OK, here's the deal: The following information is for entertainment purposes only. Please don't copy my selections and paste them into your bowl confidence pools and then curse me out on Twitter three weeks from now about my (possibly) horrible selections.
To be honest, I'm confident in about the first 10 selections. After that, they're pretty much toss-ups, and the outcomes might come down to what always matters most during bowl season: motivation.
Here are my bowl predictions, ranked in the order of most confident to least confident.
40. St. Petersburg Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Mississippi State (Dec. 26, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida)
I'm betting the Bulldogs will be highly motivated to finish 6-7.
Prediction: Mississippi State 45, Miami (OH) 24
39. Miami Beach Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Tulsa (Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Marlins Park, Miami)
The football gods apparently frowned on the Chippewas' controversial, 30-27 win at Oklahoma State. Central Michigan dropped six of its last nine games.
Prediction: Tulsa 48, Central Michigan 27
38. Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: South Alabama vs. Air Force (Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m. ET, Campus Insiders)
(Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona)
Air Force's biggest win this season might have been somehow keeping coach Troy Calhoun for another year.
Prediction: Air Force 34, South Alabama 20
37. College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama (Dec. 31, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Georgia Dome, Atlanta)
We can try to pretend the Peach Bowl will be close because we want to watch a competitive game. It won't be. Tide roll.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Washington 10
36. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. Wyoming (Dec. 21, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego)
The Cougars quietly won seven of their last eight games, with the only loss coming by one point at Boise State.
Prediction: BYU 28, Wyoming 17
35. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Boise State vs. Baylor (Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Chase Field, Phoenix)
The Bears -- and much of their coaching staff -- checked out a while ago.
Prediction: Boise State 38, Baylor 21
34. Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion (Dec. 23, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas)
The Monarchs have lost once since September and won't fall in their first-ever bowl game.
Prediction: Old Dominion 38, Eastern Michigan 28
33. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Idaho vs. Colorado State (Dec. 22, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho)
Georgia fans might want to tune in to see what the Bulldogs' offense used to look like under Rams coach and former UGA OC Mike Bobo.
Prediction: Colorado State 41, Idaho 24
32. Hawai'i Bowl: Hawai'i vs. Middle Tennessee (Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Aloha Stadium, Honolulu)
I'll like the Blue Raiders' chances of winning a lot more if quarterback Brent Stockstill returns from a broken collarbone.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 48, Hawaii 34
31. National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State (Dec. 27, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego)
The Gophers were underdogs to begin with, and now they'll be missing 10 players who are suspended. Cougars coach Mike Leach does look a little bit like Carl Spackler.
Prediction: Washington State 41, Minnesota 21
30. Foster Farms Bowl: Indiana vs. No. 19 Utah (Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
(Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California)
The Utes beat exactly two teams (BYU and USC) that are playing in bowl games. They'll make it three against Indiana.
Prediction: Utah 24, Indiana 17
29. Birmingham Bowl: South Florida vs. South Carolina (Dec. 29, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama)
Even without coach Willie Taggart, who left for Oregon, the Bulls have too much firepower in quarterback Quinton Flowers and tailback Marlon Mack for the Gamecocks.
Prediction: South Florida 34, South Carolina 27
28. Gildan New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico vs. Texas San Antonio (Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
The Lobos are playing at home. They might have lost at New Mexico State and, ahem, Rutgers, but they rarely lose at home.
Prediction: New Mexico 38, UTSA 31
27. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 15 Western Michigan vs. No. 8 Wisconsin (Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas)
The undefeated Broncos did an amazing job rowing their boats to a New Year's Six bowl, but Wisconsin's defense is going to feel like whitecaps.
Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Western Michigan 20
26. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. No. 25 Navy (Dec. 23, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas)
I'm guessing that loss to Army still stings.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 30, Navy 21
25. New Era Pinstripe Bowl: No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern (Dec. 28, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York)
The Panthers and Wildcats last played in 1973, when Pitt freshman Tony Dorsett ran for a then-school-record 265 yards in a 21-14 victory.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 49, Northwestern 35
24. AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Kansas State (Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas)
While Kansas State's Bill Snyder has accomplished some amazing things, he hasn't enjoyed postseason success. The Wildcats have dropped seven of their past eight bowl games.
Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Kansas State 21
23. Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman: No. 24 Temple vs. Wake Forest (Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland)
I'm waiting for our President-elect to weigh in on #WakeyLeaks before I make my official selection.
