Ah, it’s been awhile since I’ve had to go on record with score predictions. And by “awhile,” I mean roughly 3 weeks.

But here we are, a week from the start of the SEC’s bowl season.

So with a pretty good idea of who’s playing and who’s not playing, let’s predict some final scores:

Texas Bowl: Vanderbilt 28, Baylor 27

A pair of teams many predicted would miss bowl games — myself included — should battle down to the wire. Vanderbilt has the edge offensively with Kyle Shurmur and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, while Baylor will be without former Tennessee star Jalen Hurd. I give the slight edge to Vanderbilt, which was battle-tested in and out of conference play in 2018. What does the game come down to? A missed extra point from Baylor, which will be without kicker Drew Galitz. How’s that for a bold prediction?

Music City Bowl: Purdue 35, Auburn 31

I tend to favor the better coach with ample time to prepare. I think Jeff Brohm is the better coach and offensive mind than Gus Malzahn. Despite the fact that Auburn is more talented, I like the chances of Purdue keeping the Tigers off-balance. There will be at least 3 trick plays from Purdue, and probably a couple will hit. Rondale Moore proves to be too difficult for Auburn to contain and scores a long touchdown late to close it.

Belk Bowl: South Carolina 38, Virginia 17

This game feels like it’s going to serve as a microcosm for the disparity of the SEC vs. the ACC this year. A pair of 7-win teams won’t look evenly-matched at all. Bryan McClendon’s offense had things clicking late, and even without Deebo Samuel, I like the Gamecocks’ chances of putting up points against a Virginia team that didn’t win a Power 5 game in November. South Carolina’s young defense puts together one of its best showings of the year and Will Muschamp gets his second consecutive bowl win.

Liberty Bowl: Mizzou 41, Oklahoma State 38

This game will feel like an old Big 12 matchup in more ways than one. A motivated Drew Lock will get plenty of opportunities to air it out in his final college game. Oklahoma State has been the ultimate play-to-the-competition team, for better or for worse. Against the Tigers, they continue that trend. Lock sets up the go-ahead drive and Mizzou kicker Tucker McCann booms a long field as time expires. And Lock better be back-packing against another Big 12 team.

Gator Bowl: Texas A&M 34, N.C. State 27

I know, I know. Ryan Finley is probably going to throw the ball all over the place against A&M’s struggling pass defense. I get that. But I like the chances of Jimbo Fisher having a month to game plan for his former division foe. Plus, N.C. State didn’t beat a bowl team after it got off to that 5-0 start. The Aggies are battle-tested and playing for their ninth win potentially, I think we see a motivated team. N.C. State makes a late comeback with Finley, but A&M holds on with a key stop.

Outback Bowl: Mississippi State 21, Iowa 7

I could sit here and break down this matchup and that matchup, but let’s be honest. It all goes up in flames when I think about Iowa facing another SEC team in Florida. Kirk Ferentz’s teams have a habit of turning into a shell of themselves when they get into nicer weather come bowl season. I expect that to happen again and the nation’s top scoring defense makes it a long afternoon for the Hawkeyes.

Citrus Bowl: Penn State 30, Kentucky 17

This isn’t my way of discrediting Kentucky’s season. For all I know, they’ll come out firing off the ball like they did against Florida and Mississippi State. But with plenty of time to get healthy, I give that advantage to the prolific Trace McSorley. He and Miles Sanders will provide a balanced attack that’ll give Kentucky problems in the way that Georgia did. Consider this prediction fuel to Benny Snell’s fire.

Fiesta Bowl: LSU 31, UCF 17

All we’ve heard for the past few weeks is how Ed Orgeron’s squad is fired up to be playing in this one. Maybe it’s the 10th win thing, maybe it’s the first New Year’s 6 bowl in the Playoff era thing or maybe it’s just the desire to squash this UCF narrative. Whatever it is, I like the chances of a motivated LSU squad against a backup Group of 5 quarterback. As great of an offensive mind as Josh Heupel is, I think his team has another thing coming in Phoenix. I’m here for all the UCF takes.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Michigan 24, Florida 21

I’m trying to dismiss any preconceived notions I have about this matchup in recent memory because those were Jim McElwain teams. I like Dan Mullen’s chances with a month a whole lot more than his predecessor. Having said that, this is still a Michigan defense that’s capable of making this a long day for Florida. Despite what you saw from the banged-up Wolverine defense against Ohio State, this is a group that can and will capitalize on offensive mistakes. Michigan barely prevents Florida from getting that coveted 10th win in Year 1 of the Mullen era.

Sugar Bowl: Georgia 38, Texas 21

Whenever I think about whether Georgia will be motivated to play in this game, I keep coming back to the belief that a roster with 63 of 85 underclassmen should have plenty of inspiration. And as long as that’s the case, Georgia will be far too dominant to be slowed down. I don’t trust a mediocre Texas defense to have an answer for all of the Dawgs’ home-run hitters. This ends up being a big Mecole Hardman-D’Andre Swift game and Georgia, amidst the Justin Fields transfer distraction, finds a way to roll to win No. 12.

Orange Bowl: Alabama 51, Oklahoma 28

No, I don’t. Oh, I thought you asked if I think this game will be close. I think that final score will actually make it look closer than it really is. Why? The thought of a Nick Saban-coached team coming out flat after having a month to prepare seems absurd. As long as Tua Tagovailoa is healthy, which all signs point to him being ready for this game, there will be no stopping the Crimson Tide offense. And on the flip side, the Alabama defense got all the motivation it needed from watching Tagovailoa lose the Heisman Trophy to Kyler Murray. The Tide will roll to yet another national championship berth.