Bowl Season Preview: We’re Giving You A Reason To Watch Every Single Game

If you include the Celebration Bowl and the National Championship (and why wouldn’t we), there are 41 different college football bowl games for you to watch over the next few weeks. That’s a bowl game for every season of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU with four more games to spare.

At first glance, you might think these are too many bowl games. You’d be wrong. You never really can have too many bowl games as long as there are teams willing to play in them and people willing to watch them. That’s the Schnellenberger’s Law of bowl games. You might not be as amped for the Cure Bowl as you are for, say, the Fiesta Bowl or either of the Playoff matchups, but you don’t have to be. Every bowl is special, just like all of you are special. And it’s my job to find the joy in each and every game.

So, here’s your guide to bowl season, complete with lines and TV times (in Eastern). Consider this an early Christmas present, or something.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19

Noon: Celebration Bowl – NC A&T vs. Alcorn State  (ABC) (No line available)

SportsCenter will be in Atlanta before this game kicks off, and you’ve got the chance to see the winners of the SWAC and the MEAC squaring off in a new postseason game between HBCUs. Obviously the bands will be great, and there’s lots of talented players on both teams. Plus, it’s the official start to bowl season.

2 p.m.: New Mexico Bowl – Arizona (-8.5) vs. New Mexico (ESPN)

What, the promise of exciting Gildan ads isn’t enough? Okay, what if we told you this bowl always gets a little bit strange, like to the point where one time Arizona players got in a fight with other Arizona players? Alright, fine. This is the first time New Mexico has made a bowl since 2007, and it is pretty neat that former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie has the Lobos playing in the postseason again.

3:30 p.m.: Las Vegas Bowl – BYU vs. Utah (-2.5) (ABC)

A Holy War in Vegas! No, this isn’t a Nic Cage movie. It’s a chance for two sneaky good teams to put a cap off solid seasons. Utah’s got the special teams play that most college programs drool over, and BYU has a fun quarterback in Tanner Mangum. The Utes are pretty solid at forcing turnovers, which is important especially considering Utah running back Devontae Booker is out.

5:30 p.m.: Camellia Bowl – Ohio vs. Appalachian State (-7.5) (ESPN)

As fun Group of Five games go, this one really could be interesting. Ohio could’ve had a win over Minnesota this year, but got dinged for one of the weirdest penalties of the season (a delay of game called after their kicker attempted a field goal when the Golden Gophers iced the Bobcats with a timeout), and also beat Marshall and NIU this season. Appalachian State had 10 wins (with losses to Clemson and Arkansas State) thanks to a really solid rushing attack (268.83 yards per game) and a super fun quarterback in Taylor Lamb.

7 p.m.: Cure Bowl – San Jose State (-2.5) vs. Georgia State (CBS Sports Network)

You might be tempted to skip this one because of the five-win San Jose State team and what looks to be a mostly empty Citrus Bowl. But don’t! Georgia State is a really neat story this year. In just their third year in FBS (sixth overall as a program), and a year removed from a one-win season, the Panthers are in a bowl game. And they got there because they beat rival Georgia Southern the last week of the season to get to six wins. If they were to win the Cure Bowl, it’s a story you could tell your grandkids someday.

9 p.m.: New Orleans Bowl – Arkansas State vs. Louisiana Tech (-2) (ESPN)

All bowl games in New Orleans are good bowl games. And also, I’m pretty sure the Red Wolves did karaoke at their welcoming party a couple days ago.

MONDAY, DEC. 21

2:30 p.m.: Miami Beach Bowl – Western Kentucky (-2.5) vs. South Florida (ESPN)

Two big things stand out in this one. Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty is really, really good in that offense (he had 4,594 yards with a 71.8 completion percentage and a 45:7 TD:INT ratio), and the Hilltoppers won 11 games. Plus South Florida coach Willie Taggart, who turned around the Bulls season and closed the year red hot, was a quarterback at WKU, started his coaching career there, and was the head coach from 2010 to 2012 before taking the USF job. Nice job pulling this one together, Miami Beach Bowl reps!

