Complete guide to every 2018-19 bowl game

WASHINGTON — Bowl season is here once again. To get you fired up and help you keep track of each and every one of the 40 FBS postseason games, we’ve given an award to all of them. Whether it’s about the game itself, the teams involved, or some broader topic, hopefully you’ll find them entertaining.

Oh, we’ve also anagrammed each game. Note: Some anagrams include the sponsor name, some do not. All are absurd. Enjoy!

Members of the Alcorn State University Band march in the Krewe of Proteus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. The day is known as Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) — Saturday, Dec. 15 **Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl** North Carolina A&T vs. Alcorn State, Noon (ABC) Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta **Anagram:** Baritone cowbell **Award:** Best Music. Count on the Blue and Gold Marching Machine and the Sounds of Dyn-o-mite to put on a show. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

North Texas quarterback Mason Fine celebrates with fans after defeating Arkansas 44-17 after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) — **New Mexico Bowl** North Texas vs. Utah State, 2 p.m. (ESPN) Branch Field at Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico **Anagram:** Web clown moxie **Award:** Most bizarre venue name. The home of the New Mexico Lobos is named after a local Albuquerque construction company, while the field is named after alumni Turner and Margaret Branch. The end result is the mouthful above. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Tulane quarterback Jonathan Banks throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in New Orleans on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Veronica Dominach) — **AutoNation Cure Bowl** Tulane vs. Louisiana, 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN) Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida **Anagram:** Caribou taunt one owl **Award:** Best in-state rivalry. The Green Wave won the first 16 matchups in this all-Louisiana rivalry dating back to 1911 and including a 96-0 whopper in 1912. But the teams have split the last 12 matchups since the late-80s, including a 24-21 Louisiana win in the 2013 R +L Carriers Bowl and a 41-39 Tulane victory in 2016. (AP Photo/Veronica Dominach)

Arizona State fans do their thing during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) — **Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl** No. 21 Fresno State vs. Arizona State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas **Anagram:** Bowleg vassal **Award:** Best travel game for an ASU student. While the six-hour drive from Fresno is just one more than the five-hour trek from Tempe, this game lands after the Sun Devils are already on break while the Bulldogs are headed into Finals Week. ASU should enjoy a strong crowd advantage for the game. And Vegas…is Vegas. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Georgia Southern wide receiver Darion Anderson (81) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Shai Werts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis) — **Raycom Media Camellia Bowl** Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama **Anagram:** Yellow academic mambo liar **Award:** Best college town names. Not only are the names themselves great, but they highlight just how different these schools can be, while still inhabiting the same Division I football world. Statesboro and Ypsilanti. Fantastic stuff. (AP Photo/John Amis)

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Anagram: New woollen bras Award: Best mid-major matchup. The Blue Raiders beat Lane Kiffin’s FAU squad and put a scare into Kentucky this year. Appalachian State nearly added Penn State to their list of memorable Big Ten victims before falling in OT, and lost only one other game this year. For two non-big name programs, this should be a great game. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

AP Photo/Chris Knight

Tuesday, Dec. 18 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl UAB vs. Northern Illinois, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida Anagram: Croatian urchin bobbed low Award: Best sponsor name. Do you know what Cheribundi is? Would you believe me if I told you it’s tart cherry juice full of flavonoid anthocyanins? Nah, I just made all that up. Actually, no, I didn’t, that’s really what it is. Seriously. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Wednesday, Dec. 19 DXL Frisco Bowl San Diego State vs. Ohio, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas Anagram: Crowd fills box Award: Unstoppable force, immovable object cliché winner. Ohio has outscored San Diego State 494-268 on the season…but has only one more win. The Bobcats own a top 10 rushing offense (262.2 yards per game), while the Aztecs own the nation’s fourth-best rushing defense (94.5 ypg). “Something’s gotta give!” the color commentator will assuredly say, probably before kickoff. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, file)

