by The best time of the year is approaching: bowl season. While bowl games have slowly lost their excitement in recent years, they still exist and they still are fun, and I plan to watch every single one if possible. It’s also important to note that I don’t take into account potential opt-outs that much when ranking these 41 games. So, as we begin submitting our Bowl Mania picks and preparing for the holidays, here’s my ranking of each bowl game based on overall interest.
41. First Responder Bowl: Texas State vs Rice
This game exists. No JT Daniels stinks, but I like the over.
40. Famous Toastery Bowl: Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion
This game also exists.
39. 68 Ventures Bowl: South Alabama vs Eastern Michigan
We got a new bowl game in 68 Ventures! The only issue is that this game isn’t very appealing to most. South Alabama is 6-6 but is a much better team than its record implies. The Jags embarrassed Oklahoma State 33-7 in Stillwater earlier this season, yet have been inconsistent at times. Meanwhile, EMU is 0-4 against teams with a .500 record or better this year. The Eagles are currently 15.5-point dogs, which is tied for the largest spread this bowl season.
38. Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State vs Northern Illinois
I have no gauge on this game besides the fact that Arkansas State QB Jaylen Raynor is pretty electric and we get some bonus MACtion.
37. Potato Bowl: Georgia State vs Utah State
Boise’s finest Idaho Potato Bowl features a Georgia State team that started off 6-1 before being consumed by a mammoth Sun Belt schedule and Utah State who’s starting quarterback left the team to become a Navy SEAL.
36. Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs Bowling Green
There is only one FBS team this bowl season that has more losses than wins and that team is PJ Fleck’s Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota is 5-7 and just saw it’s quarterback enter the transfer portal, but is still currently favored over BGSU. If you watched any MACtion this year, Bowling Green is a quality football team. The Falcons’ only losses have come against Michigan (ranked #1 in country), Ohio (finished 9-3), Miami-Ohio (MAC champ) and Toledo (MAC runner-up). A nice little post-Christmas day hangover game.
35. Myrtle Beach Bowl: Ohio vs Georgia Southern
Ohio is on a four-game bowl winning streak and is aiming to win 10+ games for the second consecutive season. The Bobcats also lead the Group of Five in total defense (4th in FBS). Georgia Southern had a very similar season trajectory as its in-state rival Georgia State by starting off 6-2 before losing four straight to finish the year with a .500 record. It’s the first game of bowl season though, so of course we’re going to watch it!
34. New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana vs Jacksonville State
A sneaky good Group of Five bowl game that will go down in an NFL stadium. Jacksonville State is the less popular James Madison this season: a team that had a great year as an FBS newcomer and initially received the postseason ban from the NCAA before they were rightfully granted a bowl bid. The Gamecocks take on a Louisiana squad that essentially gets home field advantage and dominated arch-rival UL-Monroe in the regular season finale to get here.
33. Frisco Bowl: UTSA vs Marshall
Time to get frisky at the Frisco. If UTSA comes to play, good luck stopping Frank Harris and this offense that can put up 40+ any day of the week. Marshall is no stranger to over performing as an underdog though, as the Thundering Herd have upset wins over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame in the past two years.
32. Boca Raton Bowl: Syracuse vs South Florida
Wait, Cuse isn’t playing in the Pinstripe Bowl for once?!
Before the Fran Brown era begins in Syracuse, the Orange are looking to pick up their first bowl victory since 2018. It won’t come easy against a USF team that is led by a dynamic quarterback in Byrum Brown. Let’s not forget that the Bulls also made people question if the Alabama dynasty was over back in Week 3.
31. Fenway Bowl: #24 SMU vs Boston College
First the bowl committee denies the Mustangs of a NY6 bid, now they pair them up against a 6-6 ACC team in a game that is being played in their opponent’s backyard.
On the bright side, this is an ACC preview game for SMU. The Ponies have a talented defense that completely shut down Tulane en route to an AAC title last weekend, but BC has a mobile quarterback in Thomas Castellanos that can make things somewhat interesting. It’s a secondary TV game.
