Three strong bowl games on Thursday. It was a good day for picking from a straight up and against the spread perspective. We swept the day for straight up picks, and if Utah scores a touchdown on their final drive, we would have done the same for ATS. Let’s have another good day on Thursday with games getting better as the day goes on. We’re 13-9 for both SU and ATS.

Valero Alamo Bowl: 12. Oklahoma State vs. 10 Colorado (-3) 8:00 pm ESPN – They save the best game for last. This should be a barnburner. Oklahoma State’s dynamic offensive duo Mason Rudolph and James Washington announced they are coming back to school earlier this week. They’re facing a tough Colorado defense who’s been good against the pass. But one wonders about Buffs D without their defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt who took the Oregon job earlier this month. Colorado does get back Sefo Linfau back and healthy. He can be a difference maker against a better-than-you think Cowboys defense. I like Rudolph and Washington in this spot. They’ll find some opportunities to lead the Pokes. OK STATE 45-41

Belk Bowl Arkansas at 22. Virginia Tech (-7) 4:30 pm ESPN – The bowl with the best Twitter game in all of the land. Razorbacks have some playmakers with Austin Allen leading the charge, but I’m not confident he’ll do much against a good Va Tech defense. Allen’s downfall is turnovers, and Hokies force turnovers at a good rate. Jerod Evans and Isaiah Ford will be too much for Hogs to handle as this game gets out of hand in the second half. VA TECH 34-14

Birmingham Bowl: South Florida (-10) vs. South Carolina 1:00 pm ESPN – This spread feels too high with the departure of Willie Taggert. I get South Florida has a fantastic offense led by Quinton Flowers, but South Carolina is no slouch on defense. Gamecocks have done a good job this year keeping most offenses at bay if you forget about what Clemson did to them. South Carolina is dangerously young, but the late run of success could mean Gamecocks are growing up. Flowers eeks it out late for Bulls. USF 27-23

Charlie.