Jake Calhoun, sports editor (56-42)

Dean Berhow-Goll, assistant sports editor (63-35)

Alex Halsted, assistant sports editor (60-38)

Stephen Koenigsfeld, sports online editor (66-32)

 

BCS National Title Game: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 Notre Dame

Jake Calhoun: Alabama — I kind of hope the world does end so we don’t have to watch this potentially awful game.

Dean Berhow-Goll: Alabama — I love Notre Dame, but I don’t know if they have as many athletes.

Alex Halsted: Alabama — Roll Tide. One last time, and the SEC’s reign continues.

Stephen Koenigsfeld: Notre Dame — And down goes the SEC.

 

Fiesta Bowl: No. 4 Oregon vs. No. 5 Kansas State

Calhoun: Oregon — Bill Snyder is really old and Oregon is really fast.

Berhow-Goll: Oregon — This could be close at first, but Oregon will probably run away in the second half.

Halsted: Oregon — I don’t see a way Oregon’s offense doesn’t go off in this game.

Koenigsfeld: Oregon — *Insert Bill Snyder joke here.*

 

Sugar Bowl: No. 21 Louisville vs. No. 3 Florida

Calhoun: Florida — Louisville should have gone to the Orange Bowl so it could get used to losing in the Orange Bowl.

Berhow-Goll: Florida — This should be a shellacking.

Halsted: Florida — If the SEC loses this game to the Big East, the world just might end.

Koenigsfeld: Florida — The Big East is still a conference?

 

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Stanford

Calhoun: Stanford — Since Bret Bielema left for Arkansas, the Stanford Tree wins the drinking contest by default.

Berhow-Goll: Stanford — Had they beaten Notre Dame, they’d be in the conversation at the top.

Halsted: Stanford — The Trees beat a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team.

Koenigsfeld: Stanford — I guess the Rose Bowl just wasn’t good enough for Bielema and his 8-5 Badgers.

 

Orange Bowl: No. 15 Northern Illinois vs. No. 12 Florida State

Calhoun: Florida State — I’m pretty sure the Orange Bowl is just trolling us at this point.

Berhow-Goll: Florida State — This game can be closer than people think. Is it 2014 yet?

Halsted: Florida State — I don’t think Florida State is very good. But as Herbstreit made very clear, “They lost to IOWA!” And almost Kansas…and almost Army.

Koenigsfeld: Florida State — NIU players are more clueless on why they’re in the Orange Bowl than Mike McCarthy was in the Super Bowl XLV.

 

Cotton Bowl: No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Oklahoma

Calhoun: Texas A&M — Well, this is awkward.

Berhow-Goll: Texas A&M — Oklahoma is really, really good. But they don’t have Johnny Football!

Halsted: Texas A&M — Just one year removed from the Big 12 breakup and we already have this.

Koenigsfeld: Oklahoma — That awkward moment when you see your ex and they’re doing well and you just got jipped. Story of OU’s life.

 

GoDaddy.com Bowl: No. 25 Kent State vs. Arkansas State

Calhoun: Kent State — If the GoDaddy.com Bowl were a person, what kind of tramp stamp would it get?

Berhow-Goll: Kent State — They were nearly the fluke team in a BCS Bowl. Wowza.

Halsted: Kent State — They could be in the BCS bowl, but instead they’ll be watching Northern Illinois.

Koenigsfeld: Kent State — Kent State is ranked. Like, that happened…

 

Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Ole Miss

Calhoun: Ole Miss — Wait, Pitt is bowl-eligible?

Berhow-Goll: Ole Miss — SEC>Big East

Halsted: Ole Miss — I’ll take the SEC team in this one.

Koenigsfeld: Ole Miss — Long hair, don’t care.

 

Outback Bowl: No. 10 South Carolina vs. No. 18 Michigan

Calhoun: South Carolina — That rough Big Ten schedule will really play to Michigan’s favor in… Oh wait.

