My favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” No matter how many times I watch it, my eyes always get a little “sweaty” when George Bailey comes back to Bedford Falls and realizes how much he means to the lives of others. It’s an incredible movie that always gets me in the holiday spirit.
Once again “It’s a Wonderful Life” will air this Christmas Eve.
Thankfully, though, it will be on NBC, which for me means that during the commercials I can change the channel to ESPN and find out who is winning the Hawaii Bowl between BYU and Hawaii. While others are waiting eagerly for Santa Claus to come down their chimneys, I am anxious to know the score between the Rainbow Warriors and the Cougars.
I am what they call a bowl degenerate.
No matter how much I tell myself I may not care about a particular bowl game, I always find myself flipping over and watching way more than I ever intended. Perhaps I need to seek professional help. With an outrageous 40 bowl games this season, and more on the way in the future, this is starting to become a debilitating affliction.
Maybe next year I will get the help I need. But, before that happens, here are my awesome picks for what I think are the most interesting games of this bowl season. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Cotton Bowl: Memphis vs. Penn State
My head tells me Penn State. My heart tells me Memphis. Sometimes you just have to go with your heart. Memphis 40, Penn State 39.
Peach Bowl: Oklahoma vs. LSU
College Football Semifinal
How can you not root for coach Orgeron? Especially when he has a team like this season’s Tigers. LSU 40, Oklahoma 35.
Fiesta Bowl: Clemson vs. Ohio State
College Football Semifinal
Dabo Swinney and his undefeated and defending national champion Tigers claim to be disrespected as the No. 3 seed. I can understand why they feel that way. Clemson 33, Ohio State 31.
Music City Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Louisville
I have seen Louisville a couple of times, and they can’t stop the run. A bad sign when playing the Bulldogs. Mississippi State 28, Louisville 10.
Orange Bowl: Florida vs. Virginia
Virginia may be the more motivated team, but the Gators are by far the more talented team in this mismatch. Florida 48, Virginia 28.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Florida State vs. Arizona State
I picked this game just because I like the name Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Arizona State 17, Florida State 14.
Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Kansas State,
Being from Memphis, I have been to 16 Liberty Bowl games in my lifetime and with the running games of these two teams, this might be the quickest one yet. Navy 21, Kansas State 20.
Outback Bow: Auburn vs. Minnesota,
If Auburn is motivated in this one, they should win it. If Auburn isn’t motivated, then Gus Malzahn’s offseason just got a lot tought. Auburn 26, Minnesota 7.
Citrus Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan
In a matchup between Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban I will take Nick Saban. Alabama 40, Michigan 34.
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Wisconsin
I hope I get to watch a Rose Bowl game at least once in my life from Pasedena. Wisconsin 21, Oregon 20.
Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Baylor
I can’t pick the SEC in every game, and this one feels like the Bears are the more motivated team. Baylor 44, Georgia 33.
David Healy is the sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com
