Don't Bet On It! (Bowl Season, Part 5 of 7)

Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope you and your family are having a great day. I know I am -- we're still 4-3 against the spread for the bowl season despite whiffing on last night's Hawai'i Bowl. I guess I should've known that June Jones couldn't win anywhere other than the islands. Anyway, we've got some more picks for you today as a present. They could all be winners, but Don't Bet On It!

Hyundai Sun Bowl (12/31)
USC (-10) v. Georgia Tech
USC has not fired Lane Kiffin yet. That would be enough for me to pick against the Trojans under normal circumstances... but the Techies haven't fired Paul Johnson yet, either. And the NATs' have given up nearly 240 yards per game through the air in the ACC. I'm hoping for some sort of natural disaster here, but I have to take USC to cover because Matt Barkley needs to have a big game to up his draft stock. Gross.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl (12/31)
Iowa State (-1) v. Tulsa
Cyclones are taking on Golden Hurricanes. Something something climate change. But, seriously, Paul Rhoads is a good enough coach for us to take Iowa State to cover.

Chick-fil-A Bowl (12/31)
No. 8 LSU (-4.5) v. No. 14 Clemson
Do you need any analysis beyond SEC > ACC? Me either. Geaux Tigers!

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl (1/1)
Mississippi State v. No. 20 Northwestern (+2)
Despite our poorly timed spoiler alert, we're taking Northwestern. The Bizarro Bulldogs have to be disappointed to be here. After winning their first seven and looking like potential dark horse contenders for the West, they lost four of their last five, beating only lowly Arkansas. The Cardiac Cats, on the other hands, are looking for their first bowl win since the 1948 season. Plus, Northwestern beat a decent SEC team (Vandy). Mississippi State didn't.

Heart of Dallas Bowl (1/1)
Purdue v. Oklahoma State (-17)
The Boilermakers are giving up more than 400 yards per game despite playing in the offensively challenged B1G. The Cowboys are going to have a freaking field day.

Go Dawgs!