RANKING THE FBS BOWLS PART 4
We’ve
finally reached the top-10 bowls of Bowl Season. These ten games will be
special in their own unique way. We have the two Playoff semifinals, the New
Year’s Six bowls, a potential shootout in the Alamo, intriguing games in
Jacksonville and San Diego, and the only Bowl involving two conference
champions featured here. So, let’s knock out the top-10!
10.
Holiday Bowl: Oregon vs North Carolina, December 28, 8 ET on FOX
You like
points? The Holiday Bowl could offer them in bunches! Bo Nix leads Oregon
against Drake Maye and North Carolina in San Diego. Both teams had less than
stellar ends to the season as the Ducks lost to Washington and Oregon State
while the Tar Heels lost to NC State and Clemson. North Carolina will be
without multiple defensive backs and wide receiver Josh Downs. Look for the
scoreboard to be lit up at Petco as two of the nation’s top offenses square off.
9. Gator
Bowl: Notre Dame vs South Carolina, December 30, 3:30 ET on ESPN
Two teams
with similar season stories meet up in Jacksonville. Notre Dame lost at home to
Stanford and Marshall but notched a win at Syracuse and a home blowout over
Clemson. South Carolina lost to Missouri and Florida before beating Tennessee
and Clemson and ruining each team’s Playoff hopes. The Irish will be without tight
end Michael Mayer while the Gamecocks will be without Jaheim Bell and MarShawn
Lloyd. South Carolina fans always travel well and that could prove to be a big
advantage for Shane Beamer’s team.
8. Cure
Bowl: UTSA vs Troy, December 16, 3 ET on ESPN
Welcome to
the only Bowl Game that pits two conference champions against each other.
Conference USA champion, UTSA, meets Sun Belt champions Troy in the Cure Bowl
in Orlando. The Roadrunners are led by dynamic quarterback Frank Harris, who
ranks sixth nationally in passing yards and ninth nationally in passing
touchdowns. Troy’s defense will provide a stiff test as the Trojans are 16th
in total defense and sixth in scoring defense. Look for a game that will
capture the true essence of Bowl Season in this one.
7. Cotton
Bowl: Tulane vs USC, January 2, 1 ET on ESPN
Heisman Trophy
winner Caleb Williams leads USC into a battle against AAC champions Tulane at
Jerry World. Lincoln Riley’s team will look to end their year on a high note
with their Heisman winner and high-octane offense. Willie Fritz’s Green Wave
look to put an amazing cap on an unbelievable season. Running back Tyjae Spears
will be licking his chops after watching USC’s defense in the Pac 12
Championship. Watch out for the Green Wave.
6. Sugar
Bowl: Alabama vs Kansas State, December 31, Noon ET on ESPN
Big 12 champion
Kansas State plays Alabama in New Orleans in one of their biggest games in
recent memory. Running back Deuce Vaughn will be the Wildcats ace in the hole
while their stout defense will be on full display. That defense though will be
tested against Bryce Young and the Tide. The 2021 Heisman Winner will be ready
to show his stuff in this one. I get a feeling that neither team will be
unmotivated for this one.
5. Orange
Bowl: Tennessee vs Clemson, December 30, 8 ET on ESPN
Some are
calling it the “orangiest Orange Bowl ever”, and that’s hard to argue.
Tennessee and Clemson head to Miami with some questions ahead of their December
30th meeting. The Volunteers are in a major bowl for the first time
in over 20 years, but will be without most of their offensive stars that made
Tennessee one of the sport’s biggest stories. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is hurt
while wide outs Cedric Tillman and Biletnikoff Winner Jalin Hyatt have both
opted out. Clemson may have solved their QB issue in the ACC Championship Game,
after DJ Uiagalelei struggled on the opening drive, Cade Klubnik came in and
showed out. Look for Klubnik to potentially cook again against another suspect
defense. Bet on the Orange Team…….
4. Alamo
Bowl: Texas vs Washington, December 29, 9 ET on ESPN
The highest
ranked non-New Year’s Six game on this list takes place in San Antonio. Texas
and Washington have the potential to put on a real show in this one. Texas quarterback
Quinn Ewers will have to carry a slightly bigger load for the Longhorns offense
after Doak Walker Award winning running back Bijan Robinson and backup Roschon
Johnson opted out. Also, among the opt outs for Texas is linebacker DeMarvion
Overshown, which could be a huge loss against a high-octane Washington offense
led by quarterback Michael Penix. The Huskies and Penix were both among the
biggest turnaround stories in college football this season. These two played a
wild game at the Holiday Bowl in 2001, don’t be surprised if we get another
shootout here.
3. Rose
Bowl: Penn State vs Utah, January 2, 5 ET on ESPN
Ah, The Rose
Bowl. There’s nothing quite like it. Penn State and Utah collide in “The
Grandaddy of Them All”. Utah is back after last year’s heartbreaking loss to
Ohio State while Penn State had a quiet 10-2 Season. The Utes lit up USC in the
Pac 12 Championship Game and feel like they have unfinished business after last
season’s Pasadena heartbreak. Will Penn State make enough plays against Utah’s
defense? Maybe, it is the Granddaddy after all, and it never ever disappoints.
2. Fiesta
Bowl: TCU vs Michigan, December 31, 4 ET on ESPN
TCU looks to
continue their fairy tale journey in the valley of the sun against Big Ten champions
Michigan. The Horned Frogs are led by Heisman finalist Max Duggan at quarterback.
Duggan’s never say die attitude could be to TCU’s benefit in this one. Michigan
has discovered an offensive identity down the stretch and are heavily favored
to continue that trend. Michigan will be everybody’s pick but remember this, if
the game is close, TCU will not wilt, you can bet your bottom dollar on that.
1. Peach
Bowl: Ohio State vs Georgia, December 31, 8 ET on ESPN
This is box
office! College football’s biggest stars will litter the field in this game. It
will almost have a National Championship like feel to it. The Buckeyes have a
new lease on life and will try to take full advantage on that lease led by C.J.
Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. Georgia has another bunch of “Junkyard Dawgs” on
defense and an offense that’s better than some people give them credit for led
by quarterback Stetson Bennett and Swiss army knife tight end Brock Bowers. Buckle
up, this has the makings of an instant classic.
So, there
you have it. All 41 FBS bowls ranked. Enjoy Bowl Season everybody, and thanks
for checking out this piece.
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