2011 Bowl Schedule: Champs Sports Bowl and More Underrated Games Worth Watching

Once the college football season reaches the end of December, the focus shifts solely to the BCS games. However, there are still several second-tier bowls, including the three below, worth tuning in to watch. There's a good chance they will be better than some of the BCS bowls anyway.

Florida State vs. Notre Dame (Champs Sports Bowl)

Florida State entered the season with sky-high expectations and simply weren't able to live up to them. An early three-game losing streak dashed the Seminoles' BCS hopes, but they did bounce back nicely to post an 8-4 record thanks to strong play from their fourth-ranked defense.

Aside from a loss to South Florida in the opener, Notre Dame's losses were of the good variety. The Fighting Irish could have had a much more memorable season if it wasn't for turnovers, which plagued the team all season long.

Whenever two storied programs like these two go at it in a bowl game, there is a certain aura surrounding it. Add in the fact that it's expected to be a close game and there's plenty of intrigue to go around.

Date and Time: Thursday, Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET

Michigan State vs. Georgia (Outback Bowl)

Michigan State couldn't secure a BCS berth in a thrilling, yet unsatisfying loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Kirk Cousins led several exciting comebacks and was one of the most important players in the nation.

Even though Georgia came up short in the team's three biggest games of the year, the Bulldogs are a team on the rise heading into next season. The experience they gained, especially against LSU in the SEC title game, will help them immensely in 2012.

This game could really go either way depending on the pace that's set. A faster game will benefit Georgia while a grind-it-out battle will favor Michigan State. It should come down to the final minutes either way.

Date and Time: Monday, Jan .2 at 1 p.m. ET

Kansas State vs. Arkansas (Cotton Bowl)

The Wildcats never earned the respect of the voters, who regularly ranked them well below where the BCS computers placed them. They'll be looking to make a big statement by knocking off an elite SEC foe to show they truly did belong among the nation's elite.

Arkansas only had two losses all season and they came on the road against Alabama and LSU. That's not too shabby. The combination of Tyler Wilson and Jarius Wright should put on a good enough show to be worth watching all by themselves.

This game is clearly the marquee non-BCS bowl. Both teams finished inside the top eight of the final BCS standings and should have chip on their shoulder heading into the game.

Date and Time: Friday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET