15 Most Exciting Non-Playoff Bowl Games of 2023
It's the most wonderful time of the year—college football's bowl season, that is! The action kicks off on Dec. 16, starting with Georgia Southern-Ohio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and runs through Jan. 8 with the College Football Playoff National Championship.
With 43 total games on the docket, obviously not every matchup will make for a great game. But we're here to break down the contests that look like they'll be the most exciting ones of the bunch.
The College Football Playoff semifinals hold an excitement level all their own, so those games were excluded from consideration here.
New Year's Six Bowls, Part I
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Friday, Dec. 29
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Missouri (8.pm. ET on ESPN)
Oh man, what a matchup we have here. Both of these teams had unique finishes to the year and will be looking to end on a high note.
Ohio State entered the season with College Football Playoff hopes, but those were dashed with a loss to rival Michigan for a third straight season. Missouri, meanwhile, rebounded from two straight losing seasons to have its best finish since an 11-3 campaign in 2014.
Missouri's offense, led by quarterback Brady Cook and running back Cody Schrader, is a top-30 unit nationally in scoring. Schrader has rushed for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns, with Cook adding 3,189 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
This will likely be one of the best defenses Missouri has faced all year—Ohio State's second nationally in scoring defense, giving up just 11 points per game. The Buckeyes will also be without quarterback Kyle McCord, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week. This could be a good opportunity for Devin Brown, who competed against McCord for the starting job before the season, to possibly audition for the starting role next season. True freshman Lincoln Kienholz will get reps leading up to this one, too. It's also unclear if Heisman finalist receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will play as he mulls his NFL draft decision.
Missouri is a 2.5-point favorite. A win over the Buckeyes would put a stamp on a huge step forward in head coach Eli Drinkwitz's tenure. It would also put more heat on Ryan Day's future in Columbus. Should be a fun one!
Saturday, Dec. 30
Peach Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Penn State (Noon ET on ESPN)
Speaking of great defenses facing off against high-powered offenses, the Peach Bowl will be just that. Ole Miss is looking for its first 11-win season in school history. Penn State, meanwhile, will try to get its third New Year's Six bowl victory in five seasons.
Despite losing to both Ohio State and Michigan yet again this season, Penn State's defense has been elite. It ranks first in the country in total defense and is third in scoring defense, giving up 11.4 points per game. Ole Miss' offense put up 73, 55, and 48 points earlier in the year, but it only averaged 27.9 points per game through its last seven games of the season.
If the Rebels want to win a New Year's Six Bowl for the first time since 2015, the offense playing like it did at the start of the year will be key. Head coach Lane Kiffin hasn't won in a bowl game in two seasons, so he'll be eager to get this one. Another New Year's Six win for Penn State's James Franklin, meanwhile, could potentially give him a bit more longevity in Happy Valley.
New Year's Six Bowls, Part II
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Saturday, Dec. 30
Orange Bowl: Georgia vs. Florida State (4p.m. ET on ESPN)
This one might as well be called the We Got Left Out Bowl. At the start of the season, these two teams were considered playoff favorites. Instead, Georgia losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship and the selection committee putting the Tide in over undefeated Florida State means these two will meet for a consolation prize of sorts.
Georgia is a 14-point favorite, but this Noles team will likely come out with a huge chip on its shoulder. Don't be surprised if FSU's QB No. 2 Tate Rodemaker is the guy under center in this one after he missed the ACC title game against Louisville earlier this month with a head injury.
But since both of these teams are loaded with players who are projected as high NFL draft picks, there will likely be several opt-outs in this one. Noles standout receiver Johnny Wilson has already announced he won't play. We'll see if fellow receiver Keon Coleman or defensive end Jared Verse follow suit, too. Georgia will likely have some opt-outs as well.
Sure, it's not the game either of these teams were expecting to play at the start of the season. But Mike Norvell and Kirby Smart are fierce competitors, so I'm still expecting this to be a good game.
