You don’t have to wait long for one great matchup
And so we come to the top 10. As you would expect, the list of the 10 most compelling matchups on the 40-bowl slate is heavy on the New Year’s Six. But the top quarter includes an opening-day gem you won’t want to miss as the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason kicks off Saturday.
10. Sugar Bowl in New Orleans
No. 7 Oklahoma (10-2) vs. No. 17 Auburn (8-4), Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
This is the last one before the national championship game, but it has the potential to unfold as the least attractive of the majors. Whether this game turns out to be competitive largely depends on the Tigers, who hope to have several of their key offensive playmakers healthy by game time. Auburn’s defense will pose a challenge for the Sooners’ pair of Heisman Trophy finalists, QB Baker Mayfield and WR Dede Westbrook, but things could get out of hand quickly if the Big 12 champs build a lead.
9. Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3) vs. No. 14 Western Michigan (13-0), Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
The curiosity factor of how the Group of Five representative fares against a power-conference opponent will turn to intrigue if the Broncos are able to hang with the Badgers into the second half — and they very well might. Wisconsin isn’t an offensive juggernaut, and WMU doesn’t often make mistakes that would give the Badgers a short field. But the Broncos did display uncharacteristic nervousness in the MidAmerican Conference title game, and they’ll have to shake any residual jitters immediately to make the most of this chance. 8. Outback Bowl in Tampa No. 18 Florida (8-4) vs. No. 25 Iowa (8-4), Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ABC If nothing else, this contest should be close throughout because neither offense is likely to generate sufficient points for a big lead. It would not be stunning, in fact, to see one of these accomplished defensive units produce a big play that could shift momentum. And, hey, no matter who wins, there’s a free appetizer. 7. Las Vegas Bowl San Diego State (10-3) vs. Houston (9-3), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
You’ll want to make time to catch this highlight of the bowl season’s first full day. If not for some ill-timed off days resulting in losses, either of these teams might have been candidates to appear in the New Year’s Six lineup. As it is, the Mountain West champion Aztecs and Donnel Pumphrey (No. 2 nationally in rushing with 2,018 yards; he needs 108 yards to become the all-time FBS leader) should stage a terrific back-and-forth battle with the Cougars and feisty QB Greg Ward Jr.
6. Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla.
No. 6 Michigan (10-2) vs. No. 10 Florida State (9-3), Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Even though this is a muchsought-after bowl destination, it’s not the one either of these teams wanted at the start of the season. Even so, a victory will mean a top-10 finish. Seminoles freshman QB Deondre Francois appears to have a bright future, though his line must do a much better job protecting him. In the meantime he’ll look to send back- field mate Dalvin Cook off to the next level with a win, assuming he chooses to enter the draft. The Wolverines should have QB Wilton Speight back at full strength, and it will be interesting to see how many uses Michigan finds for Jabrill Peppers in what might also be his send-off performance.
5. Alamo Bowl in San Antonio No. 11 Colorado (10-3) vs. No. 13 Oklahoma State (9-3), Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
We strongly considered making this one the most appealing pairing outside the six access bowls. It features teams that were playing for power conference titles on the final weekend of the regular season. The time off should help Buffaloes QB Sefo Liufau’s bad ankle heal. CU will need him at full speed to keep up with Mason Rudolph and the Cowboys. 4. Citrus Bowl in Orlando No. 15 Louisville (9-3) vs. No. 20 LSU (7-4), Dec. 31, 11 a.m. ET, ABC
In the end, we went with this one to head the non-New Year’s Six clashes. The main attraction is the Heisman Trophy winner against the stingiest defense he has encountered this season. Cardinals QB Lamar Jackson will have to pick his spots to run more carefully against the hard-hitting Tigers, though LSU will miss the constant presence of LB Kendell Beckwith (knee). It will be a bonus if Tigers RB Leonard Fournette is able to make a farewell appearance before heading to the NFL, but he is listed as questionable.
3. Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
No. 5 Penn State (11-2) vs. No. 9 Southern California (9-3), Jan. 2, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Granddaddy easily heads the list of non-playoff matchups. You will not find two hotter Power Five teams entering the bowl season outside of Tuscaloosa. Much of the Trojans’ reversal of fortunes is attributed to the switch to freshman QB Sam Darnold, but USC’s defense also made strides after September. The Nittany Lions have made second-half comebacks into an art form this season, but their fans would like to see a strong first series from QB Trace McSorley and RB Saquon Barkley to ease anxieties. 2. Peach Bowl in Atlanta No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 4 Washington (12-1), Dec. 31, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN The apparent inevitability of the Crimson Tide’s march to the Southeastern Conference championship prompts us to put their game second of the Playoff semifinals. Washington took its fans on a tremendous ride this season all the way to the Pac-12 title. But it doesn’t bode well that in the Huskies’ loss — to Southern California — they were dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and that is where Alabama imposes its will on a weekly basis. Washington QB Jake Browning must make deep connections early for the Huskies to have any shot at pull- ing off an upset.
1. Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. No. 2 Ohio State (11-1) vs. No. 3 Clemson (12-1), Dec. 31, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Keeping in mind the overarching “anything can happen” reality that is, after all, the reason we watch sports, we give this semifinal a higher probability of holding our interest. The Buckeyes and Tigers survived a few nailbiters to get here, so a little fourth-quarter drama to close out the calendar year is a strong possibility. S Malik Hooker and the superb Buckeyes secondary could limit the big-play opportunities for Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, so the Tigers will need a big contribution from RB Wayne Gallman. Ohio State’s attack works best when QB J.T. Barrett can find all-purpose back Curtis Samuel in space, but he’s sure to receive added attention from Clemson LB Ben Boulware.