College football picks: Iowa in Citrus Bowl, Iowa State in Liberty Bowl, plus CFP semifinals

The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel makes its final predictions of the 2023 season, including the Iowa and Iowa State bowl games and College Football Playoff semifinals.

Citrus Bowl: No. 17 Iowa (10-3) vs. No. 21 Tennessee (8-4)

Noon (CT) Monday (ABC)

Mike Hlas (3-0 in Dec. 2 picks, 24-18 overall) — There’s nowhere I’d rather cover a bowl than Orlando other than Pasadena, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Boise, Detroit, everywhere else that has a bowl, and everywhere that doesn’t. Iowa 7, Tennessee 6

John Steppe (2-1, 28-14) — If I keep wearing shorts when I get back to Iowa, it’ll be as warm as it is here in Orlando, right? Please? Iowa 16, Tennessee 14

Jeff Johnson (3-0, 27-15) — I cannot confirm or deny that one of the three phone calls Kirk Ferentz placed about Iowa’s OC job was to me. Tennessee 21, Iowa 13

Rob Gray (3-0, 32-10) — So many Volunteers are choosing to opt out of this game it’s hard to get a read on it. The Hawkeyes’ defense will show up and show out, but can the offense do enough? I’m skeptical. Tennessee 17, Iowa 10

Beth Malicki (3-0, 29-13) — I’m not proud of my behavior during the Christmas Eve Monopoly game. There were tears, shouting, and we’ll never find that iron piece. Tennessee 24, Iowa 13

Todd Brommelkamp (2-1, 23-19) — “You can’t spell Citrus without U-T.” — Steve Spurrier — Todd Brommelkamp. Tennessee 14, Iowa 10

Liberty Bowl: Iowa State (7-5) vs. Memphis (9-3)

2:30 p.m. Friday (ESPN)

Hlas — The night before the previous ISU-Memphis Liberty Bowl. I was walking in Memphis with my feet 10 feet off of Beale when I saw the ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue. Now comes the best part. I followed it up to the gates of Graceland and (continued on Page 13E). Iowa State 21, Memphis 20

Steppe — Memphis will be playing about 2 miles from its campus. If this was in Orlando, that might take 15 minutes to get there. Iowa State 30, Memphis 20

Johnson — Gotta stink for Memphis not even getting to travel for a bowl game. It’d be like Iowa State hosting the Corn Flakes Bowl in Ames. Iowa State 28, Memphis 13

Gray — The Cyclones are now double-digit favorites — and that’s after it became clear All-Americ cornerback T.J. Tampa would sit out. Not sure what to make of that, but the Tigers lost more to opt-outs and the transfer portal and will have a hard time thriving against Jon Heacock’s defense. Iowa State 31, Memphis 24

Malicki — I bought a new mop that also vacuums, and I have no reason to again leave my house. Iowa State 31, Memphis 17

Brommelkamp — I once dropped a “Loser Leaves Town” match to Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler at Mid-South Coliseum and haven’t set foot in Memphis since. Iowa State 38, Memphis 27

Rose Bowl (CFP semifinals): No. 4 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 1 Michigan (13-0)

4 p.m. Monday (ESPN)

Hlas — It will be a good start to 2024 if some of my co-workers enter the transfer portal, or at least get on the next bus leaving town. Alabama 27, Michigan 24

Steppe — My favorite part of the Big Ten’s expansion to 18 teams? Pasadena will be lovely in November. Michigan 28, Alabama 27

Johnson — I don’t think Alabama belonged in the playoff. But since it’s there ... Alabama 24, Michigan 17

Gray — What a TV ratings bonanza this game will prove to be. On paper, a great matchup. Two of the most storied programs in NCAA football history. The Wolverines are slight favorites and for good reason. Instant classic. Michigan 21, Alabama 20

Malicki — I’ve nearly bitten my tongue off withholding comment on my 17-year old’s outfits. Yet she criticized me recently for showing “too much knee.” I GIVE UP. Michigan 34, Alabama 31

Brommelkamp — There’s still time for Jim Harbaugh to rack up a third suspension before this one but he’ll need to hurry. Alabama 24, Michigan 21

Sugar Bowl (CFP semifinals): No. 3 Texas (12-1) vs. No. 2 Washington (13-0)

7:45 p.m. Monday (ESPN)

Hlas — This game pits a Big 12 team headed to the SEC against a Pac-12 team headed to the Big Ten. In 1901, the first two cars in Kansas City ran into each other in a game of chicken. People have always made poor choices. Texas 42, Washington 34

Steppe — Big Ten vs. SEC football, folks. Texas 37, Washington 35

Johnson — Give me the Huskies to win it all. Washington 31, Texas 21

Gray — It’s a rematch of last season’s Alamo Bowl, which the Huskies won, 27-20. The stakes are much higher now, of course, and I’d expect the outcome to be reversed — as long as the Longhorns can match Michael Penix Jr.’s explosiveness on offense. Texas 34, Washington 31

Malicki — This is our last Christmas before we are empty nesters. I’m already looking on Zillow to build a compound where we can all live near one another but never again share a bathroom. Texas 27, Washington 24

Brommelkamp — Looks like the SEC and Big Ten cornered the market on the CFP semifinals this year! Thank you. I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your servers. Washington 35, Texas 31