We’re back!!!
After a couple of weeks “vacation,” the Pigkins Pickers are back to conclude the 2017 season with our mega-college bowl predictions.
The final week of the regular season saw most of the pickers post 6-3 records.
Sport editor Tim Miller’s effort enabled him to come up to the high cotton and finds himself in a tie with publisher Kevin Behrens for the overall lead. Both stand at 109-39 for the season.
Behrens’ 5-4 mark to conclude the regular season opened the door for Miller to create a stalemate.
Reporter Mac Cordell who once led this titanic struggle with a seven game lead is one game behind the leaders at 108-40, followed by huddle buddies managing editor Chad Williamson and reporter Will Channell, both at 106-42.
Sports writer Sam Dillon is still bringing up the rear in the basement at 103-45.
Get ready… here come our bowl picks.
Celebration Bowl
NC A&T (11-0) vs. Grambling State (11-1)
Williamson: NC A&T by 10
Miller: NC A&T by 3
Behrens: NC A&T by 1
Cordell: NC A&T by 4
Channell: NC A&T by 9
Dillon: NC A&T by 6
Cook: NC A&T by 3
Laslow: NC A&T by 6
Truitt: NC A&T by 7
VanHoose: Grambling by 7
New Orleans Bowl
North Texas (9-4) vs. Troy (10-2)
Williamson: Troy by 12
Miller: Troy by 6
Behrens: Troy by 2
Cordell: Troy by 14
Channell: Troy by 9
Dillon: Troy by 9
Cook: Troy by 6
Truitt: Troy by 6
Van Hoose: North Texas by 7
Cure Bowl
Georgia State (6-5) vs. Western Kentucky (6-6)
Williamson: Western Kentucky by 3
Miller: Western Kentucky by 7
Behrens: WKU by 3
Cordell: WKU by 9
Channell: Western Kentucky by 9
Dillon: Western Kentucky by 7
Cook: Western Kentucky by 6
Laslow: Western Kentucky by 10
Truitt: Western Kentucky by 7
VanHoose: Western Kentucky by 6
Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State (10-3) vs. Oregon (7-5)
Williamson: Boise State by 7
Miller: Boise State by 6
Behrens: Boise St by 4
Cordell: Oregon by 2
Channell: Oregon by 7
Cook: Boise State by 10
Laslow: Oregon by 7
Truitt: Boise State by 3
Laslow: Oregon by 9
New Mexico Bowl
Colorado State (7-5) vs. Marshall (7-5)
Williamson: Colorado Stat by 6
Miller: Colorado State by 6
Behrens: Marshall by 5
Cordell: Colorado State by 5
Channell: Colorado State by 9
Dillon: Colorado St. by 3
Cook: Marshall by 14
Laslow: Colorado State by 7
Truitt: Colorado State by 3
VanHoose: Marshall by 3
Camellia Bowl
Arkansas State (7-3) vs. M. Tennessee (6-6)
Williamson: Arkansas State by 7
Miller: Arkansas State by 6
Behrens: A St. by 6
Cordell: Arkansas State by 13
Channell: Arkansas State by 9
Dillon: Arkansas St. by 7
Cook: Arkansas State by 3
Laslow: Arkansas State by 3
Truitt: Arkansas State by 6
VanHoose: Middle Tennessee by 6
Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl
Akron (7-6) vs. FAU (10-3)
Williamson: FAU by 13
Miller: FAU by 7
Behrens: FAU by 7
Cordell: Florida Atlantic by 33
Channell: FAU by 9
Dillon: FAU by 14
Cook: Akron by 3
Laslow: FAU by 3
Truitt: FAU by 6
VanHoose: Akron by 6
Frisco (Texas) Bowl
Louisiana Tech (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5)
Williamson: SMU by 7
Miller: SMU by 6
Behrens: SMU by 8
Cordell: S. Methodist by 5
Channell: SMU by 9
Dillon: SMU by 7
Cook: SMU by 6
Laslow: SMU by 6
Truitt: SMU by 9
VanHoose: SMU by 7
Gasparilla Bowl
Temple (6-6) vs. FIU (8-4)
Williamson: Temple by 3
Miller: FIU by 7
Behrens: FIU by 9
Cordell: Temple by 3
Channell: FIU by 9
Dillon: FIU by 10
Cook: Temple by 10
Laslow: Temple by 6
Truitt: Temple by 7
VanHoose: FIU by 7
Bahamas Bowl
Ohio (8-4) vs. UAB (8-4)