TUESDAY, DEC. 22

3:30 p.m.: Potato Bowl – Akron vs. Utah State (-7) (ESPN)

Akron is in a bowl game!!! This is cause for celebration. The last (and only) time the Zips went bowling was in 2005 under then-coach J.D. Brookhart.

7 p.m.: Boca Raton Bowl – Temple (-2) vs. Toledo (ESPN)

Both of these teams had incredibly strong years, combining to win 19 games. Temple beat Penn State and almost beat Notre Dame, and Toledo took down Arkansas and Iowa State. Among the early bowls, this one should be incredibly physical and filled with lots of guys who could’ve played at the Power Five level.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23

4:30 p.m.: Poinsettia Bowl – Boise State (-8.5) vs. Northern Illinois (ESPN)

The Huskies are no stranger to the Poinsettia Bowl, which finds them playing Group of Five darling Boise State in a battle for some pride and bragging rights. If you’ve watched either team over the past few seasons, you know what you’re going to get: great defense, inventive offenses, and an entertaining football game.

8 p.m.: GoDaddy Bowl – Georgia Southern vs. Bowling Green (-7.5) (ESPN)

Georgia Southern’s option attack against Bowling Green’s up-tempo Baylor clone offense led by quarterback Matt Johnson and his eye-popping numbers? Make sure you’re watching this one if you aren’t already committed to sitting through Home Alone for the thousandth time with your family.

THURSDAY, DEC. 24

Noon: Bahamas Bowl – Middle Tennessee vs. Western Michigan (-3) (ESPN)

It’s a bowl game in the Bahamas sponsored by Popeyes. What else do you need? And there’s the off chance that Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck actually rowed a boat all the way to Nassau.

8 p.m.: Hawai’i Bowl – San Diego State vs. Cincinnati (-1) (ESPN)

Tommy Tuberville in a lei and/or Hawaiian shirt is well worth the price of admission. Plus there’s no better Christmas Eve tradition than watching your dad fall asleep to the sweet sounds of the second half of the Hawai’i Bowl as you wait for Santa to make his way to your house.

SATURDAY, DEC. 26

11 a.m.: St. Petersburg Bowl – Connecticut vs. Marshall (-4.5) (ESPN)

Bob Diaco has transformed that UConn program pretty quickly and he has a chance to make a statement against a Marshall team that rebounded nicely following Rakeem Cato’s (owner of just about every school passing record) graduation to be in a prime position for another 10-win season under Doc Holliday.

2 p.m.: Sun Bowl – Miami vs. Washington State (-2.5) (CBS)

It’s the cot dang Sun Bowl. And Mike Leach is in it. Don’t try to tell me you aren’t watching this thing. The U still has plenty of players who’ll make their way to NFL rosters, and the Cougars have that offense that can actually run the ball now (along with the vaunted passing attack). Watch it. It’s on CBS!

2:20 p.m.: Heart of Dallas Bowl – Washington (-8.5) vs. Southern Mississippi (ESPN) 

That line is tasty if you’re someone who followed Southern Miss all season long. The Golden Eagles can put up points in bunches at times (scoring 30 or more in all of their nine wins), and if they get hot against a potentially disinterested Washington team, it could snowball in a hurry. That being said, don’t count out arguably the best 6-6 team in the nation. The Huskies are ranked 20th overall in S&P+ numbers, above teams like Mississippi State, TCU, and Oklahoma State. So, they’re pretty rock solid despite their record.

3:30 p.m.: Pinstripe Bowl – Indiana (-2) vs. Duke (ABC)

Normally, I would say the reason to watch Duke is because of Jeremy Cash, but he isn’t playing in this game after surgery, so I need to change my focus a bit. Let’s go with the Hoosiers’ offense, which has an effective quarterback in Nate Sudfeld, and a pair of good running backs, Jordan Howard and Devine Redding, who rushed for almost two yards shy of 2,000 between them in the regular season.

