Hi, folks. We’re about to make history. Well, history for this particular blog.
For the first time in the three-year journey of this little column that could, we’re going to preview ALL OF THE BOWL GAMES AT ONCE. (Well, at least all the bowl games worth watching.)
As Doge would say: Much preview. So history. Wow.
Thing is, to do this right we’re gonna need to eliminate as much back-chatter, sarcasm, or context as possible. So, no commentary around some of these games. Because a few are just so obviously good they don’t need justification. Others, though? Yeah, I’ll be saying something.
Before we hop into it, follow me on Twitter here if you want to stay up to date this bowl season. (I might even throw in some betting picks for you!) And remember the two rules: if your team is playing watch them, and all times below are in God’s Time Zone (CST). Let’s rock and roll!
TUE 12/22
Tulane vs. Nevada (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2:30p, ESPN): Trust me here. The Wolfpack have been ferocious, and the Green Wave have lost a few close games to really good teams. They’re better than their record.
UCF vs. BYU (Boca Raton Bowl, 6p, ESPN)
SAT 12/26
Liberty vs. Coastal Carolina (Cure Bowl, 11a, ESPN): It’s a pity that the undefeated, BYU-beating Chanticleers have to play in the D-list Cure Bowl, but hey, at least they’re facing a really stellar Liberty squad. And these schools have a really odd, out-of-nowhere rivalry. Not even kidding. Their game got canceled this season, but now they finally get a crack at each other.
TUE 12/29
Oklahoma State vs. Miami (Cheez-It Bowl, 4:30p, ESPN)
Texas vs. Colorado (Alamo Bowl, 8p, ESPN): Honestly, despite some struggles, the Horns didn’t fall too far from the New Year’s Six. The Alamo Bowl’s nearly always fun. It remains to be seen how good the Buffs are, though. They didn’t look too impressive in the extremely limited PAC-12 regular season we got.
WED 12/30
Florida vs. Oklahoma (Cotton Bowl, 7p, ESPN)
THU 12/31
Tulsa vs. Mississippi State (Armed Forces Bowl, 11a, ESPN): The Golden Hurricane gave formidable Cincinnati trouble last week, and now look to do the same to a weaksauce Mike Leach-led Bulldogs team. Frankly, they wouldn’t even be here if not for The Virus (yes, that virus). But occasionally MSU can come up with a flaming hot air raid attack.
Ball State vs. San Jose State (Arizona Bowl, 1p, CBS): Probably the most sneaky-good bowl game this year; the Spartans are no slouch, and the Cardinals just knocked off Buffalo and its legitimate Heisman contender of an RB to win the MAC.
West Virginia vs. Tennessee (Liberty Bowl, 3p, ESPN): Another case of a terrible SEC team making it to a bowl because this is a weird year. West Virginia has been perfectly competent all year. The Vols have . . . not.
FRI 1/1
Georgia vs. Cincinnati (Peach Bowl, 11a, ESPN)
Auburn vs. Northwestern (Citrus Bowl, 12p, ABC): The Wildcats almost beat mighty Ohio State to take the conference title. How will Auburn, coming off of Gus’s firing, boasting a hot-and-cold QB in Bo Nix, handle a likely angry herd of ‘Cats? Guess we’ll see.
Alabama vs. Notre Dame (CFP Rose Bowl Semifinal, 3p, ESPN)
Ohio State vs. Clemson (CFP Sugar Bowl Semifinal, 7p, ESPN)
SAT 1/2
Ole Miss vs. Indiana (Outback Bowl, 11:30a, ABC): Yet another SEC team in a bowl because The Virus (yes, that virus). I expect the Hoosiers will be fuming about being left out of the Big Ten title game. The Rebs better watch out.
Oregon vs. Iowa State (Fiesta Bowl, 3p, ESPN)
Texas A&M vs. North Carolina (Orange Bowl, 7p, ESPN)
MON 1/11
CFP National Championship (7p, ESPN)
There you go! All the bowl games fit to watch. As always, and until next year, happy watching!