Continuing my ranking of all forty-two postseason college football Bowl games so you can plan your smorgasbord of football over the Christmas/New Year period. Part One is here.
All dates adjusted to Australian.
32. Arizona Bowl
December 30, 2015; Tucson, Arizona
Nevada (Mountain West) vs. Colorado State (Mountain West)
This all-MWC clash will take place in Tucson, is a new addition to the schedule for 2015-16, and has the dubious honour of being on the All Sports Network rather than a regular carrier. Mike Bobo has Colorado State on the rise after a poor start, losing five of it’s first eight, and will likely find it tough going against a Wolfpack ground game that features two 1000-yard backs this year. CSU are one of the more penalised teams in the nation, which they’ll need to reign in if they’re to have any chance of winning. This could be a good one – pity no one will get to see it!
31. Hawai’i Bowl
December 25, 2015; Honolulu, Hawaii
San Diego State (Mountain West) vs. Cincinnati (American Athletic)
The usual Australian Christmas Day match-up features the Mountain West champions, who are riding a 9-game winning streak, against a 7-5 Cincinnati squad who, win or lose, will finish with their lowest total of wins since 2010. Check this one out only if you need to escape the family or let the stomach settle after a eating too much!
30. Quick Lane Bowl
December 29, 2015; Detroit, Michigan
Central Michigan (Mid-American) vs. Minnesota (Big Ten)
A home game for the Chippewas from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, against a Big Ten school who won’t have to travel too far, either. Minnesota make the postseason with just five wins, and will need to control CMU’s quarterback Cooper Rush if they’re to have any hope of scoring their first victory since the untimely retirement of inspirational head coach Jerry Kill.
29. Belk Bowl
December 31, 2015; Charlotte, North Carolina
North Carolina State (Atlantic Coast) vs. Mississippi State (Southeastern)
Any chance to watch Dak Prescott run that Bulldog offense is a good thing, and the talented senior should find some room to operate against an NC State squad who came close to defeating Clemson on Halloween, leading on a few occasions in the first half. The Bulldogs will be looking to send Prescott out on a high note, and to wipe away the stain of a 38-27 loss to in-state rivals, Ole Miss. The Wolfpack will do well to keep up with Prescott and co.
28. Boca Raton Bowl
December 23, 2015; Boca Raton, Florida
Toledo (Mid-American) vs. Temple (American Athletic)
Though beaten in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game by Houston, the Owls had a great season (including a solid win over Penn State) and are well-coached by Matt Ruhle. I love watching linebacker Tyler Matakevich disrupting things in opponent’s backfields. Toledo have had their moments, too, including a road win over Arkansas in September. This should be a fun game to watch!
27. Military Bowl
December 29, 2015; Annapolis, Maryland
Pittsburgh (American Athletic) vs. Navy (American Athletic)
An all-AAC match-up between the Midshipmen, who some figured were headed to a New Year’s Six Bowl before a few late losses, and a Pitt squad who had to survive without star running back James Conner. The Panthers are going to have their work cut out stopping Navy’s do-everything quarterback Keenan Reynolds. If Pitt can do that, they’ve got a good chance of winning. If they can’t, it might get ugly.
26. Liberty Bowl
January 3, 2016; Memphis, Tennessee
Kansas State (Big 12) vs. Arkansas (Southeastern)
The early stages of 2015 were shocking for both teams, but the back end proved to be more successful. K-State needed a dramatic 38-35 win over Iowa State to become Bowl eligible, and the Razorbacks survived a crazy game against Ole Miss for one of it’s most memorable victories. Arkansas can claim an eight-win season with a victory over a Kansas State squad who are rebuilding this year, but shouldn’t be counted out.
25. Cactus Bowl
January 3, 2016; Phoenix, Arizona
West Virginia (Big 12) vs. Arizona State (Pac-12)
Everyone assumed West Virginia would be a pass-first offense under Dana Holgorsen, but the running game was what won the Mountaineers most of their games. Wendell Smallwood and Rushel Shell are a potent one-two combination who’ll take some slowing down. Arizona State didn’t have the season they were expecting, and a win here would bring plenty of momentum for Todd Graham’s squad going into 2016, who won just two of six to finish the season. We’ll see which version of the Sun Devils squad turns up in this one.
24. Las Vegas Bowl
December 20, 2015; Las Vegas, Nevada
Brigham Young (Independent) vs. Utah (Pac-12)
The Holy War is back! Bronco Mendenhall’s final game as coach of Brigham Young, and he draws an opponent the Cougars know well, their rivals, Utah. The Utes, of course, were flying high before visiting USC, where they were belted, and have since slid backwards. BYU started the season with high hopes but an injury to star quarterback Taysom Hill derailed things. Tanner Mangum has picked up some of the slack for the Cougars, who can certainly score points, but it’s their defense who’ll need to come up big in Vegas, because Utah’s Devontae Booker has a habit of running around and over defenses. Lots of points probable here, and a glimpse of Aussie punter Tom Hackett!
23. Sun Bowl
December 27, 2015; El Paso, Texas
Miami-FL (Atlantic Coast) vs. Washington State (Pac-12).
Whilst the Hurricanes struggled early and were blown out by Clemson, which saw head coach Al Golden fired, the Cougars had an impressive season that, for the most part, was well above expectations, after a first-up loss to FCS squad Portland State. Their last-start loss to Washington in the Apple Cup will sting, but the Cougs were without star quarterback Luke Falk for that one. If he returns, there’ll be plenty of offense for Mike Leach’s team, and Miami, who’ll have Mark Richt at the helm starting next year, may struggle to slow them down. Watch Hurricane quarterback Brad Kaaya, too. He’s quietly having a very good season for The U.
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