The end of the year means Christmas gifts and New Year’s resolutions to millions of people worldwide. For football fans, the end of the year means one thing: bowl games.

Invested in their team’s success throughout the long college football season, fans enjoy watching their school take the field for one last hurrah before the season ends.

In this article, I — a self-taught expert in college football, a master of X’s and O’s, a boy whose one year of middle-school football gave him the collective knowledge of every coach from Bo Schembechler to Nick Saban — will offer my take on our nation’s most important sporting events.

Peach Bowl

A showdown between Heisman-finalist quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts will highlight the Peach Bowl matchup of LSU and Oklahoma.

The game will be played Saturday, Dec. 28.

LSU

The Tigers are led by Burrow’s cannon of an arm. Burrow racked up 4,715 yards  and 48 touchdowns through the air this year.

On defense, linebacker Jacob Phillips, who has made 97 tackles, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who amassed six interceptions this season, must stop Oklahoma’s passing game in order to limit the dual-threat offense.

The rushing game is led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire with 1,290 yards and 16 scores. If his offensive line can create open lanes, Helaire will run all over the Sooners.

Oklahoma

Hurts, who transferred from Alabama, will take the field against former rival LSU with the Sooners.

Passing for 3,634 yards and 32 scores, Hurts’ arm leads the Oklahoma offense. His scrambling provides the Sooners with offensive options as he earned 1,255 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Linebacker Kenneth Murray and the Sooner defense will look to pressure Burrow and cause mistakes to knock down the undefeated Tigers.

Prediction: Oklahoma 45, LSU 42

Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State will take on defending national champion Clemson Saturday, Dec. 28.

The undefeated matchup will bring out the best in both teams.

Ohio State

Sensational sophomore quarterback Justin Fields, a Georgia transfer, leads the Buckeye offense with his strong arm. Fields completed almost 3,000 yards in the first 13 games of the season.

With increased pressure, Fields’ icy play under pressure might prove the difference maker in this battle of titans.

Defensive end Chase Young will pressure the Clemson backfield. Young’s 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss put him in the running for the Heisman.

Clemson

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s passed for 3,173 yards and 34 touchdowns, will face a dominant Buckeye defense in the game.

Clemson running back Travis Etienne will find plenty of running room against the Buckeyes, who struggled early against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game.

Defensively, linebacker Isaiah Simmons needs to limit Ohio State’s gains and hold strong against a fast-paced offense.

Prediction: Clemson 38, Ohio State 28

Citrus Bowl

In what should be a game for the ages, the Wolverines will face the Crimson Tide.

After both teams were expected to be College Football Playoff contenders at the start of the season, key injuries and tough upsets knocked both teams out of their cleats.

The Citrus Bowl takes place New Year’s Day.

Michigan

With fans and haters alike calling for the removal of Coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverine program received a Christmas present of a game against the mighty Crimson Tide.

Quarterback Shea Patterson struggled early this season but rebounded to rack up 2,828 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

The aggressive Wolverine defense, a Hallmark of defensive coordinator Don Brown, will need to play perfect football to deliver a marquis victory to the Victor faithful.

Defensive multi-tools  Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow will need to tame the Tide at every down.

Alabama

After suffering a broken hip, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not play for the Crimson Tide in the Citrus Bowl.

Backup quarterback Mac Jones proved himself near the end of the season but lacks the X-factor ability that Tagovailoa utilized.

Running back Najee Harris will get the ball frequently in the game.

Defense is the name of the game for both schools.

Prediction: Michigan 42, Alabama 35

Pinstripe Bowl

Michigan State wants a bowl victory to bring some semblance of pride to a trying season.

The Spartans face Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl Friday, Dec. 27.

Michigan State

Quarterback Brian Lewerke put up 2,759 passing yards this season despite the Spartans’ dismal offensive play.

Joe Bachie, a star linebacker, will not play because of a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

Michigan State needs to beat on Wake Forest all game long to bring pride to East Lansing.

Wake Forest

Quarterback Jamie Newman and the Demon Deacons will rely on their balanced offense to beat the Spartans.

Wide receiver Sage Surratt should find the ball in his hands all game.

A solid linebacker corps provides Wake Forest with an edge against the Spartans’ offensive woes.

Prediction: Michigan State 38, Wake Forest 34

First Responder Bowl

While they aren’t playing for the glory of a championship, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan desperately want to bring home a bowl game to cap off their respectable seasons.

The First Responder Bowl will be played Monday, Dec. 30.

Western Michigan

After an extraordinary 13-1 season in 2016, the Broncos have played at an average level for the past three seasons.

Quarterback John Wassink, who earned 2,904 passing yards this year, will need to act as a field general for the Bronco offense.

With 132 total tackles, linebacker Treshaun Hayward should ball out for the defense.

Western Kentucky

The Hilltoppers play far better than their 8-4 record suggests.

Quarterback Ty Storey and running back Gaej Walker play well together to produce points on offense.

With almost 100 tackles, linebacker Kyle Bailey has an opportunity to show his defensive prowess to win the Hilltoppers’ first bowl game in school history.

Prediction: Western Kentucky 31, Western Michigan 28

Quick Lane Bowl

Eastern Michigan will take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in Detroit’s Quick Lane Bowl Thursday, Dec. 26.

After falling short in their last two bowl games, the Eagles have a great opportunity to boost program pride by soaring over the Panthers.

Efficient offense and limiting turnovers will be the way to win this bowl game.

Eastern Michigan

Quarterback Mike Glass III catalyzes the Eagles offense with 3,229 yards from scrimmage.

Ball security plagues the Eagles, who have made 11 interceptions and a handful of fumbles.

On the defense, linebacker Kobie Beltram leads with 115 tackles, including two sacks.

Beltram needs to play his A-game for the Eagles to win their second bowl game in school history.

Pittsburgh

Leading the Panthers from the backfield, quarterback Kenny Pickett provides offense at times but often furnishes his opposition with the ball. His touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio is a measly 10-9.

Dual threat tailback A.J. Davis needs to run all over the Eagles defense in order to give the Panthers a victory.

Defensive backs Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin, each with more than 70 tackles this season, give their team an X-factor that could win the game.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 41, Eastern Michigan 20

New Mexico Bowl

Taking on San Diego State Saturday, Dec. 21, Coach Jim McElwain’s Central Michigan squad can put an exclamation mark on his first season with the Chips.

If the Chips can get past the dominant Aztec rush defense, they can pull out a victory in a game that’s sure to be a grudge match.

Central Michigan

Running backs Jonathan Ward and Kobe Lewis combined for more than 2,000 yards this season while adding almost 500 yards receiving.

In order to win the game, the dynamic duo must find the end zone all game.

To stop the Aztec offense’s pass-heavy offense, defensive juggernaut Troy Brown needs to be good in coverage and provide support on the blitz.

San Diego State

Quarterback Ryan Agnew, who injured his calf earlier in the season, is expected to play for the Aztecs but likely won’t play his best.

Finding skilled wide receivers Kobe Smith and Jesse Matthews should be the Aztecs’ game plan.

A blue-collar defense led by linebacker Kyahva Tezino and safety Dwayne Johnson Jr. should bode well against the Chips, who rely on the run game to produce offense.

Prediction: San Diego State 27, Central Michigan 24