Bowl Game Rankings: Sure. Whatever.
21. AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN
West Virginia vs Tennessee
This was supposed to be one of the better games of the bowl season last year, and Kansas State and Navy sure didn’t disappoint. This isn’t going to be that. Both West Virginia and Tennessee are looking for a spark, but the Vols got that in the bowl win over Indiana last year and it didn’t seem to matter. This becomes the season-maker for the winner.
Line: West Virginia -4, o/u: 45.5
Last Season: Navy 20, Kansas State 17
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 6
Last year final bowl season ranking: 7
20. Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Friday, January 1
ABC, 1:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Northwestern vs Auburn
Northwestern has one of the best head coaches in the business, and Auburn is trying to find its new head man. Kevin Steele will be the interim head coach, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is about to be wooed by the NFL, and …
These two might play a dull game that kicks off just as Georgia and Cincinnati start the second quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach. Northwestern games are struggles to watch as is, however, they’re the perfect hangover-nap watch on New Year’s Day.
Line: Northwestern -3.5, o/u: 45.5
Last Season: Alabama 35, Michigan 16
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 12
Last year final bowl season ranking: 16
18. Mercari Texas Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 8:00 pm
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TCU vs Arkansas
Let’s just do that old Southwest Conference thing. There should be a decent energy for this, TCU is forgiven for its part in the 2018 Cheez-It, and Arkansas should be fired up to be in a bowl game no matter what. TCU closed strong, it’s a program-builder for Arkansas, and it has one key distinction.
This is the last sporting event of 2020.
Line: TCU -5, o/u: 55.5
Last Season: Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 14
Last year final bowl season ranking: 14
17. Valero Alamo Bowl
Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 9:00 pm
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Texas vs Colorado
Does anyone besides me care that this will probably make me miss the Big 12? This has the potential to be among the worst of the bowl games if Tom Herman’s team goes Tom Herman team in a bowl game – the guy owns these things – and Colorado’s season never really got going. The Buffs will bring the defense and the running game.
Line: Texas -12.5, o/u: 64.5
Last Season: Texas 38, Utah 10
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 13
Last year final bowl season ranking: 38
16. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Tulsa vs Mississippi State
Get past that a mediocre Mississippi State squad is here instead of, say, Army in something called the Armed Forces Bowl. The Bulldogs have improved in a big way late in the season, and Tulsa doesn’t seem to know how to play uninteresting games. This could be one of those stepping-stone moments for Mike Leach and Miss State.
Line: Tulsa -1.5, o/u: 49.5
Last Season: Last Season: Tulane 30, Southern Miss 13
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 21
Last year final bowl season ranking: 32
– Bowls. Yes. Bowls
– Bowls that won’t suck
– Watch or die