30. Pinstripe Bowl: Miami (FL) vs Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights posted their best season since 2014. Their reward? A quick trip over to Yankee Stadium. Depending on which version of Miami we get, this could be a frisky game. If not, it’s probably best to keep the remote nearby.
29. Hawaii Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs San Jose State
A free trip to Hawaii days before Christmas is pretty darn cool. A few Coastal players who are entering the portal, like WR Jared Brown, will play, which is obviously a plus for the Chants. They’ll have their hands full against an SJSU team that is much better than its 7-5 record, and was arguably the best team in the MWC this season. It’s a 10:30 PM kickoff so only real ones like Snade will stay up to watch it.
28. Gasparilla Bowl: UCF vs Georgia Tech
The World’s Goldest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
27. Independence Bowl: Texas Tech vs Cal
The last time the Red Raiders went bowling three years in a row was during the Mike Leach (R.I.P.) era when they made it to 11 straight. Cal is a frisky team that is making its first bowl appearance since 2019. Two different postseason narratives between two evenly matched teams. It’s a fun little night game to cap off the opening day of bowl season.
26. Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs Northwestern
Under bettors will be foaming at the mouth come game time in this one. Northwestern has made a remarkable turn around, finishing the season 7-5 under interim coach David Braun amid the preseason Pat Fitzgerald scandal. An 8-4 season is nothing to be too ashamed of for Utah, but going from back-to-back Pac 12 champs to this isn’t what people in Salt Lake had envisioned. Still seems like a fairly even matchup that won’t have too many offensive fireworks.
25. Military Bowl: Tulane vs Virginia Tech
I will be making the trip to Annapolis to watch this game and am pretty pumped about it. However, it’s hard to say the Green Wave will be very motivated for this one after Willie Fritz just took the Houston job, Michael Pratt declared for the NFL draft, and they are coming off a deflating loss in the AAC title game. On the flip side, Virginia Tech may be the best 6-6 team in the country and a win would get Hokies Nation stoked heading into 2024.
24. ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin vs #13 LSU
Cheese heads vs gumbo. One would think LSU runs away with it early, but Luke Fickell may have a trick or two up his sleeve. This Tigers defense gives up points to anyone too.
23. Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs #20 Oklahoma State
A regional matchup between two teams that used to be rivals in the same conference. Another underwhelming season by A&M followed by a handful of guys leaving for the portal sets them up against an Oklahoma State team that just got its doors blown off by Texas in the Big 12 title game. More importantly, it’s a spot for A&M to right the ship before the Elko era kicks off and for the Pokes to earn 10 wins for the eighth time under Mike Gundy.
22. New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs New Mexico State
NMSU playing in a bowl game at the stadium of their hated in-state rival is hilariously ironic. These two teams used to play annually in the WAC (R.I.P), but have drifted apart ever since joining new conferences. NMSU is well-coached by Jerry Kill, who has won everywhere he’s been at the college level. They also feature one of the most electric players in the G5 in QB Diego Pavia. Fresno State is also led by a good coach in Jeff Tedford who won’t be on the sideline as he’s dealing with some health issues. The program names aren’t sexy, but it’s a solid matchup worth watching on a chilly December evening.
21. Fiesta Bowl: #23 Liberty vs #8 Oregon
Oregon’s second string vs an online bible college.
The Flames are a cool story, but there’s a reason why the point spread is at 15.5. While it’s Liberty’s Super Bowl, Oregon can use this game as anger fuel for watching their playoff hopes slip from their finger tips last Friday. Dan Lanning recently announced that Bo Nix will start, so that makes matters worse for the G5 representative.
It’s unlikely, but we’ve seen teams like Tulane and UCF pull off big upsets against unmotivated Power Five schools in NY6 games before, so Liberty can do the unthinkable. But like I said, it’s unlikely.
20. Gator Bowl: Kentucky vs #22 Clemson
Clemson caught fire in the tail end of the season by winning four in a row while UK stole the Governor’s Cup from Louisville for the fifth-straight year, which most likely spoiled the Cardinal’s NY6 berth. Expect a fairly low-scoring game between two schools that have been trending in the right direction for over a month now.