5:45 p.m.: Independence Bowl – Tulsa vs. Virginia Tech (-13.5) (ESPN)

It’s Frank Beamer’s last game as coach of Virginia Tech. He’s going to ride off into the sunset in an RV (likely acquired at Camping World, this year’s sponsor of the Independence Bowl) and see the world. If it’s anything close to as emotional as his last home game was, you might need a tissue or two.

9:15 p.m.: Foster Farms Bowl – UCLA (-7) vs. Nebraska (ESPN)

The Cornhuskers slipped into the bowl field despite finishing 5-7 this year, and they’ve got a choice bowl game in a great destination to show for it. Beating the Bruins would be a super good way to close out Year 1, and would show that Mike Riley has things going in the right direction. As for UCLA, injuries derailed an otherwise promising season, but it’s worth keeping an eye on freshman Josh Rosen and how he caps off his debut season.

MONDAY, DEC. 28

2:30 p.m.: Military Bowl – Pittsburgh vs. Navy (-3.5) (ESPN)

Two words: Keenan Reynolds. It’s your duty as an American to watch the electric quarterback finish his vaunted and memorable career.

5 p.m.: Quick Lane Bowl – Central Michigan vs. Minnesota (-6) (ESPN2)

Because we all need to someday find out what a Quick Lane is.

TUESDAY, DEC. 29

2 p.m.: Armed Forces Bowl – California (-7) vs. Air Force (ESPN)

Jared Goff might just be your favorite NFL team’s new quarterback, as he’s been linked to pretty much half the league already in mock drafts. Might as well see what all the fuss is about.

5:30 p.m.: Russell Athletic Bowl – North Carolina vs. Baylor (-2) (ESPN)

The over/under on this one is 70 and that seems suspiciously low. These are two incredible offenses with lots of talent at the skill positions, and if Baylor can manage to clone Bryce Petty one more time in the next couple weeks, we could be in for a shootout.

7:30 p.m.: Arizona Bowl – Nevada vs. Colorado State (-3) (Campus Insiders/ASN)

Rashard Higgins is still on Colorado State. He is extremely talented. If you didn’t know about him after his incredible season last year, I’m sorry, but now’s your chance to make things right. Even if this is a game between two teams in the same conference.

9 p.m.: Texas Bowl – LSU (-7.5) vs. Texas Tech (ESPN)

Contrasts in styles are always interesting, and watching the Red Raiders try to light up LSU’s defense and keep it fast should be intriguing. And you get another chance to watch Leonard Fournette, who might have some extra motivation to end the season on a high note after being snubbed as a Heisman finalist.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30

Noon: Birmingham Bowl – Auburn (-2.5) vs. Memphis (ESPN)

Let’s see if Paxton Lynch can get his second SEC West win of the season!

3:30 p.m.: Belk Bowl – Mississippi State (-5.5) vs. N.C. State (ESPN)

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7 p.m.: Music City Bowl – Texas A&M vs. Louisville (ESPN) (Even)

This game has hijinks written all over it. Consider it a hunch. At the very least, you get to see Daylon Mack and Myles Garrett, two of the most exciting defensive players in the country, try to slow down Bobby Petrino’s offense. And get a bunch of b-roll of Nashville. Not bad for Dec. 30.

10:30 p.m.: Holiday Bowl – USC (-3) vs. Wisconsin (ESPN)

As football games go, this may be one of the best of any of the pre-New Years Six games (along with that UNC-Baylor matchup). USC has so much speed, and Wisconsin has a solid rushing attack, lots of size, and a ferocious defense. I’m excited to stay up into the wee hours to see what goes down here.

THURSDAY, DEC. 31

Noon: Peach Bowl – Houston vs. Florida State (-7) (ESPN)

Tom Herman has had a heck of a first season coaching the Cougars, and he can make quite a statement if he finds a way to beat the Seminoles. It won’t be easy considering the ‘Noles have players like Jalen Ramsey, DeMarcus Walker and Derwin James on defense and all-world running back Dalvin Cook running the show on offense. (A fun sub game to play is to see how many times FSU picks up a pre-snap penalty – and drink your favorite carbonated beverage accordingly.)

