Bleacher Report's Ultimate Guide to College Football Bowl Season
For those absorbed by the College Football Playoff and only the College Football Playoff, let’s take a trip back in time, shall we? Enter my time machine. Watch your step.
It was Christmas Eve of last year. I was sitting on my family room floor, doing a poor job of wrapping gifts, glued to the television. The first-ever Popeyes Bahamas Bowl was underway—an unassuming game between Central Michigan and Western Kentucky, two teams that won seven games during the regular season. On the surface, that doesn’t sound like much. It was another bowl with casual interest and viewership.
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But then a strange thing happened. Down 49-14 entering the fourth quarter, Central Michigan scored a touchdown. And then another. And then another. And then another.
And then down 49-42 with no time remaining, the unthinkable happened. It still doesn’t feel real nearly a year later.
I spilled my drink. We still have the stain on the rug to prove it. I paced around my home for a good 10 minutes and watched the replay at least 25 times.
Central Michigan, wanting to make it home in time for Christmas, went for two. The play and miraculous comeback fell flat, and Western Kentucky hung on 49-48 in one of the most thrilling bowl games ever played.
That was just a scrimmage to some. Perhaps to most. It was just a game that wasn’t interesting enough to demand a full audience. Some might have just met it for the first time. But those who watched will remember that game—no matter the competition—forever. They will recall precisely where they were at the time. It was a reminder of the glorious depth of the bowl season.
It’s not just a pair of semifinals, a national championship and background filler. The individual moments that will be on display—the ones that will jump out and grab us by our ill-fitting sweaters—are really what shape the sport. It’s why you signed on in the first place.
So before you focus on the games with elevated stakes and those alone, mull over the possibilities. And if that isn’t enough, just remember that the black hole that is the offseason is looming. It’s time to make the most of the next 41 games.
That shouldn’t be too hard. The lineup is deep and storyline-packed. And yes, another national champion will be decided. Here’s a look at the semifinals, the season’s finest mascot, the season’s finest bowl swag and a ranking of all 40 bowl games.
The Orange Bowl, Oklahoma vs. Clemson (Dec. 31, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What we have here is a College Football Playoff game featuring two of the sport’s most electric quarterbacks. That’s where one has to begin when conversing about the Orange Bowl, as Deshaun Watson and Baker Mayfield—No. 3 and No. 4 in Saturday’s Heisman voting—seem destined to put on a marvelous show as the champagne cools.
Over his final three games, Watson accounted for 13 touchdowns. And while he throws a beautiful football, it’s his work on the ground that has made even more lethal. In his final five games, Watson eclipsed the 100-yard mark four times.
Although Mayfield hasn’t been as productive on the ground, his legs are equally as imperative. There are some very Johnny Manziel-esque moments that occur when Mayfield is keeping plays alive; he is elusive, thrilling and problematic to corral.
The same can be said for the running backs, although they operate with vastly different styles. Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine closed out the season with three consecutive 100-yard games, doing so in a massive frame and great balance.
Clemson’s Wayne Gallman, maybe the most under-celebrated running back in the country, ran for more than 1,300 yards this season and no one seemed to notice. He can do a variety of things for this offense. They will most certainly have their say.
So will the defenses, although it’s hard to imagine either unit completely stopping the quarterbacks from moving forward. That’s not to say that this game is without defensive talent. Both teams have ample options on that front. But still, with so much offense on display, the scoreboard operator might as well begin hydrating now.
There will be points—lots of them. Be sure to time your New Year’s Eve parties accordingly. This one might last a bit.
The Cotton Bowl, Alabama vs. Michigan State (Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Take everything you just read about points and Michael Bay football explosions, and disregard it entirely. It will do you no good moving forward.
This is Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots in football form: two heavyweight prizefighters operating with a heavyweight mentality. Nick Saban and Mark Dantonio are both fond of and familiar with one another. They worked together. But do not mistake this for some sort of friendly reunion.
Carnage will be had.
Alabama was one of just two teams to allow less than 1,000 yards rushing this season. The Crimson Tide also gave up only 2.38 yards per carry, which was tops in the nation. The front seven is as deep and talented as we have seen in some time. And the secondary, the concern coming into 2015, is vastly improved.
Michigan State might not have the same magical defense that it has featured over the past few years. But even in a “down” season, the Spartans were still No. 26 nationally in yards per game. Also, coming off a truly spectacular finish, defensive end Shilique Calhoun is poised to be a wrecking ball.
Oh, and there’s a Heisman winner playing. I suppose I should mention that. Running back Derrick Henry, now with some added hardware, has been Alabama’s heart and soul. Running against this front will not be easy, although it wasn’t easy against Florida, either. He still ran for 189 yards.
