Bowl season
is upon us and we’ve got a staggering 39 friggin’ bowl games to watch. I realize that watching all 39 is unlikely
for most of us and with all these games, how do you figure out which ones to
watch, with ones to DVR and which ones you can skip.
Let’s all
agree that the two playoff games are the two must see games of bowl
season. Below is my ranking of the bowl
games from games you cannot miss, to games only a true football nerd would
enjoy.
The Playoff
Pasadena, CA. January 1, 5pm ET, ESPN
No. 2 Oregon (12-1) vs. No. 3 Florida State (13-0)
AllState Sugar Bowl- SEMIFINAL
New Orleans,
LA. January 1, 8:30pm ET, ESPNNo. 1 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 4 Ohio State (12-1)
Atlanta, GA, Dec. 31, 12:30pm ET, ESPN
No. 9 Ole Miss (9-3) vs. No. 6 TCU (11-1)
Of all the non-playoff games, I’m looking forward to this one the most. Trevone Boykin and the TCU offense against an Ole Miss defense that should be mostly healthy will be a fun matchup. Another great story line here is TCU being snubbed from the playoff and Big 12 versus SEC West. This game has it all.
Arlington, TX, Jan. 1, 12:30pm ET, ESPN
No. 8 Michigan State (10-2) vs. No. 5 Baylor (11-1)
The high-powered Baylor offense against Pat Narduzzi’s defense. Will Baylor come out looking to make a statement after being jumped by Ohio State for the playoff?
San Antonio, TX, Jan. 2, 6:45pm ET, ESPN
No. 11 Kansas State (9-3) vs. No. 14 UCLA (9-3)
UCLA, despite their talent and potential was one of the most disappointing and underachieving teams in the country. They face a K-State team that’s sort of the opposite- a bit of an overachiever, that has some talent but not at the level of UCLA. With Brett Hundley almost certainly off to the NFL, how will he close out his career as a Bruin?
Houston, TX, Dec. 29th, 9pm ET, ESPN
Arkansas (6-6) vs. Texas (6-6)
I love this matchup. Both teams gained momentum down the stretch and both teams are physical, ground and pound offenses. For Texas, a win here caps a strong finish (they won four of six to finish the regular season) for Charlie Strong and Co. and gives them a lot to build on in the offseason. For Arkansas, who got their first SEC win in two seasons this year, a win here is another major step forward and a seventh win for a program that had only won seven total games over the past two years.
Miami, FL, Dec. 31, 8pm ET, ESPN
No. 7 Mississippi State (10-2) vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech (10-3)
Mississippi faltered down the stretch and finished the season with a tough loss to rival Ole Miss- the loss ended any hope MSU had of making the playoff. Georgia Tech took FSU to the brink in the ACC Championship game and will be ready to give the Bulldogs all they can handle in Miami.
Solid matchups and interesting story lines.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Nashville,
TN, Dec. 30, 3pm ET, ESPNNotre Dame (7-5) vs. No. 23 LSU (8-4)
Notre Dame face-planted after their mid-season loss to FSU and win over and SEC opponent would help make this season not seem like a total loss. For LSU, this year was disappointing but with what Les Miles has coming back in ’15, this could be the jumping off point to a championship run.
Tampa, FL, Jan. 1, 12pm ET, ESPN2
No. 19 Auburn (8-4) vs. No. 18 Wisconsin (10-3)
One of college football’s most dynamic rushing offenses against college football’s best running back. This game is going to have about 90 rushing attempts and 500+ rushing yards. Plus, it’s our last opportunity to see Melvin Gordon in college.
Charlotte, NC, Dec. 30, 6:30pm ET, ESPN
No. 13 Georgia (9-3) vs. No. 21 Louisville (9-3)
This is a high-risk, high-reward game to me. Georgia is fully capable of showing up and looking like one of the most dominant teams in the country and they’re also capable of dropping a bomb and losing by 20. I like the matchup with UGA’s rushing attack against former UGA DC, Todd Grantham’s defense. Like Miss St-Georgia Tech, this will be a great SEC-ACC matchup.
