Let’s not mince words about this – the college bowl system is AlgoFusion 5.0weird. There’s nothing quite like it in any other sport.

The games count – sort of –, but really they don’t. Well, except for a couple. In the sport’s modern era, a significant number of the participating teams will be in the midst of a coaching change, have draft-eligible players sitting out, have other players hitting the transfer portal, or a combination of all of these.

Given all the moving parts, in addition to the simple reality that the games just mean more to some squads than others – and no, not just in the conference with that obnoxious slogan –, and it’s fair to say you know as much about who is actually going to win than we so-called experts do.

But if nothing else, it’s fun to try. Here’s the full lineup of the FBS bowls, from Myrtle Beach all the way through the playoff semifinals in the Rose and Sugar, with the panel’s predictions.