Williamson: Ohio by 6
Miller: Ohio by 6
Behrens: UAB by 10
Cordell: Ohio by 3
Channell: UAB by 9
Dillon: Ohio by 10
Cook: Ohio by 12
Laslow: Ohio by 7
Truitt: Ohio by 6
VanHoose: Ohio by 7
Famous Idaho Patato Bowl
Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Wyoming (7-5)
Williamson: Central Michigan by 9
Miller: Central Michigan by 7
Behrens: Wyoming by 11
Cordell: C. Michigan by 2
Channell: Central Michigan by 9
Dillon: Wyoming by 3
Cook: Central Michigan by 12
Laslow: Wyoming by 7
Truitt: Central Michigan by 6
VanHoose: Central Michigan by 7
Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl
South Florida (9-2) vs. Texas Tech (6-6)
Williamson: South Florida by 5
Miller: South Florida by 7
Behrens: The Bulls by 12
Cordell: S. Florida by 18
Channell: South Florida by 9
Dillon: South Florida by 7
Cook: South Florida by 16
Laslow: South Florida by 7
Truitt: South Florida by 6
VanHoose: South Florida by 7
Armed Forces Bowl
San Diego State (10-2) vs. Army (8-3)
Williamson: San Diego State by 10
Miller Army by 7
Behrens: SDSU by 13
Cordell: SDSU by 1
Channell: San Diego State by 9
Dillon: SDSU by 3
Cook: Army by 10
Laslow: San Diego State by 7
Truitt: San Diego State by 3
VanHoose: Army by 7
Dollar General Bowl
Appalachian State (8-4) vs. Toledo (11-2)
Williamson: Toledo by 12
Miller: Toledo by 6
Behrens: Toledo by 14
Cordell: Toledo by 13
Channell: Toledo by 9
Dillon: Toledo by 10
Cook: App. State by 3
Laslow: Toledo by 7
Truitt: Toledo by 6
VanHoose: Toledo by 3
Hawaii Bowl
Fresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4)
Williamson: Houston by 8
Miller: Fresno St. by 7
Behrens: Fresno St by 14
Cordell: Houston by 1
Channell: Fresno by 9
Dillon: Fresno St. by 3
Cook: Houston by 6
Laslow: Houston by 7
Truitt: Houston by 6
VanHoose: Houston by 6
Heart of Dallas Bowl
West Virginia (7-5)
vs. Utah (6-6)
Williamson: Utah by 9
Miller: West Virginia by 6
Behrens: WVU by 15
Cordell: Utah by 3
Channell: Utah by 9
Dillon: West Virginia by 6
Cook: West Virginia by 13
Laslow: Utah by 6
Truitt: Utah by 7
VanHoose: West Virginia by 6
Quick Lane Bowl
Northern Illinois (8-4) vs. Duke (6-6)
Williamson: Duke by 10
Miller: Northern Illinois by 7
Behrens: NIU by 16
Cordell: Duke by 13
Channell: Duke by 9
Dillon: Duke by 9
Cook: Northern Illinois by 16
Laslow: Duke by 6
Truitt: Duke by 7
VanHoose: Northern Illinois by 7
Cactus Bowl
Kansas State (7-5)
vs. UCLA (6-6)
Williamson: Kansas State by 3
Miller: Kansas State by 6
Behrens: UCLA by 16
Cordell: Kansas State by 2
Channell: Kansas State by 9
Dillon: K State by 7
Cook: UCLA by 10
Laslow: Kansas State by 6
Truitt: Kansas State by 3
Van Hoose: Kansas State by 7
Independence Bowl
Southern Mississippi (8-4) vs. Florida State (6-6)
Williamson: Florida State by 12
Miller: FSU by 6
Behrens: FSU by 17
Cordell: Florida State by 18
Channell: Florida State by 9
Dillon: FSU by 10
Cook: Southern Miss. by 3
Laslow: FSU by 6
Truitt: FSU by 7
VanHoose: Southern Miss by 7
Pinstripe Bowl
Boston College (7-5) vs. Iowa (7-5)
Williamson: Iowa by 10
Miller: Iowa by 7
Behrens: Iowa by 18
Cordell: Iowa by 4
Channell: Iowa by 9
Dillon: Iowa by 10
Cook: BC by 10
Laslow: Iowa by 7
Truitt: Iowa by 6
VanHoose: Iowa by 6
Foster Farm Bowl
Arizona (7-5) vs.
Purdue (6-6)
Williamson: Purdue by 6
Miller: Arizona by 7
Behrens: Zona by 18
Cordell: Arizona by 4
Channell: Arizona by 9
Dillon: Purdue by 3
Cook: Purdue by 6
Laslow: Arizona by 7
Truitt: Purdue by 6
VanHoose: Purdue by 7
Texas Bowl
Texas (6-6) vs.
