Adam Kramer's Guide to the College Football Bowl Season

We have been conditioned to care about the College Football Playoff and only the College Football Playoff. But let your gaze wander beyond the two spectacular, storyline-jammed semifinal matchups, and you will see one of the richest bowl seasons in recent memory.

Thank you, selection committee. You probably haven’t heard that much in recent days, have you?

That sentiment has not been voiced all that often—except in Columbus, Ohio—although it’s warranted here. The group of humans tasked with picking the top four teams in college football also helped shape many of the familiar marquee games. Although they will never be given the appropriate credit, these bowl architects delivered where they were allowed.

Beyond an absolutely loaded New Year’s Day slate, there are enthralling matchups from start to finish. The discussions and primary interests will center on the semifinal games, which is understandable given the brands, coaches and talent involved. However, don’t let this detract from the sheer excellence along the way.

There are glorious exhibition games all over the place that warrant your careful planning and utmost attention. Before ranking all 38 games in terms of watchability, here’s what you should be on the lookout for this bowl season beyond a human-sized potato mascot capable of seeing into your soul.

Best Game: The Rose Bowl

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

We begin, of course, with the obvious. Oregon and Florida State will meet up on Jan. 1 in a game that requires no formal introduction.

By the time these two teams meet, you will likely have two Heisman-winning quarterbacks going head-to-head. One opponent could take the field wearing actual yellow spacesuits, and you wouldn’t question the motive (or the execution). The other, college football’s tabbed villain, is going for its 30th consecutive win.

Jimbo Fisher, head coach of the Seminoles, put it perfectly (via TomahawkNation.com):

"

Jimbo Fisher says pitting Oregon & FSU with the marquee programs and quarterbacks is great for college football and what the playoff is for

— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) December 7, 2014"

I don’t need to remind you that the Rose Bowl is required viewing, because any football person in the world knows this without further reminding. Add in the possibility of playing for a national championship and you’ve reached peak pigskin enjoyment.

Best Non-Playoff Bowl Game: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

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Before you embrace your love for cheap champagne and its diabolical day-after effects, you have fabulous football to watch on New Year’s Eve. The matinee—the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl—is without doubt the finest non-semifinal matchup of them all, which is telling given some of the games to pick from.

TCU and Ole Miss will meet up in Atlanta right about the time you dig in for lunch. The Horned Frogs obviously had an even bigger bowl game in mind prior to Sunday, although this will serve as a mighty consolation. On the other sideline, the Rebels will look to gain momentum for another playoff push in 2015.

When a non-college football fan proclaims that the bowl season is nothing more than a flurry of exhibitions for the big finish, hold up this game with a smile and without a care in the world.

This has a chance to be special.

Sneaky Good Game That Won’t Be Watched Enough: Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

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Shortly after the gates are opened for this year’s bowl season, Colorado State and Utah will meet in a matchup not nearly enough people will carve up time to enjoy.

Don’t make that same mistake. Be by your television at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 20 to witness two quality football programs play in Sin City.

Even though Colorado State will be operating without its former coach, Jim McElwain’s positive offensive influence will be evident. The Rams, however, will have the difficult task of moving the football and scoring points on an underappreciated Utah defense. The seasons did not end favorably for either sideline, although both are talented and capable.

Just because it’s early on doesn’t mean it’s not a game worthy of your attention.

Game I Would Most Like to Cover: Popeyes Bahamas Bowl

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When you pair up tropical paradise with the best fried chicken on the planet, you’ve essentially won the “Man, I Hope My Boss Sends Me Here” Lifetime Achievement Award.

On Christmas Eve, Central Michigan and Western Kentucky will meet in Nassau to celebrate what six wins in a single season can get you. Lucky beat writers for these teams and other media members will also head to the Bahamas to cover the first-ever Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.

This will be all business, I’m certain.

Please don’t let the combined 14-10 record fool you. This matchup has a chance to shift the national landscape of the sport, and the winner will immediately vault into early 2015 playoff consideration. You could argue that the storylines between CMU and WKU are actually more attention-grabbing than Ohio State and Alabama. There is not the least bit of sarcasm in this statement.

What say you, boss?

Best Team Reaction to a Bowl-Game Appearance

Speaking of the Bahamas Bowl, Central Michigan wins the award for most dramatic bowl reveal of the year. And maybe that’s not good enough.

I’m not sure the room would have erupted the same way had Boise, Idaho, been the final destination chosen. If you’re reading this from Boise, you likely just closed out this page and stormed off in obscenities.

Well done by all.

Most Casual Reaction to a Bowl Game Appearance 

What did Alabama do upon hearing it was declared the No. 1 seed in the first-ever College Football Playoff?

Well, the most emphatic gesture was a mild applause, at least from a small portion of the group. Everyone else just sort of sat around looking mildly disinterred. Oh, and Nick Saban decided to put down his drink and almost accidentally smiled.

Best Bowl Name: Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl

Here is the definition of Bitcoin, according to CNN.com.

"

Bitcoin is a new currency that was created in 2009 by an unknown person using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. Transactions are made with no middle men – meaning, no banks! There are no transaction fees and no need to give your real name. More merchants are beginning to accept them: You can buy webhosting services, pizza or even manicures.

"

This currency now has its own bowl game, and it will be played between North Carolina State and Central Florida on the day after Christmas.

That’s not exactly this year’s most promising and tantalizing marriage between teams, although the name alone makes you want to load up on the necessary bowl merchandise.