19. Birmingham Bowl: Troy vs Duke
The irony in this game makes it a little more enticing than the matchup itself. With Mike Elko packing his bags for College Station, Duke is looking for a head coach replacement. Its two top candidates right now: Penn State DC Manny Diaz and Troy HC Jon Sumrall.
18. Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas vs UNLV
Two historically bad teams that had terrific seasons opposed to previous years. Had QB Jalon Daniels never gotten hurt, the Jayhawks may be a 10-win team right now. As for UNLV, the Rebels were easily one of the more surprising teams this season, winning nine games for the first time since 1984 and reaching a conference title game. Expect some points in this one.
17. Arizona Bowl: Toledo vs Wyoming
Barstool’s Portnoy and Big Cat will be on the call for what is a legitimately exciting G5 matchup. Toledo was four quarters away from an emphatic 12-1 finish and a MAC Championship in its trophy case before Miami (OH) played spoiler. So, that poses the question: will they be up for it? Wyoming is a solid 8-4 team that was a MWC title favorite at one point in the year and is a physical bunch that loves to wear teams down. This one comes down to who has more dog in the fight.
16. Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs Memphis
One reason why bowl season is so special is because it occasionally features matchups between teams that are polar opposites of each other. Memphis has a lot of offensive firepower and is averaging nearly 40 PPG with the over hitting in 9 out of its 10 games this season. The Cyclones, on the other hand, have thrived in sloppier, defensive contests with ISU games averaging a total of 47 PPG this season. We’re either getting a track meet or a typical state of Iowa football game.
15. Duke’s Mayo Bowl: North Carolina vs West Virginia
Six weeks ago, UNC was 6-0 and ranked #10 in the country with a legitimate shot at an ACC title. Now the Tar Heels are competing in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Nothing against the bowl game, but talk about a 180. The last time these two teams played was in the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl with the Mountaineers coming out on top 31-30 in Pat White’s final game. While there’s a 95% chance Drake Maye sits out, at least one coach with the last name “Brown” will get doused with mayo after the game.
14. Music City Bowl: Auburn vs Maryland
An SEC vs B1G matchup that I like for a couple of reasons. Most notably, this is a game where both teams will actually be very motivated and give a damn. Taulia Tagovailoa will suit up for the Terps one final time and is up against an Auburn team that wants to right a wrong following that heartbreaking Iron Bowl defeat.
13. LA Bowl: UCLA vs Boise State
It’s practically a home game for the Bruins, except it’s 30-minute drive south to SoFi Stadium. The Bruins are a weird team this season that has had quarterback issues but has a great defense led by future first-round pick Laiatu Latu to back it up. On the other sideline, Boise State has had a roller coaster of a successful season. Not too often do you see a team fire its head coach midseason then turn around and win a conference title, but the Broncos said “hold my beer.” They also have one of the most underrated and electric players in the sport in RB Ashton Jeanty. It will be an interesting matchup between him and that Latu-led Bruins front.
12. Armed Forces Bowl: James Madison vs Air Force
JMU got what they wanted and ultimately deserved. Now it’s time for the Dukes to make a statement on national television. While Curt Cignetti’s departure to Indiana will impact the game, there is no question that JMU will be locked in for this one. Air Force started off the year 8-0 and seemed like the surefire NY6 bowl candidate before dropping its last four. Maybe a few weeks off and a mental reset is all the Falcons need to get back to their winning ways.
11. Holiday Bowl: USC vs #15 Louisville
No Caleb Williams shoots down some of the intrigue, plus Louisville got low key snubbed of a NY6 bid. One side is broken and the other is pissed off. I still ranked it fairly high because this can still be a good game like most Holiday Bowls turn out to be.