Missouri (7-5)
Williamson: Missouri by 6
Miller: Texas by 6
Behrens: Texas by 19
Cordell: Mizzou by 1
Channell: Missouri by 9
Dillon: Texas by 7
Cook: Missouri by 9
Laslow: Missouri by 6
Truitt: Texas by 6
VanHoose: Texas by 3
Military Bowl
Virginia (6-6)
vs. Navy (6-5)
Williamson: Navy by 1
Miller: Navy by 3
Behrens: Navy by 20
Cordell: Navy by 1
Channell: Navy by 9
Dillon: Navy by 2
Cook: Navy by 6
Laslow: Navy by 7
Truitt: Navy by 6
VanHoose: Navy by 7
Camping World Bowl
Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (9-3)
Williamson: Oklahoma State by 12
Miller: OK State by 7
Behrens: Okie St. by 21
Cordell: Ok State by 6
Channell: Oklahoma State by 9
Dillon: OK State by 10
Cook: OK State by 3
Laslow: OK State by 9
Truitt: OK State by 7
VanHoose: Oklahoma State by 7
Alamo Bowl
Standford (9-4) vs. TCU (10-3)
Williamson: Stanford by 3
Miller: Stanford by 7
Behrens: Stanford by 22
Cordell: Texas Christian by 3
Channell: Stanford by 9
Dillon: TCU by 3
Cook: Stanford by 10
Laslow: TCU by 6
Truitt: TCU by 7
VanHoose: TCU by 7
Holiday Bowl
Washington State (9-3) vs. Michigan State (9-3)
Williamson: Washington State by 10
Miller: Michigan State by 6
Behrens: WSU by 23
Cordell: Michigan State by 3
Channell: Washington State by 9
Dillon: Michigan St. by 3
Cook: Michigan State by 10
Laslow: Michigan State by 7
Truitt: Michigan State by 6
VanHoose: Michigan State by 7
Belk Bowl
Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5)
NC State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5)
Williamson: NC State by 7
Miller: NC State by 6
Behrens: NC State by 25
Cordell: N.C. State by 5
Channell: NC State by 9
Dillon: NC State by 10
Cook: Arizona State by 10
Laslow: NC State by 7
Truitt: NC State by 6
VanHoose: NC State by 6
Music City Bowl
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Northwestern (9-3)
Williamson: Northwestern by 14
Miller: Northwestern by 6
Behrens: Northwestern by 25
Cordell: NU by 16
Channell: Northwestern by 9
Dillon: Northwestern by 7
Cook: Northwestern by 6
Laslow: Northwestern by 9
Truitt: Northwestern by 7
VanHoose: Northwestern by 9
Arizona Bowl
New Mexico State (5-6) vs. Utah State (6-6)
Williamson: Utah State by 3
Miller: Utah State by 6
Behrens: Utah St by 26
Cordell: Utah State by 6
Channell: Utah State by 9
Dillon: Utah St. by 3
Cook: New Mexico St. by 3
Laslow: Utah State by 6
Truitt: Utah State by 7
VanHoose: Utah State by 7
Cotton Bowl Classic
Southern Cal (11-2) vs. Ohio State (11-2)
Williamson: Ohio State by 6
Miller: Ohio State by 7
Behrens: OSU by 27
Cordell: OSU by 6
Channell: Ohio State by 9
Dillon: OSU by 10
Cook: OSU by 14
Laslow: Ohio State by 7
Truitt: Ohio State by 7
VanHoose: Ohio State by 7
TaxSlayer Bowl
Louisville (8-4) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)
Williamson: Louisville by 7
Miller: Louisville by 6
Behrens: Louisville by 28
Cordell: Louisville by 16
Channell: Louisville by 9
Dillon: Louisville by 14
Cook: Louisville by 10
Laslow: Louisville by 6
Truitt: Louisville by 7
VanHoose: Miss. State by 7
Liberty Bowl
Iowa State (7-5) vs. Memphis (10-2)
Williamson: Memphis by 8
Miller: Memphis by 3
Behrens: Memphis by 30
Cordell: Memphis by 11
Channell: Iowa State by 9
Dillon: Memphis by 7
Cook: Iowa State by 3
Laslow: Memphis by 7
Truitt: Memphis by 9
VanHoose: Memphis by 6
Fiesta Bowl
Washington (10-2) vs. Penn State (10-2)
Williamson: Washington by 3
Miller: Washington by 7
Behrens: Penn St by 31
Cordell: Penn State by 3
Channell: Washington by 9
Dillon: Penn St. by 10
Cook: Penn State by 14
Laslow: Penn State by 7
Truitt: Penn State by 7
VanHoose: Penn State by 7
Orange Bowl
Wisconsin (12-1) vs. Miami (10-2)
Williamson: Wisconsin by 10
Miller: Wisconsin by 7
Behrens: Badgers by 31
Cordell: Wisconsin by 4
