COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GUIDE 2017-18

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NON-NEW YEAR’S SIX MATCHUPS

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

NORTH TEXAS (9-4) vs. TROY (10-2)

When, TV: Dec. 16, noon CST, ESPN Outlook: Troy is led by senior QB Brandon Silvers (2,985 yards, 13 TDs) and enters with a six-game winning streak. North Texas won Conference USA’s West Division.

CURE BOWL

GEORGIA ST. (6-5) vs. WESTERN KY. (6-6) When, TV: Dec. 16, 1:30 p.m. CST, CBSSN Outlook: Both teams made it to the postseason under first-year coaches — Shawn Elliott for Georgia State and Mike Sanford for Western Kentucky.

LAS VEGAS BOWL

No. 25 BOISE ST. (10-3) vs. OREGON (7-5)

When, TV: Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. CST, ABC Outlook: Boise State leads series 2-0, winning games in 2008 and 2009. The Mountain West champion Broncos get the chance to cap their season with a victory over a power conference opponent.

NEW MEXICO BOWL

COLORADO ST. (7-5) vs. MARSHALL (7-5) When, TV: Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. Colorado State faded after a 6-2 start, dropping three in a row despite owning the No. 10 offense in the country (501 yards per game).

CAMELLIA BOWL

ARKANSAS STATE (7-4) vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 16, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Middle Tennessee leads series 9-5, though Arkansas State won the last three. The magic number for QB Justice Hansen and Arkansas State is 30. When the Red Wolves score 30 points, they’re 7-1, with the lone loss coming at Nebraska.

BOCA RATON BOWL

AKRON (7-6) at FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10-3)

When, TV: Dec. 19, 6 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. Can Terry Bowden’s Zips keep up with Florida Atlantic? That’s the pressing question in this game played at the home of the Conference USA champion Owls. Florida Atlantic had one of the season’s most mesmerizing turnarounds, averaging 39.8 points per game under first-year coach Lane Kiffin.

FRISCO BOWL

LOUISIANA TECH (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5)

When, TV: Dec. 20, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Louisiana Tech earned a place in the postseason by winning its final two games. Southern Methodist is making its first bowl trip since 2012 and will do so without the coach that ended the drought. Chad Morris left for Arkansas in December, with Jeff Traylor serving as interim coach.

GASPARILLA BOWL

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (8-4) vs. TEMPLE (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 21, 7 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. It’s a matchup of teams with first-year coaches. Florida International was invigorated by the hire of former Miami and North Carolina coach Butch Davis.

BAHAMAS BOWL

OHIO (8-4) vs. UAB (8-4)

When, TV: Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. There can’t be a better story in college football this season than UAB’s rebirth. The Blazers’ program was shut down after the 2014 season, but was soon revived.

IDAHO POTATO BOWL

CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-4) vs. WYOMING (7-5) When, TV: Dec. 22, 3 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Series tied 1-1, and the teams have not met since 2002.

BIRMINGHAM BOWL

No. 23 SOUTH FLORIDA (9-2) vs. TEXAS TECH (6-6) When, TV: Dec. 23, 11 a.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. It’s a return trip to Birmingham for the Bulls, who beat South Carolina in overtime in last year’s game.

ARMED FORCES BOWL

ARMY (9-3) vs. SAN DIEGO STATE (10-2) When, TV: Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: San Diego State leads series 2-0, a pair of victories in 2011 and 2012. This is the best bet for the fastest-moving game of this year’s bowl season.

DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL

APPALACHIAN STATE (8-4) vs. TOLEDO (11-2)

When, TV: Dec. 23, 6 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Appalachian State leads series 1-0, a 31-28 victory in last year’s Camellia Bowl. Toledo will look to claim a victory in the rematch after earning its first Mid-American Conference championship since 2004.

HAWAII BOWL

FRESNO STATE (9-4) vs. HOUSTON (7-4)

When, TV: Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. Few hires raised as many eyebrows last year as Fresno State’s decision to turn to former California coach Jeff Tedford to revive its sagging fortunes. Few worked as splendidly, either.

HEART OF DALLAS BOWL

UTAH (6-6) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (7-5)

When, TV: Dec. 26, 12:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Utah leads series 1-0, a Liberty Bowl triumph in 1964. Much of the arc of this contest could depend on the availability of West Virginia QB Will Grier. He suffered a broken finger in the Mountaineers’ Nov. 18 loss to Texas, and West Virginia stood little chance of keeping pace with Oklahoma without Grier the following week.

QUICK LANE BOWL

DUKE (6-6) vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (8-4)

When, TV: Dec. 26, 4:15 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. The Blue Devils returned to the postseason after a one-year hiatus thanks to victories over Georgia Tech and Wake Forest to close out November.

