Bowl Schedule 2015: Ranking the Most Intriguing Remaining Matchups
Maybe you were scrolling around the Internet thinking to yourself, "Oh boy, I'm really in the mood to read one man's quirky, completely subjective ranking of the remaining matchups in college football's bowl season."
Well, folks, you are in luck, because I've provided just that. And even more, I've provided a full schedule for the remaining games and some predictions as well, of which I'll likely nail 30 percent.
I can't think of a better way for you to ring in the new year than reading my article below. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a couch to lay on and a television to watch.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Schedule and Predictions
| Citrus | No. 25 Minnesota vs. No. 16 Missouri | Orlando, Fla. | Jan. 1, 1 p.m. | ABC | Missouri |
| Outback | No. 18 Wisconsin vs. No. 19 Auburn | Tampa, Fla. | Jan. 1, 1 p.m. | ESPN2 | Wisconsin |
| Cotton | No. 8 Michigan State vs. No. 5 Baylor | Arlington, Texas | Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. | ESPN | Baylor |
| Rose (National semifinal) | No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State | Pasadena, Calif. | Jan. 1, 5 p.m. | ESPN | Oregon |
| Sugar (National semifinal) | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State | New Orleans | Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | Alabama |
| Armed Forces | Houston vs. Pittsburgh | Fort Worth, Texas | Jan. 2, Noon | ESPN | Houston |
| TaxSlayer | Iowa vs. Tennessee | Jacksonville, Fla. | Jan. 2, 3 p.m. | ESPN | Iowa |
| Alamo | No. 11 Kansas State vs. No. 14 UCLA | San Antonio | Jan. 2, 6:45 p.m. | ESPN | UCLA |
| Cactus | Washington vs. Oklahoma State | Tempe, Ariz. | Jan. 2, 10 p.m. | ESPN | Oklahoma State |
| Birmingham | Florida vs. ECU | Birmingham, Ala. | Jan. 3, 1 p.m. | ESPN | Florida |
| GoDaddy | Toledo vs. Arkansas State | Mobile, Ala. | Jan. 4, 9 p.m. | ESPN | Toledo |
| National Championship | Alabama/Ohio St. vs. Oregon/Florida St. | Arlington, Texas | Jan. 12, 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | Oregon |
Official, Highly Scientific Rankings of Best Matchups to Watch
10. Toledo vs. Arkansas State, Florida vs. ECU, Houston vs. Pittsburgh and Iowa vs. Tennessee
Nope, I have better things to do. Maybe. OK, fine, I probably don't have better things to do, but I'm still not intrigued by these games. So there.
9. Washington vs. Oklahoma State
Washington has a few NFL prospects I'm excited to see in action (Shaq Thompson and Danny Shelton), so I might check out this game for "scouting" purposes. And by scouting purposes, I mean there's a pretty good chance I'll be bored on Friday night and will flip over to watch it.
YOLO.
8. Minnesota vs. Missouri
Apparently, Minnesota wasn't a good enough non-conference win for TCU to get them into the College Football Playoff, but I'll be the judge of that myself, thank you very much, playoff committee.
I am intrigued by Minnesota's rushing attack, which features running back David Cobb (1,545 rushing yards and 13 scores) and quarterback Mitch Leidner (462 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns). But Missouri will counter with defensive end Shane Ray (14 sacks), who should be a top-10 pick in this year's draft.
Neither of these teams pass very well, so I hope you enjoy a lot of running plays. You do? Then watch this game!
7. Wisconsin vs. Auburn
I wish this game was played before the new year, because it would remind me of all the resolutions I didn't live up to in 2014. Wisconsin and Auburn can sympathize—both finished their seasons on a poor note, with Wisconsin getting smoked in the Big Ten title game and Auburn losing three of their last four games, including a heartbreaker to Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
Watching Melvin Gordon is always fun of course, and Nick Marshall and Sammie Coates are electrifying players for Auburn. Still, I'm calling this the "What Might Have Been Bowl," which is sort of cruel, I know, but it's also true.
6. The Winter Classic
Hey, wait a second, this isn't a college football game!
Can't slip anything past you, huh? This is an outdoor hockey game, however, which is awesome, and I'll likely be tuning out of most of the college football games while this is on. I'll be flipping between this and the Cotton Bowl, so it comes in at No. 6.
5. Kansas State vs. UCLA
UCLA was quietly one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch until they lost their last game against Stanford, but whatever, they still beat Arizona State, Arizona and USC this year, OK? Sure, they underachieved, but they achieved against the teams I listed above, so you have to give them that.
I'm sort of hoping the Philadelphia Eagles select Brett Hundley in the second round of this year's NFL draft, so I won't be missing this one. Honestly, that's the primary reason I'll be watching this game, but Kansas State is a pretty good team, and I think these squads are fairly evenly matched, so I'm all in for this one.
4. Michigan State vs. Baylor
TCU made a strong case to suggest they were snubbed by blowing out Ole Miss, so now Baylor has to hold serve against an equally talented Michigan State team.
The Spartans are balanced and play excellent defense (they held opponents to 19.9 points per game this year, 16th in the nation) but Baylor leads the nation in points scored per game (48.8) and was fifth in passing yards per contest (346.2).
Um, can you say "clash of styles?" Sure you can. There's nothing better than pitting a good offense against a good defense. An immovable object against an unstoppable force, or whatever. Woot!
3. Alabama vs. Ohio State
Nick Saban versus Urban Meyer. Amari Cooper. Ohio State's third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones. Two of the traditional powers in college football. You know the storylines. You can't wait for this game. Neither can I.
2. Oregon vs. Florida State
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, versus this year's winner, Marcus Mariota—two players who couldn't be less alike.
Florida State's "living on the edge" season against Oregon's "we pretty much blow everyone out except that one time against Arizona—shhhhh, that was months ago" approach. Florida State's perception of disrespect after going two years without a loss but still being ranked No. 3 by the playoff committee. Oregon's weird uniforms.
You know the storylines. Get pumped.
1. National Championship
We obviously don't know who the teams will be, but this will be the best game of them all. Or at least the most anticipated. Get excited.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
