Every bowl game deserves some attention

Over the next three weeks, 38 bowl games and a national championship game will be played from Boise to the Bahamas and various points in between. You should watch them all. Here’s why:

Saturday, Dec. 20

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Nevada vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Why watch? Someone thought it would be fun to start a football game at 10 a.m. in New Orleans. Wait for the crowd shots and try to spot the fans who went straight from Bourbon Street to the Superdome.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl

At Albuquerque, New Mexico

UTEP vs. Utah State

Why watch? Brothers Zach and Nick Vigil play linebacker for Utah State and have combined for 181 tackles. Every time a Vigil makes a tackle, take a sip of your favorite beverage. We would suggest Dr Pepper if you plan to watch the second half.

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

Colorado State vs. Utah

Why watch? Your last memory of Utes star receiver/returner Kaelin Clay should not be of him absent-mindedly dropping the football a yard short of the end zone against Oregon. One of the most exciting special teams players in the country plays his last college game.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

At Boise

Western Michigan vs. Air Force

Why watch? The winning team will be the owner of the biggest turnaround season in the country. Both the Broncos (8-4) and Falcons (9-3) have already won seven more games than they did last year.

Raycom Camelia Bowl

At Montgomery, Alabama

Bowling Green vs. South Alabama

Why watch? Do you like hockey? South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge was born in Toronto. His nickname is “Air Canada.” Close enough.

Monday, Dec. 22

Miami Beach Bowl

BYU vs. Memphis

Why watch? By next season Memphis’ Justin Fuente will be the coach you want your school to hire.

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Boca Raton Bowl

Marshall vs. Northern Illinois

Why watch? Outside of the College Football Playoff semifinals, this is the only bowl game matching conference champions.

San Diego County Credit Union

Poinsettia Bowl

Navy vs. San Diego State

Why watch? Every time Navy QB Keenan Reynolds scores a touchdown you get to reminisce about a college football star from the past. Remember how great Ron Dayne was? Reynolds’ next TD will be No. 63, matching the Wisconsin Heisman Trophy winner. Two more touchdowns pull Reynolds even with Indiana great Anthony Thompson and Texas star Cedric Benson.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl

At Nassau, Bahamas

Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan

Why watch? It’s a football game on a tropical island, with the possibility of limitless access to fried chicken. This is paradise.

Hawaii Bowl

At Honolulu

Rice vs. Fresno State

Why watch? What else are you going to do while putting together that doll house or bicycle on the night before Christmas?

Friday, Dec. 26

Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl

Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech

Why watch? It’s the day after Christmas. Haven’t you spent enough time with your family?

Quick Lane Bowl

At Detroit

Rutgers vs. North Carolina

Why watch? Great player you probably don’t know: Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo, who averages more yards per catch (19.68) than any 1,000-yard receiver in the country.

Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl

UCF vs. N.C. State

Why watch? Maybe UCF coach George O’Leary can explain what Bitcoin is.

Saturday, Dec. 27

Military Bowl

Presented by Northrop Grumman

At Annapolis, Maryland

Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

Why watch? Virginia Tech’s offense is terrible. Cincinnati’s defense is awful. Let’s see what happens.

Hyundai Sun Bowl

At El Paso, Texas

Duke vs. Arizona State

Why watch? Lots of great freshman running backs around the country this season. Two that didn’t get a lot of attention face off: Duke’s Shaun Wilson (8.0 yards per carry) and Arizona State’s Demario Richard (5.6 per carry).

Duck Commander

Independence Bowl

At Shreveport, Louisiana

Miami vs. South Carolina

Why watch? What if I told you the next ESPN 30-for-30 on The U. could start in a Bossier City, Louisiana, casino?

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

At New York

Boston College vs. Penn State

Why watch? Get a look at the most under-appreciated coaching job this season. BC’s Steve Addazio won seven games in what even he thought might be a rebuilding year.

National University Holiday Bowl

At San Diego

Nebraska vs. Southern California

Why watch? Your friends who only casually follow college football will think this is a huge game.

Monday, Dec. 29

Autozone Liberty Bowl

At Memphis, Tennessee

West Virginia vs. Texas A&M

Why watch? Get a glimpse of two promising young quarterbacks: Texas A&M will start freshman Kyle Allen. West Virginia’s Skyler Howard might only get spot duty, depending on the health of starter Clint Trickett.

Russell Athletic Bowl

At Orlando, Florida

Clemson vs. Oklahoma

Why watch? Former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables now leads the Clemson ‘D.’ It’s the ‘Vena-bowl!’

