College Football's 10 Can't-Miss Early Bowl Games
In the crazy but true category, did you know that 19 bowl games are scheduled to be played between Saturday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 30?
That’s 19 games in 10 days or, an average of almost two bowl games per day.
Throw in the fact that you’ve got a couple of major holidays in that same time-frame and the scenario becomes crystal clear: You need a plan.
So, which games do you watch, and which do you sacrifice in the name of making merry with the in-laws?
To serve as a loyal companion in your time of need, check out the 411 on the 10 bowl clashes that are worth missing a slice of yule log for.
Statistics courtesy of ESPN, College Football Statistics and College Football Data Warehouse.
The Gildan New Mexico Bowl
1 of 10
Who: Colorado State (7-6, 5-3 MWC) vs. Washington State (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12)
Where: University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 2:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In a game pitting big offense against questionable defense, watch for a potential scoreboard overload at the 2013 New Mexico Bowl.
It’s the No. 28-ranked Colorado State scoring offense taking on the No. 92-ranked Washington State scoring defense. And, it’s the No.-111 ranked Rams pass defense trying to contain the Cougars’ No. 4-ranked pass offense.
If a generous holiday buffet of yards and points is on your wish list, the New Mexico Bowl is must-see TV.
Who to Watch: Leading the way for Colorado State’s offense is sophomore running back Kapri Bibbs. Bibbs has accumulated 1,572 yards and 28 scores on 254 carries this season. He ranks No. 13 in the FBS in yards per game, No. 8 in yards and is No. 1 in the nation in rushing touchdowns.
For Washington State keep an eye out for junior quarterback Connor Halliday. With 4,187 yards, Halliday ranks No. 4 in the FBS in yards and No. 5 in yards per game. In the debit column are Halliday’s 21 interceptions, the worst in the FBS.
The Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
2 of 10
Who: No. 20 Fresno State (11-1, 7-1 MWC) vs. No. 25 USC (9-4, 6-3 Pac-12)
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 3:30 p.m., EST, ABC
The Story
Have you ever wondered what would happen if one of the top-scoring teams from a non-BCS conference went head-to-head with one of the most talent-rich programs in the nation?
If so, the 2013 Las Vegas Bowl is for you.
It’s the almost-BCS buster Fresno State Bulldogs squaring off with the coach-less USC Trojans in the second bowl game of the 2013 postseason.
What’s compelling about this game—other than seeing how a BCS hopeful fares against a BCS-grade team—is the Bulldogs’ No. 1 pass offense squaring off with the Trojans’ No. 32-ranked pass defense.
Look for Fresno State to try to right the wrongs of last season’s 43-10 loss to SMU in the Hawaii Bowl.
Who to Watch: For USC, keep an eye on senior outside linebacker Devon Kennard. Kennard accumulated 59 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, nine sacks and 10 quarterback hurries this season. He’s tied for No. 20 in the FBS in sacks and will take on a Fresno State offensive line that has given up only 11 sacks all season (No. 9).
On the other side of the ball check out Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr, who will play his final game as a collegian against USC. Carr has completed 70.1 percent of his passes this season, racked up 4,866 yards and thrown 48 touchdowns versus only seven interceptions. He ranks No. 11 in passer rating, No. 1 in touchdowns and No. 1 in yards.
The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
3 of 10
Who: Boise State (8-4, 6-2 MWC) vs. Oregon State (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12)
Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
When: Tuesday, Dec. 24, 8:00 p.m. EST
The Story
In Boise State’s first game without head coach Chris Petersen, the four-loss Broncos will try and wrangle with the high-flying Beavers in Hawaii.
Boise State is coming off its worst finish since 2005 and will have to hope its No. 93-ranked pass defense can contend with Oregon State’s No. 3-ranked passing attack.
Both these squads have struggled on defense, so look for this to be a high-scoring, entertaining affair.