Michigan State’s offensive counter, quarterback Connor Cook, will enjoy a few much-needed weeks off. Although he still managed to lead the Spartans over Iowa in the Big Ten title game, it was clear that his throwing shoulder was still not healthy in Indianapolis. It’s unclear whether his arm will be fully functional by game time, although the time off doesn’t hurt.
The New Year’s ball will drop on the East Coast right about the time this game concludes. Although many assume that Alabama will be the team carrying on into 2016—and the robust point spread does little to deter this thought—Michigan State is more than comfortable being the underdog yet again.
The NFL Scout Bowl (aka the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl), Notre Dame vs. Ohio State, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
If the NFL draft is soon to consume all of your Interneting interests, then here’s a bowl game that weaves your two football passions together.
Notre Dame and Ohio State aren’t just playing for a Fiesta Bowl; many of the players are playing for a final bit of quality film for scouts. But don’t just take my word for it—here’s Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller on just how many future NFL draft picks will suit up on New Year’s Day.
“The Fiesta Bowl features an amazing 14 players in my top-60 draft prospects, with a potential 10 of those receiving a first-round grade,” Miller said. “That does include redshirt sophomores like Eli Apple and Darron Lee, but if you add in Notre Dame's wide receiver Will Fuller—who said he's returning to school—there would be 11 players with a good shot at a Round 1 grade in the game.”
That doesn’t even include the future NFL talent buried on these two rosters, and there is plenty of that. With all of that out on the open, I know what you’re still thinking.
Wait, BattleFrog?
That is indeed the correct sponsor. For those who might be unfamiliar with the latest craze, BattleFrog is a series of obstacle courses for people who care a great deal about their bodies. It looks and sounds very difficult.
It is not to be confused with Battletoads, one of the greatest video games ever made. This is truly unfortunate. That was a great game.
Game Most Likely to Break the Scoreboard: Valero Alamo Bowl, TCU vs. Oregon, Jan. 2, 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
When it’s all said and done, this particular matchup might take five glorious hours to compete. I implore you to stick around and watch the whole thing.
Quarterbacks Trevone Boykin and Vernon Adams Jr. are about to go back and forth in their final collegiate games, which is worthy of the price of admission in itself. But more than just a matchup between two electric quarterbacks, the Alamo Bowl will pin up two powers that were left for dead earlier this year.
Both Oregon and TCU looked to be sinking at various points during the season. Both pulled off extraordinary rallies despite dealing with injuries. And now, with an avalanche of touchdowns, they will cap the whole thing off accordingly.
Looking for the perfect primer? I have just the thing. Because humans are wonderful, someone uploaded the entire 2011 Alamo Bowl between Baylor and Washington to YouTube. The game featured 1,379 yards, 123 points, Robert Griffin III, Kendall Wright, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Keith Price, Chris Polk, Terrance Williams and more.
If you have not watched, now is the time. Just listening to Chris Spielman get openly irate at all these touchdowns is a fond bowl memory in itself. If any game in the bowl season could somehow match that Alamo Bowl, it’s this year’s version of the same game.
Most Underrated Game: Miami Beach Bowl, USF vs. Western Kentucky, Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
You don’t have to wait long for quality football. In fact, the bowl season will offer up value options out of the gate. And while South Florida and Western Kentucky won’t generate a tidal wave of interest, these are two quality teams trying to cap off quality seasons. (Also, remember the intro.)
Having entered the year on the hot seat, Willie Taggart delivered a fabulous eight-win regular season for USF—one that included a victory over ranked Temple.
Western Kentucky won 11 regular-season games, losing only to LSU and Indiana in a thriller. Senior quarterback Brandon Doughty threw for 45 touchdowns this year, delivering one of the best seasons that no one wants to discuss. That theme holds true for this game, which should deliver lots of offense.
Plus, it will be played at Marlins Park in Miami. Perhaps that whole home run dolphin shrine in center field will be activated for every touchdown. It certainly should be.
Mascot of the Bowl Season: Spuddy Buddy
Having an enormous tater as a mascot makes plenty of sense when your game is in fact the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. That’s where Spuddy Buddy comes in—a giant potato that will soon roam the sideline for Akron and Utah State’s Dec. 22 tussle.
Here he is, in all of his glory, celebrating another great life moment. Just look at this ball of enthusiastic starch.
Now, I used to be critical of ol’ Spuddy. I used to openly wonder why a mutant potato would serve as the appropriate billboard for a bowl game. I will never understand his gloves—that’s another issue for another day—but I can say that Spuddy is indeed a great ambassador for this time of year.
Just look how content he is. It doesn’t matter the situation. Being an oversized potato has not cooled his enthusiasm one bit, and I appreciate him for it.
