3-Step Drop: The Best Matchups of College Football Bowl Season

Bryan FischerDec 7, 2015

Editor's Note: With the expansion of this week's lead item, we've shortened our dropback to three steps.

It’s over. The college football regular season is officially over.

If those words don’t send a shiver down your spine, I can’t help you.

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But while the curtain closes on yet another remarkable, thrilling, puzzling and interesting season, we do end up with a fitting finale of a month of bowl games that present an opportunity for some wild finishes and crazy plays. With the season in the rearview mirror, it’s time to turn our attention forward to the most intriguing games of the bowl season.

From one to 40, here’s a look at the best of the bowl matchups (in order).

Orange Bowl: No. 1 team meets the hottest one

It’s so tough to go undefeated in a major college football conference and yet Clemson did just that thanks to an incredible collection of talent and coaching, fronted by the terrific Deshaun Watson. Now the No. 1 seed faces the stiff test of the hottest team in the country in Oklahoma. This one presents so many subplots, from a pair of Davey O'Brien Award finalists in Watson and Baker Mayfield, to a collection of great tailbacks, to a coaching matchup of the energetic Dabo Swinney against the supremely confident Bob Stoops. The Orange Bowl has it all this season and should be the best of the two semifinals.

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Cotton Bowl: Alabama faces a top-tier quarterback

The Crimson Tide have had success against pro-style teams in the past, but few present the challenges that Michigan State poses thanks to Connor Cook being under center. He’s not only a veteran who has seen just about everything in his career, but he’s also in the backfield with a good offensive line and a number of great weapons, such as terrific freshman LJ Scott. Alabama simply hasn’t faced somebody of Cook’s caliber (potential first-round NFL draft pick) yet, so it will be interesting to see if he can negate the advantage the Tide’s awesome front seven provides by picking on the young secondary with some big-time throws. This is a big-time strength versus strength matchup, except for the fact that the Spartans have a huge advantage at quarterback.

Fiesta Bowl: Jaylon Smith tries to contain Ezekiel Elliott

NFL scouts may be slightly disappointed they didn’t get an Ohio State vs. Alabama rematch, but the next-best thing in their minds is the current Fiesta Bowl matchup. As many as eight first-round picks could wind up taking the field in Glendale next month, and the best chess match at hand might be swarming Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith trying to contain tailback Ezekiel Elliott. This is not a semifinal, but it does provide that level of a game with two historic powers, Urban Meyer versus Brian Kelly and a whole host of talent squaring off.

Alamo Bowl: Trevone Boykin vs. Vernon Adams Jr.

Easily the top non-New Year’s Six matchup, the Alamo Bowl gives us everything we could ask for. To start with, there’s two of the best quarterbacks in the country (who should be fully healthy) in action with TCU's Trevone Boykin and Oregon's Vernon Adams Jr. Then there’s the subplot of Gary Patterson’s defensive mind trying to slow down Oregon’s fast-paced offense. In 2011, this game was a shootout in the truest sense when Baylor's Robert Griffin III and Washington's Keith Price squared off, and we could get a similar result on a much higher level this season.

Las Vegas Bowl: Holy War descends upon Sin City

People outside of the state of Utah have no idea how much BYU and Utah fans, well, just plain don’t get along. And yes, even with the religious background that is the backdrop for this rivalry, there’s quite a bit of hate between the two fanbases. The fact that there’s a Holy Way in a place like Las Vegas makes things just perfect for a game that should feature plenty of points and hard hits.

Rose Bowl: Ground-and-pound for a Top Five finish

Both Stanford and Iowa have a good claim on being the fifth-best team in the country, and each can prove it in the Granddaddy of Them All. Iowa hasn’t been to Pasadena in 25 years, and its fanbase will no doubt be taking over Southern California with a strong presence. The Hawkeyes will be facing off against a recent Rose Bowl regular in Stanford, who may be sporting the Heisman Trophy winner by kickoff in Christian McCaffrey. Both teams will no doubt look to run the football, but don’t sleep on each getting some very good athletes in space.

Russell Athletic Bowl: All of the points

Assuming Baylor gets its quarterback situation figured out, this could be a game that both teams turn into a track meet. North Carolina’s defense is improved, but it hasn't really seen a one-two punch like Corey Coleman through the air and Shock Linwood on the ground. The entertainment factor for this game is off the charts.

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Peach Bowl: Opportunistic defense against Dalvin Cook and Co.

There’s potential for plenty of points in this one. Nobody has been able to stop Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, while Houston’s offense is as explosive as any with quarterback Greg Ward Jr. under center. Both teams have plenty to play for, including momentum for what could be a return to a major bowl game next season given who returns in 2016. Few bowls will have as good of a coaching matchup as Jimbo Fisher versus Tom Herman.

Citrus Bowl: None of the points

If the above Orlando-based bowl has all the points, the Citrus Bowl may feature only a handful of them. Both Michigan and Florida are among the stingiest defenses in the country with athletes all over that will soon move on to playing on Sundays. On the flip side, the offenses do leave something to be desired, especially when it comes to the Gators and their issues completing a forward pass.

