From the overall quality to the best and worst games of each day, here's a comprehensive look at this year’s bowl slate.
Saturday, Dec. 17AFR Celebration Bowl: N.C. Central vs. Grambling State, Noon
Gildan New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico vs. UTSA, 2 p.m.
Las Vegas Bowl: Houston vs. San Diego State, 3:30 p.m.
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Toledo, 5:30 p.m.
AutoNation Cure Bowl: UCF vs. Arkansas State, 5:30 p.m.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. UL Lafayette, 9 p.m.
Watchability rating: 6/10
Game to watch: Houston vs. San Diego State
Presto’s pointers: The Cougars made a big splash on Labor Day weekend with an upset of Oklahoma. Now, Major Applewhite takes over the helm in the wake of coach Tom Herman leaving for Texas. But can their defense contain Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (2,018 yards rushing in 2016)?
Frank’s assessment: Carve out some time mid-afternoon to see the Greg Ward/Donnel Pumphrey showdown, if you want. The latter is just 108 yards from setting the career FBS rushing record. Otherwise, preserve your strength for the later dates.
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Monday, Dec. 19Miami Beach Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Tulsa, 2:30 p.m.
Watchability rating: 3/10
Presto’s pointers: The Golden Hurricanes finished the fall on a 5-1 run and were two points away from taking the AAC West. The Chippewas’ 3-0 start included a win that shouldn’t have counted at Oklahoma State, but anytime Cowboys coach Mike Gundy throws a tantrum, we’re all winners.
Frank’s assessment: Unless you’re an alum, no need to take the day off to catch this one.
(AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
AP Photo/Brody Schmidt
Tuesday, Dec. 20Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.
Watchability rating: 8/10
Presto’s pointers: No NFL game to complete with and an evening kickoff between two winning teams. What’s not to like? The Hilltoppers won Conference USA and finished the season with seven straight victories, while the Tigers put 40+ points on the board three times in November. Tree decorating is delayed another day.
Frank’s assessment: Only one team in college football had Alabama on the schedule and still managed to win 10 games, and it wasn’t USC. Western Kentucky might have the honor of “best team you’ve never heard of” this bowl season, making them slight favorites over a Memphis team that upset then-No. 20 Houston in its final game. But the Tigers are dangerous, and sport some of the best uniforms in the country.
(AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
AP Photo/Nikki Boertman
Wednesday, Dec. 21San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. Wyoming, 9 p.m.
Watchability rating: 7/10
Presto’s pointers: My UVA friends marvel how well the Cougars did in the first year AFTER Bronco Mendenhall departed Provo.
Frank’s assessment: Without QB Taysom Hill, BYU just isn’t the same exciting team that fought through five straight nail-biters decided by a combined total of just 11(!) points to open the season. Wyoming nearly won the Mountain West and has beaten some good teams this year, including Boise State. This should be a grind, but ought to be a close game.
(AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
AP Photo/Nikki Boertman
Thursday, Dec. 22Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Idaho vs. Colorado State, 7 p.m.
Watchability rating: 7/10
Presto’s pointers: The ranking is only so high because my mother is an alum of one of the schools, and my Uncle Chris runs a chocolate shop in the city where the game is being played. Somehow the Vandals are in the Sun Belt Conference, meaning teams travel from Troy, Alabama, and other points to Moscow, Idaho every other year. My condolences …
Frank’s assessment: There’s a strange subplot to this game, as Idaho is backing its way out of the FBS, and will compete in the FCS starting next year. That means this may be the last bowl game for the Vandals … ever.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
AP Photo/John Locher
Friday, Dec. 23Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion, 1 p.m.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Navy, 4:30 p.m.
Dollar General Bowl: Ohio vs. Troy, 8 p.m.
Watchability rating: 5/10
Game to watch: Louisiana Tech vs. Navy. Remember those Pittsburgh-Dallas Super Bowls where Terry Bradshaw squared off with Roger Staubach? Their alma maters meet in Fort Worth. Expect an offensive afternoon — the Bulldogs scored 44 points per game, while the Midshipmen tallied 39 per contest.
Dave’s dog: Eastern Michigan vs Old Dominion. The Monarchs didn’t have a Division I program 10 years ago, while Nassau didn’t have a Popeye’s until 2015.
Frank’s assessment: Navy’s late-season injuries took them out of New Year’s Day bowl competition, and took the sting out of the once-potent offense. Looking for a decent team hiding in the mix? How about Troy? It took Clemson to the wire at Death Valley and scored 410 points this season, more than North Carolina, USC or West Virginia.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Saturday, Dec. 24Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m.
