Bowl Games 2014-15: TV Schedule and Predictions for Most Anticipated Matchups
While there was going to be controversy no matter how the college football season ended, there will at least be plenty of exciting games to keep all fans entertained.
Between national semifinals to determine a champion, big-time matchups in the New Year's Six bowls and other quality battles, the next few weeks should be a thrill for anyone who watches the sport.
Of course, some games will have a bigger following than others. No offense to the organizers of the New Mexico Bowl, but the viewership for the College Football Playoff might be a bit higher.
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Still, here is a complete schedule with predictions for every game as well as a breakdown of the top matchups to watch.
| R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl | Nevada vs. Louisiana-Lafayette | Dec. 20 | 11 a.m. | ESPN | NEV |
| Gildan New Mexico Bowl | UTEP vs. Utah State | Dec. 20 | 2:20 p.m. | ESPN | UTEP |
| Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl | Colorado St. vs. Utah | Dec. 20 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | UTAH |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Western Michigan vs. Air Force | Dec. 20 | 5:45 p.m. | ESPN | AF |
| Raycom Media Camellia Bowl | Bowling Green vs. South Alabama | Dec. 20 | 9:15 p.m. | ESPN | BG |
| Miami Beach Bowl | BYU vs. Memphis | Dec. 22 | 2 p.m. | ESPN | BYU |
| Boca Raton Bowl | Marshall vs. Northern Illinois | Dec. 23 | 6 p.m. | ESPN | MAR |
| San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl | Navy vs. San Diego State | Dec. 23 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN | NAVY |
| Popeyes Bahamas Bowl | Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | Dec. 24 | 12 p.m. | ESPN | CMU |
| Sheraton Hawaii Bowl | Rice vs. Fresno State | Dec. 24 | 8 p.m. | ESPN | RICE |
| Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl | Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech | Dec. 26 | 1 p.m. | ESPN | LT |
| Quick Lane Bowl | Rutgers vs. North Carolina | Dec. 26 | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN | RUT |
| BITCOIN St. Petersburg Bowl | NC State vs. UCF | Dec. 26 | 8 p.m. | ESPN | UCF |
| Military Bowl | Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati | Dec. 27 | 1 p.m. | ESPN | CIN |
| Hyundai Sun Bowl | Duke vs. Arizona State | Dec. 27 | 2 p.m. | CBS | ASU |
| Duck Commander Independence Bowl | Miami (Fl.) vs. South Carolina | Dec. 27 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | MIA |
| New Era Pinstripe Bowl | Boston College vs. Penn State | Dec. 27 | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN | BC |
| National University Holiday Bowl | Nebraska vs. USC | Dec. 27 | 8 p.m. | ESPN | NEB |
| AutoZone Liberty Bowl | West Virginia vs. Texas A&M | Dec. 29 | 2 p.m. | ESPN | WVU |
| Russell Athletic Bowl | Clemson vs. Oklahoma | Dec. 29 | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN | OKLA |
| AdvoCare Texas Bowl | Texas vs. Arkansas | Dec. 29 | 9 p.m. | ESPN | TEX |
| Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl | Notre Dame vs. LSU | Dec. 30 | 3 p.m. | ESPN | LSU |
| Belk Bowl | Louisville vs. Georgia | Dec. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN | UGA |
| Foster Farms Bowl | Maryland vs. Stanford | Dec. 30 | 10 p.m. | ESPN | STAN |
| Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl | Ole Miss vs. TCU | Dec. 31 | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN | TCU |
| Vizio Fiesta Bowl | Boise State vs. Arizona | Dec. 31 | 4 p.m. | ESPN | ARI |
| Capital One Orange Bowl | Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech | Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | ESPN | MIST |
| Outback Bowl | Michigan State vs. Baylor | Jan. 1 | 12 p.m. | ESPN2 | BAY |
| Goodyear Cotton Bowl | Minnesota vs. Missouri | Jan. 1 | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN | MIN |
| Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl | Wisconsin vs. Auburn | Jan. 1 | 1 p.m. | ABC | AUB |
| Rose Bowl Game | Oregon vs. Florida State | Jan. 1 | 5 p.m. | ESPN | ORE |
| Allstate Sugar Bowl | Alabama vs. Ohio State | Jan. 1 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | BAMA |
| Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl | Pittsburgh vs. Houston | Jan. 2 | 12 p.m. | ESPN | PITT |
| TaxSlayer Bowl | Iowa vs. Tennessee | Jan. 2 | 3:20 p.m. | ESPN | IOWA |
| Valero Alamo Bowl | Kansas State vs. UCLA | Jan. 2 | 6:45 p.m. | ESPN | UCLA |
| Cactus Bowl | Oklahoma St. vs.Washington | Jan. 2 | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN | WASH |
| Birmingham Bowl | Florida vs. East Carolina | Jan. 3 | 1 p.m. | ESPN2 | FLA |
| GoDaddy Bowl | Toledo vs. Arkansas State | Jan. 4 | 9 p.m. | ESPN | TOL |
| College Football Championship Game | TBD | Jan. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | ORE |
All games can be viewed online courtesy of Watch ESPN.
Top Games
Cotton Bowl: Baylor vs. Michigan State
Michigan State has a unique perspective this bowl season as a team that has faced two of the four teams in the College Football Playoff. While the losses to Ohio State and Oregon were each decided by double digits, it's clear the squad has been tested.
Quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford have faced much better defenses in their careers than Baylor, and this duo should be able to put up big numbers against the Bears.
Conversely, the lack of competition was a big issue with Baylor throughout the year, especially in the nonconference schedule. ESPN's Trevor Matich notes that as a reason the Bears are not in contention for a championship:
Then again, there hasn't been a lot of respect for the Big Ten this postseason, even with this spread being relatively low, according to Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage:
Even though the Spartans have played well defensively against inferior competition, they have been torched by the better opponents on the schedule. Baylor's No. 1 offense in the nation should continue to move the ball and help win a high-scoring battle in Texas.
Prediction: Baylor 48, Michigan State 35
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Ohio State
It's not surprising to see Alabama competing for a national championship, but its style is certainly different than it has been in past years.
While the Crimson Tide are used to having a methodical offense with a run-heavy approach, they have been much more dynamic this season under offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was certainly impressed with the difference:
Blake Sims gives the squad a new dimension at quarterback, and that should help Alabama score points against whoever it plays.
The Buckeyes are certainly capable of putting up points as well, but it's important to remember Cardale Jones will be making just his second start at quarterback when the Sugar Bowl rolls around. While he did have three touchdowns in a 59-0 blowout against Wisconsin, he only threw 17 passes in the win.
With the way Alabama can shut down the run, Jones will be forced to do a lot more in this game and is likely to struggle his way to a loss.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Ohio State 14
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Florida State
The big story in this game is the competition at quarterback. Jameis Winston is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner after leading Florida State to a national championship last season, but Marcus Mariota appears set to win the prestigious award this time around.
Joel Klatt of Fox Sports doesn't even think it'll be close:
While Winston has the talent and is coming off one of the best games of the season in the ACC Championship win over Georgia Tech, he has not had a good year. The biggest problem has been his turnovers as he has thrown 17 interceptions this season to rank fourth worst in the nation.
Meanwhile, Mariota has only thrown two interceptions all year while accounting for 38 touchdowns through the air and another 14 on the ground.
Obviously, this game will have to do with a lot more than the men under center. However, a few small plays will be the difference in what will likely become a shootout.
Considering the Ducks star knows how to hold onto the ball and Winston doesn't, Oregon should be able to escape with a close win.
Prediction: Oregon 45, Florida State 38
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