Yeah, it’s gonna be weird. Just get ready for it.

How many times have we heard that in 2020?

So many of these SEC bowl games will feel unique. Mostly empty stadiums still feels bizarre. The fact that many of these teams aren’t getting a month off in between their games is strange, too.

Bowl season is already underway, but not for the SEC just yet. Missouri (Music City) and Florida (Cotton) will kick that off Wednesday.

The good news is that football is being played, and instead of putting away Christmas decorations, we have an excuse to be unproductive for the next week. That’s a win.

We’re seeing players skip bowl games, and because of COVID, we’re even seeing teams skip bowl games. South Carolina and Tennessee already did that.

Many of these games are coin flips, and they could be swayed on these opt-outs. And for what it’s worth, we’re just going straight up with these picks.

Still, here’s an attempt to pick every SEC bowl game:

Music City Bowl — Mizzou vs. Iowa

When — Wednesday, Dec. 30, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Nashville, TN

Pick — Iowa

Why — Iowa is dealing with COVID issues, but Mizzou is dealing with a Nick Bolton issue. As in, the heart and soul of that defense isn’t playing because he’s off to the NFL. That’s a bummer. That hurts Mizzou’s chances against an Iowa team that ended the season on a 6-game winning streak after starting 0-2. The Hawkeyes didn’t allow anyone to surpass 24 points, and it wouldn’t surprise me if that continued in the Music City. Larry Rountree gives Mizzou a chance, but the resurgent Hawkeyes finish the year with a bang.

Cotton Bowl — Florida vs. Oklahoma

When — Wednesday, Dec. 30,  8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Arlington, TX

Pick — Florida

Why — How many times have we seen this movie before — Oklahoma faces an elite SEC team in the postseason and can’t stop a nosebleed. Even without Kyle Pitts and a better Oklahoma defense than the one who got torched by LSU in last year’s semifinal, I don’t think the Sooners can slow down this Florida attack. I mean, Alabama couldn’t. It’s still Kyle Trask with a bevy of weapons in Dan Mullen’s offense. Granted, I wouldn’t bank on Todd Grantham’s defense having a whole lot of success against Spencer Rattler and Marvin Mims, either, though it makes the 2-3 stops needed. Florida avoids its third consecutive loss and instead wins its third consecutive New Year’s 6 Bowl.

Armed Forces Bowl — Miss. State vs. Tulsa

When — Thursday, Dec. 31, Noon ET (ESPN)

Where — Fort Worth, TX

Pick — Tulsa

Why — Remember in the beginning of the year when Tulsa almost went into Stillwater and handed Chuba Hubbard and Oklahoma State an embarrassing loss? That Tulsa squad proved to be much better than we realized, even though it fell just short of beating undefeated Cincinnati in the AAC Championship. Will Rogers was much more effective down the stretch and I like the long-term outlook of the Jaden Walley connection, but that’s a legitimate top-25 Tulsa defense who surrendered just 194 passing yards per contest. I wouldn’t bank on a shootout — or an MSU win — in Texas.

Texas Bowl — Arkansas vs. TCU

When — Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Houston, TX

Pick — Arkansas

Why — What a weird year it was for TCU. You win at Texas but you get thumped by West Virginia? Now, the Horned Frogs just lost longtime offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie to Texas Tech. In other words, this should be a tasty matchup for Barry Odom. His defense should be healthier than it was down the stretch, which should bode well. The health of Feleipe Franks is a question, but if he’s unable to go because of his rib injury, KJ Jefferson has proven capable of using his arm and legs in Kendal Briles’ offense. Plus, TCU has to find a way to stop Treylon Burks, which seems not fun.

Peach Bowl — Georgia vs. Cincinnati

When — Friday, Jan. 1, Noon ET (ESPN)

Where — Atlanta, GA

Pick — Georgia

Why — I think that Sugar Bowl experience 2 years ago made an impression on Kirby Smart. He saw what it looked like to have a team that wasn’t very engaged, and it paid the price. I don’t think the Dawgs want to follow in 2017 Auburn’s footsteps by laying a Peach Bowl egg to an AAC team. JT Daniels against Luke Fickell’s defense will be a solid matchup, but given what we saw in the last month, it’s hard not to favor that young and emerging Georgia passing game. This Dawgs team can actually stretch the field and win games in a variety of ways. Cincinnati puts up a good fight against a Georgia defense with a lot of moving pieces, but ultimately, the Dawgs avoid 2018 flashbacks.

