It is the holiday season which always coincides with Bowl Season! This is our last chance to watch college football during the 2021 season and what a season it has been. Honestly I don’t want it to end but all good things must come to an end. That’s the rule (from what I’ve been told).
After last year’s complete shitshow of a bowl season, I am going back to the College Football Broadcasting Ranking System. It works as it shows what games everyone can enjoy and what games only complete lunatics like myself will enjoy. Strap in and let’s get going!
10 out of 10! Put these games on ABC in primetime!
This is game of the year stuff right here. So, as per usual, both College Football Playoff games and the top two New Year’s Six games show up here.
Orange Bowl – Michigan vs. Georgia (Dec. 31, 7:30, TSN3/TSN5) – Two amazing defenses. Aidan Hutchinson on one side, one of the most historically amazing defenses (bar the SEC Championship) on the other side. Not saying this will automatically be a defensive affair but don’t expect a Big XII-style shootout. I would say this is easily the most anticipated bowl game of the season. This should be a great competitive game which will finish very close to the time the clock strikes midnight on 2021. My pick: Georgia 24-20.
Cotton Bowl – Alabama vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 31, 3:30, TSN3/TSN5) – Ugh, semi-finals on New Year’s Eve. Not that I’m huge into going out on NYE anymore. It’s not that I’m too old, it’s more that I don’t see the point in paying three times the amount for everything to go out drinking when it’s possibly freezing out and yeah I’m sounding old. Anyway, there are two ways this could go and I sure hope it’s the one where the Bearcats keep it close. Fingers crossed. My pick: Alabama 43-34.
Peach Bowl – Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 30, 7:00, TSN3/TSN5) – This is a VERY intriguing matchup. Two different ways these teams generate offense: Kenny Pickett and the pass vs. Kenneth Walker III and the run. The Peach Bowl seems to always come up with a great game and this should be no exception. My pick: Michigan State 37-32.
Rose Bowl – Ohio State vs. Utah (Jan. 1, 5:00, TSN1/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5) – The biggest thing here is whether the Utes can handle the pressure of the first Rose Bowl in team history. The Kyle Whittingham rumours will be flowing throughout the game I’m sure. Honestly, this is huge for the Pac-12 as a whole as they have been the runt of the Power Five litter for a while now and need a favourable outcome. I just don’t think it will happen here. My pick: Ohio State 37-24.
9 out of 10! I would even go so far as to say some of these could approach SEC on CBS in PRIMETIME!
This is going to change a couple years from now but during daylight hours, nothing beats the SEC on CBS.
Sugar Bowl – Ole Miss vs. Baylor (Jan. 1, 8:45, TSN1/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5) – Not quite the worst of the NY6 bunch meaning it will still probably be an amazing game. These two squads have a lot to be proud of this season and will want to keep that momentum going into what could be a national championship contending season in 2022. It’s going to be another amazing offense vs. tough defense game so we will see who breaks first. Get your popcorn ready. My pick: Ole Miss 39-30.
Fiesta Bowl – Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State (Jan. 1, 1:00, TSN3/TSN5) – One team has a new head coach after theirs bolted for LSU. The other team was so close to crashing the CFP party (possibly at Cincinnati’s expense). Touchdown Jesus vs. The Mullet. This will totally overshadow the other bowl game on at the exact same time. ESPN just doesn’t understand nor do I think they care. My pick: Notre Dame 34-20.
Alamo Bowl – Oklahoma vs. Oregon (Dec. 29, 9:15, specialty pack) – The best non-NY6 bowl and it’s also the Interim Coach Bowl. It’s the return of Bob Stoops to coach the Sooners. I think they need to get Mike Bellotti to coach the Ducks to make things even. Both teams disappointed this season so they are playing for some pride here. Oklahoma has to be the favourite here with Kayvon Thibodaux deciding to skip the bowl and declare for the NFL Draft. My pick: Oklahoma 35-29.
Frisco Bowl – San Diego State vs. UTSA (Dec. 21, 7:30, TSN1) – The best pre-Christmas bowl game is surprisingly in Frisco. Two teams who probably deserved better bowl destinations face off in a big Group of Five battle. This should be a close one and we shall see if the Roadrunners are for real or not. My pick: UTSA 36-33.
8 out of 10! This is FOX territory. Definitely a BIG NOON SATURDAY kind of game!
You will never see Kansas in these games, just like they are never on Big Noon Saturday. Can you even imagine GUS JOHNSON calling a Kansas game?
Gator Bowl – Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest (Dec. 31, 11:00 AM, specialty pack) – Not quite the Alamo Bowl but still a great bowl game. If it’s anything like their last meeting, this will be a barnburner. Now watch one team completely blow out the other. My pick: Texas A&M 49-40.
