I didn’t think I would be this big a fan of the 12-team College Football Playoff, but the more I read breakdowns of all the games, and the more debate I read (and generate myself) over the format needing some tweaking, the more amped I am to get this thing started.
One consequence, though, I thought might befall college football with the expanded playoff was the further marginalization of the couple dozen or so remaining bowl games. With the playoff swallowing up the six most important bowl games as the venue for quarterfinal and semifinal games, what is there to care about (besides rampant gambling!) when it comes to the remaining bowl games?
Admittedly, most of these bowls are “friends and family only” type affairs, meaning only friends and family could give a crap about them, again, barring massive wagering (of which I approve, to be clear!). However, I found a few that I will turn on and watch with no bet on the table (yet) nor a dog in the fight. Here are six bowl games I will tune in for (with brief commentary as to why):
Friday, December 27
Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
These were two lively “spoiler” type teams during the regular season, as they both gave top ranked teams all sorts of trouble. Georgia Tech knocked Miami from the ranks of the undefeated and nearly put Georgia in a “win or else” situation in the SEC Title Game by nearly beating the Bulldogs the weekend before their matchup with Texas. Vanderbilt put themselves on the map with a huge win over Alabama, that ultimately may have cost the Crimson Tide a playoff spot. The two quarterbacks in this game, Haynes King of Georgia Tech and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt are both transfers and are both VERY fun to watch.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Texas A&M vs. USC
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
10:30 p.m., ESPN
The Aggies went from controlling their own destiny for a playoff spot as late as the Texas game on November 30 to playing a USC squad that might fire Lincoln Riley at some point soon. THAT is a letdown. Without having my transfer portal scorecard in front of me, I am not certain which team has its depth ravaged more, but the two young quarterbacks, Marcel Reed of A&M and USC’s Jayden Maiava, are both big time playmakers, Reed with his legs and Maiava with his arm. Hey, at least both schools get a trip to Vegas out of the whole thing!
Saturday, December 28
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Boston College vs. Nebraska
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ABC
I’m not sure how many of you Houstonians are aware that Bill O’Brien, former annihilator of hopes and dreams for the Texans, is coaching Boston College, and doing a fine job at that, with the Eagles in a bowl game in his first season as head coach. They will take on Nebraska and former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule, whose quarterback is an annoying freshman whose whole life is a Pat Mahomes cosplay party. Dylan Raiola has the same haircut and mannerisms as his hero Mahomes, and it’s super creepy. Look, I hate Boston College (Notre Dame bias alert!), but I hate Raiola more. Go Eagles!
Valero Alamo Bowl
BYU vs. Colorado
Alamodome (San Antonio)
7:30 p.m., ABC
Deion Sanders has made it clear that there will be no opting out of the bowl game for any of his Buffaloes, which includes likely Heisman winner Travis Hunter and Sanders’ two sons, Shedeur and Shiloh. Shedeur could be the number one pick in the draft, if Hunter isn’t, so the two of them sticking around sends a real message about how Sanders views these bowl games. They’re important to him. BYU was in the hunt for a playoff spot and a bye until November rolled around, and the wheels fell off.
Tuesday, December 31
ReliaQuest Bowl
Alabama vs. Michigan
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN
On the marquee, this game is two blue blood programs going at it. On paper, it’s the worst version of Alabama in a long, long time against a 7-5 version of Michigan. Michigan actually comes in with more momentum, having defeated Ohio State in Columbus in their regular season finale. However, if enough Alabama guys decide to stick around and play in this game, the Wolverines may have a hard time moving the football. The most compelling storyline might be Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and how hot his seat gets if the Tide loses to the Wolverines.
Kinder’s Texas Bowl
Baylor vs. LSU
NRG Stadium (Houston)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Yes! The local bowl here in Houston makes the “compelling theater” cut! Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was coaching for his job this season, and did some great work, with the Bears in the hunt for the Big XII Title Game in November, good enough for Aranda to keep his job. The optics of beating LSU in a bowl game would be fantastic for the Baylor program. Brian Kelly can’t get his Tigers to string anything consistent together, as they finished 8-4 on the season. This bowl is a letdown spot for a title hungry program (and fan base) like LSU’s. Baylor can pull off a nice upset here.
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This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