Watchability rating: 2/10
Presto’s pointers: I’ve been told that the 6-7 Rainbow Warriors will have a slight home-field advantage, as they not only play at Aloha Stadium but the school and bowl share the SAME NAME. They couldn’t have called this the “Aloha” or “Luau” Bowl, just for giggles? Stay away from the poi. With the NFL playing a full slate, you’ve got to give me something special or I’m watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Or “Die Hard.” Similar plots, if you ask me.
Frank’s assessment: Sure, the ‘Bows get a home game, but the only real winners here are the Blue Raiders, who get to leave Murfreesboro for islands despite losing to Vandy, UTSA and Marshall by a combined 68 points this year. This is officially the depths of the bowl season.
(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
AP Photo/Marco Garcia
Monday, Dec. 26St. Petersburg Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Mississippi State, 11 a.m.
Quick Lane Bowl: Maryland vs. Boston College, 2:30 p.m.
Camping World Independence Bowl: N.C. State vs. Vanderbilt, 5 p.m.
Watchability rating: 6/10
Game to watch: Maryland vs Boston College. They’re billing this as a “showdown of former ACC Rivals.” I have Terp friends who are still getting used to Florida State joining the league, let alone BC. Both teams are bowling despite taking serious lumps in league play — while the Terps lost games to Michigan and Ohio State by 56 and 59 points, the Eagles suffered defeats of 36, 38, 45 and 49 points. And this remains the best game of the day.
Dave’s dog: Miami (OH) vs. Mississippi State. The Bulldogs went 5-7. 5-7! I’m all about the kids enjoying the rewards for working hard and appreciate the need for ESPN to force-feed us product, but seriously? The 11 a.m. kickoff doesn’t help matters, either.
Frank’s assessment: Consider this: Miami started the season 0-6 and could finish it with a winning record. Never mind that the RedHawks’ only victory over a winning team came at the expense of 7-5 Eastern Michigan. As bad at Mississippi State was at times, this should be a romp. Also, could Maryland/BC be the lowest-scoring game of bowl season? I can’t wait to find out!
(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
AP Photo/Nick Wass, File
Tuesday, Dec. 27Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl: Army West Point vs. North Texas, Noon
Military Bowl: Temple vs. Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m.
National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State, 7 p.m.
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Boise State vs. Baylor, 10:15 p.m.
Watchability rating: 7/10
Game to watch: Boise State vs Baylor. The Broncos and the Bears have been two of the more notorious “outsiders” to challenge college football royalty over the last decade … and Baylor has a new coach in place after hiring Temple’s Matt Rhule. Even with the late kickoff, we’ll leave the light on for you.
Dave’s dog: Army West Point vs North Texas. The Mean Green may be 5-7, but one of their wins came against Army by 17 on the road. Rematches from the regular season are always tricky during the bowl season.
Frank’s assessment: It’s a shame we couldn’t see high-flying Washington State against another explosive offensive team. Minnesota’s played some good teams tough this year, but the Gophers will never be accused of playing beautiful football.
(AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger)
AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger
Wednesday, Dec. 28New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern, 2 p.m.
Russell Athletic Bowl: West Virginia vs. Miami (FL), 5:30 p.m.
Foster Farms Bowl: Indiana vs. Utah, 8:30 p.m.
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Kansas State, 9 p.m.
Watchability rating: 8/10
Game to watch: West Virginia vs Miami. Call this the “behavior bowl,” from the Mountaineer fans in the stands to the Hurricane players on the field and the sideline. Mark Richt’s team finished the regular season with four straight wins, all by double digits. Matthew McConaughey’s look-alike led WVU to a 10-0 mark against schools outside the state of Oklahoma.
Dave’s dog: Utah vs Indiana. Not a horrible game, but the weakest of a slate that includes Pitt’s James Conner playing his final game and Texas A&M-Kansas State. And should the Hoosiers be focused on defense and rebounding?
Frank’s assessment: The nightcap features two teams heading in totally different directions. The Aggies lost six of their final eight following a 6-0 start, while the Fightin’ Snyders won their last three and five of their final six games, including road blowouts at Baylor and TCU. With the extra time for A&M to patch its wounds, that could turn out to be the best matchup of the day.
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
AP Photo/Ron Jenkins
Thursday, Dec. 29Birmingham Bowl: USF vs. South Carolina, 2 p.m.
Belk Bowl: Arkansas vs. Virginia Tech, 5:30 p.m.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Colorado, 9 p.m.