Channell: Wisconsin by 9
Dillon: Wisconsin by 10
Cook: Wisconsin by 21
Laslow: Wisconsin by 6
Truitt: Wisconsin by 7
VanHoose: Wisconsin by 7
Outback Bowl
Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (8-4)
Williamson: Michigan by 12
Miller: Michigan by 7
Behrens: Michigan by 32
Cordell: Michigan by 16
Channell: Michigan by 9
Dillon: Michigan by 14
Cook: Michigan by 10
Laslow: Michigan by 3
Truitt: Michigan by 7
VanHoose: South Carolina by 6
Peach Bowl
UCF (12-0) vs. Auburn (10-3)
Williamson: Auburn by 10
Miller: Auburn by 7
Behrens: War Eagles by 33
Cordell: Auburn by 5
Channell: Auburn by 9
Dillon: Auburn by 10
Cook: Auburn by 14
Laslow: Auburn by 7
Truitt: Auburn by 3
VanHoose: Auburn by 7
Citrus Bowl
Notre Dame (9-3) vs. LSU (9-3)
Williamson: LSU by 6
Miller: Notre Dame by 6
Behrens: ND by 34
Cordell: LSU by 13
Channell: LSU by 9
Dillon: LSU by 3
Cook: Notre Dame by 10
Laslow: LSU by 7
Truitt: LSU by 3
VanHoose: LSU by 6
Rose Bowl
(CFP Semifinals)
Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Georgia (12-1)
Williamson: Oklahoma by 6
Miller: Oklahoma by 7
Behrens: Sooners by 34
Cordell: Oklahoma by 1
Channell: Oklahoma by 9
Dillon: Oklahoma by 6
Cook: Oklahoma by 21
Laslow: Oklahoma by 7
Truitt: Oklahoma by 6
VanHoose: Oklahoma by 6
Sugar Bowl
(CFP Semifinals)
Clemson (12-1) vs. Alabama (11-1)
Williamson: Clemson by 7
Miller: Clemson by 6
Behrens: Bama by 35
Cordell: Clemson by 3
Channell: Clemson by 9
Dillon: Clemson by 6
Cook: Clemson by 14
Laslow: Clemson by 6
Truitt: Clemson by 7
VanHoose: Clemson by 3
Disclaimers:
Williamson: “Coaching staff departures have always played a role in these late-season matchups, but now you have to look at star players. The trend of top NFL prospects sitting out can swing games tremendously. And while you might be able to predict some skill position players removing themselves from the games, what about top linemen or defenders? You might not know those guys are on the bench until the game starts.”
Miller: “Lotta bowl games… lotta guesses on my part.”
Behrens: “Even though Miller and I are tied at the top of this titanic struggle, the real race is to see who finishes in last place because they have to buy pizza. Right now “Jim Dandy” Dillon is the odds-on favorite to be bringing in the pie. However, watch out for “Falling Knife” Cordell, who had a seven-game lead at one point this year. On the other hand, Channell and “Wee Willy” Williamson seem to be hooked at the hip with their picks. Almost like one of them “Channelled” the other so if they go down in flames, they will be buying together and splitting the cost of the Za.”
Cordell: “I have learned my lesson that just picking the mascot can be cumbersome and can get me into trouble (I lost a game earlier this year because I wrote Wildcats, not Panthers). Also, Williamson tells me it can be annoying to readers. I have always done well in the bowls and plan to win this thing outright with my picks. Looking at K-Behr’s picks, I think I can do it early! The bowls are a really good chance to see some great players on lesser teams or at schools you don’t get to see often —QBs Mike White (WKU), Justice Hansen, (Ark. St.), Quinten Flowers (USF), D’Eriq King (Houston), John Wolford (Wake), Tyler Rogers (New Mex St.), Logan Woodside (Toledo) and Tyler Lamb (App St.); RBs A.J. Dillon (B.C.), Miles Gaskin (Washington), Khalil Tate (Arizona) and defensive players Ed Oliver (Houston), Bradley Chubb (N.C. State).”
Channell: “I was first. I made my picks first.”
Dillon: “It is make or break time. I am either going to soar like an eagle or sink like a rock. Either way, I am moving in one direction or another. Now it is just time to watch football nearly every day until after the new year.”