Championship Week provided us with a lot of drama with Alabama beating #1 Georgia!
The shakeup put all the pundits on alert and caused many bar-room arguments about what teams should be included in the CFP.
Now that the regular season is complete the Bowl Games will be announced and each team involved will look to end their season on a winning note.
After the Bowl Games there will be one final ranking of the Top 5 teams in each Power Five Conference, but for now these Top 5 Rankings will hold strong.
2023 was another great season of College Football and I can’t wait for the Bowl Games!
Take a look and see where your team stands in this week’s Top 5 Rankings.
Scroll to the bottom to see how Rivalry Sports did on their picks for the Bowl Game games and to see a summary of this week’s picks!
Win/Loss Records of the picks for Week 14:
| Picker | Rivalry Sports – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker |
| Win – Loss Record Week 14 | 3 – 2 | |
| Overall Won/Loss Record on Picks (starting in Week 5 for Dustin, week 6 for guest pickers) | 136 – 42 | 111 – 44 |
Guest Picker Won/Loss Records
| Guest Picker | Week | Won/Loss Record on Picks | Winning Percentage |
| Stephanie Kirby | 6 | 11 – 7 | 61.11% |
| Lance Kirby | 7 | 12 – 8 | 60.00% |
| Brandon Kirby | 8 | 11 – 5 | 68.75% |
| Nolan Kirby | 9 | 12 – 6 | 66.7% |
| Richard Strick | 10 | 18 – 3 | 85.71 |
| Bob Kirby | 11 | 14 – 5 | 73.68% |
| Stephanie Kirby | 12 | 20 – 1 | 95.24% |
| Jarrod Kirby | 13 | 13 – 9 | 59.09% |
RIVALRY SPORTS LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK
| Week | Rivalry Sports Game Score Pick | Actual Result |
| 6 | Notre Dame over Louisville | Louisville Over Notre Dame 33 – 20 |
| 7 | Utah over California 24 – 10 | Utah over California 34 – 14 |
| 8 | Michigan over Michigan State 38 – 17 | Michigan over Michigan State 49 – 0 |
| 9 | Penn State over Indiana 38 – 10 | Penn State over Indiana 33 – 24 |
| 10 | Michigan over Purdue 45 – 17 | Michigan over Purdue 41 – 13 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State over UCF 27 – 20 | UCF over Oklahoma State 45 – 3 |
| 12 | Ole Miss over Louisiana Monroe 34 – 20 | Ole Miss over Louisiana Monroe 35 – 3 |
| 13 | Utah over Colorado 34 – 17 | Utah over Colorado 23 – 17 |
| 14 | Michigan over Iowa – 27 – 17 | Michigan over Iowa 26 – 0 |
Check out last week’s Top 5 Rankings
College football never disappoints, and this year is no exception. Let’s check in with the Weekly Rivalry Sports Top 5 for each Power Conference.
SEC TOP FIVE
Georgia was finally taken down after 29 straight wins!
1. ALABAMA (12 – 1) CFP Ranking – #4
What a season in Tuscaloosa! The Tide started the season looking like a shell of themselves.
People were questioning whether or not the Alabama Dynasty was crumbling, but all Bama did was keep getting better throughout the season.
They took a tough loss to Texas early in the season and they had to look inward to see who they really wanted to be.
They then ran the table and beat Georgia to win the SEC Championship to secure a spot in the CFP!
They will face Michigan in the Rose Bowl and are looking to continue to shock the world.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 2
Bowl Game Opponent: Michigan in the Rose Bowl at 5:00 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
2. GEORGIA (12 – 1) CFP Ranking – #6
The Dawgs had to lose sometime, but their run was a truly historic run. If you are a Georgia fan then take the time to appreciate what your team has accomplished over the last three years, because it is truly historic.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 1
Bowl Game Opponent: #5 Florida State in the Orange Bowl at 4:00 PM EDT Saturday 12/30/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. OLE MISS (10 – 2) CFP Ranking – #11
The Rebels got a chance to end their season on a good note in a big Bowl Game when they were invited to take on Penn State in the Peach Bowl.
