Gene Clemons shares his picks and predictions for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.

As we bid a fond farewell to 2024 the promise of a new year refocuses our glossed-over eyes and we grasp to the hope that better days filled with fresh opportunities are ahead. And what better way to run head first into the new unknown, singing Auld Lang Syne, than armed with some of the best College Football bets that I can offer?

Never forget that you can find all of my College Football bets and the best bets from all of our talented 'cappers here at Fantasy Life in the bet tracker. More importantly, I believe in any play that I post publicly—so if you decide to ride with me on these picks and they fail to cash, just know that we died together! 

We are in the midst of bowl season/the college football playoff, so there is a strategy to consider. It's the TLC method: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls!” If you don't know anything about a team or their current construction because you haven't followed them much this season or you don’t know what the team is going to look like because of opt outs? Stay away. In other words, stick to the rivers and Longhorns lakes that you are used to.

With that, let’s cash some tickets! And because I love you all, I'm going to give you some picks beyond just the Playoff Bracket, including a pick for the FCS title game. Why let them have all the fun? 

The Playoff Schedule (all times ET):

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State (7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31,  ESPN) — Live odds
• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas (1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, ESPN) — Live odds
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State (5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 , ESPN) — Live odds
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, ESPN) — Live odds

Check Out the Spread!

Gene's pick: Georgia -1 (-112 on DraftKings) vs. Notre Dame

This is not South Bend, Indiana, in the middle of December — this is a dome in New Orleans and this is not an upstart Indiana Hoosiers team… these are the DAWGS! They have been there and done that.

This will be as much of a business trip for Kirby Smart and his guys as you could imagine. They've had several weeks to clean up their issues and get healthier. They've also had weeks to get quarterback Gunner Stockton, a former record setting high school quarterback in the state of Georgia, prepared to be the starter. He may not have a lot of game time experience but as a QB at UGA for the past few seasons he has been up against one of the best defensive units in the country. Guess who has not? Notre Dame. All the Dawgs need to do is win. I'll take that bet. 

Line Steppers!

Gene's pick: LSU vs. Baylor Over 61 pts (-123 on DraftKings) — Texas Bowl, Dec. 31

Having time to dissect any team's defense is always beneficial — and that should be the case for LSU against a very porous Baylor defense. The total has gone over 61 points in eight of Baylor’s final nine games this season. Enter LSU, a team that averaged 30 ppg. This has “shootout” written all over it. Baylor can run it, LSU struggles stopping the run. LSU can pass it, Baylor struggles against the pass. Both teams are good enough in the pass and run to keep the other honest. There will be quite a few future pros on the field and NRG Stadium should provide the perfect climate to go crazy offensively. 

Gene's pick: Penn State vs. Boise State, Over 53 (-124 on DraftKings)

Boise State’s defense is not stopping Penn State’s offense. Let’s just get that out the way. Also, once Drew Allar announced he was returning for another season it took a lot of the pressure off him and he has been able to play free. They have the best tight end in the country and it's difficult to stop both him and a quality run game. I'm also not sure that Penn State will be able to stop Boise State’s rushing attack and Heisman runner up Ashton Jeanty. They may be able to contain him and hold him from going buck wild but that could result in a few touchdowns put on the board. These are the type of games that Penn State will win but only after the opponent has put a scare into them. That might put the -11 spread in question — but not the total. 

Gene's pick: Ohio State at Oregon, Over 55 pts (-123 on DraftKings)

Oregon and Ohio State both average 36 ppg. Oregon’s last two games against quality opponents were 45-37 over Penn State and 49-21 over Washington. They beat up Maryland and Michigan, holding both to 18 and 17 points, respectively, and those totals still exceeded 55 points. And that doesn't include the 32-31 Oregon victory in their regular season clash. This is a playoff game, so we do not have to worry about opt outs… and we won't worry about scoring, either; both teams will do that in spades. I have no idea who is going to win because the margins are razor thin but I do know both will empty the clip to try and secure this win. Points on points on points, baby!