The 2017-18 college football bowl schedule features 40 bowls, and that means there are 40 opportunities to savor college football before we have wait until September to watch again.
Sporting News' Bill Bender will pick all 40 games, beginning with the R+L Carrier New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 16 all the way to the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8. The College Football Playoff semifinals also return to New Year's Day with Oklahoma and Georgia the Rose Bowl Game and Clemson and Alabama at the Sugar Bowl.
MORE: Where to Watch: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
How did we do during the regular season? Bender finished 108-31 (.777) straight up and 74-65 (.532) against the spread. How will that fare over the always-unpredictable bowl season? Let's find out.
College football bowl picks
Here are all 40 bowl picks (point spreads provided courtesy of Vegasinsider.com as of Dec. 5; lines reflect consensus picks unless noted).
R+L Carrier New Orleans Bowl: North Texas vs. Troy (-5.5)
When: Dec. 16, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Troy can win seven straight and cap off an impressive 11-win season under coach Neal Brown, an up-and-coming coach who will move up soon.
SN pick: Troy wins 34-20 and covers the spread
AutoNation Cure Bowl: Georgia State vs. Western Kentucky (-5)
When: Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Why to watch: WKU quarterback Mike White, who has 61 touchdown passes the last two seasons, might get a look at the next level.
SN pick: Western Kentucky wins 38-30 and covers the spread
Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon (-8)
When: Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Why to watch: Boise State won this bowl three straight years from 2010-12, and the Broncos can get a leg up on the Group of 5 with a victory here. We still like Oregon. The Ducks ranked eighth in the FBS with 268.0 rushing yards per game, and they roll without Royce Freeman.
SN pick: Oregon wins 35-28 but fails to cover the spread
Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State (-5.5) vs. Marshall
When: Dec. 16, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Green uniforms for everyone. Quarterbacks Chase Litton and Nick Stevens can play, but we like a Thundering Herd defense that allowed just 19.2 points per game this season. That makes the difference late. Enjoy Biletnikoff finalist Michael Gallup, too. He'll have a big game for the Rams, but it won't be enough.
SN pick: Marshall wins 24-20 in an UPSET
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: MTSU vs. Arkansas State (-4)
When: Dec. 16, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Justice Hansen broke the Sun Belt single-season record with 34 touchdown passes this year, and the Blue Raiders won three of four games when Brent Stockstill returned from an injury that cost him six games. They'll put up points here.
SN pick: Arkansas State wins 38-31 and covers the spread
Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl: Florida Atlantic (-22.5) vs. Akron
When: Dec. 19, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Lane Kiffin vs. Terry Bowden in a 33-letter bowl game. There's nothing quite like it. Devin Singletary (1,796 yards, 29 touchdowns) leads a high-flying Owls' offense close to home.
SN pick: FAU 45-24 but fails to cover the spread
Frisco Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. SMU (-5.5)
When: Dec. 20, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: SMU receiver Courtland Sutton has generated NFL Draft buzz after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and the Mustangs put the finishing touch on the Chad Morris era with a victory against the Bulldogs.
SN pick: SMU wins 31-30 buts fails to cover the spread
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: FIU vs. Temple (-7)
When: Dec. 21, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: First-year coaches Butch Davis and Geoff Collins guided these programs to the postseason. The Owls won three of their last four, but Davis ends that stretch with a victory here.
SN pick: FIU wins 28-25 in an UPSET
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: UAB vs. Ohio (-7.5)
When: Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m., ESPN
Why to watch: Few stories top UAB's run back to the postseason under Bill Clark, and this bowl is a proper reward. Ohio lost its last two games but still features breakout star in quarterback Nathan Rourke, who accounted for 37 total touchdowns this season.
SN pick: Ohio wins 38-27 and covers the spread
MORE: Ranking all 40 bowl games
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Wyoming (-1)
When: Dec. 22, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Josh Allen dealt with an injury down the stretch, and it's uncertain if he'll play. Michigan transfer Shane Morris enjoyed a fine close to his career with 26 touchdowns for the Chippewas this season.
SN pick: Wyoming wins 37-31 and covers the spread
Birmingham Bowl: USF (-2.5) vs. Texas Tech, noon
When: Dec. 23, noon (ESPN)
Why to watch: Take the over here. Nic Shimonek (3,547 yards, 30 touchdowns) will throw all over the place for the Red Raiders, but Quinton Flowers can will give Charlie Strong and the Bulls a victory in Birmingham.
SN pick: South Florida wins 48-45 and covers the spread
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: San Diego State (PK) vs. Army
When: Dec. 23, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw looks to lead the Cadets to another bowl victory, but they are up against a force in Rashaad Penny, a 2,000-yard rusher who makes the difference.
SN pick: San Diego State wins 35-21 and covers the spread
Dollar General Bowl: Toledo (-8) vs. Appalachian State
When: Dec. 23, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: It's a rematch of last year's Camellia Bowl, which the Mountaineers won 31-28. Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside leads the Rockets to revenge in this one, however, in a shootout with Taylor Lamb.
