Complete Projections for Every Single College Football Bowl Game

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

We are talking about the upcoming college football bowl season, and though we are still in October, it is never too early to talk about where each team will be landing to play come the holiday season.

There are 35 bowls, and it is time to project and break down every single one of them!

Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming Cowboys (4-2) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-3)

Who: Mountain West No. 4/5 vs. Pac-12 No. 7 (MAC will fill empty Pac-12 slot)

Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico

When: Dec. 17 on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. ET

Why Watch: Don't look now, but both of these unknowns are on the verge of reaching that six-win mark. Dave Christensen's Wyoming program is a lot more competitive these days.

Eagles Stat: 16th in rushing offense (226 YPG)

Cowboys Stat: 28th in rushing offense (192 YPG)

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Temple Owls (5-3) vs. South Florida Bulls (4-3)

Who: MAC No. 3 vs. WAC No. 1/2 (Big East will fill empty WAC slot)

When: Dec. 17 on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. ET

Where: Boise, Idaho

Why Watch: The Big East will get a bunch of 7-5 or 6-6 teams, and this would currently be a spot for them to land. Plus, watching Temple's Bernard Pierce has been nothing short of spectacular this season.

Owls Stat: Mr. Pierce is currently ninth in the nation, averaging 119 rushing yards per game.

Bulls Stat: B.J. Daniels is averaging more passing yards per game than Clemson's Tajh Boyd (ninth in nation, 320 YPG).

New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-2) vs. UTEP Miners (4-3)

Who: Sun Belt No. 1 vs. C-USA No. 5

When: Dec. 17 on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana

Why Watch: Arkansas State's Ryan Aplin is the best quarterback you've never heard of, averaging 304 yards per game, which ranks 13th in total offense.

Red Wolves Stat: They are 31st in total offense at 435 yards a game.

Miners Stat: Ranking 112th in sacks allowed (3.29 per game) is not a good thing.

Beef 'O'Brady's Bowl: Syracuse Orange (5-2) vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-3)

Who: Big East No. 6 vs. C-USA No. 4

When: Dec. 20 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Where: St. Petersburg, Florida

Why Watch: Syracuse coach Doug Marrone may be looking at giving this program its most wins in a season since 2001 (10-3).

Orange Stat: 15th against the run, allowing only 99 yards per game

Golden Hurricane Stat: 117th in pass defense, allowing 299 yards per game

Poinsettia Bowl: San Diego State Aztecs (4-2) vs. Nevada Wolf Pack (4-3)

Who: Mountain West No. 2 vs. WAC

When: Dec. 21 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Where: San Diego, California

Why Watch: Nevada is 10th in the nation in rushing, whereas Aztecs running back Ronnie Hillman leads America. Any questions?

Aztecs Stat: 15th in the nation against the pass, allowing 181 yards a game

Wolf Pack Stat: 16th in the nation against the pass, allowing 182 yards a game

Maaco Bowl: TCU Horned Frogs (5-2) vs. Utah Utes (3-4)

Who: Mountain West No. 1 vs. Pac-12 No. 5

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

When: Dec. 22 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Why Watch: A gem in Vegas is always fun to watch, but the Horned Frogs will likely be ranked in this contest, which features a contrast in offensive styles.

Horned Frogs Stat: 18th in rushing offense, averaging 217 yards per game.

Utes Stat: 104th in rushing offense, averaging 112 yards per game.

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii Warriors (4-3) vs. ECU Pirates (3-4)

Who: C-USA No. 6 vs. WAC (Hawaii if eligible)

Where: Honolulu, Hawaii

When: Dec. 24 on ESPN 8 p.m. ET

Why Watch: On Christmas Eve, what else are we going to watch? Hawaii at home is always entertaining, and we can bank on a few 40 burgers in this contest.

Warriors Stat: Quarterback Bryant Moniz is seventh in the nation in total offense (342 YPG).

Pirates Stat: Quarterback Dominique Davis is 24th in total offense (283 YPG) and is coming off a game in which he broke an FBS record for consecutive completions (36, includes two games).