Monday, Jan. 1
Fiesta Bowl: Liberty vs. Oregon (1 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Liberty gets the Group of Five spot in the Fiesta Bowl after finishing the year undefeated for the first time in school history. It was a great first season for head coach Jamey Chadwell, who also led the Flames to a C-USA conference championship.
But Liberty will have its hands full against Oregon for this one. The Ducks had a great season despite losing to Washington twice—once in the regular season and once in the Pac-12 title game. This game will be the final collegiate game for Heisman finalist quarterback Bo Nix, who put up the best numbers of his collegiate career in Eugene. Nix, who will enter the 2024 NFL draft, explained why he's choosing to play for his team:
"I want another opportunity to play with my teammates," Nix said via The Oregonian during his Heisman media availability last Friday. "I want another opportunity to play for Oregon. After (the Pac-12 championship game), I don't want to end the season like that. I want another opportunity to go out there and have a blast and go out there and have fun."
Liberty ranks 104th nationally in passing defense, so Nix will likely end his Oregon career on a high note. The Ducks are 16-point favorites, but it'll be fun to see if the Flames can hang with them.
First-Time Bowl Berths and Other Bowl Streaks to Keep an Eye on
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Friday, Dec. 22
Gasparilla Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. UCF (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Georgia Tech is playing in its first bowl game since 2018, which was the last time the Yellow Jackets finished at .500 during the regular season. A 6-6 finish might not move the needle much, but it's a great first year for head coach Brent Key. Key was GT's interim head coach last season before getting the full-time job at the end of the year. UCF, meanwhile, will look to avoid two straight bowl losses. The Knights are a 5-point favorite.
Saturday, Dec. 23
Armed Forces Bowl: JMU vs. Air Force (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
This will be a fun one for JMU and its fans. Thanks to the NCAA's rules barring teams from a bowl for two seasons after transitioning to the FBS, it looked like JMU—despite going undefeated through the first 10 weeks of the season—wasn't going to play in a postseason game. Since the bowl system did not have enough bowl-eligible teams, though, the Dukes were awarded a bid and will play in a bowl game for the first time in program history.
Air Force, meanwhile, will be trying to win its fourth bowl game in five seasons under longtime head coach Troy Calhoun. The Dukes will be without head coach Curt Cignetti, as he recently accepted the head coaching job at Indiana. But JMU will be fired up for its first taste of FBS postseason play.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Alamo Bowl: Arizona vs. Oklahoma (9:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Arizona will look to cap off an incredible season on a high note. Despite having back-to-back losing seasons, credit to head coach Jedd Fisch who led the Wildcats to a 9-3 finish in 2023—the program's best record since going 10-4 in 2014. With a win over Oklahoma, it'll mark Arizona's first bowl victory since 2015.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, is looking for its first bowl victory under head coach Brent Venables. But Arizona comes into this one riding a ton of momentum—the Wildcats won six straight games at the end of the year. Arizona also won't have to deal with stopping Sooner QB Dillon Gabriel, who has entered the transfer portal.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
First Responder Bowl Texas State vs. Rice (5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
What a season for Texas State in 2023. Under first-year head coach G.J. Kinne, the Bobcats earned their first-ever bowl berth by going 7-6 in the regular season. Despite finishing 6-6 and 7-6 in 2013 and 2014, the NCAA's transition rules barred the Bobcats from a bowl game, as they had moved up to the FBS in 2012.
Rice will also be looking for its first bowl win since 2014.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas vs. UNLV (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Both of these teams enter with some big bowl stakes on the line. We'll start with Kansas, which hasn't won a bowl game since 2008. The Jayhawks had a chance to beat Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl last season, but fell 55-53 in a triple-overtime thriller.
But UNLV will be hungry in this one, too. The Rebels have had an impressive turnaround under first-year head coach Barry Odom. After nine straight losing seasons, UNLV's nine-win regular season marks the most wins since the Rebels' 11-2 campaign in 1984. UNLV hasn't won a bowl game since 2000.