Prediction: Temple 23, Wake Forest 13
22. Belk Bowl: Arkansas vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech (Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina)
Being Bret Bielema might not be that fun at the Belk Bowl.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 41, Arkansas 31
21. Hyundai Sun Bowl: No. 18 Stanford vs. North Carolina (Dec. 30, 2 p.m. ET, CBS)
(Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas)
Stanford star Christian McCaffrey's final college game might be pretty memorable against North Carolina's defense.
Prediction: Stanford 42, North Carolina 38
20. Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State (Jan. 2, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
The Trojans probably shouldn't take a big lead over Penn State in the first half.
Prediction: USC 31, Penn State 27
19. Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Army vs. North Texas (Dec. 27, noon, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Cotton Bowl, Dallas)
The Mean Green beat the Black Knights 35-18 on Oct. 22, but it's hard to defeat a team twice in the same season. Ask LSU.
Prediction: Army 23, North Texas 14
18. Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 20, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida)
How much will the Hilltoppers miss head coach Jeff Brohm's playcalling? He has already left to become Purdue's new coach.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 48, Memphis 42
17. Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State (Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida)
The Wolverines better be ready to play, or FSU tailback Dalvin Cook might be running around like a jive turkey.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Florida State 20
16. Camping World Independence Bowl: NC State vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 26, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App)
(Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana)
You're not in the SEC East anymore, Commodores.
Prediction: NC State 27, Vanderbilt 20
15. AutoNation Cure Bowl: UCF vs. Arkansas State (Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)
(Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
After going 0-12 in 2015, the Knights can finish with a winning record in coach Scott Frost's first season. Plus, UCF is playing at home.
Prediction: UCF 27, Arkansas State 20
14. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Mississippi vs. Louisiana Lafayette (Dec. 17, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans)
It's going to be a Ragin' party in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday night -- before the game kicks off.
Prediction: Southern Miss 31, Louisiana-Lafayette 28
13. Dollar General Bowl: Ohio vs. Troy (Dec. 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama)
Touchdowns won't come cheap in what might be one of the better defensive battles of the postseason.
Prediction: Troy 21, Ohio 20
12. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. No. 21 Tennessee (Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee)
Regardless of the outcome, they're both champions in my book.
Prediction: Tennessee 34, Nebraska 28
11. TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky (Dec. 31, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida)
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson would like nothing more than a 3-0 record against SEC teams this season.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Kentucky 27
10. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville (Dec. 31, 11 a.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
LSU tailback Leonard Fournette will run wild against a shaky Louisville defense in his final college game.
Prediction: LSU 38, Louisville 31
9. AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU (Dec. 30, noon, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee)
Georgia wasn't great in coach Kirby Smart's first season, but the Horned Frogs were even more inconsistent.
Prediction: Georgia 24, TCU 20
8. Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 7 Oklahoma (Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans)
OU coach Bob Stoops takes down the big, bad SEC once again.
Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Auburn 24
7. Las Vegas Bowl presented by Geico: Houston vs. San Diego State (Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
(Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas)
Motivation might be a concern for the Cougars, who lost coach Tom Herman to Texas. But on the flip side: Aztecs senior Donnel Pumphrey can become the FBS all-time leading rusher in his hometown.
Prediction: San Diego State 35, Houston 31
6. Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Toledo (Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama)
It looks to be a very even matchup, but I'll go with the Rockets because of quarterback Logan Woodside, who threw 43 touchdowns with only nine interceptions.
Prediction: Toledo 27, Appalachian State 24
5. Outback Bowl: No. 17 Florida vs. Iowa (Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
(Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida)
Florida ranks ninth in the FBS in net punting with a 40.9-yard average; Iowa is 45th at 38.4 yards. Give me the Gators.
Prediction: Florida 17, Iowa 13
4. College Football Playoff semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Clemson (Dec. 31, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona)
It's going to be a classic.
Prediction: Clemson 42, Ohio State 40
3. Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Colorado (Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas)
Colorado's defense will be rested and ready for OSU's high-powered offense.
Prediction: Colorado 31, Oklahoma State 28
2. Russell Athletic Bowl: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami (Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
The U is back -- maybe next season.
Prediction: West Virginia 34, Miami 31
1. Quick Lane Bowl: Maryland vs. Boston College (Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
(Ford Field, Detroit)
Both teams improved on 3-win seasons in 2015, and the Eagles will end a five-game bowl losing streak.
Prediction: Boston College 21, Maryland 17
Bonus pick!
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl: North Carolina Central vs. Grambling State (Dec. 17, noon ET, ABC/ESPN App)
(Georgia Dome, Atlanta)
The Tigers have suffered one loss this season -- a 10-point defeat at Arizona on Sept. 10.
Prediction: Grambling 27, NC Central 21