Independence Bowl: Farewell, Frank

Tulsa has an exciting offense that can put up points in a hurry. But it is going to take a backseat to saying goodbye to Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who will be coaching his final game with the Hokies.

Sugar Bowl: Defensive line stars square off

Both Oklahoma State and Ole Miss are probably better known for their creative offenses, but it’s two defenders—the Cowboys’ Emmanuel Ogbah and Rebels star Robert Nkemdiche—whom you should really tune in to watch.

Armed Forces Bowl: Air Raid meets option fun

Cal has quarterback Jared Goff and the Air Raid offense putting up yards aplenty with maybe the deepest wide receiver group in the country. The Golden Bears will clash with one of the more dynamic option attacks in the country led by Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun. Add in a dash of ‘Murica in the Armed Forces Bowl, and this should be a fun one.

GoDaddy Bowl: Bowling Green's spread against the triple-option

Syracuse hired Dino Babers on Saturday, so that takes away from the game a bit. Nevertheless, the MAC champs sport an explosive offense that’s a carbon copy of Baylor’s spread. The Falcons will take on a triple-option team in Georgia Southern that faltered a bit this season but is still plenty fun to watch.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Chuckie Keeton’s farewell

One of Chuckie Keeton’s more memorable games at Utah State came in the Idaho Potato Bowl his sophomore year in a romp of Toledo. Now he’ll close his career out in the same place and bid a fond farewell to college football with a hopefully full-speed showing. Plus, there’s a Bowden involved in this game with Akron.

Texas Bowl: Leonard Fournette vs. Tech’s run defense

LSU's Leonard Fournette is one of the best running backs in the country. Texas Tech is third-to-last in the country in rushing defense, and its head coach just fired most of the defensive staffers. Patrick Mahomes is fantastic but, well, you do the math.

Miami Beach Bowl: Willie Taggart Bowl

Willie Taggart faces off against his former team after USF became one of the best turnaround stories in the country this season. The Bulls have a terrific running back in Marlon Mack, and they'll need him to have big game because Western Kentucky’s passing attack is one of the best in the country.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Military Bowl: Pat Narduzzi tries to stifle Keenan Reynolds

Nobody has more rushing touchdowns in FBS history than Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, and that’s why his name has come up for the Heisman Trophy (even though it’s not a career award). Either way, he’ll have his hands full trying to get around a tough Pitt defense that will no doubt be prepared for the triple-option because of defensive mastermind Pat Narduzzi.

Hawaii Bowl: Donnel Pumphrey versus aerial fireworks

Quietly, San Diego State just churned out a double-digit win season and captured the Mountain West title with an undefeated run in conference play. It's led by terrific running back Donnel Pumphrey (1,554 rushing yards, 5.47 a carry) and a stingy defense that could prove to be a challenge on the islands for a Cincinnati aerial attack that can easily hit 60 if it is hitting on all cylinders.

Sun Bowl: Air Raid meets Miami athletes

Mike Leach is always must-see TV as far as I’m concerned, and Washington State fans are no doubt excited about the prospect of going bowling after a terrific turnaround season. Luke Falk figures to be healthy enough to go at quarterback, and it should be fun to see the Cougars take on Miami's speed.

Cactus Bowl: Defensive aggression against a running Air Raid

West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen runs the Air Raid system, but if you watched the Mountaineers this season you’ll know they started to look more and more like Iowa thanks to their quarterback/receiver situation and the fact that they have a ton of great tailbacks. They’ll face off against an aggressive, young Arizona State team that loves to blitz. Could be loads of fun.

Belk Bowl: Dak Attack one last time

NC State has quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is terrific, but most will want to tune in to see Mississippi State signal-caller Dak Prescott in a college uniform one more time.

Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo’s offense against Temple’s stingy defense

The Toledo Rockets are another team with a high-powered offense out of the MAC, but they’ll face a stiff test in the stingy Temple Owls defense. This game may not be as crazy as last year’s edition, but each side can provide some entertaining plays and make this interesting.

Cure Bowl: Tyler Ervin and morbid curiosity

San Jose State is 5-7, sure, but it also has Tyler Ervin, who is second in the country in all-purpose yardage. Tune in to see the Spartans go across the country to face a Georgia State squad that has won just seven games over three years for morbid curiosity if nothing else.

Birmingham Bowl: Can Memphis go 2-0 against SEC West?

Auburn probably takes the cake for most disappointing team in the country this season, and it'll have its hands full trying to contain Paxton Lynch and Memphis, who are looking to go 2-0 against the SEC West in 2015.

TaxSlayer Bowl: Disappointing talent’s final chance

Georgia is 9-3, but it'll be without new head coach Kirby Smart for this game and is coming off a season in which it underachieved. Penn State was left with a bad taste in its mouth from a regular-season-ending blowout loss and disappointing 7-5 campaign. Both programs will have a chance to put that all behind them with a bowl victory.

