
Why Missouri will win: The quarterback matchup will be tight, but the Tigers may have the advantage at running back with Cody Schrader putting up 13 touchdowns on 1,489 rushing yards this year.
Why Ohio State will win: The Buckeyes have lost just one game all year, a 30-24 loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale. Whether or not star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. plays in the bowl game could end up being a major factor.
Line: Ohio State -1.0
Over/under: 49.5
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: No. 11 Ole Miss (10-2) vs. No. 10 Penn State (10-2)
Saturday, Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. MST (ESPN)
It's a clash of the quarterbacks in Atlanta.
Why Ole Miss will win: Utah native Jaxson Dart leads the Rebels with 20 touchdowns and five picks on 2,985 passing yards. Running back Quinshon Judkins is also no slouch with 15 touchdowns on 1,052 rushing yards.
Why Penn State will win: Drew Allar is the signal caller for the Nittany Lions, putting up an absurd 23 touchdowns and just one interception on 2,336 passing yards. Their last game was a 42-0 shutout over Michigan State.
Line: Penn State -3.5
Over/under: 48.5
CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl: No. 4 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 1 Michigan (13-0)
Monday, Jan. 1 at 3 p.m. MST (ESPN)
Pasadena gets a taste of blue blood with this all-time matchup.
Why Alabama will win: A 27-24 win over previously undefeated Georgia was enough to get the Crimson Tide into the playoff, and it might be enough to upset another undefeated powerhouse with Jalen Milroe leading the way with 23 passing touchdowns on 2,718 yards.
Why Michigan will win: They haven't lost yet! Running back Blake Corum leads the way with a blistering 24 touchdowns on 1,028 rushing yards.
Line: Michigan -2.0
Over/under: 44.5
CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas (12-1) vs. No. 2 Washington (13-0)
Monday, Jan. 1 at 6:45 p.m. MST (ESPN)
Is Texas really back? Or will Washington continue its perfect season?
Why Texas will win: The Longhorns have put together as complete a game as there is in college football this year, holding seven opponents under 20 points and scoring 35 or more points on six occasions.
Why Washington will win: Michael Penix Jr. might be up to nine interceptions on the year, but he also has 33 touchdowns on a whopping 4,218 passing yards, adding credence to the adage, "If you're not throwing picks, you're not trying."
Line: Texas -4.5
Over/under: 63.5
Don't forget to make your picks here.