Independence Bowl: Wake Forest (5-2) vs. Air Force (3-4)

Who: Mountain West No. 3 vs. ACC No. 7

Where: Shreveport, Louisiana

When: Dec. 26 on ESPN at 5 p.m. ET

Why Watch: Tim Jefferson and the Falcons currently have the second-rated rushing offense in America, but they will be going against an underrated Wake defense (36th against run).

Demon Deacons Stat: Quarterback Tanner Price is 40th in total offense for an explosive Wake Forest team.

Falcons Stat: Ranking 105th in total defense is what happens when you play Boise State and TCU.

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2) vs. NIU Huskies (5-3)

Who: MAC No.1/2 vs. Big Ten No. 8

When: Dec. 27 on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit, Michigan

Why Watch: The Illini and the Huskies would attempt to own the state of Illinois with a victory. Plus, Illinois could be looking at a 7-5 season despite winning its first six.

Fighting Illini Stat: Ranking 23rd in the nation averaging 199 rushing yards per game is impressive.

Huskies Stat: Ranking 11th in the nation averaging 244 rushing yards per game is spectacular for a MAC school. Against Western Michigan they ran for 494 yards and six TDs!

Belk Bowl: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-2) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1)

Who: Big East No. 3 vs. ACC No. 4

When: Dec. 27 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Charlotte, North Carolina

Why Watch: The Yellow Jackets are among the top teams in the nation at running the rock, whereas the Bearcats are also among the elite with their stud running back Isaiah Pead.

Yellow Jackets Stat: Currently rank eighth against the pass for a so-called "slow team," which is not true.

Bearcats Stat: Ranking second in the nation against the run makes it a great matchup for GT.

Military Bowl: Virginia Cavaliers (4-3) vs. UCF Knights (3-4)

Who: ACC No. 8 vs. Navy or C-USA

When: Dec. 28 on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Washington, D.C.

Why Watch: Mike London has Virginia on the upswing in a middle tier of the ACC that is wide open.

Cavs Stat: UVA has not gone bowling since 2007 (Gator Bowl loss to Texas Tech, 31-28).

Knights Stat: Looking for first three consecutive bowls (first time in entire decade).

Holiday Bowl: Washington Huskies (5-2) vs. Baylor Bears (4-2)

Who: Big 12 No. 5 vs. Pac-12 No. 3

When: Dec. 28 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Where: San Diego, California

Why Watch: With two suspect defenses and two explosive offenses, bank on a shootout on top of one of the more entertaining bowl games.

Bears Stat: Known as RGIII, quarterback Robert Griffin III may be the most explosive player in the entire nation, and he is third among all players in total offense (374 YPG).

Huskies Stat: Running back Chris Polk ranks fifth in the nation, averaging 124 yards rushing per game.

Champs Sports Bowl: FSU Seminoles (4-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-3)

Who: ACC No. 3 vs. Big East No. 2 or Notre Dame

When: Dec. 29 on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. ET

Where: Orlando, Florida

Why Watch: This would be the first time these storied programs have met since Florida State's 37-0 beatdown it put on the Irish in South Bend back in 2003. Their memorable '93 game will forever be remembered, but this would be a huge contest where the winner could perhaps see a very high ranking in the following preseason.

Seminoles Stat: Rank 14th in the nation in passing offense with a bevy of different playmakers.

Fighting Irish Stat: Eighteen offensive turnovers ranks 107th in the nation.

Alamo Bowl: Kansas State Wildcats (7-0) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2)

Who: Big 12 No. 3 vs. Pac-12 No. 2

When: Dec. 29 on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET

Where: San Antonio, Texas

Why Watch: Bill Snyder has a special Wildcats team led by signal-caller Collin Klein. ASU's Vontaze Burfict is among the fiercest players in the nation in what would be a hard-hitting affair.

Wildcats Stat: Klein is 34th in the nation, averaging 95 yards a game rushing.

Sun Devils Stat: ASU is 21st in passing offense, averaging 291 yards per game.

Armed Forces Bowl: BYU Cougars (6-2) vs. SMU Mustangs (5-2)

Who: C-USA No. 3 vs. BYU or Mountain West if BYU not eligible

When: Dec. 30 on ESPN at noon ET

Where: Fort Worth, Texas

Why Watch: This should be a battle of wills with the Cougars' physical style and the Mustangs' athletic spread offense.