Cheez-It Bowl – Iowa State vs. Clemson (Dec. 29, 5:45, specialty pack) – The team who was still the favourite to win the ACC and disappointed big time takes on the team who was expected to at least challenge for a spot in the Big XII Championship. It will be interesting to see how Dabo Swinney deals with both coordinators leaving in the last couple weeks. I think it’s the loss of Brent Venables that will be bigger here as the Cyclones can pile on the points. My pick: Iowa State 33-13.
Holiday Bowl – NC State vs. UCLA (Dec. 28, 8:00, FOX) – The only bowl on FOX this year so we know we will get GUS JOHNSON on the call. Nice! I wonder if Chip Kelly will even be the Bruins head coach by the time we hit gameday. Now with Clemson being knocked down a peg, NC State seems like an ideal candidate to rise up the ranks so they are looking to get some momentum going into 2022. My pick: NC State 32-31.
Citrus Bowl – Kentucky vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1:00, ABC) – I wonder why Mark Stoops didn’t get more looks from teams looking for a new head coach. He has a chance to put another ten-win season on the board for the Wildcats. They will have to try and figure out the stingy defense of Iowa in this one. Take the under. My pick: Kentucky 17-13.
7 out of 10! I’ll call this ESPN…on Saturday…or maybe Thursday night…but not always Saturday late night
Casual fans may skip these but college football fans will consider these still must-see bowl games.
Outback Bowl – Arkansas vs. Penn State (Jan. 1, Noon, specialty pack) – This is an interesting spot. Penn State was supposed to be better but had some injuries and some bad luck. Arkansas had a great season and was in the Top 25 for a while. It would be easy to say the Nittany Lions don’t care about this bowl game but I’m sure they do. James Franklin won’t let them not care. My pick: Arkansas 27-12.
Music City Bowl – Tennessee vs. Purdue (Dec. 30, 3:00, TSN3) – This could be a dark horse contender for bowl game of the season. It’s buried on New Year’s Eve Eve so it might be overlooked but you should not overlook it. If David Bell plays this would have gone up a section but no one knows if he will so I have to hedge my bets. My pick: Purdue 44-41.
Boca Raton Bowl – Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 18, 11:00 AM, TSN4) – I’m sure WKU is going to try to throw for a thousand yards in this one. App State will reply with a good rushing attack going up against a horrible Hilltoppers run defense. If you like offense, this is one of the games for you. My pick: Appalachian State 41-35.
LA Bowl – Oregon State vs. Utah State (Dec. 18, 7:30, ABC) – Jimmy Kimmel sponsors this bowl. I used to watch Kimmel back in the day. His talk show? Not so much. I still don’t get why they didn’t get UCLA here but I’m done trying to figure that out. My pick: Oregon State 24-23.
Las Vegas Bowl – Wisconsin vs. Arizona State (Dec. 30, 10:30, specialty pack) – Jesus Christ, I hope the city gets all the beer they can get for this one. Expect a lot of ground game from the Badgers, relatively uninspired football from the Sun Devils (even though it has somehow worked most of the season) and the smell of Coors and puke in the stands. My pick: Wisconsin 35-25.
6 out of 10. Even when Toledo plays Notre Dame, it somehow becomes exciting.
NBC is all about quality over quantity. OK I lied. NBC is about Notre Dame. Saying that, even in a down year, a lot of people watch Notre Dame football so they have to be in the upper half of these rankings.
Independence Bowl – UAB vs. BYU (Dec. 18, 3:30, ABC/TSN3) – This is a terrible tie-in for the Cougs. They should have got something better but that’s the life of a non-Notre Dame Independent team. Anyway, they get their shot to finish as a Top 10 team against a rather tough UAB team that shouldn’t be overlooked. Honestly, I see BYU taking out a lot of their frustrations on the Blazers. My pick: BYU 52-14.
Birmingham Bowl – Auburn vs. Houston (Dec. 28, Noon, specialty pack) – Now this is how you get a sellout. Auburn’s fans will pack UAB’s new stadium so it will feel like a home crowd for the Tigers. It could be tough sledding against a really good Cougars team led by Marcus Jones, one of the best return men ever. My pick: Houston 28-27.
New Orleans Bowl – Louisiana vs. Marshall (Dec. 18, 9:15, specialty pack) – The Ragin Cajuns are back at the Superdome. Should be loud and at least half full. My pick: Louisiana 41-36.
Cure Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois (Dec. 17, 6:00, TSN2) – The best quarterback in college football history (if you go by QB Rating) will lead the Chants into Orlando to face the MAC Champs. This game could be done in a little over two hours as both teams love to run the ball. My pick: Coastal Carolina 26-13.
