The College Football Playoff starts in less than a months time and all the New Year’s Six match ups are set. The New Year’s Six is composed of the six college football bowls played on New Year’s eve and New Year’s day that are promised to be the pinnacle of the college football season. The six games are some of the most exciting games we have seen in this new generation of college football. Here are my predictions for each of the New Year’s Six games.           

Peach Bowl: No. 10 Florida (9-3) vs. No. 7 Michigan (10-2)    Location: Atlanta     Date: Dec. 29     Time: Noon    TV Channel: ESPN

The Michigan Wolverines were one win away from a playoff lock, but when they got blown out by the number ten Ohio State Buckeyes two weeks prior and the loss destroyed their playoff hopes. The Gators, coming off a three game winning streak, look to upset the Wolverines in a hard fought battle. In the end, I think Michigan will be too strong to handle, despite their loss.

Prediction: Michigan 42-31

Fiesta Bowl: No. 11 LSU (9-3) vs. No. 8 UCF (12-0)    Location: Glendale, Arizona     Date: Jan. 1     Time: 1 p.m.    TV Channel: ESPN

This will be one of the more exciting matchups this winter break. The University of Central Florida Knights will have the spotlight on them to show they are as good as their undefeated season suggests. UCF beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl last year but can they repeat their success? Starting UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton was hurt against South Florida this year and is out with a leg injury, yet they still won the game. However, LSU may be too hard to handle because they have one of the best defenses in the country, and star cornerback Greedy Williams. LSU will cause turnovers and be a big problem for this UCF offense. I predict it will be close with LSU ultimately prevailing.

Prediction: LSU 31-28

Rose Bowl: No. 9 Washington (10-3) vs. No. 6 Ohio State (12-1)    Location: Pasadena, California     Date: Jan. 1     Time: 8 p.m.     TV Channel: ESPN

Ohio State could have been considered robbed from the playoff even only being number six. They crushed their rival Michigan by throwing up 60 points and holding them below 40. This hasn’t happened to Michigan in the last ten years. And a week after that, starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins picked apart the defense of Northwestern. He threw for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Huskies ended the season on a four game winning streak and clinching the PAC 12 with a win over rival #11 Washington State. Yet Ohio state’s offense will be too much and Dwayne Haskins will win his final game in a Buckeye uniform.

Prediction: Ohio State 42-20

Sugar Bowl: No. 15 Texas (9-4) vs. No. 5 Georgia (11-2)    Location: New Orleans     Date: Jan. 1      Time: 8 p.m.      TV Channel: ESPN

This was a surprising matchup as Georgia has been dominating all season almost edging out Alabama in the SEC championship game. They lost by a touchdown in the final ten minutes of the game. Yet an amazing comeback by Jalen Hurts of Alabama destroyed their playoff hopes. The Georgia Bulldogs are still a good team and the only team to come close to Alabama all season. Texas, on the other hand, lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game 39-27. I predict Georgia will walk all over Texas and embarrass them.

Prediction: Georgia 35-10

College Football Playoff

Cotton Bowl No. 2  Clemson (13-0) VS No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0)    Location: Dallas, Texas    Date: December. 29     Time: 4 p.m.     TV Channel: ESPN

This will be the most exciting game of the entire college football playoff. Clemson has their undefeated freshman quarterback, yet undefeated taking on the experienced Notre Dame Fighting Irish. I predict that the game will be close but Clemson’s four top defensive lineman will make the difference. Notre Dame’s quarterback, Ian Book, may have two or three touchdown passes but their offensive line won’t be able to get past Clemson’s defensive line. This game will be low scoring but Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not choke under pressure since he is one of, if not the best, freshman of all time.

Prediction: Clemson 21-17

Orange Bowl No. 1 Alabama (13-0) VS No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)    Location: Miami, Florida    Date December. 29    Time: 8 p.m.     TV Channel: ESPN

The number one Crimson Tide will be taking on the Sooners of Oklahoma. With a Heisman quarterback on both teams, it will be an offensive game of scoring, yet Oklahoma’s defense is by far the worst of any top ten team. Oklahoma is able to put on an offensive clinic though with Heisman winner, Kyler Murray. Even with Alabama’s starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa out for the game, the offense is still so strong that they will be able to score against Oklahoma with Jalen Hurts leading the way.

Prediction: Alabama 49-28

College Football National Championship

Alabama vs Clemson

A rematch for the past three years, I predict this will be the final year that these two teams play each other. This may be close but Alabama will be too strong for this Clemson team. Even with a great defensive line they could just throw in Jalen Hurts and Damien Harris and run all over the Tigers defense. I think Trevor Lawrence will be nervous playing in his first national championship game and throw an interception in the first half leading Alabama to win.

Prediction: Alabama 38-16