Who to Watch: For Oregon State, check out monster senior defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman. Hagemen has recorded 34 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two blocked kicks, one interception and eight broken-up passes. NFL Draft Scout has him as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2014 draft.
For the Broncos it’s sophomore running back Jay Ajayi from Plano, Texas. Ajayi has rushed for 1,328 yards and 17 touchdowns this season and he ought to have a big day against the Beavers’ No. 92-ranked rushing defense.
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The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
4 of 10
Who: Pittsburgh (6-6, 3-5 ACC) vs. Bowling Green (10-3, 7-1 MAC)
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
When: Thursday, Dec. 26, 6:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
Though this matchup may not jump out and grab your attention, it would be a mistake not to check it out.
Bowling Green comes into the postseason fresh off of shocking No. 14 Northern Illinois in a 47-27 triumph in the MAC title game. It marked the first conference championship for the Falcons since 1992.
The game will feature the No. 5-ranked Bowling Green scoring defense squaring off with a Pitt offense that has struggled to score. On the flip side, it’s the No. 33 Falcon passing offense taking on the No. 29 Panther pass defense.
If Bowling Green can pull out a victory it will be the program’s first bowl win since 2004, its best finish since 2003 and only its second-ever finish in the AP Top 25.
Who to Watch: For the Falcons, keep an eye on sophomore running back Travis Greene. Greene has posted 1,555 yards and 11 touchdowns on 261 carries in his first season as a starter. He ranks No. 10 in the FBS in yards and No. 14 in yards per game.
For Pitt, check out senior defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Donald had a beastly 2013 with 54 tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Donald leads the nation in tackles for a loss and is tied for No. 3 in forced fumbles.
The San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl
5 of 10
Who: Utah State (8-5, 7-1 MWC) vs. No. 23 Northern Illinois (12-1, 8-0 MAC)
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
When: Thursday, Dec. 26, 9:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
Perhaps the best bowl matchup between non-BCS teams, it’s the MAC runner-up Huskies taking on the Mountain West runner-up Aggies.
Northern Illinois comes into the game after a shocking 47-27 loss to unranked Bowling Green in the MAC title game, while Utah State was nipped by Fresno State 24-17 in the Mountain West championship.
What is intriguing about this game is watching the Huskies’ No. 5-ranked rushing offense square off with the Aggies’ No. 10-ranked rushing defense. It will be a battle royale featuring strength versus strength.
Who to Watch: The game will be the swan song for NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch, who is a senior. Not only is Lynch the No. 41 rated passer in the FBS, with 1,881 yards he’s the No. 2 rusher in the nation.
On the other side of the ball look out for Utah State senior linebacker Jake Doughty. Doughty has racked up 140 tackles, a fumble return for a touchdown, 11.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, three broken-up passes and a forced fumble in 2013.
The Fight Hunger Bowl
6 of 10
Who: BYU (8-4) vs. Washington (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12)
Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, Calif.
When: Friday, Dec. 27, 9:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In what is the best early-bowl matchup of 2013, the Fight Hunger Bowl features two eight-win teams that have played well all season.
In a battle of strengths its BYU’s No. 10-ranked rushing offense facing Washington’s No. 35-ranked scoring defense. On the flip side, it’s the Huskies' No. 15-ranked rushing attack squaring off with the Cougars’ No. 21-ranked scoring defense.
The winner of this one will get it done in the trenches. It also is a window into how BYU would look in a big Pac-12 game.
Who to Watch: For the Huskies, the man of the hour is junior running back Bishop Sankey. Sankey has rushed for a whopping 1,775 yards on 306 carries this season. This makes him the No. 3 back in all the land.
For the Cougars, check out senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy has done it all in 2013 with 60 tackles, two interceptions (one for a score), 15.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, seven broken-up passes and 10 quarterback hurries.
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl
7 of 10
Who: Notre Dame (8-4) vs. Rutgers (6-6, 3-5 AAC)
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 12:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In an alternative version of the Muppets Take Manhattan, it’s Brian Kelly and Notre Dame traveling to New York City to take on Rutgers in its final game before joining the Big Ten.
