The longest, weirdest and unexpected college football season is finally coming to a close.
The bowl season originally was expected to be 43 games. Due to COVID-19 cancellations, it was shortened to just 28.
After 16 weeks, the College Football Playoff field emerged, with Alabama and Notre Dame heading to the Rose Bowl, which has been moved to Arlington, Texas due to COVID-19 considerations, and Clemson and Ohio State facing off in the Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Tide and Fighting Irish meet for the first time since the BCS championship game after the 2012 season. This will be the third semifinal matchup between the Tigers and Buckeyes in the last five years. The former has won the previous two showdowns.
There’s other interesting matchups with unbeaten Cincinnati getting an opportunity to face traditional power Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Oklahoma and Florida will square off in what should be a high-scoring Cotton Bowl.
POSTSEASON LINEUP:Complete bowl schedule and results
TOP PERFORMERS:Alabama starts lead USA TODAY Sports All-America team
Outside the New Year’s Six, a couple of Big Ten-SEC clashes are worth watching as Northwestern faces off with Auburn in the Citrus Bowl and Mississippi challenges Indiana in the Outback Bowl.
Here’s the picks for all the game, starting on the first weekend of the postseason.