Berhow-Goll: South Carolina — SEC>Big Ten

Halsted: South Carolina — I’ll go with the Gamecocks simply because of they’re in the SEC and Michigan plays in the Big Ten.

Koenigsfeld: Michigan — Still looking for the Iowa bowl game on in the picks. Must be further down…

 

Capital One Bowl: No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 16 Nebraska

Calhoun: Georgia — Bo Pelini is practicing his yelling at the refs. #bopelinifunfacts

Berhow-Goll: Georgia — This could be another shellacking.

Halsted: Georgia — I don’t see how the Cornhuskers bounce back much from that Big Ten Championship game.

Koenigsfeld: Georgia — Bo Pelini earned a share of the Big Ten title along with Ohio State, Penn State, the 2010 USC Trojans and the North Dakota mascot.

 

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Purdue vs. Oklahoma State

Calhoun: Oklahoma State — I really don’t see how this is fair.

Berhow-Goll: Oklahoma State — Is their QB still playing with a broken leg?

Halsted: Oklahoma State — Cowboy fans aren’t happy to be in the Heart of Dallas apparently, but it doesn’t mean they won’t win.

Koenigsfeld: Oklahoma State — I was just upset to hear Bret Bielema didn’t take Mike Gundy’s job…

 

Gator Bowl: Mississippi State vs. No. 20 Northwestern

Calhoun: Northwestern — Northwestern hasn’t won a bowl game since 1948 and Mississippi State is the reason Ole Miss is bowl-eligible.

Berhow-Goll: Mississippi State — Remember when this team was supposed to beat Alabama?

Halsted: Northwestern — I’ll go with coach Fitzgerald.

Koenigsfeld: Northwestern — Because they didn’t lose to Iowa.

 

Chick-fil-A Bowl: No. 8 LSU vs. No. 14 Clemson

Calhoun: LSU — They should rename this bowl to either the “Peach Bowl” or the “Bigot Bowl”.

Berhow-Goll: LSU — Clemson is electric, but LSU has so much talent.

Halsted: LSU — I’m not all that impressed with the ACC, so I’ll take Les Miles and the Tigers.

Koenigsfeld: LSU — Anyone willing to watch this game at the Chick-fil-A in Jordan Creek? I’m so hungry making this pick.

 

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs. Tulsa

Calhoun: Iowa State — Call it a hunch, but I heard A.J. Klein has been working on ways to decapitate Cody Green.

Berhow-Goll: Iowa State — Beating a team twice is hard, but Sam Richardson is leading now.

Halsted: Iowa State — It’s not easy to beat a team twice in one season, but I think the Cyclones will complete the sweep of the storm teams.

Koenigsfeld: Iowa State — The last time Iowa State played Tulsa? 2012 in its season opener. It’s been a long time coming.

 

Sun Bowl: USC vs. Georgia Tech

Calhoun: USC — From No. 1 in the preseason polls to facing a 6-7 team from the ACC in the Sun Bowl. Lane Kiffin gets what he deserves.

Berhow-Goll: USC — My goodness Lane Kiffin’s seat is hot.

Halsted: USC — Not exactly where Trojan fans would like to be, but they should at least take home a Sun Bowl trophy back to California.

Koenigsfeld: USC — I never thought USC would be in the Sun Bowl this year. I also never thought Bret Bielema would leave Wisconsin after making it to the Rose Bowl.

 

Music City Bowl: N.C. State vs. Vanderbilt

Calhoun: Vanderbilt — The Commodores will have to “anchor down” James Franklin from jumping to another job.

Berhow-Goll: N.C. State — Rodney Purvis is a diaper dandy, oh crap this is football.

Halsted: Vanderbilt — Right at home for the Commodores should be enough. Even if their coach did vote Notre Dame at No. 4.

Koenigsfeld: N.C. State — How else am I supposed to win Gridiron picks if I pick the same games as Calhoun?