AP Photo/Denis Poroy, file

Thursday, Dec. 20 **Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl** Marshall vs. South Florida, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida **Anagram:** Global wasp lair **Award:** Most insane name. Do you know what Gasparilla is? It’s basically Pirate Month, named after Jose Gaspar, an actual pirate who allegedly plundered dozens of ships, murdering the men or converting them to his crew, and keeping the women on a nearby island as concubines or holding them for ransom. Never change, Florida. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Friday, Dec. 21 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl FIU vs. Toledo, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau Bahamas Anagram: Mr. Wham’s knowable database Award: Best travel destination. It may not mean much to the boys from Florida International, but can you imagine being a MAC team looking at your possible bowl destinations in Alabama or Idaho…and ending up in the Bahamas? Have fun in Boise, Western Michigan! (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)

AP Photo/Dan Anderson

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Western Michigan vs. BYU, 4 p.m. (ESPN) Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho Anagram: Southpaw mafia blood, too Award: Most field intrigue. Will BYU wear its blue uniforms to try to glean Boise State’s home field advantage? Will it snow, making their plan backfire? (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

AP Photo/Steve Conner

Saturday, Dec. 22 Jared Birmingham Bowl Memphis vs. Wake Forest, noon (ESPN) Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama Anagram: Weird rambling ham job Award: Most confusing bowl name. You can’t tell me Jared Birmingham isn’t the starting tight end for Vanderbilt. I mean, you can tell me that he isn’t, but I won’t believe you. Jared Birmingham is the name you’re given by the Witness Protection Program after you turn state’s evidence and are moved into a cookie-cutter housing tract in a plains state. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Houston vs. Army, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas Anagram: Macro flowerbeds Award: Most appropriately named bowl. Hey, look, it’s Army in the Army Bowl. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Cadets will enjoy a crowd advantage, though, with the game taking place just an afternoon’s jaunt up I-45 from Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Dollar General Bowl Buffalo vs. Troy, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama Anagram: Lone growler ballad Award: Best matchup of surprising NFL alumni. You might not think much of or know much of either of these programs, but nine-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware matriculated from Troy, while defensive terror Khalil Mack was a Buffalo Bull. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

SoFi Hawai’i Bowl Louisiana Tech vs. Hawai’i, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) Aloha Stadium, Honolulu Anagram: Wow, oafish alibi Award: Most shameless home game. The Rainbow Warriors are making their eighth appearance in the 17-year history of this game, with a 4-3 record to date. Not that anybody’s from La. Tech’s complaining about a free trip to the islands. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

AP Photo/Eugene Tanner

Quick Lane Bowl Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Ford Field, Detroit Anagram: Block new quail Award: Most lopsided time of possession. Georgia Tech runs the ball more often and more effectively than anyone in the country. Minnesota…doesn’t. The Gophers also don’t stop the run very well. Can Tech hold the ball for 40 minutes? 45? The sky’s the limit!* *60 minutes is actually the limit, but 48 is about the physical limit. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP Photo/Gerry Broome

Cheez-It Bowl California vs. TCU, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Chase Field, Phoenix Anagram: Woe, bet zilch Award: Most telling anagram. Seriously, this game is a pick-em for a reason. Cal failed to cover the first four times it was favored this year, but won outright in three games in which the Bears were underdogs. Unless you’re an alum just looking to have fun, don’t ever wager on a Cal game, you maniac. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File

Thursday, Dec. 27 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl Temple vs. Duke, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana Anagram: Known neon pedicab swelled Award: Best old school basketball matchup. With college hoops season already in mid-swing, it’s hard to imagine too many Dookies making the trip to Shreveport to watch a football game. But back in the John Cheney days, this was a barnburner on the hardwood. Plus, it includes two of the best examples of coaches morphing into their team mascots. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

