CFB WEEKLY PICKS: PLAYOFF/NEW YEAR’S SIX

It’s here. It’s on. It’s lit. Whatever. Football games.

PEACH BOWL: #18 Houston vs. #9 Florida State

The Cougars, 12-1 under first-year coach Tom Herman and led by dynamic quarterback Greg Ward Jr., get a chance to show their goods on a national level against a blueblood opponent stocked with elite talent, namely running back Dalvin Cook. BRIAN: Florida State 28, Houston 24, TAYLOR: Florida State 37, Houston 27 (Read Taylor’s Peach Bowl preview here.)

ORANGE BOWL (SEMIFINAL): #4 Oklahoma vs. #1 Clemson

Two explosive offenses led by freakishly talented quarterbacks square off against elite defenses. Clemsoning vs. Big Game Bob. Dabbing versus . . . Bobbing? Stooping? BRIAN: Oklahoma 35, Clemson 28, TAYLOR: Oklahoma 41, Clemson 33 (Read Taylor’s Orange Bowl preview here.)

COTTON BOWL (SEMIFINAL): #3 Michigan State vs. #2 Alabama

The immovable object meets the immovable object in an extravaganza of manball glory. Derrick Henry might get 75 carries and Connor Cook, 34-4 as a starter, winner of two Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl, and a Cotton Bowl, takes his aim at the mighty Tide. BRIAN: Alabama 20, Michigan State 13, TAYLOR: Alabama 24, Michigan State 21 (Read Brian’s Cotton Bowl preview here.)

FIESTA BOWL: #8 Notre Dame vs. #7 Ohio State

The injury-riddled Notre Dame is stocking its backfield with guys they grabbed out of the merch stand, but are still 10-2 on the heels of a pro-style/spread hybrid and DeShone Kizer big play ability. The Buckeyes regret not giving Ezekiel Elliott the ball against Sparty but I bet they learned from that mistake. BRIAN: Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 24, TAYLOR: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 27 (Read Taylor’s Fiesta Bowl preview here.)

ROSE BOWL: #6 Stanford vs. #5 Iowa

The immovable object meets the immovable object in an extravaganza of manual glo-wait, I used that already. Let’s just call this the playoff’s consolation bracket, because both of these teams earned it. Christian McCaffrey is one of the country’s best players at multiple positions. He’ll face a vicious Hawkeye defense. BRIAN: Stanford 24, Iowa 20, TAYLOR: Stanford 30, Iowa 17 (Read Brian’s Rose Bowl preview here.)

SUGAR BOWL: #16 Oklahoma State vs. #12 Ole Miss

The undercard of the New Year’s Six games highlights a Cowboy offense that will get to try its hand against a Rebel defense lacking its feature defensive end. BRIAN: Oklahoma State 52, Ole Miss 45, TAYLOR: Ole Miss 35, Oklahoma State 32 (Read Brian’s Sugar Bowl preview here.)