The 2014 College Football regular season is over. What’s left? The playoff, with the Rose Bowl (Florida State & Oregon), Sugar Bowl (Alabama & Ohio State) and four more CFP major bowl games, or the New Year’s six as some call it: The Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl for ranked teams that are filled with anger and disappointment.
So besides the big games all leading up to the national championship game on January 12 in Jerry’s World, what’s good? Ole Miss and TCU in the Peach, Boise State and Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Michigan State and Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, Utah and Colorado State in Vegas, Duke and Arizona State in the Sun Bowl, Nebraska and USC in San Diego, Clemson and Oklahoma in Orlando, Notre Dame and LSU in the Music City Bowl, Louisville and Georgia in the Belk Bowl, Wisconsin and Auburn in the Outback Bowl, Minnesota and Missouri in the Citrus Bowl and Kansas State playing UCLA in the Alamo Bowl are all worth more than a mere interest.
R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Where: Superdome in New Orleans.
When: December 20, 11 am Eastern
Who: Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (8-4) and Nevada Wolfpack (7-5). Lousiana have been to this bowl game in the past three years, winning each time. Nevada didn’t play in a bowl game last season.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Where: University Stadium in Albuquerque.
When: December 20, 2:20 pm
Who: Utah State Aggies (9-4) and UTEP Miners (7-5). The Aggies have won their last two bowl games, while UTEP haven’t been to a bowl game since 2010, not to mention win one, last coming in 1967.
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nevada.
When: December 20, 3:30 pm
Who: Utah Utes (8-4) and Colorado State Rams (10-2). Utah haven’t been to a bowl game since 2011. CSU are hoping to win one for the second straight year.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Where: Albertstons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
When: December 20, 5:45 pm
Who: Air Force Falcons (9-3) and Western Michigan Broncos (8-4). Air Force missed a bowl game last season and haven’t won one since 2010. Western Michigan haven’t been to one since 2011 and are still looking for their first ever bowl game win.
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Where: Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama
When: December 20, 9:15 pm
Who: Bowling Green Falcons (7-6) South Alabama Jaguars (6-6). The Falcons are on a four-game losing streak in bowl games, last winning one in 2004. South Alabama are going to their first ever bowl game.
Miami Beach Bowl
Where: Marlins Park, Miami
When: December 22, 2 pm
Who: BYU Cougars (8-4) and Memphis Tigers (9-3). Two teams high on the list of possible Big 12 expansion. BYU are going Bowling for the 10th consecutive season, while Memphis haven’t been to one since 2008 and haven’t won one since 2005.
Boca Raton Bowl
Where: FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida
When: December 23, 6 pm
Who: Marshall Thundering Herd (12-1) and Northern Illinois Huskies (11-2). Marshall didn’t go undefeated after all, but did win the conference for the first time since 2002. The Huskies will try to end a two-year losing streak in bowl games.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
When: December 23, 9:30 pm
Who: Navy Midshipmen (6-5) and San Diego State Aztecs (7-5). Navy are in a bowl game for a third consecutive season, winning one last year. The Aztecs are in one for a fifth consecutive season, beating Navy in the same venue back in 2010.
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
Where: Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
When: December 24, Noon
Who: Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5).Central Michigan are back to bowling after missing out on it last year. WKU are in a bowl game for only the third time in the program’s history.
Hawaii Bowl
Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu
When: December 24, 8 pm
Who: Fresno State Bulldogs (6-7) and Rice Owls (7-5). Fresno State lost in the conference final to Boise State and are going bowling with a sub .500 record. Rice are in a bowl game for a third consecutive season.
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl
Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
When: December 26, 1pm
Who: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6) and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-4). Illinois are in a bowl game for the first time since 2011. The Bulldogs have been absent from postseason play the same amount of years.
Quick Lane Bowl
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: December 26, 4:30 pm
Who: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) and North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6). Rutgers are going bowling for a fourth consecutive season, while UNC are hoping to make it a streak after winning the Belk Bowl last year.
Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl
Where: Tropicana Field in St. Petersubrg, Florida
When: December 26, 8 pm
Who: North Carolina State Wolfpack (7-5) and UCF Knights (9-3). NC State missed out on a bowl game last season. UCF have missed out on one only once since 2009 and have won their last three, including the Fiesta Bowl last year.
Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis
When: December 27, 1 pm
Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6) and Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3). V-Tech haven’t missed a bowl game since 1992. Cincinnati are in one for a fourth consecutive season.
Hyundai Sun Bowl
Where: Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas
When: December 27, 2 pm
Who: Duke (9-3) and Arizona State Sun Devils (#15, 9-3). Duke are in a bowl game for a third straight season, but haven’t won one since 1961. ASU are in one for a fourth consecutive time.
Duck Commander Independence Bowl
Where: Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana
When: December 27, 4 pm
Who: Miami Hurricanes (6-6) and South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6). Two rather big schools in a small bowl game. The ‘Canes are in a bowl game for a second straight year. They haven’t won one since 2006. South Carolina are on a seven-year streak, winning their last three.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Where: Yankee Stadium in New York
When: December 27, 4:30 pm
Who: Boston College Eagles (7-5) and Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6). BC are in a bowl game for a second straight year, but haven’t won one since 2007. Penn State haven’t been to one since 2011 and haven’t won one since 2009.
National University Holiday Bowl
Where: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego
When: December 27, 8 pm
Who: Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3) and USC Trojans (#24, 8-4). A matchup between two massive programs that aren’t too successful these days. USC are in a third straight bowl game, but their long streak was halted due to sanctions, not losing. Nebraska haven’t missed a bowl game since the 2007 season.
AutoZone Libery Bowl
Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
When: December 29, 2 pm
Who: West Virginia Mountaineers (7-5) and Texas A&M Aggies (7-5). Texas A&M were moved to this bowl game because of the SEC not wanting them to face Texas. WVU are back bowling after one year of missing out, while the Aggies are in one for a sixth consecutive year, winning their last three.
Russell Athletic Bowl
Where: Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando
When: December 29, 5:30
Who: Clemson Tigers (#17, 9-3) and Oklahoma Sooners (8-4). Two schools that always hope for bigger bowls (played in BCS bowls last season). Clemson haven’t missed one since 2004, while Oklahoma haven’t missed one since 1998.
AdvoCare Texas Bowl
Where: NRG Stadium in Houston
When: December 29, 9 pm
Who: Texas Longhorns (6-6) and Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6). A return to an almost ancient but hate filled rivalry from the SWC days. Texas are in a bowl game for a fourth consecutive season, while Arkansas are in a bowl game after missing out two years in a row.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Where: LP Field in Nashville.
When: December 30, 3 pm
Who: Notre Dame (7-5) and LSU Tigers (#23, 8-4). A massive land for the Music City Bowl, although Notre Dame are free falling this season while LSU are disappointing. This is a fifth consecutive bowl game for Notre Dame, while LSU haven’t missed one since 1999.
Belk Bowl
Where: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
When: December 30, 6:45 pm
Who: Louisville Cardinals (#21, 9-3) and Georgia Bulldogs (#13, 9-3). Louisville had a good debut season in the ACC, while Georgia somehow managed to miss out on winning the SEC, a very easy division, eventually won by Missouri.
Foster Farms Bowl
Where: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
When: December 30, 10 pm
Who: Maryland Terrapins (7-5) and Stanford Cardinal (7-5). Stanford are one of the most disappointing teams this season, missing out on a major bowl for the first time in four years. Maryland had their Big Ten debut go OK, going to a bowl game for a second straight winter.
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP Bowl)
Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta
When: December 31, 12:30 pm
Who: Ole Miss Rebels (#9, 9-3) and TCU Horned Frogs (#6, 11-1). TCU still don’t understand who they’re not in the playoff, but that’s what happens in a conference with weird rules and just 10 teams. Ole Miss had moments when they looked like the best in the SEC this season, but those were short lived.
