College football bowl games: Who plays today Saturday December 30? Times, matchups, predictions

Since the start of the bowl season two weeks ago, 33 college football bowl games have been played and we’ve got 10 more to go including the CFP National Championship on Jan. 9, 2023. We’ve seen some great games so far like the Clemson vs Kentucky game in the Sun Bowl and some not so great matchups like yesterday in the Cotton Bowl classic between Missouri and Ohio State. So who plays today?

Cick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Ole Miss (11) vs Penn State (10)

Ole Miss comes into the first matchup of the day with a 10-2 record and an impressive offense run by quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Rebels will face a tough Penn State defense that has led the nation in three categories: fewest first downs allowed, fewest yards and most sacks. Ole Miss will try to stop the Nittany Lions’ pass rush by playing at their usual fast pace.

The Rebels have only lost to Alabama and Georgia this season, but will be facing a tough Big-10 opponent whose only losses came to No. 1 Michigan and their rivals from Ohio State, the top two teams in the conference. The Nittany Lions will have their hands full trying to stop the Rebels, even more so without defensive end Chop Robinson, who is preparing for the NFL draft. Penn State also lost its defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who was hired by Duke.

Prediction: Expect Penn State to win and cover the 4.5-point spread, but we’re thinking the under is a good bet here at 48.5 points.

TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Auburn vs Maryland

This SEC vs Big Ten clash promises to be an intense matchup between two teams with something to prove. Auburn come into the game as 4.5-point favorites and with a 6-6 record under first-year coach Hugh Freeze. Maryland started their season 5-0, but went on to lose five of their next seven games for a 7-5 record.

Maryland’s offense is the big question mark in this game as their quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa opted out, forcing the Terrapins to rely on redshirt sophomore quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. The Tigers will challenge Maryland’s defense with their running game, which averaged nearly 200 yards per game in 2023.

Prediction: It should be a close game with Auburn coming out on top. Look for the Tigers to cover the spread.

Capital One Orange Bowl: Georgia (6) vs Florida State (5)

Saturday’s big matchup will be between two teams that expected to be in the College Football Playoffs, but came up just short despite their excellent records against tough opponents. The Seminoles are coming into the game with a chip on their shoulder after getting snubbed by the playoff committee after going undefeated in 2023. They’re going to want to prove to the entire country that they should have made it to the playoffs.

The Bulldogs are highly motivated too after losing only one game, their last one to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. After back-to-back National Championships in 2021 and 2022 Georgia was expected to win it all again. That loss against Alabama cost them their chance to make it to the CFP semifinals.

Georgia come in as huge favorites over Florida State. The spread is at 20 points and the Seminoles have that much more motivation to prove the committee wrong as well as the sports bookies. You have to keep in mind that the Seminoles have lost more than 10 players for this game and their third-string quarterback will be facing one of the nation’s best defenses. Mike Norvell will have the Seminoles ready despite the missing players.

Prediction: Motivation is a huge factor and we think it will be enough for Florida State to cover the 20-point spread. Expect Georgia to win in a matchup that will total over 44.5 points.

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl: Toledo vs Wyoming

This game will be overshadowed by the Orange Bowl and most college football fans will be watching the game between Georgia and Florida State. Toledo comes into the game with a 10-2 record having lost its first and last games of the season and squeaking by rivals Bowling Green 32-31 in the I-75 MAC rivalry.

Wyoming comes into the game with an 8-4 record led by quarterback Andrew Peasley, who threw for 1823 yards with 20 TDs and 8 INTs. Their top weapons on offense are WR Wyatt Wieland and RB Harrison Waylee, who will face the Rockets’ tough defense. The MAC representative will face a tough defense as well and will struggle against the Cowboys.

Prediction: Look for Wyoming to cover the 3.5-point spread and we’re thinking the two teams won’t go over 44.5 points.