 

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: TCU vs. Michigan State

Calhoun: TCU — This bowl game makes me hungry and I’m firing Stephen for his pick.

Berhow-Goll: TCU — Trevone Boykin is a pretty good quarterback and TCU is a tad underrated.

Halsted: TCU — The Spartans have a stealthy defense, but Texas Christian has turned its season around as of late.

Koenigsfeld: TCU — Sources say the physicality of TCU is about as good as that of Nickelback and Bon Jovi put into one band.

 

Alamo Bowl: No. 23 Texas vs. No. 13 Oregon State

Calhoun: Oregon State — The Longhorns are playing the Beavers. That is awesome.

Berhow-Goll: Texas — Mack Brown’s seat is hot, hot, hot.

Halsted: Oregon State — The Longhorns have been back-and-forth this season. Who knows.

Koenigsfeld: Oregon State — The Beavs win it again!

 

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Navy vs. Arizona State

Calhoun: Arizona State — Todd Graham will probably leave for another job and tell his players via text message after a win here.

Berhow-Goll: Navy — Love me some triple option.

Halsted: Arizona State — The Sun Devils take this one for the Pac-12.

Koenigsfeld: Arizona State — Because we all know the cure to world hunger is Mac n’ Cheese.

 

Pinstripe Bowl: West Virginia vs. Syracuse

Calhoun: West Virginia — I don’t know what’s more awkward: A former Big East showdown in a bowl game or the fact that Syracuse is bowl-eligible.

Berhow-Goll: Syracuse — I love my Orangemen. Ryan Nassib is fantastic.

Halsted: West Virginia — This will be a little odd with West Virginia playing a former Big East school just one year later.

Koenigsfeld: West Virginia — A Big East team and a former Big East team walk into a bar…

 

Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Air Force

Calhoun: Air Force — Rice was to the SWC what Duke football is to the ACC.

Berhow-Goll: Air Force — What Alex said.

Halsted: Air Force — It took a game-winning field goal for Rice to beat Kansas. That’s plenty for me.

Koenigsfeld: Rice — Rice beat Kansas. That’s just funny.

 

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas: Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

Calhoun: Texas Tech — Anyone can beat the mediocrity of the Big Ten except of course the other Big Ten teams.

Berhow-Goll: Texas Tech — Remember when Tech was supposed to be the surprise of the Big 12?

Halsted: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders will take care of this game.

Koenigsfeld: Texas Tech — I haven’t a clue for a joke. I’m sorry.

 

Russell Athletic Bowl: Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech

Calhoun: Rutgers — Can we just dissolve the ACC? Please?

Berhow-Goll: Rutgers — Logan Thomas isn’t where he needs to be at this point.

Halsted: Rutgers — This isn’t quite the bowl game they were hoping for, but Rutgers will take it.

Koenigsfeld: Virginia Tech — There’s just too much Big East happening in the bowl season.

 

Independence Bowl: Ohio vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Calhoun: Ohio — Former ISU running back Beau Blankenship will wipe his cleats with the Warhawks’ facemasks.

Berhow-Goll: Louisiana-Monroe — People forget this is the team that shook up the SEC scene.

Halsted: Louisiana-Monroe — I’ll go with Louisiana Tech…err…Louisiana-Monroe in this one.

Koenigsfeld: Louisiana-Monroe — I forgot to make this pick with my others, so my brain knows nothing funny. Sorry.

 

Holiday Bowl: Baylor vs. No. 17 UCLA

Calhoun: Baylor — Upset alert: Jim Mora’s war paint will get in his eyes and probably burn a lot.

Berhow-Goll: Baylor — If they can beat Kansas State, they can beat UCLA.

Halsted: Baylor — The Bears are playing at their best right now. Of course, they’ll have to continue the run with a one-month break.

Koenigsfeld: UCLA — Back-to-back losses to the same team will be enough motivation for UCLA to come out on top.