Ole Miss is a young team and winning their Bowl game could give them momentum going into next year.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 3
Bowl Game Opponent: #10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 12/30/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Missouri (10 – 2) CFP Ranking – #9
The Missouri Tigers have a great chance to add another quality win to their season when they take on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
I think that oftentimes the team that is more excited to play in a Bowl game comes out the winner, and Missouri seems excited to have a chance to win the Cotton Bowl while Ohio State is dealing with lots of players leaving for the transfer portal.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 4
Bowl Game Opponent: #7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at 8:00 PM EDT Friday 12/29/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. LSU (9 – 3) CFP Ranking – #13
The Tigers have a great chance to get to double digit wins this year when they take on Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
LSU is undoubtedly the more talented team, so if coach Brian Kelly can get his team up for the game, the Tigers should roll.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 5
Bowl Game Opponent: Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 12:00 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from SEC Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 Teams as last week
Big Ten TOP FIVE
The reigning King of the Big Ten is still Michigan who won the Big Ten Championship for the third year in a row!
1. MICHIGAN (13 – 0) CFP Ranking – #1
Michigan might not have looked dominant on offense in the B1G Championship Game, but their Defense and Special Teams were great as they won the game 26 – 0!
The Wolverines have checked all of their goals off their list so far this year, but that list continues.
The next goals are to win a CFP game and ultimately, win the National Championship!
They have set themselves up for the possibility of accomplishing their goals, but they will have tough games ahead with a loaded CFP field starting with their game in the Rose Bowl against Alabama!
Last Week B1G Ranking: 1
Bowl Game Opponent: Alabama in the Rose Bowl at 5:00 PM EDT Saturday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. OHIO STATE (11 – 1) CFP Ranking – #7
OSU needs to try to get out of their negative spiral after losing to Michigan for the 3rd time in a row.
They have had a number of players transfer out of the program, including starting QB Kyle McCord.
Ryan Day will need to show that he is a good coach to get his team up and ready to take on a talented Missouri team.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 2
Bowl Game Opponent: #9 Missouri in the Cotton Bowl at 8:00 PM EDT Friday 12/29/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
3. PENN STATE (10 – 2) CFP Ranking – #10
Last Week B1G Ranking: 3
Bowl Game Opponent: #11 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl at 12:00 PM EDT Saturday 12/30/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
4. Iowa (10 – 3) CFP Ranking – #17
Iowa had a great season, but with all of their injuries and just Michigan’s dominance, the Hawkeyes were not able to be competitive in the B1G Championship game as they lost to Michigan 26 – 0.
The Hawkeyes should still have a chance to end the season on a winning note when they take on Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
Either way, the Hawkeyes have had a great season and beat the odds overcoming all of the injuries their team has suffered.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 4
Bowl Game Opponent: #21 Tennessee at 1:00 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Maryland (7 – 5) CFP Ranking – Unranked
The Terps have had an up and down season, but this is their last chance to secure another win with star QB Taulia Tagovailoa before he graduates.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 5
Bowl Game Opponent: Auburn in the Music City Bowl at 2:00 PM EDT Saturday 12/30/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Dropped from Big 10 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 Teams as last week
PAC-12 TOP FIVE
Washington ran the table in a very tough Pac-12 Conference and proved that they belong in the CFP this year.
1. WASHINGTON (13 – 0) CFP Ranking – #2
Many (including myself) did not give Washington enough credit and expected Oregon to beat Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The Huskies however, proved all their doubters wrong and beat Oregon for the second time this year to remain undefeated.
Washington now gets ready to play in the CFP against Texas and see just how far they can go this year.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Bowl Game Opponent: Texas in the Sugar Bowl TBD at 8:45 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
2. OREGON (11 – 2) CFP Ranking – #8
The Ducks looked like one of the best teams in the nation for much of the season, but they couldn’t get past Washington who they lost to twice, including in the Pac-12 Championship Game 34 – 31.
Oregon now has the task of getting their team ready for an excited Liberty team.
The Ducks need to buckle down and focus if they want to end their season on a winning note.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Bowl Game Opponent: #23 Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl at 1:00 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Arizona (9 – 3) CFP Ranking – #14
Arizona is a tough, hard nosed team that no one really wants to play at this time of the year.
They will get a chance to get to double digit wins when they take on Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Arizona will be facing a Sooners team without their star QB who entered the transfer portal so I expect the Wildcats to win.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 3
Bowl Game Opponent: #12 Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl at 9:15 PM EDT Thursday 12/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. OREGON STATE (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #19
The Beavers had a rough end to the regular season. They not only lost their last game to Oregon, they also lost head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State.
