10. Camping World Bowl: Iowa State vs Notre Dame
Saturday, December 28th, 12:00 PM
Under Matt Campbell, Iowa State has gone from being a potentially-pesky doormat to being an always-pesky potential contender. The Cyclones only play close games now, no matter how good the competition. This team is solid on both sides of the ball and is always well-coached. Notre Dame would love to have that, and if Brian Kelly leaves they’ll be looking right at Matt Campbell as a potential replacement. This should be a great game that doesn’t need the underlying intrigue to add to it, but that can’t hurt, either.
9. Allstate Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs Baylor
Wednesday, January 1st, 8:45 PM
It’s hard to get too excited about this game, both with the late start time and with the way Georgia’s offense has looked this season. The Bulldogs also came out flat in last year’s Sugar Bowl, which doesn’t give much hope for this year. Matt Rhule has done an amazing job with the Baylor program, and the defense is legit, but it’s hard to get excited about watching a defensive struggle late into the night on New Years.
8. Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
Saturday, December 21st, 7:30 PM
I have zero idea what will or could happen in this game, but this is one that any college football fan can’t miss. It’s a fitting send-off in the final game (for now) coached by the man who made both of these programs what they are now. Chris Petersen brought Boise State into the national spotlight with the famous Fiesta Bowl upset over Oklahoma, followed a few years later by–by far–the greatest ever four-year run by a team from outside the power conferences. Petersen also transformed Washington from a poor-to-middling Pac 12 team to one that reached the College Football Playoff in 2016, and the Huskies have been a potential contender ever since. I doubt either team will actually care about the outcome of this game. They just want to respect a coach beloved by both programs. Heck, every single play in this game should be a statue of liberty or a hook-and-lateral. I would love every second of that.
7. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Memphis vs Penn State
Saturday, December 28th, 12:00 PM
This game should be higher, but a few things are holding it out. First of all, Memphis is missing its coach. Second, while Penn State is a really good team, it’s a bit uninspiring. The Nittany Lions win comfortably, but they don’t really blow teams out. They just play solid football and capitalize on mistakes. This has the potential to be a great game; it also has the potential to be a bit boring, though. While we hope it’s the former, we know that there’s a risk of the latter. And with another good game at the exact same time, that could mean that this game gets a bit passed over.
6. San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl: USC vs Iowa
Friday, December 27th, 8:00 PM
This should be a really good game between two really good teams. Iowa has a very efficient offense and a surprisingly strong defense. The Hawkeyes have played every team close this year, and should have the talent and speed in the secondary to somewhat slow down this Trojans passing attack led by Kedon Slovis. Expect a close, clean, well-played game that either team can win. It’s just good college football.
5. Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs Auburn
Wednesday, January 1st, 1:00 PM
I know that this game will get drowned out by the Citrus Bowl and that Auburn is widely viewed as the better team. Minnesota had a chance at the greatest season in school history, but the Golden Gophers lost two of their final three. Still, a quality win against a really good team and an 11-2 season are on the line. Minnesota’s season is nowhere near as backloaded next year as this year, so if the Gophers want to start out 9-0 again, they’ll need some momentum in this game. P.J. Fleck is doing incredible things in Minneapolis. But the result of this game will likely determine whether this season is viewed as a product of a weak early schedule or a real sign of a new strong program. I want to know the answer to that, too.
4. Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: Wisconsin vs Oregon
Wednesday, January 1st, 5:00 PM
The Badgers are looking to avenge a loss in the 2012 Rose Bowl as well as prove that they can beat top teams, just not Ohio State. This is a really good football program, looking for its third Top 10 finish in the last four years. A resurgent Oregon team under a new and talented coach stands in their way. This should be a great game, and I can’t wait to see it.
3. Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl: Oklahoma vs LSU
Saturday, December 28th, 4:00 PM
I will forgive Buckeye fans who miss this game because they’re too busy preparing for Ohio State’s game. Still, this is a Playoff game and should be a pretty good one. Buckeye fans also enjoy seeing Joe Burrow do well, so there’s plenty of hometown-centric action here too.
2. VRBO Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs Alabama
Wednesday, January 1st, 1:00 PM
Why do I have this game at No. 2? It’s simple–I see three possible outcomes for this game (one far less likely than the other two), and all of them are great foe Ohio State. Either Michigan gets crushed by a dialed-in and focused Alabama team, which would be great to see. Second, maybe Alabama comes out clearly flat and disinterested, but the game is still close–simultaneously embarrassing both Alabama and Michigan at the same time. Lastly, the least-likely possibility is that Alabama comes out playing good football, but Michigan rises up and wins anyway. This would simultaneously damage the perception of Alabama’s continues dynasty, as well as set the stage for preseason hype for The Game at levels that we haven’t seen in a very long time.
1. Playstation Fiesta Bowl: Clemson vs Ohio State
Saturday, December 28th, 8:00 PM
Barring an emergency, every Buckeye fan is watching this game. I don’t need to give reasons why. Any superlatives I try to write will only detract from the obviousness of why this game is No. 1.