VIZIO Fiest Bowl (CFP Bowl)
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
When: December 31, 4 pm
Who: Boise State Broncos (#20, 11-2) and Arizona Wildcats (#10, 10-3). The Broncos are back in a major bowl game for the first time since the 2009 season when they beat TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Arizona are still trying to figure out how Oregon beat them so badly in the Pac-12 championship game.
Capital One Orange Bowl (CFP Bowl)
Where: Sun Life Stadium in Miami
When: December 31, 7:30 pm
Who: Mississippi State Bulldogs (#7, 10-2) and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (#12, 10-3). Mississippi State were very close to winning the SEC West. Georgia Tech lost in the ACC Championship game by two points.
Outback Bowl
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
When: January 1, 12 pm
Who: Wisconsin Badgers (#18, 10-3) and Auburn Tigers (#19, 8-4). A disappointing season for both teams, with Wisconsin getting crushed in the Big Ten finale by Ohio State while Auburn were only 4-4 in the SEC, including losing after giving up 55 points in the Iron Bowl.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (CFP Bowl)
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington
When: January 1, 1 pm
Who: Michigan State Spartans (#8, 10-2) and Baylor Bears (#5, 11-1). Michigan State knew they were out of the running for the playoff the moment they lost at home to Ohio State. Baylor were delusional into thinking they’d get picked by the committee.
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
Where: Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium
When: January 1, 1 pm
Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers (#25, 8-4) and Missouri Tigers (#16, 10-3). Missouri almost ruined it for the SEC but they were terrible in the conference championship game because they’re not a very good team. There’s an interesting theory suggesting Minnesota are still ranked just because the committee needed to improve Ohio State’s SOS.
Rose Bowl (Semifinal)
Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena
When: January 1, 5 pm
Who: Florida State Seminoles (#3, 13-0) and Oregon Ducks (#2, 12-1). Florida State are the defending champions and undefeated, but don’t get respect from anyone and have to travel across the country to play Oregon, who’ll be feeling quite comfortable inside the Rose Bowl, hoping to keep on their impressive streak of bowl game victories.
Sugar Bowl (Semifinal)
Where: Superdome in New Orleans
When: January 1, 8:30 PM
Who: Ohio State Buckeyes (#4, 12-1) and Alabama Crimson Tide (#1, 12-1). A mega clash between two huge programs, although Ohio State are probably big underdogs, representing a Big Ten that’s seen better days. Alabama played in the Sugar Bowl last season and lost to Oklahoma.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
When: January 2, Noon
Who: Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6) and Houston Cougars (7-5). This is the point in the bowl season when no one apart from the teams playing actually cares, simply waiting for the grand finale.
TaxSlayer Bowl
Where: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
When: January 2, 3:20 pm
Who: Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) and Tennessee Volunteers (6-6). Two programs that not too long ago used to aim a lot higher, but these days barely make it into bowl games.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Where: Alamodome in San Antonio
When: January 2, 6:45 pm
Who: Kansas State Wildcats (#11, 9-3) and UCLA Bruins (#14, 9-3). A meeting between two schools that have the tendency to mess up on every big stage they’re put on in recent years.
TicketCity Cactus Bowl
Where: Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
When: January 2, 10:15 pm
Who: Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-6) and Washington Huskies (8-5). Oklahoma State got in thanks to beating Oklahoma in overtime on the last game of the season, while Washington remain stuck on the barrier separating them and Oregon.
Birmingham Bowl
Where: Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
When: January 3, 1 pm
Who: Florida Gators (6-5) and East Carolina Pirates (8-4). Florida somehow make it back into a bowl game despite one of the worst offenses in the nation. East Carolina looked early on like the best G5 team out there, but soon started stumbling.
GoDaddy Bowl
Where: Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
When: January 4, 9 pm
Who: Toledo Rockets (8-4) and Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-5).
National Championship Game
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
When: January 12, 8:30 pm
Who: Don’t Know.
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