 

Belk Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Duke

Calhoun: Cincinnati — I was pretty ecstatic when Duke became bowl-eligible, but that doesn’t mean much now.

Berhow-Goll: Cincinnati — We had a play in high school called Bearcat.

Halsted: Cincinnati — It’s awesome they’re bowl eligible, but I don’t see it.

Koenigsfeld: Cincinnati — Duke gets bowl-eligible aaaaaaaaaaand gets stomped.

 

Military Bowl: No. 24 San Jose State vs. Bowling Green

Calhoun: San Jose State — Sorry, MACtion. I’ve got to take WACtion here, especially since there won’t be any next year.

Berhow-Goll: Bowling Green — Umm. Bowling Green has orange uniforms?

Halsted: San Jose State — Will anybody watch this game?

Koenigsfeld: San Jose State — Who?

 

Little Caesars Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan

Calhoun: Western Kentucky — This bowl will make you want to puke just like Little Caesars Pizza.

Berhow-Goll: Western Kentucky — Do we get a $5 pizza if we watch this game?

Halsted: Western Kentucky — I like pizza, but I don’t know anything about this bowl.

Koenigsfeld: Central Michigan — Because they didn’t lose to Iowa.

 

Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs. SMU

Calhoun: Fresno State — “Aww man, we have to go to Hawaii?” – No one ever.

Berhow-Goll: SMU — The Pony Excess was fantastic. So, SMU.

Halsted: Fresno State — I think this is on Christmas Eve, so I might actually see some of it.

Koenigsfeld: SMU — I know a friend that goes to SMU. I hope she reads this.

 

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Washington vs. No. 19 Boise State

Calhoun: Washington — Beatdowns by Washington are probably why Boise State didn’t want to join the Pac-12 during expansion a couple years ago.

Berhow-Goll: Boise State — Because no one sensible agrees with Stephen.

Halsted: Boise State — I picked Washington to win eight games and they blew it.

Koenigsfeld: Washington — Because no one sensible likes Boise State.

 

New Orleans Bowl: East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Calhoun: Louisiana-Lafayette — Yaaargh, the Ragin’ Cajuns be takin’ boot to ye Pirates arses.

Berhow-Goll: Louisiana-Lafayette — Smite me oh mighty smiter!

Halsted: Louisiana-Lafayette — We’re almost there…

Koenigsfeld: Louisiana-Lafayette — I’ve run out of jokes at this point. But keep reading. If you’ve made it this far, only four more bowls left!

 

St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs. Ball State

Calhoun: UCF — Who wins in a fight between Daniel Tosh and David Letterman? Well, this game shouldn’t be indicative of that.

Berhow-Goll: UCF — I’ll go with the Ultimate Cat Flamthrowers.

Halsted: UCF — I’ll go with Daniel Tosh between those two mentioned above.

Koenigsfeld: UCF — Rumor has it players get a free dolphin as one of the prizes for making it to this bowl.

 

Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. San Diego State

Calhoun: San Diego State — Under BYU’s honor code, you can’t listen to Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Berhow-Goll: San Diego State — Go California games!

Halsted: BYU — Hey, maybe they’ll join the Big 12 one day.

Koenigsfeld: BYU — Jimmer Fredette to make guest appearance.

 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Toledo vs. No. 22 Utah State

Calhoun: Utah State — It’s a little insulting for Utah State to earn a BCS ranking and then have to play in this joke of a bowl game.

Berhow-Goll: Utah State — Wait. Potato Bowl? Maybe next year we’ll have a cabbage bowl.

Halsted: Utah State — The Aggies take home all the potatoes.

Koenigsfeld: Utah State — I laugh every single time I see the name of this bowl game.

 

New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs. Arizona

Calhoun: Arizona — My head hurts. That’s my joke for this pick.

Berhow-Goll: Arizona — Rich Rod is awesome.

Halsted: Arizona — Pac-12>Mountain West

Koenigsfeld: Arizona — Kick off the end of the first semester with bowl games.