New Orleans Bowl: Jeff Driskel and Kenneth Dixon try to outscore the Red Wolves

Jeff Driskel’s comeback at Louisiana Tech has been a great storyline in 2015, and running back Kenneth Dixon has put up some fantastic numbers in an under-the-radar setting. They’ll try to outscore an Arkansas State team that is shaky on defense but sports a top-10 scoring offense behind the terrific Michael Gordon.

Samantha Baker/Associated Press

Liberty Bowl: Bielema faces old mentor

Let’s face it, these two programs take pride in calling themselves blue collar, as Bret Bielema takes on his old mentor Bill Snyder. Each loves to run the ball more than anything, but both have been creative in how they’ve operated this season—Arkansas by passing the ball with an impressive aerial attack and Kansas State by getting something out of nothing thanks to unconventional personnel packages. This one could get strange if the Razorbacks don’t put it away early like they should.

Pinstripe Bowl: Hardwood matchup of football teams in a baseball stadium

Indiana/Duke in basketball this year was somewhat of a track meet up and down the hardwood during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, a Blue Devils win. The same could be said for the football matchup of these two hoops schools, which will take place in Yankee Stadium and feature plenty of offense.

Poinsettia Bowl: Turning toward next season with backup quarterbacks

Boise State is a big name among the Group of Five teams, but this year was a borderline disaster for the Broncos. Part of that is because of injuries at key positions, but the bottom line is the defense didn’t play as well as it should and the offense was hit or miss with a true freshman quarterback. They’ll face off against an Northern Illinois team that managed to win its division and even push Ohio State but has dealt with a lot of injuries as well.

Music City Bowl: Myles Garrett has to eat

Louisville’s offensive line is…not great. Probably not what you want to hear if you’re Bobby Petrino. Of course, the flip side is that star Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett could have a field day in this game. A man has to eat after all, and he could be feasting on some quarterbacks in this one.

Outback Bowl: Vols’ surging offense tries to get past Wildcats’ defense

Josh Dobbs and Co. are hoping a second-half surge will mean good things heading into 2016 for Tennessee, but it won’t be for much if they can’t find a way to move the ball against a tough Northwestern defense that has a Top 10 win to its name and has played just about everybody tough.

Holiday Bowl: Run, run, runaway

Wisconsin is going to be Wisconsin. USC appears to be looking to be Wisconsin with better athletes under new coach Clay Helton, given his commitment to the run game. The Trojans have some special players who can make jaw-dropping plays, and they’ll face a pretty tough Badgers defense in a game that could help each side get some positive momentum heading into a big offseason.

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Momentum building for both teams

Washington is one of the youngest teams in college football on offense and has all the makings of a Pac-12 North contender in the future with its core of Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin. The Huskies also sport a very good defense and will face off against one of the biggest surprises in the South in surging Southern Miss. Whoever wins this one should have plenty to get excited about heading into 2016.

Arizona Bowl: MWC conference game goes postseason

The teams don’t jump off the page for anybody (Colorado State and Nevada), but surely you want to see one of the rare conference games in a bowl game, right? Right!

Foster Farms Bowl: Who will end the year disappointed less?

Nebraska is 5-7 after harboring division title hopes. Injuries hampered UCLA’s season, but a blowout loss to rival USC put a damper on any momentum in Westwood. The Bay Area is a great place to visit, but the loser of this one will have nothing to write home about.

St. Petersburg Bowl: Bob Diaco’s defense scheming against Marshall’s offense

Marshall features an impressive uptempo offense, but it will have its hands full with a stifling UConn defense that has slowed down just about every team under head coach Bob Diaco.

New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico’s triple-option vs. Scooby Wright III’s swan song (?)

Arizona star linebacker Scooby Wright III is likely off to the NFL after this game, so if he does return healthy enough to play in this one, it should be a fun seeing him rack up a zillion tackles against the remarkable turnaround story that is New Mexico.

Camellia Bowl: App State’s bowl debut

Appalachian State is 10-2 (with one loss coming to No. 1 Clemson) in just its second season in the FBS and has one of the better rushing attacks east of the Mississippi. What makes this game more special to the team than the opportunity for an 11th win is the fact that it is the team's first bowl appearance. Head coach Scott Satterfield is building something special with the program, and he’ll be matching wits against Ohio's underrated Frank Solich in what could be a game that goes back-and-forth until the end.

Bahamas Bowl: Rowing the boat to paradise

Last season’s game between Central Michigan and Western Kentucky was an instant classic that featured a couple of insane plays. This year’s version doesn’t quite have that kind of matchup but still presents a chance for budding young coach P.J. Fleck to continue to show off what he’s doing with Western Michigan against a very solid Conference USA team in Middle Tennessee.

Quick Lane Bowl: CMU’s inspiring story

Central Michigan against a 5-7 Minnesota team probably doesn’t get the blood flowing when it comes to a matchup, but it can help pull at the heartstrings. CMU head coach John Bonamego recently announced he’s cancer-free after undergoing treatment and is one of the best stories in college football as a result.

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