SEC football bowl predictions: Our experts pick score of every game involving league team – The Commercial Appeal

What’s the difference between the college bowl season and the SEC football season? Not much.

Thirteen of the conference’s 14 teams will be playing in the postseason, starting with Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22 and continuing through LSU’s appearance in the Jan. 4 Texas Bowl – and that can be extended if either Alabama or Georgia (or both) advance to the College Football Playoff Jan. 10 championship game in Indianapolis.

The USA TODAY Sports Network’s team that covers the SEC is picking the score of every bowl game involving a league team. Here are their picks:

Recruiting grades: SEC football recruiting 2022 class grades: A&M, Alabama and Georgia thrive, but how far did Florida fall?

How they stack up: Final SEC Power Rankings: Where do the losers of a thrilling Iron Bowl, a bland Egg Bowl rank?

Same song, new verse: Is this the best you’ve got, Georgia? Alabama makes Bulldogs look like a fraud | Toppmeyer

Dec. 22

Armed Forces Bowl

Missouri vs. Army

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Missouri 28, Army 27

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Army 35, Missouri 27

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Missouri 27, Army 19

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Missouri 26, Army 21

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Army 28, Missouri 20

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Missouri 28, Army 21

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Army 25, Missouri 28

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Missouri 20, Army 17

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Missouri 28, Army 21

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Missouri 24, Army 20 

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Missouri 31, Army 27

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Army 35, Missouri 31

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Army 34, Missouri 31

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Army 38, Missouri 30

Dec. 23

Gasparilla Bowl

Florida vs. UCF

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Florida 31, UCF 24

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: UCF 38, Florida 31

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Florida 41, UCF 34

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Florida 34, UCF 33

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: UCF 35, Florida 24

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: UCF 35, Florida 28

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: UCF 31, Florida 28

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: UCF 30, Florida 21

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: UCF 42, Florida 31

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: UCF 34, Florida 31

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: UCF 28, Florida 24

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Florida 34, UCF 24

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Florida 31, UCF 30

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: UCF 35, Florida 31

Dec. 28

Birmingham Bowl

Auburn vs. Houston

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Auburn 31, Houston 28

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Auburn 28, Houston 20

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Houston 28, Auburn 17

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Houston 24, Auburn 17

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Houston 31, Auburn 21

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Houston 28, Auburn 24

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Houston 24, Auburn 21

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Auburn 27, Houston 20

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Houston 27, Auburn 17

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Auburn 30, Houston 28

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Auburn 35, Houston 21

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Houston 27, Auburn 21

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Auburn 27, Houston 24

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Auburn 24, Houston 20

Liberty Bowl

Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Mississippi State 45, Texas Tech 38

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Mississippi State 44, Texas Tech 21

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Mississippi State 30, Texas Tech 14

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Mississippi State 38, Texas Tech 10

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Mississippi State 42, Texas Tech 35

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Mississippi State 38, Texas Tech 35

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Mississippi State 35, Texas Tech 14

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Mississippi State 42, Texas Tech 24

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State 41, Texas Tech 21

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Mississippi State 45, Texas Tech 28

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State 41, Texas Tech 27

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Mississippi State 31, Texas Tech 24

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Mississippi State 37, Texas Tech 24

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Mississippi State 48, Texas Tech 31

Dec. 30

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

South Carolina vs. North Carolina

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: North Carolina 35, South Carolina 24

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: North Carolina 31, South Carolina 20

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: North Carolina 38, South Carolina 21

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: North Carolina 26, South Carolina 13

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: North Carolina 24, South Carolina 17

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: North Carolina 24, South Carolina 21

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: South Carolina 28, North Carolina 24

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: South Carolina 30, North Carolina 27

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: North Carolina 30, South Carolina 20

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: North Carolina 27, South Carolina 20

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: North Carolina 30, South Carolina 24

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: North Carolina 28, South Carolina 14

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: North Carolina 30, South Carolina 20

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: North Carolina 34, South Carolina 17

Music City Bowl

Tennessee vs. Purdue

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Tennessee 34, Purdue 30

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Tennessee 41, Purdue 31

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Tennessee 35, Purdue 33

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Purdue 35, Tennessee 31

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Purdue 38, Tennessee 27

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Purdue 35, Tennessee 30

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Purdue 38, Tennessee 35

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Purdue 27, Tennessee 21

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Purdue 31, Tennessee 28

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee 45, Purdue 38

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Tennessee 41, Purdue 38

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Tennessee 42, Purdue 24

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Tennessee 41, Purdue 27

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee 42, Purdue 26

Dec. 31

Gator Bowl

Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Texas A&M 34, Wake Forest 24

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Texas A&M 35, Wake Forest 17

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Wake Forest 27, Texas A&M 24

