Bowl season is finally upon us. Out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS, formerly I-A) teams 84 accepted invites to a bowl game. Are there too many bowl games? Hush your mouth. From December 17th until January 10th, we get nearly non-stop football.
It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
Lots of the national outlets have already done their in-depth bowl previews, what to watch for, and overall game rankings (like this one). If you’re looking for real insightful, substantive analysis of the actual football games…why? It’s exhibition football. It’s literally stress-free watching. Just enjoy it!
I plan on watching as much football as is possible. Of all the games, here are some contests of note:
The Bahamas Bowl (17 Dec, 12:00)—Middle Tennessee vs Toledo (-7): The first bowl game of the season. It’s like getting to open a Christmas present on Christmas Eve, even if it turns out to be a pair of socks. What better way to kick off the 2021 bowl season than with some Caribbean MACtion? There are worse places to be in mid-December than Nassau. Toledo 27, MTSU 17
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (18 Dec, 3:30)—UAB vs #13 BYU (-7.5): Remember when this was the Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl? Yeah, me too. Good times. Can’t wait for those Radiance Technologies commercials. Hard to imagine that UAB lost its football program just a couple years ago. Way to go, Blazers! The Liberty Bowl seats 61,000 fans. I’d set the over/under at 23,500, and take the under. BYU 38, UAB 24
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bow (18 Dec, 7:30)—Oregon State (-7.5) vs Utah State: Ok, this has to be a joke, right? Jimmy Kimmel has his own bowl game? Dear lord. But, talk show hosts aside, this could be a pretty good game. Oregon State has wins over USC, Washington, Arizona State, and Utah (ok, 2 of the 4 aren’t that impressive anymore). Utah State just won the MWC, routing a one-loss #19 San Diego State team. I once saw Utah State play Nevada (with Colin Kaepernick at QB) at the Hawaii Bowl, so there’s that. Oregon State 29, Utah State 26
Myrtle Beach Bowl (20 Dec, 2:30)—Old Dominion vs Tulsa (-9.5): A little Monday football during Christmas week is just the way to kick things off. Plus, ODU is kind of my local team here in Hampton Roads. Additionally, they’re coached by Ricky Rahne (former PSU OC), and have Zach Kuntz (former PSU TE) on the roster. They started 1-6 and finished on a 5-game winning streak. Go Monarchs! Tulsa 30, ODU 17
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (21 Dec, 3:30)—Kent State vs Wyoming (-3): Have to get a peek at the Smurf Turf! Hey Golden Flashes!! Congrats on a marginally successful season. Your reward? Boise. In December. Against a bunch of cowboys. Rock on. In all honesty, I will probably just have this on in the background. I mean it IS football after all. Wyoming 8, Kent State 4
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (22 Dec, 8:00)—Army (-3.5) vs Missouri: Army has the #2 rushing attack in the country (behind USAFA, of course), averaging 301 yards per game. Missouri has the 125th (out of 130) rush defense, giving up 235 yards per contest. Not great, Bob. But great if you’re not an SEC fan, amirite? Army 35, Missouri 31
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (23 Dec, 7:30)—Florida (-8.5) vs UCF: Public disclaimer, I will NOT be watching this game live, as it is my better half’s birthday. But this is an intriguing matchup. What is Florida really playing for? I mean, this is a team that took Alabama to the wire, then had to hang on to beat Samford. Now they get to travel down I-75 to play the Knights, who would like nothing better than to give big bro a kick in the nards. UCF 24, Florida 20
Valero Alamo Bowl (29 Dec, 9:15)—#14 Oregon vs #16 Oklahoma (-4.5): The Interim Coaches Bowl. At least Oklahoma has hired someone. Oregon just got their butt handed to them twice in a month by the only other team in the PAC 12 with a pulse. Still, I’m not sure how interested either team is to be in San Antonio when they had CFP aspirations. Oklahoma 40, Oregon 24