Cougars Stat: Ranks 58th in rushing offense (158 YPG) and 59th in passing offense (232 YPG).

Mustangs Stat: Twelfth-rated passing offense averages 309 YPG.

Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-2) vs. Missouri Tigers (3-4)

Who: Big East No. 4 vs. Big 12 No. 7

When: Dec. 30 on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Bronx, NY (Yankee Stadium)

Why Watch: The way last year's Pinstripe Bowl ended, you better not miss this one. Plus, this could technically be the last time Mizzou is a member of the Big 12.

Tigers Stat: Henry Josey is averaging 122 yards rushing per game, which ranks eighth-best in America.

Scarlet Knights Stat: Mohamed Sanu ranks fourth in receptions per game (9.2) and 18th in receiving yards per game (97 YPG).

Music City Bowl: North Carolina Tar Heels (5-3) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (3-4)

Who: ACC No. 6 vs. SEC No. 7

When: Dec. 30 on ESPN at 6:40 p.m. ET

Where: Nashville, Tennessee

Why Watch: If this rematch from last year holds up, it could be another overtime thriller. Both teams are looking to gain some swagger and step into the Top 25 going into next season.

Tar Heels Stat: 23rd against the run, allowing only 104 yards a game

Vols Stat: 115th in rushing offense, averaging only 89 yards per game

Insight Bowl: Michigan Wolverines (6-1) vs. Texas Longhorns (4-2)

Who: Big Ten No. 4 vs. Big 12 No. 4

When: Dec. 30 on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET.

Where: Tempe, Arizona

Why Watch: Burnt Orange against Maize and Blue would be a treat to watch. Denard Robinson against the Longhorns is not something you see very often. It was Vince Young in their 2005 Rose Bowl victory, 38-37, that remains one of the better bowl games in recent memory.

Wolverines Stat: Robinson is 12th in total offense (311 YPG) and ninth in rushing (119 YPG).

Longhorns Stat: Ranks only 100th in the nation in sacks per game (1.33).

MCC Bowl of Texas: Ohio State Buckeyes (4-3) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-2)

Who: Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6

When: Dec. 31 on ESPN at noon ET

Where: Houston, Texas

Why Watch: Right now Seth Doege against the Buckeyes defense would be one of the best non-BCS bowls to look for. Both teams could play with the best teams in their conference.

Red Raiders Stat: Doege is second in the nation, averaging 381 yards of total offense.

Buckeyes Stat: Ohio State has not played in a non-New Year's Day bowl since 2004.

Sun Bowl: Miami Hurricanes (4-3) vs. California Golden Bears (4-3)

Who: ACC No. 4 vs. Pac-12 No. 4

When: Dec. 31 on CBS at 2 p.m. ET

Where: El Paso, Texas

Why Watch: The 'Canes were thumped in this same bowl last year against the Irish, and we can be certain Al Golden will not allow that to happen in his first bowl with Miami.

'Canes Stat: 81st in total offense (366 YPG)

Bears Stat: 27th in run defense (115 YPG)

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: NC State Wolfpack (4-3) vs. Ohio Bobcats (5-3)

Who: Pac-12 No. 6 vs. Army/WAC/eligible team

When: Dec. 31 on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: San Francisco, California

Why Watch: This wacky bowl game might be the one where they are scrambling for not only one, but two teams to fill empty slots. The MAC will have nearly half a dozen six- or seven-win teams, and I would expect some bowls to snag them.

Bobcats Stat: Currently ranked 24th in total offense, averaging 455 yards per game.

Wolfpack Stat: The Pack are currently tied for the nation's lead with 15 interceptions.

Liberty Bowl: Houston Cougars (7-0) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-4)

Who: C-USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 6 or No. 7

When: Dec. 31 on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Memphis, Tennessee

Why Watch: Case Keenum has and will have the record for most passing yards and touchdowns by a wide margin, but this would be his final game. Going up against an SEC defense surely will make it even more interesting.

Cougars Stat: Keenum and the passing offense average 441 yards a game, which ranks first by over 50 yards.

