NCAAF Bowls: Best bets for Friday, Dec. 29

We are inching closer to New Year's Day and the College Football Playoffs, I swear. If you are "jonesing" for some college football action until then, here is a look at Friday's bowls as you start contemplating resolutions you will never keep, both betting and otherwise.

Friday, Dec. 29

Gator Bowl
Noon ET
Clemson Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Best Bet: Tigers -5.5

I am not sure what the future of the Clemson football is. Their run as a truly elite program might be done. Nevertheless, they can still line up enough quality players to compete with Kentucky anytime, anywhere. We are right to malign the Tigers and be disappointed overall, but they are far from a dreg in the ACC. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops runs a tough physical program, but I do not think they are going to catch the Tigers unprepared in this spot. Clemson finished the season on a four-game winning streak and unlike some top programs that have been forced to scramble they are playing their quarterback of the future now in Cade Klubnik. 

More: Clemson streaks into Gator Bowl clash with Kentucky

Sun Bowl
Oregon State Beavers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2 p.m. ET
Best Bet: Fighting Irish -6.5

I loved the fact that Jonathan Smith had success at Oregon State. I was not surprised that he left the Beavers, but was surprised he did it for Michigan State. Nevertheless, it is really hard to know just what the Beavers are right now, so even though the motivation should be high to take on Notre Dame, they do not have the team that helped them build a successful season in Corvallis. Situations like these are ones where program depth is so critical. Notre Dame, with no playoff to be preparing for, has lost some players too but the talent base they are starting from is significantly deeper, and they have not had major leadership changes at head coach to deal with with either. This one could be very ugly for the Beavers.

More: Quarterbacks in focus when Oregon State faces Notre Dame