Weekly Bowl preview: 12/18-12/24
Breaking down all the bowl games of the week so you know what to watch
Bowl season is upon us, with five games already played. But this week is when bowl season starts in earnest. Which games should you care about? Let’s break down the whole week’s slate so you know what to watch and when.
As always, all times are Eastern.
Famous Toastery Bowl - Dec. 18 2:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky (7-5) v. Old Dominion (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
The week kicks off with a new game: the Famous Toastery Bowl. This is a CUSA v. Sun Belt matchup that pits Western Kentucky against Old Dominion. The game factors to be quite even, but with WKU’s quarterback, Austin Reed’s, status up in the air, the Hilltoppers’ powerful offense might take a step back.
Worth a watch?: I’d say so, if you can watch a game at 2:30 p.m. on a Monday. It’s better than nothing, right?
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl - Dec. 19 9 p.m.
UTSA (8-4) v. Marshall (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
In what may be a home game for the Texas-based Roadrunners, UTSA looks like a clear favorite in this matchup. This is also our last look at UTSA mainstay Frank Harris under center, as his seven years of eligibility have finally run their course. But don’t count out the Thundering Herd just yet. Tailback Rasheen Ali is one of the best of the Group of Five, but they’ll need more out of quarterback Cam Fancher if they want to hang with UTSA.
Worth a watch?: Yes, if just to see Frank Harris go out as a college football legend. But I don’t know if this is going to be the best game.
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl - Dec. 21 8 p.m.
USF (6-6) v. Syracuse (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
It’s not often a Power Five vs. Group of Five matchup is as close as this one, but there’s some off-field issues that relate to that. Mostly the fact that Syracuse has fired Dino Babers and has a new coach in Fran Brown at the helm. USF, on the other hand, is in a promising year one under Alex Golesh. I am intrigued to see what Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown does against a Power Five defense, though.
Worth a watch?: I don’t this one will be a particularly fun game, so all the non-Sickos out there can skip it.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl - Dec. 22 6:30 p.m.
Georgia Tech (6-6) v. UCF (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
Now this is a matchup. No, seriously. These are two agents of chaos, which usually collide to make an incredibly fun bowl game. Georgia Tech has been up and down in year 1.5 under head coach Brent Key and have a dynamic, yet inconsistent Haynes King under center. UCF, however, flip flops harder than media coverage of Deion Sanders. Gus Malzahn usually keeps his teams ready for a bowl, and they did decimate a rolling Oklahoma State this year. Who comes out on top? Who knows! But at least it’ll be fun.
Worth a watch?: Absolutely. I think the chaotic energy here is palpable and can lead to all sorts of wacky, zany bowl madness.
76 Birmingham Bowl - Dec. 23 12 p.m.
Troy (11-2) v. Duke (7-6) (ABC/ESPN+)
Initially, this looks like a great matchup. But then you realize that both head coaches are gone after this game, Riley Leonard is at Notre Dame, and the luster wears off. Still, this could be a fun game for fans of old-timey football. Both squads have solid defenses, but inconsistent offenses. Defensive fans, this one is for you.
Worth a watch?: It’s the best game in this timeslot, that’s for sure. Fans of defense should enjoy this one.
Camellia Bowl - Dec. 23 12 p.m.
Arkansas State (6-6) v. Northern Illinois (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
You may remember Arkansas State in my October Hot Seat article, and Butch Jones is here in a bowl game with his job. That’s got to count for something, right? Neither school is that great on offense, but they also aren’t that great on defense. This is a classic matchup of two average teams. Maybe the game will be above average.
Worth a watch?: I’d personally prefer the Troy-Duke game, but this is a decent option for a second screen or to flip to during timeouts.
Check out my writeup on Butch Jones’s warming seat at Arkansas State and others from October here:
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Dec. 23 3:30 p.m.
James Madison (11-1) v. Air Force (8-4) (ABC/ESPN+)
In terms of Group of Five games, this is as good as it gets. James Madison has been a major point of conversation with their potential New Year’s Six bid, but Appalachian State claimed that dream as they have so many more. Air Force also had a shot at it, but lost four straight games. This matchup also relies on a strength vs. strength matchup that should be a ton of fun in James Madison’s offense against Air Force’s defense. This may be one of Bowl Season’s best games.
Worth a watch?: 100 percent. This is one everyone should tune into and it’ll be a ton of fun.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Dec. 23 3:30 p.m.
Georgia State (6-6) v. Utah State (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
Blue field? Check. Mountain West team? Check. MAC school? Wait, who forgot the MAC school? That’s right, the Sun Belt is invading the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl with Georgia State. This isn’t a bowl known for the most fun on-paper matchups, but it usually devolves into chaos at some point. Plus, the winning coach gets a french fry bath. That’s fun, right?
Worth a watch?: Worth monitoring, but tune in for the end. Three words: French Fry Bath.
68 Ventures Bowl - Dec. 23 7 p.m.
South Alabama (6-6) v. Eastern Michigan (6-6) (ESPN/ESPN+)
Eastern plays a smashmouth offense that just hasn’t worked this season. South Alabama, on the other hand, has a potent offense led by MAC veteran Carter Bradley. The big question is if Eastern Michigan is able to keep up with the Jaguar offense. I’m not sure if they’re up for it, but that’ll depend on powerful tailback Samson Evans. If Evans is able to impose his will, as he did against Arizona State a year ago, the Eagles could fly to another bowl victory.
Worth a watch?: This one has potential, but I’d settle for monitoring it. If it’s tight in the second half, expect a fun ending.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl - Dec. 23 7:30 p.m.
Utah (8-4) v. Northwestern (7-5) (ABC/ESPN+)
Utah put together a great season, even without Cam Rising, but who expected Northwestern to jump above .500 and reach a bowl game after such a heavy scandal? I certainly didn’t, but the Wildcats have been impressive this season. This is another old-fashioned matchup with pro style offenses, but still expect some modern wrinkles. And don’t get caught up in the preseason stories of these teams: it’ll be a fun matchup.
Worth a watch?: I can’t think of a better stylistic matchup than Utah and Northwestern. This one will be fun.
EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl - Dec. 23 - 10:30 p.m.
Coastal Carolina (7-5) v. San Jose State (7-5) (ESPN/ESPN+)
This isn’t the Coastal Carolina of past, especially now that Grayson McCall is heading to NC State, so I’m not too confident in their ability to hang with San Jose State. The Spartans should run away with this one, but we’ll see. Maybe this one has some after-dark chaos in store.
Worth a watch?: I’d recommend catching up on some pre-holiday sleep.
I love your smart stuff, Griffin. But please add where we can watch each game.