Here’s to you, pal. (But seriously, what is with the gloves?)
Best Bowl Swag
A fascinating subplot of the bowl season is the swag that will be given to the student-athletes competing in the various games. Beyond the obvious perk in getting to play in one more game, the added value of free stuff is one that we like a great deal.
But some of these free bundles, as outlined by the SportsBusiness Journal, are better than others. Here is a power ranking of the top three bowls in terms of swag.
1. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Gifts included: $300 Vanilla Visa gift card; Fossil watch; Bluetooth speaker; commemorative football; $10 Chick-fil-A gift card
There are larger gift cards in terms of overall value, but the freedom of the Visa gift card puts this one over the edge. The $10 Chick-fil-A gift card is just a glorious cherry on top.
2. Valero Alamo Bowl
Gifts included: Beats Studio Wireless headphones; Fossil watch; $125 Best Buy gift card; team panoramic photo; commemorative mini-helmet
Oh, there is tremendous depth in this swag bag. Not only do you get the wireless Beats, but you get the gift card, too. Toss in a watch and a mini-helmet, and you have a room full of happy football players.
3. Russell Athletic Bowl
Gifts included: $350 Best Buy shopping trip; Timely Watch Co. watch; ISlide footwear; beach towel; Russell Athletic performance pullover
A college kid could do plenty with $350 to Best Buy. Toss in a watch, a beach towel and a pullover and you pretty much have all bases and seasons covered.
Most Curious Bowl Swag
Perhaps there is more to this equation, although players from the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl—in this case, Colorado State and Nevada—will receive Cowtown custom-made cowboy boots. That is the only item listed.
For starters, I am intrigued and I want a pair. And although I don’t envision any player with a monster gift card possibly trading for some personalized boots, this is a gift that will almost certainly last a lifetime. This is a nice way of telling these young men to enjoy their boots.
Ranking All 40 Bowl Games Based on Watchability
You should watch them all. Let’s make that abundantly clear. However, the holiday season can make such protocol difficult to follow, which is why I ranked all 40 bowl games based off “watchability” for the second consecutive year.
It’s not just exclusively about brand power. It’s about storylines, matchups, timing and the possibility that we will be treated to something completely original. Enjoy what should be a wonderful, memorable bowl season.
40. Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Ohio, Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
39. AutoNation Cure Bowl: San Jose State vs. Georgia State, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports
38. St. Petersburg Bowl: UConn vs. Marshall, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
37. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron vs. Utah State, Dec. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
36. Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Nevada vs. Colorado State, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET, ASN
35. Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee State vs. Western Michigan, Dec. 24, Noon ET, ESPN
34. Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Arizona vs. New Mexico, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
33. Quick Lane Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Minnesota, Dec. 28, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
32. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Louisiana Tech, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
31. San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs. Northern Illinois, Dec. 23, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
30. Hawa’i Bowl: Cincinnati vs. San Diego State, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
29. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: California vs. Air Force, Dec. 29, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
28. Camping World Independence Bowl: Tulsa vs. Virginia Tech, Dec. 26, 5:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
27. Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl: Washington vs. Southern Miss, Dec. 26, 2:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
26. New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Duke vs. Indiana, Dec. 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
25. Foster Farms San Francisco Bowl: Nebraska vs. UCLA, Dec. 26, 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
24. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: West Virginia vs. Arizona State, Jan. 2, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
23. Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. Kansas State, Jan. 2, 3:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
22. GoDaddy Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Bowling Green, Dec. 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
21. Military Bowl: Navy vs. Pitt, Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
20. Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo vs. Temple, Dec. 22, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
19. Miami Beach Bowl: USF vs. Western Kentucky, Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
18. TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia vs. Penn State, Jan. 2, noon ET, ESPN
17. AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. LSU, Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
16. Birmingham Bowl: Auburn vs. Memphis, Dec. 30, noon ET, ESPN
15. Hyundai Sun Bowl: Miami vs. Washington State, Dec. 26, 2 p.m. ET, CBS
14. Holiday Bowl: Wisconsin vs. USC, Dec. 30, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
13. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Louisville, Dec. 30, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
12. Belk Bowl: Mississippi State vs. N.C. State, Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
11. Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Tennessee, Jan. 1, noon ET, ESPN2
10. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
9. Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Utah, Dec. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
8. Allstate Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss, Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
7. Russell Athletic Bowl: North Carolina vs. Baylor, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
6. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Florida State vs. Houston, Dec. 31, noon ET, ESPN
5. Valero Alamo Bowl: TCU vs. Oregon, Jan. 2, 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
4. Rose Bowl: Iowa vs. Stanford, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
3. BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
2. Goodyear Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan State, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
1. Capital One Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Oklahoma, Dec. 31, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
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