10. Cure Bowl: App State vs Miami (OH)
Neither team was ever really a true NY6 bowl contender, but they were certainly in the tier below it in the Group of Five. App State won five straight to punch a ticket to the Sun Belt title game before Troy brought them back down to earth. The Redhawks won their conference title game though, and did so with dominant defense. M-OH overcame a Brett Gabbert injury along the way too, proving that they can deal with adversity. An overall great game to kick off bowl season.
9. Sun Bowl: #21 Oregon State vs #15 Notre Dame
An interesting matchup that has swung in the Fighting Irish’s favor with Oregon State’s coach leaving as well as its quarterback. It is also the third meeting between the two programs, highlighted by an Oregon State 41-9 route in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl that was led by Beaver QB Jonathan Smith and WR Chad Johnson.
8. Citrus Bowl: #21 Tennessee vs #17 Iowa
Am I ignorant for thinking this is actually a fantastic matchup? A great defensive mind in Kirk Ferentz against a great offensive mind in Josh Heupel. A true sickos bowl.
7. Pop Tarts Bowl: #25 Kansas State vs #18 NC State
The mascot for this game is an actual edible Pop Tart which is amazing. This will also be a good game between two teams that have had similar paths this season and are evenly matched on both sides of the ball. It’s also Kansas State’s first-ever bowl game in the Sunshine state and an opportunity for NC State to reach 10 wins for the first time since 2002.
6. Cotton Bowl: #9 Missouri vs #7 Ohio State
The amount of offensive weapons in this game is absurd, making it totally worth the price of admission. While it’s up in the air whether or not Heisman finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. and/or Emeka Egbuka will play, the Buckeyes have two first-round talents in the two at WR as well as the ever-so elusive RB TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield. Missouri QB Brady Cook is a big-armed talent that has a great nucleus around him with Doak Walker Award finalist RB Cody Schrader and dynamic WRs Luther Burden III and OU transfer Theo Wease. Missouri can put an exclamation point on a sensational year with a win while OSU is still salty following yet another loss to “the team up north.”
5. Peach Bowl: #11 Ole Miss vs #10 Penn State
With a PSU win here, James Franklin will have four different NY6 trophies in 10 seasons. As for Ole Miss, the only reason they got a NY6 nod is because of FSU getting bumped out of the playoffs.
This should be a fun matchup between a dynamic offense in Ole Miss and a stout defense in Penn State, and I’d expect both 10-2 teams to show up as most Franklin and Kiffin-led teams do in the postseason. I like this game a lot. The tailgating in this one will go crazy too.
4. Alamo Bowl: #14 Arizona vs #12 Oklahoma
A classic Big 12 vs SEC matchup. (See what I did there?)
Arizona is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now after capping off the regular season with six-straight wins in a loaded conference. This will be a big stepping stone for the Cats as they take on a high-flying offense that is now without its OC Jeff Lebby and QB Dillon Gabriel. Albeit, this is going to be a fun big-boy matchup between two teams that have over performed this season and can make this a shootout. Easily the best non-NY6 bowl of the season.
3. Orange Bowl: #6 Georgia vs #5 Florida State
The hate for Alabama in this game is going to be off the charts. That’s if FSU doesn’t pull out because they got all-time jipped. If the Noles do show up, they have a great chance to shock the nation and claim their own national title with a win like UCF did back in 2017. Easier said than done though. Georgia is still Georgia.
2. Sugar Bowl: #3 Texas vs #2 Washington
A 2022 Alamo Bowl rematch between two programs that were doubted to even be in a playoff game. It’s also a perfect opportunity to truly determine whether or not “Texas is back,” or for the Pac 12 to go out with an absolute bang and earn its first CFP win since 2014 when the playoff was born. Expect an amazing game to go down in New Orleans with the winner most likely being an underdog against the victor of the other playoff game in the natty.
- Rose Bowl: #4 Alabama vs #1 Michigan
Can Harbaugh finally win a CFP semifinal game or does Saban return to college football supremacy?
Easily the best bowl game of the season in a matchup between two of the most storied programs in the history of the sport who just may be the two most complete teams in the country this season. The Rose Bowl has featured dozens of historically epic games and this one is shaping up to be yet another instant classic.