Watchability rating: 8/10
Game to watch: Colorado vs. Oklahoma State. Both schools could have made cases for spots in the College Football Playoff had they won games the first weekend of December. While the Cowboys possess a high-octane offense behind quarterback Mason Rudolph (his 3,777 passing yards rank eighth in FBS), the Buffaloes three losses have all come to teams currently in the top 10.
Dave’s dog: South Florida vs. South Carolina. Can’t they get a little creative and name the game after something instead of the city? USF quarterback Quinton Flowers blew through Navy’s defense like a blowtorch through butter during the regular season, and the Gamecocks are fresh off allowing 56 points to Clemson. Gulp.
Frank’s assessment: The quality improves as this day wears on, with a matchup of top 15 teams that doesn’t kick off until 9 p.m. Many will get home in time to catch most of the Belk Bowl as well, so while the quality is there, it’s tough to advocate for killing a vacation day here.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Friday, Dec. 30AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU, Noon
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. North Carolina, 2 p.m.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl: South Alabama vs. Air Force, 5:30 p.m.
Capital One Orange Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida State, 8 p.m.
Watchability rating: 9/10
Game to watch: Michigan vs. Florida State. Both teams had Novembers to remember … but while the Seminoles went 4-0 and blasted in-state rival Florida, the Wolverines lost two of their last three games by a combined four points. And then there’s the halftime show.
Dave’s dog: Tennessee vs. Nebraska. All the ingredients for a bad bowl are in place. Underwhelming teams from big name conferences? Teams that slumped to the finish line? It’s tough to figure who had a worse November — the Volunteers’ loss to Vanderbilt rivaled a 2-3 month for the Cornhuskers that ended with a 30-point defeat to Iowa. Add a cumbersome sponsor name and you have a blah bowl, my friends.
Frank’s assessment: I don’t actually think this slate will produce that many exciting games, but with five to choose from, there’s bound to be one standout. Just don’t expect it to be Air Force-South Alabama. Also, it’s a good thing the Seminoles will have some measure of home field advantage. That might be the only thing that keeps them from getting run out of the stadium by Michigan.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Saturday, Dec. 31Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: LSU vs. Louisville, 11 a.m.
TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky, 11 a.m.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Washington vs. Alabama, 3 p.m.
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Ohio State vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.
Watchability rating: 10/10
Game to watch: Both semifinals. Relevant games that mean something in the national title picture. … I almost forgot what that looked like.
Dave’s dog: Georgia Tech vs Kentucky. Sorry, I want to call this the Gator Bowl. And it starts at 11 on a Saturday morning. The only sporting event that should be viewed before noon on a Saturday is the former NBC show “Hangtime!” and even then only the Dick Butkus seasons.
Frank’s assessment: We couldn’t have had this Citrus Bowl matchup some other evening? It’s a shame to waste the early time slot on what promises to be one of the best-of-the-rest bowls, with our final shot of seeing Lamar Jackson. I actually expect the first playoff matchup to be more entertaining, even if the final score is closer in the late game.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Monday, Jan. 2Outback Bowl: Florida vs. Iowa, 1 p.m.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin, 1 p.m.
Rose Bowl: USC vs. Penn State, 5 p.m.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. Oklahoma, 8:30 p.m.
Watchability rating: 5/10
Game to watch: Penn State vs. USC. The Nittany Lions have a case for playoff inclusion with nine straight wins and a Big Ten championship, while the Trojans won eight straight after finding their quarterback. And even though it’s the 21st century, nothing beats the sunset in Pasadena when the Trojans are playing and their marching band is playing Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk.”
Dave’s dog: Florida vs Iowa. It’s tough to compete with Cinderella Western Michigan against Wisconsin in the Cotton and Auburn-Oklahoma in the Sugar. While the Hawkeyes salvaged their season by upsetting Michigan and Nebraska, the Gators lost three of their last five games by 20+ points. Finally, after three weeks of feasting on football, can you even look at a blooming onion?
Frank’s assessment: I vehemently disagree with the quality of this day’s games. If you don’t automatically get Jan. 2 off, you’re no doubt already working to try to make sure you’re able to. And if you’re a college football fan, you’ll definitely want to be in front of the TV by 1 p.m. when the Broncos try to “Row the Boat” right through Wisconsin to a perfect season. Both the Rose and Sugar Bowl games promise compelling matchups as well, making this the best non-playoff slate of the season.
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Dave has been in the D.C. area for 10 years and in addition to working at WTOP since 2002 has also been on the air at Westwood One/CBS Radio as well as Red Zebra Broadcasting (Redskins Network).