Game Most Likely to Break the Scoreboard: AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Memphis, this one may take a while.

West Virginia and Texas A&M will face off in a game that could very well last five hours. Both teams will be looking to build momentum heading into 2015, and they’ll each attempt to do that through the air and with endless offense.

Although there are bright spots to be found on both defenses, the scoreboard operator should probably hydrate accordingly days in advance, just in case. Head coaches Kevin Sumlin and Dana Holgorsen will each look to flex their offensive muscles, and there’s no reason to believe either will be denied.

Best “Ignore Your Family Around the Holiday” Bowl: Hawai'i Bowl

Eugene Tanner/Associated Press

Ah, Christmas Eve. It’s a time to celebrate with loved ones, pour a glass of something cold and delicious, gather around the fire and watch the high winds blow trash all over the field as two teams go toe-to-toe under the Hawaiian sun.

This year’s Hawai'i Bowl will take place the night before Christmas, and it will feature Fresno State and Rice, two teams you likely haven’t watched in large doses this season. Please don’t let such inexperience discourage you from digging in.

As much as you love your family, the yearly tradition of giving your utmost attention to two slightly above-average football teams over people you don’t see often is one we cherish most.

It is the football constant in our holiday hearts.

Most Terrifying Bowl Mascot

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Science has given us many amazing, life-alerting advancements. It also gave us the monstrosity seen above.

That smiling nightmare spud is the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl mascot. He will be featured prominently on Dec. 20 as Western Michigan and Air Force face off. He will also see you in your dreams.

Also, on a less terrifying note, why is he wearing gloves? This is all too much.

Best Bowl Swag: Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

Steve Helber/Associated Press

The annual tradition of analyzing bowl swag with extreme focus is alive and well in 2014.

For those unfamiliar, each bowl provides the players of both teams participating with a gift package of sorts. These gifts, which were explored by David Broughton of SportsBusiness Daily, can vary greatly in appeal. From hair dryers to massive gift cards—with a Fossil watch sprinkled throughout—players are each given something by companies with swag to spare.

In terms of ranking this swag, my No. 1 ranking for the 2014 slate would go to the Military Bowl. Cincinnati and Virginia Tech players will each receive a Microsoft Xbox One console and Under Armour backpack, Might Boom Ball speakers and a beanie.

It certainly beats a hair dryer.

Ranking All Bowl Games in Order of Watchability

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There are 38 bowl games for you to sink your teeth into this season, and there’s a high probability you won’t see them all. With your busy holiday schedules in mind, here is each and every bowl game ranked in terms of watchability.

Please note: "Watchability" isn’t based exclusively on having two quality teams. Certain bowl games might be rated higher than others based off matchups, individual players (see: Pittsburgh’s James Conner in the Armed Forces Bowl) or the overall possibility of things becoming weird.

With that disclaimer in mind, here are the rankings. If your team or preferred matchup is slighted, it was almost certainly due to a personal vendetta against your program or bowl.

1. Rose Bowl: (2) Oregon vs. (3) Florida State (Jan. 1)

2. Allstate Sugar Bowl: (1) Alabama vs. (4) Ohio State (Jan. 1)

3.Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Ole Miss vs. TCU (Dec. 31)

4.Goodyear Cotton Bowl: Michigan State vs. Baylor (Jan. 1)

5. Outback Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 1)

6. Capital One Orange Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech (Dec. 31)

7. AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Texas A&M vs. West Virginia (Dec. 29)

8. Vizio Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Arizona (Dec. 31)

9. Hyundai Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke (Dec. 27)

10. Valero Alamo Bowl: Kansas State vs. UCLA (Jan. 2)

11. Boca Raton Bowl: Marshall vs. Northern Illinois (Dec. 23)

12. National University Holiday: Bowl Nebraska vs. USC (Dec. 27)

13. Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Colorado State (Dec. 20)

14. Belk Bowl: Georgia vs. Louisville (Dec. 30)

15. AdvoCare Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs. Texas (Dec. 29)

16. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: Minnesota vs. Missouri (Jan. 1)

17. Russell Athletic Bowl: Clemson vs. Oklahoma (Dec. 29)

18. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Notre Dame vs. LSU (Dec. 30)

19. Duck Commander Independence Bowl: Miami vs. South Carolina (Dec. 27)

20. TicketCity Cactus Bowl: Washington vs. Oklahoma State (Jan. 2)

21. Miami Beach Bowl: BYU vs. Memphis (Dec. 22)

22. TaxSlayer Bowl: Iowa vs. Tennessee (Jan. 2)

23. Foster Farms Bowl: Maryland vs. Stanford (Dec. 30)

24. Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 24)

25. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Pittsburgh (Jan. 2)

26. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Air Force (Dec. 20)

27. Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl: NC State vs. UCF (Dec. 26)

28. San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. San Diego State (Dec. 23)

29. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs. Rice (Dec. 24)

30. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Nevada vs. UL Lafayette (Dec. 20)

31. Quick Lane Bowl: Rutgers vs. North Carolina (Dec. 26)

32. Military Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech (Dec. 27)

33. Birmingham Bowl: East Carolina vs. Florida (Jan. 3)

34. Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Utah State vs. UTEP (Dec. 20)

35. New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Penn State (Dec. 27)

36. GoDaddy Bowl: Toledo vs. Arkansas State (Jan. 4)

37. Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech (Dec. 26)

38. Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: South Alabama vs. Bowling Green (Dec. 20)