AP Photo/Richard Shiro

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 29: A goal marker lies in the snow before the New Era Pinstripe Bowl between West Virginia Mountaineers and the Syracuse Orange at Yankee Stadium on December 29, 2012 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) — **New Era Pinstripe Bowl** Miami vs. Wisconsin, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Yankee Stadium, New York **Anagram:** Be wintrier snow, Apple **Award:** Best snow game. Yankee Stadium’s a cool, if odd setting for a football game, but it turns awesome when a blanket of white transforms the setting into a unique, winter wonderland. Here’s to hoping. Sorry, Miami. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) — **Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl** Baylor vs. Vanderbilt, 9 p.m. (ESPN) NRG Stadium, Houston **Anagram:** Taxes blow **Award:** Highest combined tuition. If you think Baylor’s $42,842 annual tuition (not including room and board, or a general student fee, which bring that total near $60K) is bad, welcome to Vanderbilt. Tuition? $48,600. Tack on room and board, books, and all the other bells and whistles, and the cost runs north of 70 grand. We’ll see if students have anything left for a flight to Texas. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Friday, Dec. 28 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl Purdue vs. Auburn, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee Anagram: My bucolic wits Award: Best spoilers game. When Purdue blew the doors off Ohio State in West Lafayette, they all but ensured the Buckeyes wouldn’t be able to sneak their way back into the Playoff. It was much less dramatic, but Auburn’ s early season win over Washington did the same to the Huskies and the Pac-12 as a whole. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Camping World Bowl No. 16 West Virginia vs. No. 20 Syracuse, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida Anagram: Glowworm band clip Award: Best battle of what-ifs. West Virginia could taste the Big 12 title, but a collapse in Stillwater and an epic defeat against Oklahoma by a combined eight points kept Will Grier and company out of the title chase. Meanwhile, Syracuse missed a shot to take down Clemson on the road. Who knows how their season may have turned out. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson, File)

AP Photo/Raymond Thompson, File

Valero Alamo Bowl No. 24 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Washington State, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas Anagram: A lovable wool arm Award: Best chance at offensive records. Iowa State isn’t the most prolific offense, but Washington State brings the top passing attack in the country indoors, onto turf. The winning team has scored at least 30 points 10 years running, while even the losing team has cleared that bar five of the last nine years. It’s a late game — there better be points. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

AP Photo/Young Kwak

Saturday, Dec. 29 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl No. 10 Florida vs. No. 7 Michigan, noon (ESPN) Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Anagram: Hi, cowlick beach flap Award: Biggest poser test. These teams both managed to finish in the top 10 in the country, despite neither having any wins that truly qualify as great now that the dust has settled. Penn State at home? Eh. LSU at home? I guess. A loss for either side in this game will only further expose them. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 29: The Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 35-24 in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) — **Belk Bowl** South Carolina vs. Virginia, noon (ABC) Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina **Anagram:** None **Award:** Best geographical pull. Located right on the highway with Charlottesville to the north and Columbia to the south, the Belk Bowl couldn’t have done much better than to get these two schools. We normally give props to the bowl’s Twitter account in this space, but we don’t want it to get too big for its britches. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Arkansas State vs. Nevada, 1:15 p.m. (CBSSN) Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona Anagram: Amazonian balloon show over Award: Two teams playing best (non-CFP division). Nevada ripped off four straight wins before falling to UNLV, while Arkansas State carries its own four-game win streak into bowl season, all blowouts. These are two decent, under-the-radar teams peaking at the right time. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File)

Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File

CFP Semifinal: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame, 4 p.m. (ESPN) AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Anagram: Tasty cows, crocodile bologna Award: Best combined record. Two undefeated teams matching up in a playoff game is what we always hoped for when the system extended beyond the simple BCS 1 vs. 2 for the national title. One of these teams will get their shot at Alabama (or Oklahoma! But Alabama). (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File

CFP Semifinal: Capital One Orange Bowl No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oklahoma, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida Anagram: A college town piano bar Award: Most entertaining game. This is the matchup neutral fans should be the most excited about. Alabama’s machine has churned through another undefeated season, while Heisman winner Kyler Murray has dragged Oklahoma along a high-wire survival act to snag the 4 seed. It will take a miracle to beat the Tide, but it’s not hard to imagine a classic game. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

AP Photo/Alonzo Adams

Monday, Dec. 31 Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech, noon (ESPN) Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland Anagram: Army bio twill Award: Most unlikely participant. Just a few weeks ago, Virginia Tech sat at 4-6 and trailed Virginia late before rallying to win, forcing an additional game against Marshall to try to get bowl eligible. The Hokies won again, keeping their bowl streak intact and earning a trip to Annapolis. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)

Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP

Hyundai Sun Bowl Stanford vs. Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. (CBS) Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas Anagram: Dual bunions, why Award: Best nap game. Honestly, I could try to pump you up for this one, but it’s no use. Both these teams are just middling major conference squads that have seen better days. They’re not particularly exciting. There will be punts. At least the Oregon game starts only an hour later. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File

