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.