Orlando, FL, Dec. 29, 5:30pm ET, ESPN
Oklahoma (8-4) vs. No. 17 Clemson (9-3)
Both teams come in with injuries at the quarterback position. Clemson is coming off a huge win over rival South Carolina and looking to win their fourth straight ten win season. Oklahoma limped to the finish line, dropping the Bedlam Game to Ok State in overtime. I’m looking forward to a rested Deshaun Watson against an attacking Sooner defense and OU’s Samaje Perine against Clemson’s top ranked defense.
Memphis, TN, Dec. 29, 2pm ET, ESPN
Texas A&M (7-5) vs. West Virginia (7-5)
Football purists will shudder at this one. Look for 100+ points and 1000+ yards. If nothing else, it will be entertaining.
El Paso, TX, Dec. 27, 2pm ET, CBS
No. 15 Arizona State (9-3) vs. Duke (9-3)
Duke comes in looking for back-to-back 10 win seasons. They’re a solid team, well-coaching and have an above average offense. ASU had hopes beyond the Sun Bowl just a few weeks ago but late season losses to Oregon State and Arizona dropped them out of the playoff and Pac-12 race. Their young, attacking defense will be fun to watch against Jamison Crowder and Co.
Las Vegas, NV, Dec. 20, 3:30pm ET, ABC
No. 22 Utah (8-4) vs. Colorado State (10-2)
These former Mountain West rivals meet up in a game that could be one of the more interesting matchups of the bowl season. CSU was on the brink of a New Year’s Six bowl but lost to Air Force to finish the season. The Rams have a solid offense with Garrett Grayson throwing to one of the nation’s best receivers in Rashard Higgins. How this offense matches up against a very talented Utah defense will be worth keeping an eye on.
Glendale, AZ, Dec. 31, 4pm ET, ESPN
No. 20 Boise State (11-2) vs. No. 10 Arizona (10-3)
The Bronco’s get the nod from the Group of Five and they’ll be tested against Pac-12 runner up Arizona. The Wildcats should have time to heal up and they’ll need Anu Solomon at full strength against an underrated BSU squad.
Boca Raton, FL, Dec. 23, 6pm ET, ESPN
Marshall (12-1) vs. Northern Illinois (11-2)
It’s been a tough season for Marshall. They spent all year trying to make a case for a New Year’s Six bowl or even a spot in the top 25. A late season lost to Western Kentucky ended those dreams but they get a prime time spot here against a very solid NIU team. Marshall and Rakeem Cato can make a statement here.
Birmingham, AL, Jan. 3, 12pm ET, ESPN
East Carolina (8-4) vs. Florida (6-5)
ECU comes in with a dynamic offense and they’ll go up against a Florida team that is capable of playing shutdown defense. The big question here for me is how motivated are the Gators here? If UF isn’t interested here, ECU could blow this one away.
Tempe, AZ, Jan. 2, 10:15pm ET, ESPN
Washington (8-5) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)
Both teams will look to finish on a high note after disappointing seasons. Washington had a defense that was Pac-12 worthy but the offense struggled all season. Oklahoma State looked like a Big 12 contender in September until JW Walsh went down and the season went in the tank.
Shreveport, LA, Dec. 27, 3:30pm ET, ABC
Miami (6-6) vs. South Carolina (6-6)
This game has the potential to be one of the best games of bowl season. However, based on each team’s level of motivation, it could also be the ugliest game of bowl season. Miami’s Duke Johnson is likely playing in his last games as is linebacker Denzel Perryman. You’ll know in the first few possessions if these teams have motivated. If they are, take a seat and enjoy. If not, take a breath between bowl games and regroup for BC-Penn State and Nebraska-USC later in the afternoon.
San Diego, CA, Dec. 27 8pm ET, ESPN
Nebraska (9-3) vs. No. 24 USC (8-4)
This game, like UM-S. Carolina will come down to interest and motivation. Nebraska fired Bo Pelini after the season and the fallout could certainly be a distraction for the Huskers. USC, although talented always seems to have motivation issues. Regardless, there’s a bunch of NFL talent on display- Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory for the Huskers and Leonard Williams, Hayes Pullard, Nelson Agholor, Cody Kessler and a host of future prospects lining up for SC.
Jacksonville, FL, Jan. 2, 3:20pm ET, ESPN
Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6)
Hey, Tennessee is bowl eligible and that’s worth watching. With Josh Dobbs as their starting quarterback down the stretch, this was a much better Vols team.
