Bowl Season is here.
For the second straight year, there are 35 bowls outside the 12-team College Football Playoff. It's an unpredictable business picking the postseason, mainly because of the transfer portal, coaching changes and opt-outs, many of which have not been announced.
We picked all the regular-season matchups involving teams in the AP Top 25 during the regular season. We had a S/U record of 194-57 and an ATS mark of 118-127-6.
We will update our picks to reflect all those changes with the portal and opt outs, but here are our postseason picks for now, including every 2025-26 bowl game and the College Football Playoff's first round.
BENDER: Why Notre Dame is justified in skipping bowl
College football bowl picks, predictions 2025-26
- Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk: Washington (-8.5) vs. Boise State
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m., ESPN
Washington won the last meeting 56-19 in 2023. The Huskies scored 40 or more points in three of their last four games. Dylan Riley can help Boise State shorten the game with a rushing attack that averages 188.4 ypg. It won't be enough for a victory.
Pick: Washington 31, Boise State 24
- IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy (-3.5) vs. Jacksonville State
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Trojans and Gamecocks were runner-ups in their respective conferences. Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook had 1,659 yards and 16 TDs this season. Troy allows 182.3 rushing yards per game.
Pick: Jacksonville 27, Troy 24
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- Full list of locations for 2025 College Football Playoff games
- StaffDNA Cure Bowl: South Florida (-7) vs. Old Dominion
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m., ESPN
The Bulls hired Brian Hartline, and the Ohio State offensive coordinator inherits a talented roster. We're hoping Byrum Brown – who led the FBS with 347.2 yards of total offense – plays in the game. Old Dominion closed the season on a five-game winning streak under Ricky Rahne.
Pick: South Florida 31, Old Dominion 26
- 68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana (-3) vs. Delaware
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Delaware is making its first bowl appearance under Ryan Carty against the Ragin' Cajuns, who are making a fifth straight bowl appearance with coach Michael Desormeaux. Both teams allowed more than 30 points six times, so gear up for a high-scoring game.
Pick: Louisiana 33, Delaware 27
- X-Box Bowl: Arkansas State (-2.5) vs. Missouri State
Thursday, Dec. 18, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Minnesota transfer QB Jacob Clark led the Conference USA with 24 TD passes for Missouri State, which is making its first bowl appearance. Arkansas State is 1-1 S/U in bowl games under Butch Jones.
Pick: Missouri State 24, Arkansas State 20
- Myrtle Beach Bowl: Western Michigan (-4) vs. Kennesaw State
Friday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m., ESPN
It's a fun quarterback matchup. Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry averages 18.8 carries per game for the MAC champions. Kennesaw State's Amari Odom had 18 TDs and six INTs for the Conference USA champions.
Pick: Western Michigan 21, Kennesaw State 20
- Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: NC State (-5) vs. Memphis
Friday, Dec. 19, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
NC State closed the season strong with back-to-back victories where they averaged 31.5 points per game. The Tigers averaged 34.3 points per game – but the defense allowed 32.7 points in three straight losses to end the season.
Pick: NC State 30, Memphis 24
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State (-2.5) vs. Washington State
Monday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m., ESPN
The Cougars allowed just 20.2 points per game as part of a wide-open Pac-12 schedule and scratched into a bowl game under Jimmy Rogers, who left for the Iowa State job. Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes had 27 total touchdowns for the Aggies this season. This will be Bronco Mendenhall's first bowl appearance with Utah State.
Pick: Utah State 27, Washington State 21
- Bush's Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville (-9.5) vs. Toledo
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2 p.m., ESPN
Jason Candle left Toledo to be the coach at UConn. Louisville had an up-and-down season under Jeff Brohm. Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an NFL prospect. Will Toledo be able to slow down the tandem of Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown?
Pick: Louisville 34, Toledo 17
- New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky (-3) vs. Southern Miss
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Braylon Braxton led the Golden Eagles with 23 TDs and seven interceptions this season. Charles Huff left to take the Memphis job. The Hilltoppers are 4-2 S/U in bowl games under Tyson Helton.