Citrus Bowl — Auburn vs. Northwestern

When — Friday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Orlando, FL

Pick — Northwestern

Why — I watched Northwestern’s defense totally frustrate Justin Fields, so I can only imagine what’s about to happen to Bo Nix. Then again, I did just watch Northwestern’s defense get totally dominated by Trey Sermon, so I can only imagine what Tank Bigsby is about to do. Then again, this is a smash-mouth Northwestern defense that doesn’t have to defend Nix the way it defended Fields. Peyton Ramsey is also capable of making plays when things break down, and against an Auburn defense that’s been inconsistent without K.J. Britt, Northwestern shows that it isn’t just a bunch of fightin’ Rece Davises.

Rose Bowl — Alabama vs. Notre Dame

When — Friday, Jan. 1, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Arlington, TX

Pick — Alabama

Why — Well, because I’ve seen Alabama play football this year. Is that a good enough reason? What about the fact that Alabama has not 1, not 2, but 3 Heisman Trophy contenders on the offensive side of the ball? There’s a reason Notre Dame is the biggest underdog in Playoff history. It’s because they don’t have the offensive firepower to go toe to toe with Alabama. It’s as simple as that. Notre Dame isn’t going to stretch Alabama vertically, and when offenses can’t do that, the Crimson Tide tee off. I don’t want to predict this will be the 2019 Peach Bowl all over again because I think Notre Dame’s defense has some dudes in that front 7, but I also don’t think this will be particularly close.

Gator Bowl — Kentucky vs. NC State

When — Saturday, Jan. 2, Noon ET (ESPN)

Where — Jacksonville, FL

Pick — NC State

Why — Kentucky would be in position to dig out of its offensive rut against NC State if it could actually throw the ball. Perhaps if new offensive coordinator Liam Coen were coaching in the bowl game, I’d have more confidence in the Cats, but that’s not the case. Instead, a 4-win Kentucky team that had the worst Power 5 passing attack by 28 yards per game is facing off against an NC State squad that closed the regular season with 4 consecutive victories en route to an 8-win season. Oh, and Kentucky’s wins came against teams that went a combined 8-31. Kentucky can really only win 1 style of game, and barring a Chris Rodriguez performance for the ages (a la Lynn Bowden in last year’s Belk Bowl), NC State should keep Kentucky in check.

Outback Bowl — Ole Miss vs. Indiana

When — Saturday, Jan. 2, 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Where — Tampa, FL

Pick — Indiana

Why — The bad news for Indiana is that the Big Ten essentially sabotaged its chances of playing in a Big Ten Championship and a New Year’s 6 Bowl. It absolutely should be. The good news is that an angry Indiana team gets to see the ever-friendly Ole Miss defense. Like, the Ole Miss defense that was dead last in FBS defending the pass and who allowed 211 rushing yards per game (and 26 rushing touchdowns in 9 games). Woof. Even without Michael Penix Jr., Ty Fryfogle and Indiana’s offense should still have a field day. Tom Allen gets to face the Ole Miss team he used to coach for, which makes for an interesting little wrinkle. His defense is darn good, and even though Matt Corral will make plays, I think he also makes a few too many mistakes to give Ole Miss a win in its first bowl game in 5 years.

Orange Bowl — Texas A&M vs. UNC

When — Saturday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where — Miami, FL

Pick — Texas A&M

Why — To be fair, I made this pick before UNC lost RB Michael Carter, WR Dyami Brown and LB Chazz Surratt. Yikes. That’s a ton of lost production. I still expect Sam Howell to have success stretching the field against A&M. They can be beat by teams that actually have capable downfield passing attacks. But I also expect Mike Elko’s defense to totally take away the UNC ground game, which still has the prolific Devonte Williams. This could have a similar feel to when UNC played Notre Dame. The Aggies have a nearly identical identity to the Irish, and not just because both had that lone loss coming in blowout fashion to their respective conference champions. Both have an experienced, mobile quarterback who has been tremendous sustaining drives. They have one of the best offensive lines in America — both A&M and Notre Dame among the top 3 finalists for the Joe Moore Award — and they dominate the time of possession. An angry A&M squad wins 31-21 and leaves the public with a little “what could’ve been” had it gotten that No. 4 spot in the Playoff.