Ready or not, bowl season begins Saturday. We've given an award -- and an anagram -- to each and every game, for your entertainment.
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!
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)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
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)
AP Photo/Michael Woods
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)
AP Photo/Veronica Dominach
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)
AP Photo/Darryl Webb
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)
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)
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 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)
Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
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)
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
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)
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)
