Weekly Bowl preview: Dec. 30, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025
Breaking down all the bowl games of the week so you know what to watch
Edit: Correction to the North Texas and Texas State game, North Texas quarterback Chandler Morris is not playing, as pointed out by Adam Martinez, writer for
.This is it folks, the last week of full bowl season. College football is wrapping up as we hit the new year.
Bowl season this year has been great. From overtime thrillers like the Hawaii Bowl and GameAbove Sports Bowl to the pageantry of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Let’s finish this out in style with these last 10 games. Looking at the matchups, I’m sure there’s going to be some really fun battles in here.
As always, all times are Eastern.
TransPerfect Music City Bowl - Dec. 30, 2:30 p.m.
Iowa (8-4) v. Missouri (9-4) (ESPN)
This one could be billed as a stylistic battle with Missouri’s offense going against the Iowa defense. Notice I said “could be,” because Missouri’s offense has been flat all season. A ton of star power on both sides have opted out, including Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, and Missouri’s Luther Burden III, but that levels the playing field some.
Worth a watch?: It should be close, but this is prime time to relax before a packed New Year’s Eve. Probably solid background watching.
ReliaQuest Bowl - Dec. 31, 12 p.m.
15 Alabama (9-3) v. Michigan (7-5) (ESPN)
We get a helmet game in the Outback Bowl’s spiritual successor, but that’s about all it is. Almost every player that had a hand in Michigan’s historic upset over Ohio State has opted out. Alabama has lost some contributors like Kobe Prentice and Justice Haynes to the portal, but should be fully stocked and ready to notch double-digit wins in Kalen DeBoer’s first season.
Worth a watch?: Unless you’re a fan of one of these teams, skip it. The opt-outs kill any hype here.
Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl - Dec. 31, 2 p.m.
Louisville (8-4) v. Washington (6-6) (CBS)
This game is built all on offense, but again, opt-outs have me worried. Louisville is down to their third quarterback with Tyler Shough preparing for the draft and Brady Allen in the portal. Washington has a host of players, but most aren’t big contributors. This game is likely to be decided in the trenches, where Louisville’s three-headed backfield will go against a banged-up Washington run defense.
Worth a watch?: Eh, it’ll be interesting? I think?
Cheeze-It Citrus Bowl - Dec. 31, 3 p.m.
11 South Carolina (9-3) v. 21 Illinois (9-3) (ABC)
Now, we’re cooking. Sure, Kyle Kennard is sitting out to prepare for the draft, but that’s it. Everyone else of value on both sides is playing. That means we get to see the dynamic duo of LaNorris Sellers and Raheim “Rocket” Sanders go toe-to-toe with Illinois’ staunch defense. This one will be fun.
Worth a watch?: For sure. This is a legit ranked-on-ranked matchup.
Kinder’s Texas Bowl - Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.
Baylor (8-4) v. 25 LSU (8-4) (ESPN)
It’s been a tale of two seasons for these programs. Baylor rose from the dead with quarterback Sawyer Robertson to save Dave Aranda’s job. Can they keep the momentum going? LSU, on the other hand, has disappointed and hard questions are being asked of Brian Kelly in the Bayou. Can he quiet the noise with a decent bowl win? Probably not, but momentum with this win should be a big difference maker for both programs heading into the offseason.
Worth a watch?: Yes. This one has a ton of chaos potential with how emotional this season has been for both schools.
Want to know the final rankings? What about this season’s award winners? Check them out below!:
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl - Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Duke (9-3) v. 16 Ole Miss (9-3) (ESPN)
Duke is without Maalik Murphy, who is transferring to Oregon State, but that’s about it. Manny Diaz has done a great job in Durham this year, but Ole Miss still has all of their firepower. Can the Murphy-less Blue Devils keep up with Ole Miss’s electric offense?
Worth a watch?: Tune in for the first half, but it might get out of hand quickly.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl - Jan. 3, 4 p.m.
North Texas (6-6) v. Texas State (7-5) (ESPN)
We’ve got an in-state battle here between two high-octane Texas offenses. North Texas has embraced the Air Raid with head coach Eric Morris (no relation) and will certainly attempt chuck the ball all across the yard, but will have to do so with true freshman Drew Mestemaker.. For Texas State, quarterback Jordan McCloud operates in a veer and shoot and pistol hybrid that is tough to stop. Whichever defense is up to the task will decide this game. Another storyline to note: both head coaches have worked together so there is familiarity between the staffs. Another point towards this being a great game.
Worth a watch?: Yep. This is an under-the-radar thriller possibility.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl - Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota (7-5) v. Virginia Tech (6-6) (ESPN)
Both teams are built to run the ball, so there’s that. Minnesota has done about what was expected of them, but Virginia Tech was a disappointment after some lofty preseason hype to potentially compete for the ACC Championship. Still, the rushing battle between Minnesota’s Darius Taylor and Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten will be the story of this game.
Worth a watch?: I’d say so. It should be a fun, down and dirty game. Plus, food-based bowls are just better.
Bahamas Bowl Presented by Atlantis Resorts - Jan. 4, 11 a.m.
Buffalo (8-4) v. Liberty (8-3) (ESPN2)
The final game of the non-playoff bowl season ends in the Bahamas because of course it does. Buffalo has been surprisingly good in Pete Lembo’s first season in Amherst (that’s right, the school is not actually in Buffalo) behind a balanced offensive attack and a solid MAC defense. Liberty had high hopes - playoff aspirations, even - but multiple conference slip ups landed the Flames here. Dynamic Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter is in the portal, so won’t be playing in this game.
Worth a watch?: It has potential to be a good game, but also watch to savor the end of Bowl Season.
What I’m Reading:
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An idea hatched after years of 12-hour days glued to the couch, Tyler Schuster puts his passion for the sport on full display, delivering big-picture ideas, weekly previews and gambling nuggets directly to your inbox.
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I’m weirdly excited for Baylor-LSU.
I think if Sawyer Robertson balls out it could lead to some great Brian Kelly angry memes.
Chandler Morris won’t be playing, as he’s transferring to Virginia. True Freshman Mestemaker will play in his stead, and we have high hopes but overall the offense won’t be as good.
There are a lot of other storylines — CJ Kinne and Eric Morris worked together etc, but the portal has taken some of the shine off a couple of mid tier G5 squads. FYI