Yes, I realize the image is two years old.
As in previous years, there are but two rules to BowlQuest - 1. Watch one live quarter of every bowl game. It doesn't matter which quarter, just one. 2. One of my sons can sub for me and watch a live quarter. Last year Rule 2 was not necessary as I watched every game on my own. (Could also be inferred that neither son wants to watch the Cactus Bowl.)
I'm looking to freshen up the format so this year's preview will be by date and have a five star rating system based on "watchability" and each game will also be rated on five stars when it's over. BowlQuest favorites like "Bowl Game Swag" and "What Did I Eat" will stay put.
The scheduled is bloated again at 39 games plus the championship game. There is always the factor of schools changing coaches before their game and now the newest factor, players deciding not to play in their team's bowl game. While this irritates some fans who say the player should be loyal to their school, these guys opting out of playing are doing so to maximize the amount of money they can make in the NFL. All these games are nothing but fodder for ESPN so I have no issue with players making a career decision. Look at it this way, Will Grier skipping the always important Camping World Bowl will give WVU a chance to see their QB for next season.
Dec. 15
| New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque, N.M. | 2 p.m. (ESPN) | N. Texas (9-3) vs. Utah State (10-2) |
Both teams can score a bunch of points. My MSU Spartans beat Utah State in their first game, which is one of their best wins of the season.
Cure Bowl Orlando, Fla. 1:30pm (CBSSN) Tulane (6-6) vs. Louisiana (7-6)
1-Star
Two schools from Louisiana playing in Orlando. How is this not the match up for the New Orleans Bowl.
Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas, NV 3:30pm (ABC) Arizona State (7-5) vs. Fresno State (11-2)
3-stars
Herm Edwards is the coach of the Sun Devils so we're bound to hear "You play To Win The Game" a dozen times. I'm pulling for Fresno as MSU had a bad loss to ASU.
Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, AL 5:30pm (ESPN) E. Michigan (7-5) vs. Ga. Southern (9-3)
1-star
Only the third bowl game in Eastern Michigan history. Yawn.
New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, LA 9pm (ESPN) App. State (10-2) vs. MTSU (8-5)
2-star
App State is kind of fun. There usually is one team from Louisiana in this game, and it's the Ragin' Cajuns.
Dec. 18
Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, FL 7pm (ESPN) UAB (10-3) vs. N. Illinois (8-5)
3-stars
The Blazers are a great story, the program was shut down a couple years ago.
Dec. 19
Frisco Bowl, Frisco, TX 8pm (ESPN) Ohio (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5)
2-stars
The Fighting Soliches against an Aztecs team limping into the postseason. I watch a lot of MAC football and Ohio can score.
Dec. 20
Gaspirilla Bowl, Tampa, FL 8pm (ESPN) Marshall (8-4) vs. So. Florida (7-5)
1-star
This game has been moved from the dump the Rays play in to Raymond James Stadium, which is South Florida's home field. It's sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers.
Dec. 21
Bahamas Bowl, Nassau, Bahamas 12:30pm (ESPN) Toledo (7-5) vs. FIU (8-4)
1-star
Neither team plays much defense. Last year, the organizers of this game didn't pay much attention to the stadium gates and fans were just walking in without tickets, carrying in beer.
Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, ID 4pm (ESPN) BYU (6-6) vs. W. Michigan (7-5)
1.5-stars
This is a game that's on in the afternoon on the Friday before Christmas. We will get to see Potato Bowl mascot Spuddy Buddy so the addition of a half star.
Dec. 22
Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, AL Noon (ESPN) Wake Forest (6-6) vs. Memphis (8-5)
3-stars
Should be a shoot-out. Memphis is a lot of fun. Game sponsored by Jared. Are they still selling that ugly chocolate diamond jewelry?
Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, TX 3:30pm (ESPN) Army (9-2) vs. Houston (8-4)
2-stars
Houston's all world defensive end Ed Oliver is skipping this one to prepare for the draft and the Cougs don't have their starting QB. Could be a slog.
Dollar General Bowl, Mobile, AL 7pm (ESPN) Buffalo (10-3) vs. Troy (9-3)
2-stars
Top programs in their conferences with Troy playing close to home. Troy Buffalo sounds like a Simpsons character.
Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, HI 10:30pm (ESPN) Hawaii (8-5) vs. La. Tech (7-5)
1-star
This game is usually played on Christmas Eve but the NFL is playing on Monday night this year so it gets the 10:30pm start. Woof. Double woof for this being the fourth game of the day. Might need a son to step in here.
Dec. 26
First Responder Bowl, Dallas, TX 1:30pm (ESPN) Boston College (7-5) vs. Boise State
3-stars
A really good way to start a day you probably have off work. Two evenly matched teams.
Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit, MI 5:15pm (ESPN) Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)
2-stars
This is Paul Johnson's last game at the head coach for the Yellow Jackets. Maybe he'll call for more than five passes, maybe he'll leave at half time, cross the Ambassador Bridge and go to the Beanery in Windsor (guessing it's probably closed.).
Cheez-It Bowl, Phoenix, AZ 9pm (ESPN) TCU (6-6) vs. California (7-5)
2-stars
Should be a defensive game. At least they suggest the snack for the game.
Dec. 27
Independence Bowl, Shreveport, LA 1:30pm (ESPN) Temple (8-4) vs. Duke (7-5)
2-stars
If you've followed Bowlquest, you know that Shreveport is the worst game destination of bowl season. It's the one game where Air Force had its falcon mascot just fly away and not come back.