Annapolis, MD, Dec. 27, 1pm ET, ESPN
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
Cincy comes in with one of the nation’s best passing offenses. VaTech, despite their struggles is always solid on defense. The Hokies barely made a bowl game and need a win here to salvage the season and perhaps the program.
Miami, FL, Dec. 22, 2pm ET, ESPN
BYU (8-4) vs. Memphis (9-3)
This isn’t the sexiest matchup but Memphis has a shot a 10-win season and this could catapult coach Justin Fuente into a high-profile gig.
Because football season is almost over and you’re
going to miss it when it’s gone…
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
Orlando, FL,
Jan. 1, 1pm ET, ABCNo. 25 Minnesota (8-4) vs. No. 16 Missouri (10-3)
Neither team is especially flashy but they’re both solid and it will be interesting to watch two teams that were in the mix for their conference late.
New York, NY, Dec. 27, 4:30pm ET, ESPN
Boston College (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6)
A couple interesting things to watch here. Two solid defenses (Penn State’s might be the best in the country) and Penn State’s first bowl appearance since 2011. Given the state of the o-line, could this be Christian Hackenberg’s last game as a Nittany Lion?
Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl
Saint
Petersburg, FL, Dec. 26, 8pm ET, ESPNNC State (7-5) vs. UCF (9-3)
NC State had a strong season after missing the post-season last year. UCF quietly put together a solid season as co-champs of the AAC.
Santa Clara, CA, Dec. 30, 10pm ET, ESPN
Maryland (7-5) vs. Stanford (7-5)
It’s sad to see Stanford here but it will be worth watching if Kevin Hogan and the offense pick up where they left off against UCLA.
Boise, ID, Dec. 20, 5:45pm ET, ESPN
Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Air Force (9-3)
Air Force was one of the biggest turnaround of the season after going 2-10 last year. They come in with the eight ranked rushing offense and are coming off a big win over Colorado State. Western Michigan isn’t great at anything but are pretty solid overall. They rattled off six straight wins before losing to NIU to finish the regular season.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Fort Worth,
TX, Jan. 2, 12pm ET, ESPNPittsburgh (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5)
Houston was really solid at times this season and played the top teams in the AAC tough. They’ve got a solid defense and will have their hands full with Pitt’s James Conner.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans,
LA, Dec. 20, 11am ET, ESPNNevada (7-5) vs. LA-Lafayette (8-4)
Lafayette generally plays an exciting game here and Nevada comes in with an exciting offense let by Cody Fajardo.
Detroit, MI, Dec. 26, 4:30pm ET, ESPN
Rutgers (7-5) vs. North Carolina (6-6)
Rutgers put together a pretty solid first season in the Big Ten and the potential of an eight-win season gives them a lot to build on. North Carolina, despite some talent has disappointed the past two seasons but, they are capable of putting up an exciting performance.
San Diego, CA, Dec. 23, 9:30pm ET, ESPN
Navy (7-5) vs. San Diego State (7-5)
I always enjoy watching Navy and they’re getting a SDSU team that won three of their last four coming in. Both teams run the ball well, so we’ll see some good ol’ smash-mouth football.
Mobil, AL, Jan. 4, 9pm ET, ESPN
Toledo (8-4) vs. Arkansas State (7-5)
Well, both teams are pretty solid on offense and neither teams plays much defense so we should see a bunch of points.
Dallas, TX, Dec. 26, 1pm ET, ESPN
Illinois (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-5)
Illinois comes in with solid momentum winning back-to-back games over Penn State and Northwestern to close out the season to get here. LaTech narrowly lost to Marshall in the C-USA Championship.
Honolulu, HI, Dec. 24, 8pm ET, ESPN
Fresno State (6-7) vs. Rice (7-5)
It’s in Hawai’i and it will be cool when they cut away from the game.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Albuquerque,
NM, Dec. 20, 2:20pm ET, ESPNUtah State (9-4) vs. UTEP (7-5)
UTEP had a much better season than expected and get a solid matchup with an above average Mountain West team.
Nassau, Dec. 24, 12pm ET, ESPN
Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Western Kentucky (7-5)
Do you really want to miss the “Directional Bowl?” Is central better than Western? Plus, it’s in the Bahamas… how cool is that!
Montgomery, AL, Dec. 20, 9:15pm ET, ESPN
South Alabama (6-6) vs. Bowling Green (7-6)
Um… it’s still football.
No comments:
Post a Comment