SN pick: Toledo wins 41-34 but fails to cover the spread
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs. Houston (-1.5)
When: Dec. 24, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch : All-American defensive tackle Ed Oliver is worth the price of admission, but the Bulldogs were just as good on that side under first-year coach Jeff Tedford. Fresno State ranked ninth in the FBS at 17.2 points per game.
SN pick: Fresno State wins 23-20 in an UPSET
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Utah (-4) vs. West Virginia
When: Dec. 26, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: West Virginia isn't the same offense without star quarterback Will Grier (hand), and Utah will take advantage. The Utes have won 13 of their last 14 bowl appearances and are 10-1 under Kyle Whittingham.
SN pick: Utah wins 28-20 and covers the spread
Quick Lane Bowl: Duke (-3) vs. Northern Illinois, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
When: Dec. 26, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Duke's Shaun Wilson and Brittain Brown each averaged over 5.0 yards a carry this season, and are up against the FBS leaders in sacks in Northern Illinois' Sutton Smith. The Blue Devils win another bowl under Dave Cutcliffe.
SN pick: Duke wins 30-20 and covers the spread
Cactus Bowl: UCLA vs. Kansas State (-2.5)
When: Dec. 26, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Skylar Thompson won two of his last three starts for the Wildcats, and Bill Snyder earns another bowl victory against a lame-duck UCLA staff. Even with Josh Rosen, we like K-State.
SN pick: Kansas State wins 30-27 and covers the spread
Independence Bowl: Florida State (-15) vs. Southern Miss
When: Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: The Seminoles extended their bowl streak to 36 straight seasons, and it's a question of a motivation against a Golden Eagles team looking to pull the upset. Big game for freshman tailback Cam Akers here, and that sends him sky-rocketing up Heisman Trophy watch lists for 2018.
SN pick: Florida State wins 37-17 and covers the spread
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Iowa (-3)
When: Dec. 27, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Boston College won five of its last six games, but it will be up against another solid defense in Iowa, which features Josey Jewell and Josh Jackson. Iowa will be motivated by bowl meltdowns the last two seasons, too.
SN pick: Iowa wins 23-17 and covers the spread
MORE: How expanded playoff would have looked in 2017
Foster Farms Bowl: Purdue vs. Arizona (-3.5)
When: Dec. 27, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Why to watch: Purdue reached a bowl game with a hit-or-miss offense in Jeff Brohm's first season, and they'll be up against one of the nation's most exciting players in Khalil Tate. The Boilers won three of their last four, but they lose a shootout here.
SN pick: Arizona wins 38-35 but fails to cover the spread
Academy Sports and Outdoors Texas Bowl: Texas vs. Missouri (-1)
When: Dec. 27, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: There's history dating back to the Big 12, and Missouri's Drew Lock led the nation with 43 touchdown passes last season, breaking an SEC record in the process. The Longhorns, meanwhile, try to complete a winning season under first-year coach Tom Herman. It's a coin flip.
SN pick: Missouri wins 44-34 and covers the spread
Military Bowl by Northrop Grunman: Virginia vs. Navy (PK)
When: Dec. 28, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Virginia is back in the postseason for the first time since 2011, and Kurt Benkert (3,062 yards, 25 touchdowns) will let it fly against the Midshipmen, who lost last season's bowl after winning three straight. The Cavs saw Georgia Tech's option offense earlier this season and won 40-36.
SN pick: Virginia wins 28-27 in an UPSET
Camping World Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State (-6.5)
When: Dec. 28, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: A pair of nine-win teams had higher expectations this season, but the excitement in this game revolves around quarterbacks Josh Jackson and Mason Rudolph. There's an intriguing coordinator matchup between Oklahoma State's Mike Yurcich and Virginia Tech's Bud Foster, too.
SN pick: Oklahoma State wins 31-28 but fails to cover the spread
Valero Alamo Bowl: Stanford vs. TCU (-2.5)
When: Dec. 28, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Bryce Love needs 27 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for the season, and we're hoping he plays despite an ankle injury he dealt with in the Pac-12 championship game. TCU's Kenny Hill can cap an up-and-down with a bowl victory, too. Tough game to pick. We'll go with the team closer to home.
SN pick: TCU wins 31-24 and covers the spread
SDCCU Holiday Bowl: Michigan State vs. Washington State (-2.5)
When: Dec. 28, 9 p.m. (FOX)
Why to watch: Nice contrast of styles between Mark Dantonio and Mike Leach. The Cougars will air it out with Luke Falk, but the Spartans can do the same with Brian Lewerke. Both teams ranked in the top 15 in the FBS in total defense, too.
SN pick: Michigan State wins 38-30 in an UPSET
Belk Bowl: Wake Forest (-3) vs. Texas A&M
When: Dec. 29, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford (25 touchdowns, six interceptions) is an efficient playmaker, and the Demon Deacons are close to home. Will Jimbo Fisher make an appearance on the sideline? The Belk Bowl also has the most entertaining Twitter account of all the bowls.
SN pick: Texas A&M wins 31-28 in an UPSET
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. N.C. State (-7)
When: Dec. 29, 3 p.m. (CBS)
Why to watch: Bradley Chubb. Watch the N.C. State defensive end disrupt another game plan, and the Wolfpack close out a nine-win season. Herm Edwards should be on hand for this one, too. Better days are ahead for the Sun Devils.
SN pick: N.C. State wins 34-24 and covers the spread
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Northwestern (-7.5) vs. Kentucky
When: Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Battle of the Wildcats features a Northwestern team led by running back Justin Jackson looking for 10 wins. Benjamin Snell Jr., however, will lead Kentucky to a mild upset.
SN pick: Kentucky wins 27-24 in an UPSET
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: New Mexico State vs. Utah State (-4)
When: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Why to watch: Battle of the Aggies features New Mexico State, which is back in a bowl game for the first time since 1960. Larry Rose III has 4,416 career rushing yards. Utah State, however, spoils the party.
SN pick: Utah State wins 28-21 and covers the spread
AL-KHATEEB: Playoff has solved none of BCS's controversy
TaxSlayer Bowl: Louisville (-5) vs. Mississippi State
When: Dec. 30, noon (ESPN)
Why to watch: This could be Lamar Jackson's final game, which gives him one last chance to put on a show against a solid SEC school. This game would be so much better if Nick Fitzgerald (ankle) were playing.
SN pick: Louisville wins 38-24 and covers the spread
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs. Memphis (-3.5)
When: Dec. 30, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Why to watch: Do you like points — and excitement? This game should have that. Matt Campbell can give the Cyclones another win to build on, but they'll have to go through Memphis' high-flying offense led by quarterback Riley Ferguson.
SN pick: Iowa State wins 44-41 in an UPSET
Outback Bowl: Michigan (-8.5) vs. South Carolina
When: Jan. 1, noon (ESPN2)
Why to watch: It's a rematch of the 2013 Outback Bowl, forever remembered for “The Hit” by Jadeveon Clowney. The Wolverines, however, get revenge this time. Both defenses dictate this game, and Michigan scratches out a bowl victory against another SEC East school.
SN pick: Michigan wins 24-17 but fails to cover the spread
Outback Back: Notre Dame vs. LSU
When: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. (ABC)
Why to watch: A pair of nine-win teams square off in a rematch of the 2014 Music City Bowl. LSU won six of its last seven games, and the Irish lost two of their last three. Josh Adams and Derrius Guice should have big games. Which quarterback can throw the ball when it matters? Brandon Wimbush and Danny Etling better be up to the challenge.
SN pick: LSU wins 28-25 and covers the spread
MORE: Stats, advice, rankings for bowl pick'em pool
New Year's Day Six bowls
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State (-6.5) vs. USC
When: Dec. 29, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Remember last year's Rose Bowl ? This could be that game. J.T. Barrett and Sam Darnold will put on a show in a matchup of classic rivals, and the winner might get the benefit of the doubt in the College Football Playoff race next year.
SN pick: Ohio State wins 31-27 but fails to cover the spread
Fiesta Bowl: Washington vs. Penn State (-4.5)
When: Dec. 30, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Chris Petersen is back at the Fiesta Bowl, and the Huskies will be up against a Penn State team that lost two games by four points this season. Enjoy the show between Washington's Jake Browning and Penn State's Saquon Barkley. Both will make big plays.
SN pick: Penn State wins 38-33 and covers the spread
Orange Bowl: Wisconsin (-6) vs. Miami
When: Dec. 30, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: How will Wisconsin's big offensive line match up against Miami's defensive line? That's everything in this matchup. Quarterbacks Alex Hornibrook and Malik Rosier must protect the ball, but we like the Hurricanes in a de facto home game.
SN pick: Miami wins 24-21 in an UPSET
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Auburn (-9.5) vs. UCF
When: Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: The Knights can cap off a perfect season before Scott Frost heads to Nebraska, and the Tigers have a chance to build for next year around Jarrett Stidham. There will be points.
SN pick: Auburn wins 42-28 and covers the spread
College Football Playoff
Rose Bowl Game: Georgia (-1.5) vs. Oklahoma, 5 p.m.
When: Jan. 1, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Two teams that don't go to the Rose Bowl often will play in a wonderful contrast of styles under Lincoln Riley and Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs will grind out clock behind an impressive rushing attack led by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, and this is Heisman Trophy front runner Baker Mayfield's time to shine.
SN pick: Oklahoma wins 31-28 in an UPSET
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Alabama (-1.5) vs. Clemson
When: Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Clemson-Alabama III will live up to the hype. Alabama has a month to prepare for a bruising Clemson rushing attack, and the Tigers' front four will come up with ways to disrupt the Tide's ground game. It's going down to one or two big plays from either Jalen Hurts or Kelly Bryant. We'll go with the quarterback who was one drive away last year.
SN pick: Alabama wins 28-24 and covers the spread
MORE: Complete college football 2017-18 bowl schedule
College Football Championship Game
When: Jan. 8, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Why to watch: Baker vs. Bama? That alone would draw viewers through the roof, and it could be as exciting as the 45-31 shootout at the 2014 Sugar Bowl. It produces an unbelievable title game with a familiar result. Alabama proves the committee right with another national championship.
SN pick: Alabama wins 33-31