5 out of 10. ESPN2 and FS1 get good games every so often.
I’d say that happens at least a few times for each of these channels during the college football year. I mean it sucks that Canadians don’t get FOX Sports One but it is what it is.
First Responder Bowl – Air Force vs. Louisville (Dec. 28, 3:15, specialty pack) – Louisville barely got to bowl eligibility and struggled quite often during the season. Air Force, of course, ran the ball a ton and looked good all year. Unless Malik Cunningham puts the Cards on his shoulders, this game might not be too close. My pick: Air Force 29-14.
Sun Bowl – Miami vs. Washington State (Dec. 31, 12:30, CBS) – Both teams will have new coaches next season. So who knows where either of these teams are at going into a bowl game that possibly neither team wants to be in. My pick: Miami 24-18.
Fenway Bowl – Virginia vs. SMU (Dec. 29, 11:00 AM, specialty pack) – My curiosity is all about how this game looks at Fenway Park. I would love to see a quarterback rifle a ball too high and it just caroms off the Green Monster. You want people to be interested in a game like this? Have the wall be in play. I would definitely watch that. My pick: Virginia 20-17.
Liberty Bowl – Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech (Dec. 28, 6:45, specialty pack) – The Mike Leach Bowl! The Air Raid up against a team that struggles to stop the pass. This feels like a blowout. My pick: Mississippi State 44-19.
4 out of 10. ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network…take your pick.
I call these the unsung heroes of college football broadcasting. They give you a ton of games and you’re assured of at least one of them every week being a really good one. Maybe the Big XII will wake up now and realize a conference network is a good thing.
Gasparilla Bowl – UCF vs. Florida (Dec. 23, 7:00, specialty pack) – This has already sold out. Is it safe to say UCF should be heavily favoured here? Well they aren’t; however, any time a team loses their head coach before a bowl game it’s a red flag. Couple that with the fact that I’m sure the Gators feel like they are slumming it in this bowl game leads me to believe this won’t be that close. My pick: UCF 40-28.
Quick Lane Bowl – Nevada vs. Western Michigan (Dec. 27, 11:00 AM, TSN5) – Expect a lot of points in this one. This is probably the final game for Carson Strong so he will be flinging the ball all over the field. WMU upset Pitt and scored a boatload of points in conference play. It will be a nice thing to watch while you finish your brunch/begin eating lunch/wake up. My pick: Nevada 41-31.
Arizona Bowl – Boise State vs. Central Michigan (Dec. 31, 2:00, Barstool Sports) – So let me get this straight: this game gets a New Year’s Eve timeslot and will partially go up against the Cotton Bowl and is on the Barstool Sports website which not many people are signed up for. Who fucking thought this was a good idea? My pick: Boise State 42-24.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl – Minnesota vs. West Virginia (Dec. 28, 10:15, TSN1/TSN5) – Both of these teams come into this game on a roll. So at least both teams want to be here. It is the ghost of the old Cheez-It Bowl so hopefully it doesn’t devolve into a TCU-Cal 10-7 type of affair. My pick: Minnesota 32-18.
3 out of 10. CBS Sports Network type games. You’ll head here if it’s close.
CBSSN gets a ton of games every season. Usually four games every Saturday and a bunch of weekday games sprinkled throughout the season. So you’re bound to get a gem in there somewhere but quite often the quality of these games is rather low.
Texas Bowl – LSU vs. Kansas State (Jan. 4, 9:00, TSN5) – This is the only bowl game on between New Year’s Day and the national championship. Saying that, it’s not exactly the greatest matchup. If Ed Orgeron had decided to coach instead of heading off to Destin to get a piece of ass, this might be a lot more interesting. My pick: Kansas State 40-23.
New Mexico Bowl – Fresno State vs. UTEP (Dec. 18, 2:15, TSN4) – Kalen DeBoer, gone. Jake Haener, also gone. So the Bulldogs are going to be a bit shorthanded for this one. As for the Miners, they are limping into this game after a seriously hot start to their season (which almost led to College Gameday heading there). This feels like a game that is just technically a game and nothing more. This would have been on Stadium at best during the season. My pick: Fresno State 23-3.
Military Bowl – Boston College vs. East Carolina (Dec. 27, 2:30, TSN5) – If ECU has another good season in 2022, expect Mike Houston to get a lot of looks. What he has done in Greenville is nothing short of remarkable. And they are a very dangerous underdog here against the Eagles. BC started hot but like a few other teams are crawling into the postseason. This feels ripe for a mini-upset. My pick: East Carolina 34-14.