Pinstripe Bowl, New York, NY 5:15pm (ESPN) Miami (7-5) vs. Wisconsin (7-5)
1-star
They could call this the Disappointment Bowl. Didn't see much of the Canes turnover chain this season.
Texas Bowl, Houston, TX 9pm (ESPN) Baylor (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)
1-star
Another snoozer.
Dec. 28
Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN 1:30pm (ESPN) Auburn (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)
2-stars
Disappointment Bowl 2. Auburn was a preseason top 10 team while Purdue looked headed in the right direction after that beat down of Ohio State. That's how sports goes some times. I was hoping this would be MSU's bowl game so I could finally go to one.
Camping World Bowl, Orlando, FL 5:15pm (ESPN) West Virginia (8-3) vs. Syracuse (9-3)
3-stars
This would have been 4-stars but quarterback Will Grier is not playing for the Mountaineers. Nice season for the Orange, a program headed up under Deano Bavers.
Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX 9pm (ESPN) Iowa State (8-4) vs. Washington State (10-2)
4-stars
This game is almost always entertaining and high scoring. Mike Leach is involved so that's a plus. Stay up late for this one, usually a wild finish.
Dec. 29
Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA Noon (ESPN) Michigan (10-2) vs. Florida (9-3)
3-stars
Docked one star because we just saw this match up a year ago. Michigan plays Florida more often than it plays some teams in the Big 10. Too bad Urban Meyer is coaching in the Rose Bowl, I'd love to have him as the analyst here.
Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC 12:30m (ABC) South Carolina (7-5) vs. Virginia (7-5)
2-stars
Nice regional match up of two boring teams if you're not into the Peach Bowl.
Arizona Bowl, Tucson, AZ 1:15pm (CBSSN) Nevada (7-5) vs. Arkansas State (8-4)
1-star
Seriously, why is this being played?
Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX 4pm (ESPN) No. 2 Clemson (13-0) vs. Notre Dame (13-0)
5-stars
4pm on a Friday afternoon for a national semi-final game? I think this game will be closer than some think but the Tigers will get the win.
Orange Bowl, Miami, FL 8pm (ESPN) No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)
5-stars
Tua vs. Kyler. The best offense the Tide will have seen this season. The best team the Sooners will have played this season. Bama moves on.
Dec.31
After the excitement of putting the championship match up together, how about six games in one day.
Military Bowl, Annapolis, MD Noon (ESPN) Cincinnati (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
3-stars
This gets an extra star because we're a Bearcats household. The Hokies just squeaked into bowl season to extend their long streak. Nice turnaround season for U.C.
Sun Bowl, El Pason, TX 2pm (CBS) Pittsburgh (7-6) vs. Stanford (8-4)
2-stars
How bad was the non-Clemson half of the ACC when Pitt was in the championship game? Not much to recommend here.
Redbox Bowl, Santa Clara, CA 3pm (FOX) Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4)
3-stars
One of the best defenses against one of the best quarterbacks, Justin Herbert of Oregon. Good chance this one goes low, take the under. Spartans will need to find some offense to get the eighth win.
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN (ESPN) Missouri (8-4) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)
3.5 stars
A lot of offensive firepower although it's been a disappointing season in Stillwater. Post game, don't ask Mike Gundy about Twitter.
Holiday Bowl, San Diego, CA 7:30pm ((FS1) Northwestern (8-5) vs. Utah (9-4)
2-stars
Consolation game between two conference championship game losers. Don't expect much scoring.
Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, FL 7:30pm (ESPN Texas A&M (8-4) vs. NC State (9-3)
4-stars
One of the greatest New Year's Eve games was Texas A&M with Johnny Manziel against Duke in a track meet in the Peach Bowl. This one could live up to that game. Long time BowlQuest readers know I refuse to call this game by its current name. Gator Bowl is one of the best bowl game names.
Jan. 1
A six game day followed by a five game day. It seems arduous just typing that.
Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL Noon (ESPN2) Iowa (8-4) vs. Mississippi St. (8-4)
3-stars
Should be some good old ground and pound here. Don't expect fireworks, then again, you'll likely be hung over, so fireworks are the last thing you want.
Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL 1pm (ABC) Kentucky (9-3) vs. Penn State (9-3)
3-stars
Penn State has to be the most underwhelming 9-3 team in the country. Kentucky is usually pretty fun to watch.
Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ (1pm) (ESPN) UCF (12-0) vs. LSU (9-3)
3-stars
Docked one star for its 10am local time start. 10am local time on New Years Day. Hard to believe ticket sales are really soft. Not only are 39 bowl games stupid, so are some of these match ups. Here's a thought ESPN, give up a game to another network instead of playing this at 10am because you can't cross over with the Rose or Sugar bowls.
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA 5pm (ESPN) Ohio State (12-1) vs. Washington (10-3)
4-stars
What's the over/under on how many time the announcers will say Urban Meyer? I'm going 174. I expect this to be a lopsided win for the Buckeyes, winning one for, well, you know who. Take the Bucks and give the points.
Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, LA 8:45pm (ESPN) Texas (9-4) vs. Georgia (11-2)
4-stars
I really like this match up of two big name programs that never play each other. Georgia should win but might not be too excited to be in the Sugar when they feel they should have been in the playoff.
That's a ton of games in 17 days. I miss the days of the Birmingham Bowl on January 6th.
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