Pick: Western Kentucky 29, Southern Miss 20
- Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl: UNLV (-4) vs. Ohio
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Bobcats have won six consecutive bowl games, but head coach Brian Smith is on leave for an undetermined period of time. Parker Navarro and Sieh Bangura combined for 22 rushing TDs this season. The Rebels will be a challenge under first-year coach Dan Mullen.
Pick: Ohio 27, UNLV 24
- Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Cal (-2.5) vs. Hawaii
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a talented freshman QB who averaged 288.2 passing yards with seven TDs and two interceptions in Cal's last five games. Micah Alejado averaged 275.2 yards with 12 TDs and four interceptions in Hawaii's last five games. These two QBs will let it loose on Christmas Eve.
Pick: Hawaii 34, Cal 31
- GameAbove Sports Bowl: Northwestern (-12.5) vs. Central Michigan
Friday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m. ESPN
The Chippewas will challenge Northwestern with Joey Lapas, who led the MAC with a 160.9 passer rating. Northwestern has split its last eight games against MAC schools, so it's not a shoo-in. The defense – led by star safety Robert Fitzgerald (109 tackles) will be the difference.
Pick: Northwestern 24, Central Michigan 14
- Rate Bowl: Minnesota (-3.5) vs. New Mexico
Friday, Dec. 26, 4 p.m., ESPN
P.J. Fleck wins bowl games. He's led the Gophers to six straight bowl victories, and he is 7-2 in the postseason as a head coach. Will New Mexico – led by Jason Eck – cap off a 10-win season here? The Lobos have allowed 113.4 rushing yards per game and closed the season on a six-game winning streak.
Pick: New Mexico 28, Minnesota 26
- Servpro First Responder Bowl: UTSA (-9.5) vs. FIU
Friday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN
Jeff Traylor can lead the Roadrunners to a third straight bowl victory with quarterback Owen McCown, who had 27 TDs and seven interceptions this season. First-year coach Willie Simmons had an impressive season with the Golden Panthers. Kejon Owens (1,298 yards, 11 TDs) keys a strong rushing attack. FIU closed out the regular season with four straight victories.
Pick: UTSA 34, FIU 28
- Go Bowling Military Bowl: Pitt (-6) at East Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m., ESPN
Pitt ranked 17th in the FBS in points per game, and quarterback Mason Heintschel enjoyed a strong freshman season. First-year coach Blake Harrell led the Pirates to eight victories, and five different receivers have 300 or more yards for quarterback Katin Houser. The Panthers' linebackers will be a test.
Pick: Pitt 31, ECU 20
- Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State (-1) vs. Clemson
Saturday, Dec. 27, 12 p.m., ABC
Penn State has a new coach, but the Nittany Lions will be looking to send off interim coach Terry Smith with a victory. Will star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen play in the game? Clemson allowed 13.2 points per game in its last four games – all victories. The Tigers have not lost a bowl outside the New Year's Day Six since 2010.
Pick: Clemson 28, Penn State 21
- Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn (-2.5) vs. Army
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2:15 p.m., ESPN
UConn features some playmakers in quarterback Joe Fagnano (3,448 yards, 28 TDs, 1 INT) and receiver Skyler Bell (101 catches, 1,278 yards, 13 TDs). Army rushes for 256.9 yards per game. Army coach Jeff Monken is 5-1 S/U in bowl games.
Pick: UConn 27, Army 21
- Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 12 BYU (-2.5) vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech
Saturday, Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m., ABC
The Cougars were snubbed from the College Football Playoff, too. Which team gets the running game going? Quarterbacks Haynes King and Bear Bachmeier can take over a game with their legs, and both teams will rely on that in the much-celebrated Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Yellow Jackets were 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
Pick: Georgia Tech 23, BYU 20
MORE: The secret sauce behind Brent Key's success at Georgia Tech
- Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice: Fresno State (-3.5) vs. Miami, Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m.., The CW
E.J. Warner – the son of Kurt Warner – led the Mountain West with a 69.4% completion percentage this season. He also had 11 interceptions. Miami is coming off a 23-13 loss in the MAC championship game. Matt Entz reached the nine-win mark in his first season with the Bulldogs.