Texas Bowl

At Houston

Texas vs. Arkansas

Why watch? Do you long for the days when football teams only passed when absolutely necessary? Then Longhorns-Razorbacks is for you. Only two SEC teams have thrown fewer passes than Arkansas. Only one Big 12 team averages fewer yards passing per game than Texas.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Franklin American Mortgage

Music City Bowl

At Nashville, Tennessee

Notre Dame vs. LSU

Why watch? Notre Dame QB Everett Golson (22 turnovers) embraces the spirit of giving that makes the holiday season special.

Belk Bowl

At Charlotte, North Carolina

Louisville vs. Georgia

Why watch? We were deprived of a full season of Louisville WR Devante Parker, who played in only five games because of a broken foot and still caught 35 passes for 735 yards. Get one last look him in a Cardinals uniform.

Foster Farms Bowl

At Santa Clara, California

Stanford vs. Maryland

Why watch? The season is almost over and you probably need another reminder that Maryland is now in the Big Ten.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

At Atlanta

Mississippi vs. TCU

Why watch? Land sharks (Ole Miss defense) vs. Air Frogs (TCU offense).

Vizio Fiesta Bowl

At Glendale, Arizona

Boise State vs. Arizona

Why watch? Boise State returns to the site of its greatest triumphs, trying to score another victory for the little guys.

Capital One Orange Bowl

At Miami

Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech

Why watch? The theory is that given several weeks to prepare, bowl opponents figure out Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. Hence, the Yellow Jackets 1-5 bowl record under coach Paul Johnson. Watch the Bulldogs test that theory, and then watch Johnson get testy with the first person who asks him about it in the postgame.

Thursday, Jan. 1

Outback Bowl

At Tampa, Florida

Wisconsin vs. Auburn

Why watch? Wisconsin star Melvin Gordon needs 293 yards rushing to break Barry Sanders’ FBS single-season record. Totally doable.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

At Arlington, Texas

Michigan State vs. Baylor

Why watch? Baylor wanted to be in the playoff. Last chance to show the selection committee it was wrong.

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

At Orlando, Florida

Minnesota vs. Missouri

Why watch? Flip over from the Cotton Bowl every once in a while. Maybe you’ll find out why Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams, a second-team All-American, has that extra ‘x.’

Rose Bowl

presented by Northwestern Mutual

At Pasadena, California

Playoff semifinal: Oregon vs. Florida State

Why watch? Sure a spot in the championship game is on the line, but this matchup between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston also kicks off ESPN’s nonstop, four-month NFL draft coverage. Winston throws a pick. That’ll cost him five spots on the big board. Mariota stays in the pocket to throw a TD. Stock up!

Allstate Sugar Bowl

At New Orleans

Playoff semifinal: Alabama vs. Ohio State

Why watch? Two heavyweight programs with superstar coaches that most fans love to hate, and somebody has to win. Look on the bright side haters, somebody also has to lose. Enjoy the misery.

Friday, Jan. 2

Lockheed Martin

Armed Forces Bowl

At Fort Worth, Texas

Pittsburgh vs. Houston

Why watch? Because interim coaches – both teams have one – are people, too.

TaxSlayer Bowl

At Jacksonville, Florida

Iowa vs. Tennessee

Why watch? To see Iowa All-America tackle Brandon Scherff. Trust us. There won’t be much else to watch from the Hawkeyes (79th in the country in yards per play) and Volunteers (115th in ypp).

Valero Alamo Bowl

At San Antonio

UCLA vs. Kansas State

Why watch? You never know which UCLA team will show up. The one that crushed Arizona State and USC? Or the one that was crushed by Oregon and Stanford?

Ticketcity Cactus Bowl

At Tempe, Arizona

Oklahoma State vs. Washington

Why watch? Shaq Thompson at linebacker for the Washington. Shaq Thompson at running back. Wonder what kind of arm he has?

Saturday, Jan. 3

Birmingham Bowl

At Birmingham, Alabama

Florida vs. East Carolina

Why watch? Find out why Florida just agreed to pay $5 million to hire Colorado State’s coach.

GoDaddy Bowl

At Mobile, Alabama

Toledo vs. Arkansas State

Why watch? It’s the fourth straight appearance for Arkansas State and the first time you’ll actually get to see their coach in Mobile. The past three years the Red Wolves have had interim coaches by the time they played in the postseason.