4 p.m.: Orange Bowl – Oklahoma (-4) vs. Clemson (ESPN)

The first of our Playoff Semifinals, this should be all sorts of crazy. Both teams are incredibly balanced, and it’s a rematch of last year’s bowl game that saw Clemson depants the Sooners on national television. You know Bob Stoops has been thinking about getting revenge for a long time, and he just might get it, especially with the way the whole team – and especially quarterback Baker Mayfield – closed out the regular season.

8 p.m.: Cotton Bowl – Michigan State vs. Alabama (-9.5) (ESPN)

This is an old school football game that could be played either in 1955 or in 2015. Connor Cook can handle the offense, but will have his hands full with Bama’s tough and gifted front seven. And we all know the Tide will be running Derrick Henry as often as possible – so it’s up to Michigan State (which has a great defensive line of its own) to stand up to the challenge or fold under the umpteenth sledgehammer blow. The plot of Mark Dantonio coaching against former mentor Nick Saban is intriguing, as well.

FRIDAY, JAN. 1

Noon: Outback Bowl – Northwestern vs. Tennessee (-8.5) (ESPN2)

You’re either getting a free Bloomin’ Onion or free Coconut Shrimp out of this game, and we deserve it after all the hard work we put in this season.

1 p.m.: Citrus Bowl – Florida vs. Michigan (-4.5) (ABC)

Can Florida’s offense score 10 points against Michigan’s defensive front? Will Jim Harbaugh get so mad that he stomps a hole into the center of the Earth? Are those Mountain Dew-flavored wings at Buffalo Wild Wings actually edible? Find the answers to these questions, and more, during this year’s Citrus Bowl.

1 p.m.: Fiesta Bowl – Ohio State (-7) vs. Notre Dame (ESPN)

A marquee matchup in the middle of the day between two teams that were *this* close to potentially being in the Playoff field had things gone a little bit differently this year. I’ve had this one circled since the bowl pairings came out, and you get the nation’s best broadcasting team in Chris Spielman and Sean McDonough calling it.

5 p.m.: Rose Bowl – Stanford (-7) vs. Iowa (ESPN)

Another day seeing Christian McCaffrey do his thing is a good day. Especially considering it’s against a 12-1 Iowa team that can run the football extremely well and was a handful of plays away from being in the Top 4.

8:30 p.m.: Sugar Bowl – Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss (-7.5) (ESPN)

As previously mentioned, any bowl game in New Orleans is worth watching. Just trust me on this.

SATURDAY, JAN. 2

Noon: Taxslayer Bowl – Penn State vs. Georgia (-7) (ESPN)

Watching Carl Nassib go crazy in the Georgia backfield is something I’m really excited about. As is the potential for the Bulldogs to make things really difficult on Christian Hackenberg.

3:30 p.m.: Liberty Bowl – Kansas State vs. Arkansas (-11) (ESPN)

Bret Bielema is going to run the ball 75 times in this game, and you’re going to like it.

6:45 p.m.: Alamo Bowl – Oregon vs. TCU (ESPN) (Even)

I’m unreasonably giddy for this one and the potential to see Vernon Adams throw it all over the place against a TCU team that, despite the injuries that piled up this season, had a really good year.

10:15 p.m.: Cactus Bowl – West Virginia vs. Arizona State (ESPN) (Even)

It’s a late night game, in the desert, sponsored by Motel 6, and both Dana Holgorsen and Todd Graham are involved. As the last official bowl game before the Championship, all sorts of crazy things could happen. I’m half expecting a portal to open at midfield and a version of both teams from Earth II to play their own game simultaneously.

MONDAY, JAN. 11

8:30 p.m.: National Championship – TBD vs. TBD (ESPN)

It’s the National Championship. Come on.