Pick: Fresno State 21, Miami 20
- Isleta New Mexico Bowl: No. 23 North Texas (-6) vs. San Diego State
Saturday, Dec. 27, 5:45 p.m.., ESPN
North Texas lost the American Conference championship, but we're hoping Eric Morris and Drew Mestemaker play in the bowl game. Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,129 passing yards, and that offense will give the Aztecs trouble. San Diego State allowed more than 20 points four times this season under Sean Lewis. The Aztecs were 1-3 S/U in those games.
Pick: North Texas 34, San Diego State 24
- Taxslayer Gator Bowl: Missouri (-7) vs. No. 19 Virginia
Saturday, Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Virginia had its playoff hopes dashed in the overtime loss to Duke, and Missouri's defense will be a problem. Ahmad Hardy had 1,560 rushing yards and 16 TDs for the Tigers this season. Will he play in the game? The Tigers were 4-0 ATS when favored by a TD or less this season.
Pick: Missouri 28, Virginia 19
- Kinder's Texas Bowl: No. 21 Houston (-3) vs. LSU
Saturday, Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
The Tigers will start the Lane Kiffin era next season, and the coach is sure to be watching against Houston. The Cougars scored 14 points or less in two of their losses, and LSU still has a nasty defense.
Pick: LSU 23, Houston 16
- JLab Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern (N/L) vs. Appalachian State
Monday, Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPN
This game was necessary to fill bowl slots. The Eagles won the regular-season meeting 25-23. JC French IV passed for 352 yards for Georgia Southern. Appalachian State is 7-1 S/U in bowl games since joining the FBS. Who wants to be there more?
Pick: Georgia Southern 30, Appalachian State 28
- Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech (-7)
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2 p.m., ESPN
Coastal Carolina reached a bowl game, but the Chanticleers allowed 51.7 points per game in their last three games. It's hard to trust them in a matchup against the Bulldogs, who can cap an eight-win season under coach Sonny Cumbie.
Pick: Louisiana Tech 35, Coastal Carolina 21
- Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl: Tennessee (-5.5) vs. Illinois
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee is coming off a bad loss to Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale. Illinois closed the season with three wins in four games. This could be a grind-it-out game, but Joey Aguilar will make enough explosive plays in the passing game to give Josh Heupel his third bowl victory in four years.
Pick: Tennessee 31, Illinois 28
- Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 16 USC (-6.5) vs. TCU
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 9 p.m., ABC
The Trojans can get to 10 wins under Lincoln Riley, who is 2-1 in bowl games with the Trojans. Jayden Maiava had a 159.5 passer rating. TCU is 1-3 S/U when it allows 27 points or more. A shootout might not favor the Horned Frogs here.
Pick: USC 33, TCU 24
- Reliaquest Bowl: No. 14 Vanderbilt (-4) vs. No. 23 Iowa
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 12 p.m., ESPN
Will the Commodores' high-powered offense – led by Diego Pavia – put the finishing touch on a historic season with a victory against the Hawkeyes? Iowa did not allow more than 28 points in a game this season. Iowa also was 3-1 ATS as an underdog. The Hawkeyes have split their last four bowl games against SEC opponents.
Pick: Iowa 28, Vanderbilt 25
- Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl: Duke (-1.5) vs. Arizona State
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.., CBS
Duke won the ACC championship game. Jeff Sims' long-winding career continues with the Sun Devils here. Kenny Dillingham will get enough production out of Raleek Brown (1,141 yards, 4 TDs) to make it interesting, even though the Blue Devils are 4-2 S/U as a favorite of a TD or less.
Pick: Arizona State 32, Duke 29
- Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: No. 13 Texas (-5.5) vs. No. 15 Michigan
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m., ABC
This will be the most watched bowl game outside the College Football Playoff. Arch Manning and Bryce Underwood will look to build momentum for next season, and there will be opt-outs on both sides. Can Michigan get a running game going against the Longhorns – who allowed just 98.1 rushing yards on 3.1 yards per carry this season?
