B/R CFB Community: Which Non-CFP Bowl Game Will Be the Most Exciting?
The bowl season is beautiful just the way it is.
Sure, college football is a jumbled mess at the moment. The transfer portal, coaching changes and NFL draft have all of us—even those of us who monitor these things for a living—plenty confused. But the matchups are still magnificent, and nothing will ever change that.
Before we get to the College Football Playoff, we have meaningful games to play. Even after those semifinal games take place, the sport will move forward with a buffet of delightful viewing options.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Which options, outside of the playoff, are can't-miss games?
We asked B/R readers to give us the games they can't wait to watch this bowl season, and the responses covered the gauntlet.
Here are some with users' commentary mixed in.
Merry Bowlmas.
All Eyes On the Alamo Bowl
User: @Hornsup247365
Response: Texas vs. Washington is the only bowl game that matters. The rest are rigged.
Easy, @Hornsup247365.
Deep breaths.
The fact that you believe the Alamo Bowl is the only pure bowl left is frankly adorable. But I do appreciate the spirit.
This bowl indeed matters, and history says it's capable of greatness. Washington has played a role in this over the years. In fact, the Huskies' 67-56 loss to Baylor in the 2011 Alamo Bowl was one of the wildest bowls over the past 15 years.
I'm not sure this game can top that, but it does have plenty of ingredients necessary to generate a fun contest.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has put on a show all season, and he is likely to put on another one. While Texas will be without star running back Bijan Robinson, who opted out of the game to prepare for the draft, the Longhorns still have plenty of firepower to put up points.
Both of these teams could score plenty of them. Oh, and both programs will likely spend the offseason enjoying enormous hype. (Some of it likely for good reason.)
David vs. Goliath
User: @charlesyou
Response: Alabama-K-State.
To be clear, the oddsmakers don't see the Sugar Bowl as David vs. Goliath.
The point spread is tight, with the assumption that some of Alabama's stars, namely quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr., could opt out. If they do, this game will become that much more interesting.
Alabama, playing the role of Goliath, doesn't typically feature in non-playoff bowl games. Its motivation, of course, will be questioned as a result, but that shouldn't impact interest in this game. The Crimson Tide roster is chock-full of blue-chip recruits just waiting for a chance.
Kansas State, playing the role of David, has been anything but an underdog story this year. While the narrative surrounding this program has always been "does more with less," the 2022 Wildcats were a nuisance in the conference.
Just ask TCU, which was unable to win the Big 12 thanks to Kansas State's excellence. This team is balanced and a great deal of fun.
All this could make for an excellent viewing experience for us. If Alabama isn't motivated to win this game, it will lose. Simple as that.
No matter which players are on the field, I cannot wait for this one.
All-Orange Everything
User: @morsej1
Response: Orange Bowl for sure.
Somewhat fittingly, the Orange Bowl will be played by two teams who wear orange. Oh, and they also flirted with the CFP at various points in the season.
This game, with all its orange, will be an odd, delightful uniform clash. It's also a rather intriguing contest between one team trying to stay near the top of the mountain and another trying to climb it.
It is also fascinating because this is essentially the start of the Cade Klubnik era at Clemson. The true freshman was thrown into action against North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game. He played so well that former starter DJ Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal shortly after.
For Tennessee, this will be about life without quarterback Hendon Hooker. The Vols have had time to adjust without their star, who injured his knee and then declared for the draft. Despite that loss, the offense should still be explosive and fast.
This will serve as a fascinating measuring stick for both teams as they look to head into 2023 with momentum. It will also be bright and easy on the eyes.
Comin' Up Roses
User: @lollipop05
Response: Rose Bowl. Electric, dynamic offense in Utah vs. shutdown, lights out defense from Penn State. Gonna be a nail biter.
I say this every year, and this year is no different. There are few broadcasts throughout the calendar that are more beautiful than this. Seeing the California sun dip below the Rose Bowl is a sight unmatched.
With that as the backdrop, this game is pretty lovely as well.
Utah, of course, is coming off a massive win over USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This time around, it will have to conquer Penn State without two of its offensive stars: running back Tavion Thomas and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Still, Utah is a force. At quarterback, Cameron Rising is capable of taking a game over by his lonesome, and he might have to do that here.
Penn State, meanwhile, has flown under the radar all season. With an abundance of young talent anxious to make a statement, this is a fascinating spot for the Nittany Lions.
It feels like the game could take on several different flows. Will there be an abundance of points or not? Either way, we are here for the matchups and the sunset, always and forever.
Just Watch It
User: @SenatorJay
Response: Oregon-UNC. The unofficial Nike Bowl.
Beyond the apparel sponsorship ties, these programs share something: They like to score points in bunches.
The Holiday Bowl should have plenty of that, and that's what I look for in bowl games.
A compelling 17-10 game between two deserving teams is fine. But a 40-37 scoreboard-blazing touchdown frenzy is what all want to see this time of year, and there's a good chance this game will deliver on that front.
Now, we aren't certain if Oregon quarterback Bo Nix will return to Eugene for one more season. It feels likely. If that transpires, the matchup between Nix and UNC's Drake Maye will be one of the more exciting tussles we get all season.
If they are playing for these teams next year, both players will begin near the top of the Heisman Trophy odds board. And like Tennessee and Clemson, North Carolina and Oregon will enter the year with playoff aspirations.
Other games on the bowl calendar will be deemed more important. But this one has the chance to be the most fun.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
