I guess most of you thought I was done. Not so fast.
I've got time for one more blog in 2017.
I'm going to pick the final 18 bowl games, beginning with Thursday's games.
This is a high-risk move, but then I'm a high-risk type of guy.
A Championship Weekend record of 5-4-1 pushed me one game over .500 for the season. So, it's all on the line with these final 18 games.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Here are the selections.
Camping World Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State -4.0 -- Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy flirted with Tennessee. Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuentes was mentioned for a couple of jobs. But both managed to stay put. It has been a disappointing season for the Cowboys and a surprising season for Virginia Tech. Hokie defensive coordinator Bud Foster will cook something up for Okie State, but I believe the Cowboys have too many weapons. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Military Bowl
Virginia vs. Navy -1.5 -- Virginia played better down the stretch. Navy did not. This game will be determined by Virginia's ability to control Navy's running game. The Midshipmen do not believe in the forward pass. Take the Cavaliers. Pick -- Virginia
Alamo Bowl
Stanford vs. TCU -2.5 -- TCU got torched twice by Oklahoma. Stanford lost a heart breaker to Southern Cal in the Pac 12 Championship game. This one is definitely a Who Wants It More Game. Pick -- Stanford
Holiday Bowl
Washington State vs. Michigan State -1.5 -- Since the game is being played on the West Coast, I am going to take the Cougars. A second reason to pick the Cougars is they have Mike Leach, the most quotable head coach in the country. Pick -- Washington State
Belk Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M +3.0 -- I like the way the Deacons play. I don't think three points is enough for the Aggies. Pick -- Wake Forest
Sun Bowl
N.C. State vs. Arizona State +6.5 -- N.C. State started the season in Charlotte by choking away a game to South Carolina. How did that happen? The Wolfpack has been a wobbling mess since losing to Clemson. I see more disappointment in Charlotte for the Wolfies. At least they will get a shopping spree at Belk's. Pick -- Arizona State
Music City Bowl
Kentucky vs. Northwestern -7.5 -- Nashville will be full of blue-clad fans screaming Cats, Cats, Cats. I don't think it will matter. Big 10 Wildcats slap SEC Wildcats. Pick -- Northwestern
Arizona Bowl
New Mexico State vs. Utah State -4.0 -- I don't know a thing about this game, and I don't care. Pick -- Utah State
Cotton Bowl
Southern Cal vs. Ohio State -7.5 -- This is the most interesting of the non-playoff match ups. I can't believe the Rose Bowl did make a call and offer to trade Oklahoma-Georgia for this game. I have said all season Ohio State is a fraud. I am going to continue to say it. Fight on! Pick -- Southern Cal
Taxslayer Bowl
Louisville vs. Mississippi State +6.5 -- Next thing you know they're going to name a bowl the CPA Bowl. Because of the recent tax cuts in Washington this should have been renamed the Trump Bowl. Louisville has shifty quarterback Lamar Jackson, who can lead the Cardinals to points in a hurry. Mississippi State lost Dan Mullen to Florida and lost its starting quarterback to an ankle injury in the Ole Miss game. I think the Cardinals roll. Pick -- Louisville
Liberty Bowl
Iowa State vs. Memphis -3.5 -- High-scoring Memphis is a home in its own stadium for a bowl game. Lay up. Pick -- Memphis
Fiesta Bowl
Washington vs. Penn State -2.5 -- Penn State's dreams of a Big 10 title did not materialize. I think the Nittany Lions will end the season on a high note. Pick -- Penn State
Orange Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Miami +6.0 -- On Championship Saturday, both of these teams had opportunities to reach the College Football Playoff. Both failed. Miami seems to play with more vigor at home at Hard Rock Stadium. I think Miami's speed will be the difference in the game. Pick -- Miami
Outback Bowl
Michigan vs. South Carolina +7.5 -- This is the Offensively Challenged Bowl. Certainly Coach Khaki Pants can rise up and slam Coach Boom. Right? Hail to the victors. Pick -- Michigan
Peach Bowl
Central Florida vs. Auburn -9.5 -- Central Florida is undefeated and can score. Central Florida hasn't seen anything that resembles Auburn's defense. Will Auburn be excited about another trip to Atlanta? In my mind, Auburn's excitement level will determine the outcome. Pick -- Auburn
Citrus Bowl
Notre Dame vs. LSU -3.0 -- Cajuns vs. Catholics. That's got a ring to it. Let's make a t-shirt and make some cash. This was a nice turnaround season for Brian Kelly and his Irish. Shake down the thunder from the sky. Pick -- Notre Dame
Rose Bowl
Georgia vs. Oklahoma +2.0 -- Oklahoma has Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is a nice player, but he has shown he has a screw loose and that he will take chances, way too many chances. Georgia has something rarely seen by Oklahoma in the Big 12 -- a big-time defense. Dawgs pull the upset to earn yet another trip to Atlanta. Pick -- Georgia
Sugar Bowl
Alabama vs. Clemson +3.0 -- Two classics in two years.Will there be a third? Alabama opened as a favorite and the spread has continued to rise. I don't know what it is going to take to make the boys in the desert to believe in Clemson. I think this game is easy to figure out -- Both teams have excellent running quarterbacks and lots of powerful running backs. Good news for Clemson -- Bama tight end O.J. Howard is in the NFL. Bad news for Bama -- Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is still with the Tigers. I promise you Renfrow will get the Tide's full attention. That should open up some opportunities for Clemson's other wideouts. Whoever runs the ball the best and whoever stops the run will win. Pick -- Clemson
Last Week -- 5-4-1
For The Season -- 69-68-2