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Even Without Some Star Quarterbacks, These Matchups Shouldn't Disappoint
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Wednesday, Dec. 27
Holiday Bowl: Louisville vs. USC (8 p.m. ET on Fox)
Unsurprisingly, we won't see USC QB Caleb Williams for this one. Projected to be one of the top two picks in 2024's NFL draft, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed last week that Williams will not play against the Cardinals. The 2022 Heisman winner has not yet formally declared for the NFL draft, but he is expected to do so in the coming weeks.
Backup signal-caller Miller Moss, who's thrown for 309 yards and a touchdown behind Williams, is expected to start. Louisville, meanwhile, is looking for its first 11-win season since 2012. Regardless, leading Louisville to an ACC title game and 10 wins is a great start for first-year head coach Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals are 8-point favorites.
Friday, Dec. 29
Sun Bowl: Oregon State vs Notre Dame (2 p.m. ET on CBS)
Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is on the move once again. The Oregon State signal-caller has entered the transfer portal for the second successive season after transferring to Corvallis from Clemson last offseason. His backup, Aiden Chiles, also hit the portal, so the Beavers will have to turn to third-stringer Ben Gulbranson under center. Gulbranson had plenty of experience last season for the Beavers, throwing for 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns with five interceptions in 10 games.
For Notre Dame, quarterback Sam Hartman, has opted out, but this should be a good chance to see the first of Irish signal caller Steve Angeli. Oregon State will have interim head coach Kefense Hynson on the sidelines, as Jonathan Smith is now at Michigan State. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will be looking for his second straight bowl win.
Monday, Jan. 1
Reliaquest Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU (Noon ET on ESPN2)
It's unclear whether or not we will get to see Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels play one last time. When asked last week if he would play in the Tigers' bowl game, he said "we'll see." Sure, it'd be great to see the only player in college football history to pass for 12,000 career yards and run for 3,000 suit up one last time, but it's understandable if he were to sit out.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, will be looking to finish Luke Fickell's first season on a high note after a 7-5 finish. The Badgers will play without running back Braelon Allen and receivers Chimeke Dike and Skyler Bell. QB Tanner Mordecai, who has dealt with some injuries, will be looking to end the season on a high note.
We're Just Here for the Mascots
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Three bowl games set themselves apart because of their unique mascots. The Duke's Mayo Bowl, (a giant bottle of Duke's mayonnaise), the PopTarts bowl (an edible PopTart) and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl—a giant Cheez-It wearing sunglasses. Need I say more?
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Duke's Mayo Bowl: UNC vs. West Virginia (5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
The main thing you need to know about this game? The winning coach gets a giant cooler filled with mayonnaise dumped on their head. It's all for charity and all in good fun—here's Maryland head coach Mike Locklsey partaking in the tradition last year:
Whoever wins this one, either WVU's Neal Brown or UNC's Mack Brown, it should be entertaining.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Pop-Tarts Bowl: NC State vs. Kansas State (5:45 p.m. ET on ESPN)
I'm not joking when I say this, but the 2023 Pop-Tarts bowl will include an edible mascot that players of the winning team can eat afterwards. I'm not kidding! Here's more on the unique postgame celebration, via The Athletic:
"The edible mascot, which will be revealed after the game, "is made entirely with real, food grade ingredients, ready to be enjoyed in its entirety," Sarah Reinecke, vice president of marketing for Pop-Tarts at Kellanova, told The Athletic via email. "During the grand entrance and for the entirety of the game, there will be a traditional mascot costume made from fabric and other non-edible materials that a person will wear. The edible mascot will only be revealed after the game ends."
"No humans will be harmed in the enjoyment of the Pop-Tarts edible mascot," Reinecke added."
The biggest question I have is, what flavor will this be—strawberry, brown sugar cinnamon, cherry, something else?! This should be interesting to see the players partake in, to say the least.
Monday, Jan 1
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Iowa vs. Tennessee (1 p.m. ET on ABC)
Bowl sponsors change from year to year. The Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando used to be called the Cheez-It Bowl. Instead, the Cheez-It has taken over as the Citrus Bowl's sponsor.
Just look at this mascot!
In year's past, the winning coach of this one has received a bath of Cheez-its, and it's glorious:
In Cheez-Its we trust.
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