Pick: Texas 28, Michigan 20
- SDS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: No. 15 Utah (-14) vs. Nebraska
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Utah finished with 10 wins under Kyle Whittingham – and they will run right at a Nebraska defense that allowed 222 rushing yards per game in blowout losses to Penn State and Iowa to close the regular season. Still, Matt Rhule has a chance to win a second straight bowl game. TJ Lateef did not throw an interception after taking over for Dylan Raiola.
Pick: Utah 30, Nebraska 20
- Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State (-10.5) vs. Rice
Friday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m., ESPN
Texas State averaged 40.3 points per game in its last three games – all victories. Rice lost three of its last four games but slipped into a bowl game with a 5-7 record. The Bobcats beat the Owls 45-21 in the First Responders Bowl in 2023.
Pick: Texas State 38, Rice 21
- Autozone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati (-1.5) vs. Navy
Friday, Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Cincinnati fizzled at the end of season, but Brendan Sorsby still finished with 3,380 total yards and 36 TDs. The Bearcats will test the Midshipmen with big plays, but Navy is 6-1 S/U in its last seven bowl games. Blake Horvath – an Ohio native – leads another victory.
Pick: Navy 24, Cincinnati 22
- Duke's Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State (-3) vs. Wake Forest
Friday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., ESPN
The Bulldogs lost seven of their last eight games for a 5-7 record, but they will take advantage of the opportunity to play an extra game. Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (907 yards, 10 TDs) has a chance to get Jake Dickert to nine wins in Year 1. This is a toss-up SEC-ACC matchup, and Dickert gets the mayo bath.
Pick: Wake Forest 31, Mississippi State 23
- DirecTV Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Arizona (-1.5) vs. SMU
Friday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Fox
Arizona was one of the hottest teams in the FBS at the end of the season with five straight victories. Noah Fifita (2,963 yards, 26 TDs, 5 INTs) and SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (3,363 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs) should put on a show. The Wildcats were 4-1 S/U when favored by a TD or less.
Pick: Arizona 37, SMU 30
College Football Playoff predictions (first round)
- First-round game: No. 9 Alabama (-1.5) at No. 8 Oklahoma
Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ABC
The Crimson Tide are road favorites at Oklahoma in a classic 8/9 game. Oklahoma won close games down the stretch, and their defense has limited the Crimson Tide to 75 rushing yards and forced three turnovers in the last two meetings. Are we discrediting that Sooners' defense? Look for Kalen DeBoer to pull a first-round surprise.
Pick: Alabama 22, Oklahoma 17
MORE: Ranking the 12 College Football Playoff teams
- First-round game: No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M (-4)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 12 p.m., TNT
The quarterback matchup between Marcel Reed and Carson Beck is intriguing. How will Reed handle Miami's pass rush, which features Rueben Bain Jr.? Carson Beck had 10 TDs and one interception in his last four games. Would the former Georgia quarterback get a shot at his former team? This should be a tight game to the finish, but Texas A&M has the home-field advantage of Kyle Field.
Pick: Texas A&M 24, Miami 21
MORE: Committee got it right after a month of nonsense
- First-round game: No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss (-16.5)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m., TNT
The Rebels beat the Green Wave 45-10 in the regular-season meeting. Ole Miss had 548 total yards of offense, too. How will the Rebels respond to not having Lane Kiffin on the sideline? It's going to be tough for Ole Miss to slow down Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy, but that's still a big number against a team that won five straight games to close the season.
Pick: Ole Miss 34, Tulane 19
DECOURCY: Lane Kiffin showed us all exactly who he is with Ole Miss departure
- First-round game: No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon (-20.5)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 8 p.m., ABC
The Ducks were 5-2 ATS as a home favorite this season, and they have only allowed 14.5 points per game since losing to Indiana. That includes just two rushing TDs on 3.2 yards per carry. James Madison running back Wayne Knight (1,263 yards, 9 TDs) averages 6.6 yards per carry, but the Ducks will be amped for a home playoff game at Autzen Stadium. It's a lot to overcome.
Pick: Oregon 38, James Madison 10