Oregon State also had multiple players enter the transfer portal, so the remaining players will have to really step up in order to get a win over Notre Dame in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 4
Bowl Game Opponent: #16 Notre Dame in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at 2:00 PM EDT Friday 12/29/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
5. UTAH (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #Unranked
The Utes will have a tough time winning their Bowl game after their top 2 QB’s entered the transfer portal.
If anyone can overcome the loss of their top 2 QBs, it is coach Kyle Whittingham and Utah!
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 5
Bowl Game Opponent: Northwestern in the Las Vegas Bowl at 7:30 PM EDT Saturday 12/23/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from Pac – 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as Last Week
BIG 12 TOP FIVE
In Texas’ last season in the Big 12 they won the Big 12 Championship to show that the Longhorns are back!
1. TEXAS (12 – 1) CFP Ranking – #3
Texas dominated Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game by the score of 49 – 21.
That win along with Alabama beating Georgia, helped propel the Longhorns into the CFP where they will have a chance to take on Washington in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day!
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Bowl Game Opponent: Washington in the Sugar Bowl at 8:45 PM EDT Monday 1/1/24
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. OKLAHOMA (10 – 2) CFP Ranking – #12
Oklahoma will be looking to start playing for next season in the Bowl game when they replace departed star QB Dillon Gabriel with either 5 star freshman Jackson Arnold or redshirt sophomore General Booty.
The Sooners have a good chance to go into next season on a positive note with a win and they will need the positive feeling going into the SEC for the first time next season.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Bowl Game Opponent: #14 Arizona in the Alamo Bowl at 9:15 PM EDT Thursday 12/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
3. Oklahoma State (9 – 4) CFP Ranking – #20
Oklahoma State’s up and down season came to a regular season end with a 49 – 21 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.
Although the Cowboys were dominated in the game, it was ultimately a successful season and will lead to a good Bowl Game when they take on Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 3
Bowl Game Opponent: Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl at 9:00 PM EDT Wednesday 12/27/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Kansas State (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #25
Kansas State had an up and down season where they showed a lot of talent, but they also showed a lot of inconsistency.
With the loss of veteran starting QB Will Howard, the Wildcats will be looking to build toward next season with a win against a tough NC State team.
Last Week Big 12 Ranking: 4
Bowl Game Opponent: #18 NC State in the Pop Tarts Bowl at 5:45 PM EDT Thursday 12/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
5. KANSAS (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #Unranked
The Jayhawks had a good season, but it feels like it could have been more if their QBs could have stayed healthy.
Kansas will look to end the season on a positive note with a win against a talented UNLV team.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 5
Bowl Game Opponent: UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at 9:00 PM EDT Thrday 12/26/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from Big 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as Last Week
ACC TOP FIVE
FSU beat Louisville 16 – 6 in the ACC Championship Game with their 3rd string QB!
1. FLORIDA STATE (13 – 0) CFP Ranking – #5
The Seminoles did everything right this season including playing and beating two major SEC teams in non-conference play as well as going undefeated and winning their conference.
With all of those accomplishments, the committee still held FSU out of the CFP and claimed it was due to the injury to one player: star QB Jordan Travis.
The Seminoles will have a hard time bouncing back from this unfair and unfortunate decision, but they will need to refocus in order to beat Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 1
Bowl Game Opponent: #6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl at 4:00 PM EDT Saturday 12/30/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
2. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (10 – 3) CFP Ranking – #15
The Cardinals had a great season, but seemed to falter down the stretch, including their 16 – 6 loss to a wounded Florida State team in the ACC Championship.
However, in the big picture it was a great first season for coach Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals and should lead to more success in the future.
They will get another chance to get their eleventh win of the season when the Cardinals take on USC in the Holiday Bowl.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 2
Bowl Game Opponent: USC in the Holiday Bowl at 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday 12/27/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. NC State (9 – 3) CFP Ranking – #18
The Wolfpack had a quietly good season and will look to get their tenth win of the year when they take on Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 3
Bowl Game Opponent: #25 Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at 5:45 PM EDT Thursday 12/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Clemson (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #22
What a crazy year for the Tigers!
They started off the year 4 – 4 and most sports writers wrote them off for dead, but Dabo turned the team around and they won the last 4 games of their season.
They now get a chance to win another game and end their season on a 5 game winning streak when they take on Kentucky.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 4
Bowl Game Opponent: Kentucky in the Gator Bowl at 12:00 PM EDT Friday 12/29/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. NORTH CAROLINA (8 – 4) CFP Ranking – #Unranked
The Tar Heels had a successful season, but it seems like it could have been more with star QB Drake Maye.
