Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The two most important bowl games, the College Football Playoff national semifinals, are in the rearview mirror but there are still plenty of good postseason matchups this week as the calendar flips to 2020.

How much excitement will there be for the players on No. 11 Utah on New Year’s Eve when the Utes face Texas in the Alamo Bowl from San Antonio? The Utes players are probably still kicking themselves for an upset loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 title game. Had Utah won that, it likely would have earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Utes didn’t even get a decent consolation prize: The school’s first-ever trip to the Rose Bowl. Utah is a 7-point favorite and has covered eight of its past nine as a favorite. The Horns have lost their past five as underdogs.

Four games on New Year’s Day and all involve ranked teams. Marquee matchup of teams that had higher goals when No. 14 Michigan takes on No. 13 Alabama in the Citrus Bowl from Orlando. This is the first time the Tide have missed the playoff, which was assured when they were upset 48-45 by Auburn on November 30 in a crazy Iron Bowl. Star Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa missed that game injured and he’s not playing here, either. Michigan, meanwhile, was routed by bitter rival Ohio State to close the regular season. The Crimson Tide are 7.5-point favorites and have won their past eight after a loss.