Armed Forces Bowl – Army vs. Missouri (Dec. 22, 8:00, TSN1) – This could be the worst matchup of bowl season. Army runs the ball. A lot. Mizzou has one of the worst rushing defenses in the nation. This won’t be pretty. My pick: Army 42-9.
2 out of 10. Stupid Pac-12 Network.
Maybe with new commissioner George Kliavkoff things will get better. It can’t get any worse. Larry Scott really dropped the ball with this for years. Anyway, we have now firmly got into insane-o territory.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl – South Carolina vs. North Carolina (Dec. 30, 11:30 AM, TSN3) – Carolina Bragging Rights Game…sort of. Look I’m just interested to see if either coach has the sack to be doused in Duke’s Mayo if their team wins. My pick: North Carolina 23-20 (meaning Mack Brown would get that mayo bath).
LendingTree Bowl – Liberty vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 18, 5:45, specialty pack) – For those who feel this is pointless to watch, let me make a case for at least tuning in for a bit. Malik Willis is competing to be the top quarterback taken in the NFL Draft. This game would be the national spotlight he sorely needs to move up the rankings. Other than that, not much to see here. My pick: Liberty 26-19.
Pinstripe Bowl – Maryland vs. Virginia Tech (Dec. 29, 2:15, TSN3/TSN5) – It is a heartwarming story to see the Terps back in a bowl game for the first time since 2016 (and looking for their first bowl victory since 2010). Lucky for them they had a 4-0 start since they struggled the rest of the way and needed to beat mighty Rutgers to go here. Justin Fuente was fired as the Hokies did not live up to expectations again. Sounds like a broken record. The only hopes this game has for being watchable is it being close near the end or if there is some ridiculous FOOTBAW WEATHER. My pick: Maryland 20-17.
Bahamas Bowl – Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo (Dec. 17, Noon, TSN3/TSN5) – This shouldn’t be a very close game at all. The first bowl game of the season should be played under sunny skies in the Caribbean and with the Blue Raiders getting boatraced by the Rockets. My pick: Toledo 51-24.
1 out of 10. Who watches these games? Guys like me.
Let’s be honest: very few are watching these games. The Too Many Bowl Games crowd uses these as examples of why there are, well, too many bowl games. You won’t be saying that in March when there’s no football to watch at all.
Idaho Potato Bowl – Wyoming vs. Kent State (Dec. 21, 3:30, TSN1) – Again, why does the MAC have a tie-in here? At least this makes sense for the Mountain West. And I’m going to be honest: I am over the blue turf in Boise. It is fine if it’s nasty weather or super cold but otherwise it kind of looks like shit and these gimmicky fields became old a few years ago. My pick: Wyoming 46-31.
Myrtle Beach Bowl – Tulsa vs. Old Dominion (Dec. 20, 2:30, TSN1) – Speaking of off-colour turf. The only thing I hope for is that Tulsa plays a normal Tulsa game, meaning it will be very close. Otherwise it’s two completely average teams and with it being on a weekday afternoon before Christmas, you may not be missing much. My pick: Tulsa 42-39.
Camellia Bowl – Georgia State vs. Ball State (Dec. 25, 2:30, TSN2) – College football on Christmas Day. Will I watch this? Yeah some of it but it might end up being background noise at best. I guess it’s a better timeslot than the same time on a weekday before Christmas (sounds familiar) but still not great. My pick: Georgia State 28-24.
Hawaii Bowl – Memphis vs. Hawaii (Dec. 24, 8:00, TSN2) – This is a good distraction on Christmas Eve while I finish wrapping any final presents that arrived late from Amazon or gift cards I forgot to get weeks earlier. This might not be the most aesthetically pleasing bowl game since it will be played in a high school stadium. The reason for this is that Aloha Stadium is so structurally unsound it makes Legion Field look like a fortress. My pick: Hawaii 36-29.
0 out of 10. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Brutal.
A made-up game. That’s all you need to know here.
Frisco Football Classic – North Texas vs. Miami-OH (Dec. 23, 3:30, specialty pack) – As I said, this bowl was just created so all bowl-eligible teams (plus Hawaii who was 6-7 on the season) could play in a bowl game. I don’t know what to say except that you might be insane if you watch this. Which means I am probably insane. My pick: North Texas 21-10.
Bowl schedule and bowl predictions complete! Now you have info you need (I think) to do pools, either straight up or confidence-style.
I hope you all enjoy the bowl games, all 42 of them…well 43 if you include the national championship.
We are almost done the 2021 NFL regular season so the speculation is getting hot and heavy. Where will Aaron Rodgers end up playing in 2022? Let’s look at the real possibilities (because no Tom Brady isn’t retiring which would lead Tampa Bay to get Rodgers):
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