North Carolina is looking to get one more win on the season when they take on West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 5
Bowl Game Opponent: West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at 5:30 PM EDT Wednesday 12/27/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dropped from Big 12 Top 5 Rankings:
Same 5 as Last Week
NOTABLE BOWL GAMES
After a great regular season we have some great Bowl Games to look forward to. While each Bowl Game is special and enjoyable, below are some of the top Bowl Games for this season.
- #1 Michigan vs #4 Alabama – One of the CFP semifinal games features two blue-blood programs. These two coaches (Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh) are two of the best coaches in the game and they don’t exactly seem like friends. Which Defense can lead their team to victory?
- #2 Washington vs #3 Texas – This is the other CFP semifinal game and features a team trying to show that they are “back” in Texas, and a team that has routinely been overlooked in Washington. Can Washington’s powerful Offense lead the team to victory over Texas’ roster of high ranked recruits?
- #6 Georgia vs #5 Florida State– This is the Bitter Bowl as both teams have a right to be bitter about not making the CFP, especially FSU! Which team can get back up to end their season on a positive note? With a win FSU shows even more that the CFP made a mistake overlooking them, but Georgia is feeling the same way.
- #11 Ole Miss vs #10 Penn State – This is one of my favorite Bowl matchups. The Big Ten vs the SEC, pitting two of the best teams from each conference and even better, each of these teams should be excited to be in a New Year’s Six Game and give their best!
- #9 Missouri vs #7 Ohio State – This is another great matchup between the SEC and the Big Ten. Missouri is coming into the game excited and ready for another victory while Ohio State is licking its wounds from losing to rival Michigan for the 3rd time in a row and having a number of players enter the transfer portal.
- #17 Iowa vs #21 Tennessee – This game features a team that underachieved this year in Tennessee and a team that overachieved in Iowa. It is a great contrast of styles as Tennessee is known for their Offense and Iowa is known for their Defense. Which style will win?
- #14 Arizona vs #12 Oklahoma – Two teams representing their Conferences for the last team before switching Conferences next year will look to go out on a winning note.
- National Championship Game – This will be held on Monday January 8th and will be between Michigan or Alabama vs Washington or Texas.
Rivalry Sports Bowl Game Lock Pick – Missouri over Ohio State 31 – 13
Rivalry Sports Underdog Bowl Game Pick – Arizona over Oklahoma
Check back in for updated Top 5 Rankings next week!
WEEK 14 PICKS REVIEWED
| Week 14 Pick Results by Conference | Record |
| SEC | 0 – 1 |
| B1G (Big Ten) | 1 – 0 |
| Pac – 12 | 0 – 1 |
| Big – 12 | 1 – 0 |
| ACC | 1 – 0 |
| Total | 3 – 2 |
Week 14 GAME PICK RESULTS
| GAME | RIVALRY SPORTS PICK – Dustin Kirby | GUEST PICKER PICK – | WINNER |
| Oregon vs Washington | Oregon | Washington | |
| Oklahoma State vs Texas | Texas | Texas | |
| Georgia vs Alabama | Georgia | Alabama | |
| Michigan vs Iowa | Michigan | Michigan | |
| Louisville vs Florida State | Florida State | Florida State | |
| WINS PER PICKER | 5 |
Bowl Game Picks
| Game | Rivalry Sports Pick – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker – | Winner |
| Michigan vs Alabama | Michigan | ||
| Georgia vs Florida State | Georgia | ||
| Ole Miss vs Penn State | Ole Miss | ||
| Missouri vs Ohio State | Missouri | ||
| LSU vs Wisconsin | LSU | ||
| Oregon vs Liberty | Oregon | ||
| Oregon State vs Notre Dame | Notre Dame | ||
| Utah vs Northwestern | Utah | ||
| Iowa vs Tennessee | Iowa | ||
| Maryland vs Auburn | Auburn | ||
| Washington vs Texas | Texas | ||
| Arizona vs Oklahoma | Arizona | ||
| Oregon State vs Notre Dame | Notre Dame | ||
| Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M | Oklahoma State | ||
| Kansas State vs NC State | NC State | ||
| Kansas vs UNLV | Kansas | ||
| Louisville vs USC | Louisville | ||
| Clemson vs Kentucky | Clemson | ||
| North Carolina vs West Virginia | North Carolina | ||
| WINS PER PICKER | 19 |