Bulldogs Stat: Rank 94th in passing offense for a team that has struggled mightily this season on offense.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: South Carolina Gamecocks (6-1) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-1)

Who: ACC No. 2 vs. SEC No. 3, 4 or 5

When: Dec. 31 on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Dome)

Why Watch: Always ranking among the best non-BCS bowls makes this bowl game interesting, but a Hokies-Gamecocks matchup would be a nice defensive slugfest before the clock strikes midnight to move into 2012.

Hokies Stat: David Wilson is currently fourth in rushing yards per contest (129 YPG).

Gamecocks Stat: Seventh-rated defense is allowing only 277 yards per contest (first vs. pass).

TicketCity Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-1)

Who: Big Ten No. 6 vs. C-USA

When: Jan. 2 on ESPNU at noon ET

Where: Dallas, Texas (Cotton Bowl)

Why Watch: Marcus Coker ran for an Iowa bowl-record 219 yards in last year's Insight Bowl; can he top that against a solid Southern Miss defense?

Hawkeyes Stat: 78th in total defense, allowing 406 yards a game

Golden Eagles Stat: 18th in total offense, averaging 472 yards a game

Gator Bowl: Florida Gators (4-3) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1)

Who: SEC No. 6 vs. Big Ten No. 4 or 5

When: Jan. 2 on ESPN 2 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Jacksonville, Florida

Why Watch: Joe Paterno against the Gators was a treat last season, and Penn State will be back for vengeance this time. 

Gators Stat: 11th-rated defense in total yards allowed per game (289)

Nittany Lions Stat: Eighth-rated defense in total yards allowed per game (282)

Outback Bowl: Arkansas Razorbacks (6-1) vs. Michigan State Spartans (6-1)

Who: Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC No. 3, 4 or 5

When: Jan. 2 on ABC at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Tampa, Florida

Why Watch: The Spartans were used and abused last year against the SEC (Alabama 49-7), and you can bank on them coming out with a little bit more energy and, more importantly, athleticism.

Sparty Stat: Second against the pass (134 YPG) and second in total defense (222 YPG)

Pig Sooey Stat: Ninth in passing offense (328 YPG)

Capital One Bowl: Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-1) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (5-2)

Who: SEC No. 2 vs. Big Ten No. 2

When: Jan. 2 on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Orlando, Florida

Why Watch: This is all about the Big Ten showing up after last year's debacle where the conference went 0-5 on New Year's. Now one year and one day later, hopefully it can at least put up a fight.

Bulldogs Stat: Freshman sensation Isaiah Crowell (86 YPG) is 44th in the country in rushing, but he might be looking like an All-American by New Year's.

Huskers Stat: Seventh-rated rushing offense features Taylor Martinez (90 YPG) and Rex Burkhead (107 YPG).

Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M Aggies (5-2) vs. Auburn Tigers (5-3)

Who: SEC No. 3, 4 or 5 vs. Big 12 No. 2

When: Jan. 6 on FOX at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Arlington, Texas (Cowboys Stadium)

Why Watch: This a future battle in the SEC between two future SEC West team that will grow to dislike each other. The Aggies have lost their past two games in Jerry's Place since they lost to Arkansas this season and lost to LSU last year in the same bowl.

Aggies Stat: The Aggies may be going to the SEC, but in their last six meetings against the SEC (since 2004), they have lost all six by a combined score of 236-125. Better late than never if they find a way to win in what would be their seventh attempt.

Tigers Stat: 84th-ranked scoring offense, averaging only 24 PPG

BBVA Compass Bowl: Vanderbilt Commodores (4-3) vs. Louisville Cardinals (3-4)

Who: Big East No. 4 vs. SEC No. 8/9

When: Jan. 7 on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Birmingham, Alabama

Why Watch: Vandy has only played in four bowls since 1955, and one could argue this is its best team since with first-year coach James Franklin.

Commodores Stat: 23rd-rated total defense, allowing only 323 yards per game

Cardinals Stat: 30th in total offense, averaging 438 YPG

GoDaddy.com Bowl: Toledo Rockets (5-3) vs. La-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (6-2)

Who: Sun Belt vs. MAC No. 2

When: Jan. 8 on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Mobile, Alabama

Why Watch: There will be a ton of Go Daddy commercials, but Toledo wide receiver Eric Page has been fun to watch this season, especially going up against the likes of Syracuse, Ohio State and Boise State.