Redbox Bowl Michigan State vs. Oregon, 3 p.m. (FOX) Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California Anagram: Bold ox brew Award: Best under-the-radar QB prospect. Oregon’s down season and a campaign of nagging injuries meant that Herbert didn’t have the chance to live up to his preseason hype. He may even stay back in school next year, but a stout Spartans defense should be a good test on a big stage. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)

AP Photo/Chris Pietsch

AutoZone Liberty Bowl No. 23 Missouri vs. Oklahoma State, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN) Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee Anagram: Water zoo, bellboy unit Award: Best former conference rival matchup. It’s weird to think that these two schools from neighboring states no longer square off since the conference realignments of 2011-12. They last met in 2014, with the Tigers — who own a 29-23 all-time series lead — snagging the win. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

AP Photo/Wade Payne

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl No. 22 Northwestern vs. No. 17 Utah, 7 p.m. (FS1) SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California Anagram: A holy low bid Award: Most degrees gained. Salt Lake City is beautiful in December, but cold. Evanston…is cold. Both these teams get a chance to soak up some sunshine before heading back for the long, dark winter. That’s a win all around. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

AP Photo/Tony Avelar

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl NC State vs. No. 19 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida Anagram: Battleax rosary glow Award: Best October matchup. After a win over No. 23 Boston College on Oct. 6, NC State was flying high at 5-0 heading into their tilt against Clemson, where they were wiped out 41-7 and lost three of four. The Aggies snagged a road win at No. 22 South Carolina on Oct. 13 before dropping back-to-back contests to Mississippi State and Auburn. Each team won its final three games, but both were probably hoping for a New Year’s Day game a couple months ago, not a New Year’s Eve one. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

AP Photo/Chris Seward

Tuesday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl No. 18 Mississippi State vs. Iowa, noon (ESPN2) Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Anagram: Low cut kabob Award: Best hangover game. I don’t mean this in any football terminology sense, I mean it’s a good game to put on mute in the background as you nurse your New Year’s hangover. Two of the best defenses in the country should mean a low scoring affair, allowing you to conserve your energy for the rest of the day. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)

AP Photo/Holly Hart

VRBO Citrus Bowl No. 14 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Penn State, 1 p.m. (ABC) Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida Anagram: Scrub it low Award: Biggest overachiever vs. biggest underachiever. There was a moment there where it looked like Kentucky — Kentucky! — might actually get to play for the SEC title (right before Georgia disabused them of that notion). Penn State, meanwhile, was thought to be a College Football Playoff contender, only to drop back-to-back home games to Ohio State and Michigan State, before getting blown out at the Big House to finish third in the Big Ten East. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

AP Photo/Bryan Woolston

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl No. 11 LSU vs. No. 8 UCF, 1 p.m. (ESPN) State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Anagram: Politely fat boatswains Award: True National Championship. Sure, LSU is just playing the part of SEC stooge, so deftly handled by Auburn last year. But this game is as good as the CFP committee is ever going to give UCF, and will remain their best argument for an expanded playoff, if they can win it. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual No. 9 Washington vs. No. 6 Ohio State, 5 p.m. (ESPN) Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California Anagram: Low embargoes Award: Biggest consolation bowl. The Rose Bowl used to be The Thing in college football, especially if you were a Pac-12 (really, Pac-10) or Big Ten team. But both these teams had higher designs this season, and even though they earned a trip to Pasadena, it can’t help but feel like a disappointment. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

AP Photo/Nick Wass, File

Allstate Sugar Bowl No. 15 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Anagram: Brutal gallows eats Award: Best consolation for OU fans. Listen, barring a miracle, getting into the Playoff will be the last good thing that happens to the Sooners before Kyler Murray heads off to play baseball. But at least there’s one more chance to watch UT get its face smashed in? (AJ ReynoldsAthens Banner-Herald via AP)

AJ ReynoldsAthens Banner-Herald via AP

Monday, Jan. 7 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California Anagram: Oh pops, financial pitchman Award: It’s the National Championship! Why are you still reading this? (AP Photo/David Goldman, file)

AP Photo/David Goldman, file

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