Fiesta Bowl 2014: Known Info Before Final Playoff Rankings Reveal

The Fiesta Bowl may not be part of the inaugural College Football Playoff, but all signs point toward an exciting matchup being put in place for one of the sport's top bowl games.

There is no question that a handful of fantastic teams will be left out of the CFP, and that means some of them could potentially land in the Fiesta Bowl. Based on recent history, those two programs promise to put on a great show.

This bowl has traditionally made for some high-scoring shootouts in recent years, and it won't be surprising if that is once again the case in 2014, since the teams involved will have nothing to lose.

Here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch the Fiesta Bowl, as well as a closer look at some of the possible participants.

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

When: Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Selection Process

The Fiesta Bowl is among the most intriguing marquee bowls outside the College Football Playoff this season since there are no conference affiliations involved.

According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, that means the selection committee will have full control over which teams play in Glendale, Arizona with no interference from the conferences.

Potential Bids

Arizona

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Perhaps the best fit for the Fiesta Bowl would be the Arizona Wildcats. Not only have they enjoyed a spectacular season, but they would remain in state and almost certainly bring along a large rooting contingent to the contest.

The Wildcats have exceeded expectations all year long, and that has much to do with the play of freshmen such as quarterback Anu Solomon and running back Nick Wilson. Among those who have been particularly impressed with the play of Solomon is Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez, per The Arizona Daily Star.

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He's played like a seasoned veteran. There have been moments, freshman moments, I guess you could say that. But he's been a great competitor. I think he has a pretty good grasp on our offense and the encouraging part is his best football is still way out in front of him. One of his strengths is having a feel for the game, and he has one now naturally, but he'll be better in the next couple of years.

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The Wildcats are an excellent team right now, but they figure to grow as the likes of Solomon and Wilson do. Arizona could be a national-title contender over the next couple of years, and playing in the Fiesta Bowl would be a big step in the right direction.

Boise State

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Among teams that aren't in one of the power conferences, Boise State is the only one with a legitimate shot at playing in a top bowl. The Broncos have long been in this exact position, and they have proven to be an elite program despite playing in the Mountain West Conference.

The most impressive thing about Boise State is that it is a program that manages to evolve as key players and coaches leave. The Broncos were a passing team when Kellen Moore was at quarterback, but they have relied heavily on the run over the past couple of seasons.

Junior running back Jay Ajayi is having a spectacular campaign, and he put up numbers no running back has in nearly a decade even before Boise State's meeting with Fresno State Saturday, according to Jay Tust of KTVB:

The Broncos have played in and won several big bowls in the past, and that should help their case in the eyes of the selection committee.

Wisconsin

Boise State certainly leans on its running back to do the bulk of the work offensively, but Ajayi almost pales in comparison to Melvin Gordon's importance to the Wisconsin Badgers.

Wisconsin has gotten very little production from the quarterback position this season, but it has hardly mattered due to the fact that Gordon has rushed for well over 2,000 yards. In fact, Gordon has enjoyed one of the greatest seasons by a running back in collegiate history.

He may have a difficult time knocking off Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, but former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard is among those who intend to vote for Gordon to win the sport's highest honor, per ESPN College Football:

Running teams aren't always exciting, but the Badgers have bucked that trend due to Gordon's explosiveness. Wisconsin is a hot team nationwide this season because of Gordon's exploits, and it wouldn't be particularly shocking if the Fiesta Bowl attempted to make a play for it.

Michigan State

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While Michigan State may come to lament a loss to rival Ohio State that knocked it out of College Football Playoff contention, the Spartans still have an opportunity to close the season on a high note if they are chosen for the Fiesta Bowl.

They have been rolling on both sides of the ball since that loss to the Buckeyes, and running back Jeremy Langford has led the charge. Despite having nearly 1,400 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns, though, he wasn't honored as one of the Big Ten's top two backs, according to Richard Scarcella of The Reading Eagle:

Along with Langford, the Spartans have gotten solid quarterback play out of Connor Cook, who has 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Michigan State has a top-15 scoring defense too, which means it can do a little bit of everything.

The Spartans are arguably the best all-around team in the running for a Fiesta Bowl berth, and they would be a great addition to the game.

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