Duke’s Mayo Bowl (30 Dec, 11:30)—North Carolina (-7) vs South Carolina: If nothing else, you need to follow Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Twitter. Trust me. This used to be the Belk Bowl, and that Twitter account was pure gold. From a football perspective, I guess watching Sam Howell’s last game in Carolina Blue is something. Remember when UNC was in the Top 10? North Carolina 33, South Carolina 24
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (31 Dec, 11:00)—#17 Wake Forest vs #25 Texas A&M (-7): This should be a fun way to kick off New Year’s Eve, and a good appetizer for the two CFP games later that day. Sam Hartman is a beast, and Wake can put up points with the best of them…they just can’t stop anybody. Texas A&M 49. Wake Forest 45
Goodyear Cotton Bowl (CFP Semi, 31 Dec, 3:30)—#4 Cincinnati vs #1 Alabama (-14): Good on the Bearcats for making it out of the G5 pool to the CFP. Your reward? The Fighting Nick Sabans. I think Cincinnati actually might keep this close for a quarter. Alabama’s speed and depth, even without Metchie, is just too much in the end. Alabama 38, Cincinnati 20
Capitol One Orange Bowl (CFP Semi, 31 Dec, 7:30)—#2 Michigan vs #3 Georgia (-7): Well, the Khaki King made it, folks. And I think that Michigan has the talent on both sides of the ball to keep this game close. I think Michigan’s defensive line is going to make Stetson Bennett IV (esq) miserable. And I think that Michigan has just enough balance on offense to score when they have to. Calling the upset here. Michigan 28, Georgia 24
Outback Bowl (1 Jan, 12:00)—Penn State (-3) vs #21 Arkansas: I have no idea how Penn State is favored. Over anyone. Ever. This game is the perennial middle-of-the-pack B1G vs middle-of-the-pack SEC game that we all use to measure conferences. Which is stupid. But we do it every year. I will still yell at the TV, text my buddy throughout about how bad this team is, etc, etc. And when it’s over, I will be sad that another season of Penn State football is over. Arkansas 27, PSU 17
Rose Bowl Game (1 Jan, 5:00)—#6 Ohio State (-6.5) vs #11 Utah: This could be a really good game if Ohio State is feeling any kind of letdown from blowing their chances at the CFP. Utah is sneaky physical, and absolutely mollywhomped Oregon twice (yes, the same Oregon team that came into Columbus and beat the Buckeyes). Looking forward to this one. Ohio St 33, Utah 28
Random Bowl Thoughts:
The first bowl game I went to was the Weiser Lock Copper Bowl. When I was stationed in Tucson, I used to go to that game. Plenty of good seats were always available and watching football in shorts and a t-shirt in December has merits.
The only other bowl game I went to was the old Blue-Gray game in Montgomery, AL. It was 2003. Penn State was mired in the dark ages, and didn’t qualify for a bowl game at 3-9. So they sent a couple players to the “all-star” game (Shamar Finney and Omar Easy). I got to meet both. That was fun.
I had to look up PUBG Mobile. They’re hosting the New Mexico Bowl. PlayersUnknownBattleGround. Now you know. Go impress your kids.
I think I’d like to see Michigan State obliterate Pittsburgh. I am NOT a fan of Kenny Pickett a) because Pitt shouldn’t have nice things, and b) that punk fake slide in the ACC Championship Game. Brady Quinn said it was “dope.” You’re a dope, Brady. Doesn’t matter. I don’t think Pickett plays.
I like watching the Hawaii Bowl. The backdrop is amazing. And it reminds me of our time in the islands. Actually set up a Penn State tailgate in the parking lot of Aloha Stadium, just because. Mele Kalikimaka.
Always interesting to see what the SWAG bags are that each bowl game gives out. Wonder how NIL changes that, if at all. Think these kids will be working sponsor deals?
I am a conference homer when it comes to bowl games. I root for the B1G in each game. For some reason, I think it matters (it really doesn’t). Pretty sure it’s an inferiority thing, especially when the B1G faces off against the SEC.
Enjoy the bowl games and a very Happy Holidays to you and yours.
As always, thanks for reading.
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