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Texas A&M 20, Wake Forest 7

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Wake Forest 42, Texas A&M 28

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Texas A&M 38, Wake Forest 28

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Texas A&M 24, Wake Forest 17

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Texas A&M 23, Wake Forest 16

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Texas A&M 34, Wake Forest 24

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Texas A&M 38, Wake Forest 34

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Wake Forest 31, Texas A&M 28

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Wake Forest 28, Texas A&M 10

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Wake Forest 34, Texas A&M 30

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Texas A&M 41, Wake Forest 38

Cotton Bowl (CFP semifinal)

Alabama vs. Cincinnati

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Alabama 42, Cincinnati 24

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Cincinnati 34, Alabama 31

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Alabama 41, Cincinnati 24

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama 42, Cincinnati 27

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Alabama 28, Cincinnati 14

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Alabama 35, Cincinnati 24

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Alabama 38, Cincinnati 28

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama 45, Cincinnati 20

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Alabama 45, Cincinnati 28

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Alabama 45, Cincinnati 24

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Alabama 44, Cincinnati 21

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Alabama 38, Cincinnati 20

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Alabama 38, Cincinnati 24

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Alabama 35, Cincinnati 21

Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal)

Georgia vs. Michigan

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Georgia 24, Michigan 20

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Michigan 38, Georgia 28

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Michigan 21, Georgia 14

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Georgia 34, Michigan 28

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Georgia 21, Michigan 17

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Georgia 24, Michigan 17

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Georgia 31, Michigan 20

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Georgia 24, Michigan 17

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Georgia 28, Michigan 21

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Georgia 28, Michigan 17

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Georgia 20, Michigan 14

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Georgia 28, Michigan 17

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Georgia 31, Michigan 20

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Michigan 27, Georgia 21

Jan. 1

Outback Bowl

Arkansas vs. Penn State

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Penn State 27, Arkansas 24

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Arkansas 34, Penn State 20

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Penn State 20, Arkansas 17

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Arkansas 25, Penn Sate 21

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Arkansas 27, Penn State 14

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Arkansas 24, Penn State 21

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Arkansas 28, Penn State 24

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Penn State 34, Arkansas 27

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Arkansas 31, Penn State 24

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Arkansas 27, Penn State 24

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Penn State 21, Arkansas 20

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Penn State 28, Arkansas 27

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Arkansas 35, Penn State 21

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Arkansas 34, Penn State 27

Citrus Bowl

Kentucky vs. Iowa

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Kentucky 24, Iowa 21

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Iowa 31, Kentucky 28

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Iowa 21, Kentucky 20

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Iowa 20, Kentucky 16

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Kentucky 24, Iowa 17

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky 28, Iowa 21

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Kentucky 28, Iowa 21

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Iowa 24, Kentucky 20

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Iowa 20, Kentucky 16

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Iowa 27, Kentucky 24 

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Kentucky 17, Iowa 7

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Kentucky 28, Iowa 14

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Kentucky 28, Iowa 16

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Kentucky 35, Iowa 17

Sugar Bowl

Ole Miss vs. Baylor

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: Ole Miss 38, Baylor 34

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Ole Miss 49, Baylor 34

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: Ole Miss 33, Baylor 32 (OT)

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Ole Miss 43, Baylor 35

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: Ole Miss 42, Baylor 31

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Baylor 38, Ole Miss 35

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: Baylor 45, Ole Miss 38

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: Ole Miss 41, Baylor 34

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss 42, Baylor 38

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Ole Miss 42, Baylor 38 

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss 38, Baylor 30

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Ole Miss 31, Baylor 28

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Ole Miss 35, Baylor 24

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Ole Miss 45, Baylor 31

Jan. 4

Texas Bowl

LSU vs. Kansas State

Zach Abolverdi, Gainesville Sun: LSU 24, Kansas State 23

Eric Blum, Columbia Daily Tribune: Kansas State 41, LSU 21

Cory Diaz, The Greenville News: LSU 13, Kansas State 3

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser: Kansas State 31, LSU 17

Aria Gerson, The Tennessean: LSU 24, Kansas State 20

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal: Kansas State 24, LSU 21

Christina Long, Southwest Times Record: LSU 28, Kansas State 24

Nick Kelly, The Tuscaloosa News: LSU 20, Kansas State 17

Andy Kostka, The Clarion Ledger: Kansas State 27, LSU 24

Adam Sparks, Knoxville News Sentinel: Kansas State 27, LSU 20

Nick Suss, The Clarion Ledger: Kansas State 27, LSU 23

Blake Toppmeyer, SEC columnist: Kansas State 31, LSU 17

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner Herald: Kansas State 26, LSU 20

Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Kansas State 21, LSU 20