Wow, who ever thought somebody would say that?
What’s compelling about this game is how the more athletically-gifted Irish will deal with the Scarlet Knights’ No. 4-ranked rushing defense. Rutgers has allowed an average of 94.58 rushing yards per game this season, only Stanford, Louisville and Michigan State have been better.
Who to Watch: For the Irish, it's senior wide receiver T.J. Jones’ swan song after catching 65 passes for 1,042 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013. According to J.J. Stankevitz of Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, Jones has caught a pass in 37 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 Sun Bowl. It’s a school record that could be extended to 38 in New York City.
For Rutgers, it's sophomore linebacker Steve Longa who made his debut in 2013 by amassing 111 tackles, seven-and-a-half tackles for a loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He registered 11 solo tackles in the narrow 52-51 loss to Fresno State in his first-ever college game.
The Russell Athletic Bowl
8 of 10
Who: No. 18 Louisville (11-1, 7-1 AAC) vs. Miami Fla. (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
Where: Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.
When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 6:45 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In what will be a nonconference game this season, Louisville and Miami (Fla.) will meet again in 2014 as ACC foes.
What’s compelling about the Russell Athletic Bowl is testing Cardinal quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s big numbers against the Hurricane’s athletic defense. Also, how will Louisville’s No. 3-ranked scoring defense hold up against Miami’s speedsters?
It’s no doubt going to be a different challenge than what the Cardinals have faced in the American Athletic (formerly Big East).
Who to Watch: Check out Louisville’s senior defensive lineman Marcus Smith, who has blazed through 2013. He’s got 40 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one blocked kick and 12 quarterback hurries on the season.
For the U, it’s senior wide receiver Allen Hurns, the guy who according to Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel, just became the fourth Hurricane ever to earn 1,000 yards receiving in a single season. Hurns has 1,138 yards and six scores on 60 catches.
The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
9 of 10
Who: Kansas State (7-5, 5-4 Big 12) vs. Michigan (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten)
Where: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.
When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 10:15 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In what could be dubbed the “How Good Are They?” bowl, it’s the disappointing Wolverines against the scrappy Wildcats for all the Wings.
Where Michigan stormed into 2013 season only to lose five of its last seven games, K-State rebounded from a 2-4 start by winning five of its last six.
Overall, it will be a solid—yet young—Wildcat team squaring off with a Wolverine squad with multiple-personality disorder.
Look for this one to get interesting.
Who to Watch: For Michigan, check out sophomore defensive back Blake Countess, who leads the Big Ten in interceptions with six. Countess also contributed 42 tackles, two tackles for a loss and four broken-up passes this season.
For K-State, it's stud junior defensive lineman Ryan Mueller who has 61 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles this season. The former walk-on had three sacks in the 49-26 beatdown of Texas Tech.
The Valero Alamo Bowl
10 of 10
Who: No. 10 Oregon (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12) vs. Texas (8-4, 7-2 Big 12)
Where: The Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
When: Monday, Dec. 30, 6:45 p.m. EST, ESPN
The Story
In what could be Mack Brown’s final game at Texas, it’s the 2013 Alamo Bowl featuring the disappointing Longhorns and what ought to be an angry Oregon team.
This one could get interesting, and ugly. If the Ducks can rev up their No. 9-ranked rushing attack on the Longhorns’ No. 81-ranked rushing defense, it could be over by halftime.
It may be a tragic end to a great coaching career.
Who to Watch: For Texas, watch out for senior defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat, who will close out a great college career trying to contain one of the best offenses in the nation. Jeffcoat racked up 76 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, one interception, one blocked kick, one forced fumbles and 14 quarterback hurries in 2013.
For Oregon, take a look at sophomore running back Byron Marshall. Marshall rushed for 995 yards and 14 scores on 155 carries this season and could be the future of the Ducks’ potent ground attack.
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