College Football Predictions: ESPN picks winners of CFP Semifinals, New Year’s Six Bowls

The latest college football predictions are in from ESPN and the FPI analytics. Not only that, the odds are in for all of the New Year’s Six games.

The College Football Playoff is the marquee event of course, but the other New Year’s Six Bowls should be awesome to watch in the final season of the current format. The 12-team playoff is coming next year, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Let’s dive into the latest odds and predictions for the New Year’s Six and College Football Playoff games.

Cotton Bowl – No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET on 12/29
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Ohio State (-2.5)
FPI Prediction: Ohio State – 75.5%

The Buckeyes are still the big favorite, per ESPN at least. They lost Kyle McCord to the transfer portal, meaning Devin Brown has to deal with the Mizzou defense. Vegas thinks this is going to be a bit closer than ESPN.

Peach Bowl – No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET on 12/30
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Penn State (-4.5)
FPI Prediction: Penn State 72.2%

This might be the best game on the list outside of the playoff. There wasn’t much roster turnover on either side compared to others. A win here could catapult the victor to quite the 2024 season.

Orange Bowl – No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 5 Florida State

Time: 4:00 p.m. ET on 12/30
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Georgia (-17.5)
FPI Prediction: Georgia – 61.2%

This is unfortunate due to all of the opt outs and this could’ve been a de facto playoff game. Georgia has a huge line here but the FPI has it being a little closer than anticipated.

Fiesta Bowl – No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET on 1/1/2024
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Oregon (-17)
FPI Prediction: Oregon – 89.9%

This is another huge line and the Ducks are a big time favorite per the FPI as well. What could be a mismatch on paper, Liberty might surprise some. The Flames are undefeated for a reason.

CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl – No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan

Time: 5:00 p.m. ET on 1/1/2024
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Michigan (-1.5)
FPI Prediction: Michigan – 55.5%

This is the closest game per Vegas and ESPN’s FPI. It truly could go either way. This Michigan team looks like the Wolverine team of destiny, but Alabama is as hot as anyone at this point. Instant classic?

CFP Semifinal: Sugar Bowl – No. 3 Texas vs. No. 2 Washington

Time: 8:45 p.m. ET on 1/1/2024
Channel: ESPN/Fubo TV
Spread: Texas (-4.5)
FPI Prediction: Texas – 69%

The Longhorns are a popular pick to win it all at this point based on the ending of the season and how everything clicked under Steve Sarkisian. But hey, Washington is pretty darn good with Michael Penix Jr. leading the way.

Now that the picks are in, it’s time to sit back and relax (unless you’re betting on the games of course). Tune in for the best team of the year and well, new year.