Rockets Stat: Page is 12th in all-purpose runners, averaging 166 yards per game.

Ragin' Cajuns Stat: Lafayette ranks 41st in scoring offense, averaging 31 PPG.

BCS Rose Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers (6-1) vs. Oregon Ducks (6-1)

Who: Big Ten champion vs. Pac-12 champion

When: Jan. 1 on ESPN at 5 p.m. ET

Where: Pasadena, California (Rose Bowl)

Why Watch: This is the granddaddy of them all, and if you are not watching, then college football does not need you as a fan. The Big Ten champs against the Pac-12 champs has always been the best tradition, and we should get that this year despite TCU stealing the show last year. Look for a back-and-forth affair, as the Ducks and Badgers could light up the scoreboards.

Badgers Stat: Eighth-rated offense in total yards per game (511 YPG), fifth-rated scoring offense (47 PPG)

Ducks Stat: Sixth-rated offense in total yards per game (537 YPG), fourth-rated scoring offense (48 PPG)

BCS Fiesta Bowl: Stanford Cardinal (7-0) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (6-1)

Who: Big 12 No. 1 vs BCS (Fiesta Bowl gets top pick, followed by Sugar and then Orange)

When: Jan. 2 on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Glendale, Arizona (University of Phoenix Stadium)

Why Watch: It will most likely be Andrew Luck's final college game (soon-to-be No. 1 pick in NFL draft), and the mighty Boomer Sooner offense will be quite the challenge for the Cardinal defense. Expect this game to have a boatload of points with explosive players all over the field. This could be a memorable shootout in Tempe where the team with the ball last wins.

Cardinal Stat: Ninth-rated total offense (504 YPG), 18th-rated defense (314 YPG)

Sooners Stat: Fourth-rated offense (545 YPG), 41st-rated defense (353 YPG)

BCS Sugar Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0)

Who: SEC champion/runner-up vs. BCS (safe assumption loser of LSU-'Bama ends up here)

When: Jan. 3 on ESPN 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana (Superdome)

Why Watch: If the these teams match up, it would be one of the best games of the entire season because of Oklahoma State's offense and Alabama's defense. That would be a filthy matchup to look forward to. Can the Alabama linebackers cover the Cowboys in space, or would they stuff the run and just pin their ears back? Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon are two guys who can hang with Nick Saban's defense.

Tide Stat: First in country in total defense (180 YPG)

Cowboys Stat: Third in country in total offense (548 YPG)

BCS Orange Bowl: Clemson Tigers (8-0) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-2)

Who: ACC champion vs. Big East champion

When: Jan. 4 on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Miami, Florida

Why Watch: These Tigers could be undefeated going into their BCS bowl, but even if they lose a game, they will have the offense to hang with any team. Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and Dwayne Allen have easily been the toughest QB-WR-TE combo to defend in the nation.

Tigers Stat: 15th in the nation in passing offense (303 YPG)

Mountaineers Stat: Fifth in the nation in passing offense (374 YPG)

BCS National Championship Game: LSU Tigers (8-0) vs. Boise State Broncos (7-0)

Who: BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

When: Jan. 9 on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana (Superdome)

Why Watch: Is this seriously a question? If the Broncos do get a ton of help along the way and end up playing in the BCS National Championship Game, it could be one of the most-watched games in the history of the sport. Everybody thinks they know exactly what will happen next, yet the Sooners and Badgers just fell flat on their faces. Who is next to fall?

Boise State has been one of the many reasons as to why college football is amazing to watch because their players keep their mouths shut and play the game the way it ought to be played. Chris Petersen is a class act and one fine coach.

Whoever wins "The Game of the Century" between LSU and Alabama will be handed the title before this matchup even starts. However, the SEC might be better than most think because of the consistent dominance it has put on opponents in the BCS National Championship Game (five straight).

The question remains, can anybody stop the SEC?

Tigers Stat: 11th in pass defense (174 YPG), 99th in passing offense (183 YPG)

Broncos Stat: 13th in passing offense (304 YPG), fifth in pass defense (166 YPG)