Evaluating Every Bowl Game and College Football Playoff First-Round Matchups
The college football postseason is here, bringing a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Several teams are seeing changes, some prominent programs have opted out, and coaching alterations are rampant. Nevertheless, bowl games are scheduled from December 13 to January 2, and College Football Playoff matchups will excite fans from December 19 to January 19.
Evaluating Every Bowl Game and College Football Playoff Matchup
Key Bowl Games Overview
- Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State (9–3) vs. Prairie View A&M (10–3)
- LA Bowl: Boise State (9–4) vs. Washington (8–4)
- Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy (8–5) vs. Jacksonville State (8–5)
- Cure Bowl: Old Dominion (9–3) vs. South Florida (9–3)
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State (6–6) vs. Utah State (6–6)
College Football Playoff First-Round Matchups
- Alabama (10–3) at Oklahoma (10–2): Kickoff is on December 19, in Norman, OK. Alabama is facing criticism for its playoff entry while Oklahoma is content with hosting.
- Miami (10–2) at Texas A&M (11–1): Scheduled for December 20, in College Station, TX. Miami’s recent successes have brought excitement, while A&M enjoys its playoff participation.
- Tulane (11–2) at Mississippi (11–1): This matchup occurs on December 20, in Oxford, MS, with both teams elated to be in the playoff.
- James Madison (12–1) at Oregon (11–1): Also on December 20, in Eugene, OR, James Madison is eager to compete against the established Ducks.
Selected Game Highlights
- Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina (6–6) vs. Louisiana Tech (8–5) on December 30 in Shreveport, LA.
- Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern (6–6) vs. Appalachian State (5–7) on December 29 in Birmingham, AL.
- New Mexico Bowl: North Texas (11–2) vs. San Diego State (9–3) on December 27 in Albuquerque, NM.
- Military Bowl: Pittsburgh (8–4) vs. East Carolina (8–4) on December 27 in Annapolis, MD.
- Music City Bowl: Tennessee (8–4) vs. Illinois (8–4) on December 30 in Nashville, TN.
Final Thoughts on the Season
Bowl season brings about challenges, including team morale and coaching changes. However, the spirit of competition remains high with fans eager for matchups that promise high-stakes excitement. From local rivalries to prestigious playoff games, college football’s postseason is set to captivate audiences across the nation.