CACTUS BOWL

KANSAS STATE (7-5) vs. UCLA (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 26, 8 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: UCLA leads series 2-1, including an Alamo Bowl victory in 2014. Before the Chip Kelly era begins, the Josh Rosen era is likely to end for UCLA. The junior quarterback is largely expected to turn pro after this contest as the Bruins play out their last game under interim coach Jedd Fisch.

INDEPENDENCE BOWL

FLORIDA STATE (6-6) vs. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (8-4)

When, TV: Dec. 27, 12:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Florida State leads series 13-81, though the schools last played in 1996. This marks Florida State’s 36th consecutive bowl appearance, but it comes in a time of tumult for the program. Coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M just days before the regular-season finale against UL Monroe, and interim coach Odell Haggins will lead the Seminoles in this game.

PINSTRIPE BOWL

BOSTON COLLEGE (7-5) vs. IOWA (7-5)

When, TV: Dec. 27, 4:15 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. Whoever can establish — and stop — the run is going to win this game. Boston College took off when it inserted freshman TB A.J. Dillon into its lineup, and he went on to win ACC rookie of the year honors after rushing for 1,432 yards. While the Eagles have won five of six, Iowa’s offense has been boom-or-bust. The Hawkeyes scored 44 points on four occasions, but were held to less than 20 points six times.

FOSTER FARMS BOWL

ARIZONA (7-5) vs. PURDUE (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m. CST, Fox Outlook: Purdue leads series 2-0, sweeping a home-and-home in 2003 and 2005. On the surface this looks like a game between two mediocrities, but it has the potential to be one of the most entertaining games of the bowl season.

TEXAS BOWL

MISSOURI (7-5) vs. TEXAS (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 27, 8 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Texas leads series 17-6, but Missouri won the last meeting 17-5 in 2011. It’s a reunion of old Big 12 rivals in a game both teams could use to cap seasons that showed progress. Texas returns to the postseason in its first year under coach Tom Herman and is seeking to complete a winning season for the first time since 2014.

MILITARY BOWL

VIRGINIA (6-6) at NAVY (6-6)

When, TV: Dec. 28, 12:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Navy leads series 27-11, but the Cavaliers have won the last five in a regional rivalry on hiatus since 1994. Virginia is making its first bowl trip since 2011, a major step forward for secondyear coach Bronco Mendenhall.

CAMPING WORLD BOWL

No. 17 OKLAHOMA STATE (9-3) vs. No. 22 VIRGINIA TECH (9-3)

When, TV: Dec. 28, 4:15 p.m. CST, ABC Outlook: Series tied 1-1, though the teams have not met since 1972. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting, and he and WR James Washington will cap their college careers going against Bud Foster’s stingy Hokie defense.

ALAMO BOWL

No. 15 STANFORD (9-4) vs. No. 13 TEXAS CHRISTIAN (10-3)

When:, TV: Dec. 28, 8 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: TCU leads series 2-0, winning games in 2007 and 2008. It’s a matchup of conference runners-up and programs that have largely maximized their resources over the last decade or so. The Cardinal, which fell to Southern California in the Pac-12 title game, is led by Heisman Trophy runner-up Bryce Love, who rushed for 1,973 yards. The Horned Frogs’ turnaround season was keyed by QB Kenny Hill, as well as a defense that ranked fourth nationally against the run — but never got the sort of test Love will provide.

HOLIDAY BOWL

No. 18 MICHIGAN STATE (9-3) vs. No. 21 WASHINGTON STATE (9-3)

When, TV: Dec. 28, 8 p.m. CST, FS1 Outlook: Michigan State lead series 5-2, and this is the schools’ first meeting since 1977. It’s a return to the Holiday Bowl for Washington State, which scuffled to a surprising loss to a Minnesota team roiled in controversy last year. The Cougars will try to do better this time around in the final career game of all-time Pac-12 passing leader Luke Falk. Michigan State reversed its 3-9 mark from last season, beating both Michigan and Penn State along the way, and will try to secure a 10-win campaign of its own.

BELK BOWL

TEXAS A&M (7-5) vs. WAKE FOREST (7-5)

When, TV: Dec. 29, noon CST, ESPN Outlook: First meeting. While the Aggies forked over a 10-year, $75 million contract to Jimbo Fisher to reverse their football fortunes, interim coach Jeff Banks will handle the sideline duties in this game. Texas A&M’s fade wasn’t quite as pronounced as usual, but it did drop four of its last seven games. Wake Forest is back in the postseason for the second consecutive year, and durable QB John Wolford (2,792 yards, 25 TDs passing; 615 yards, 10 TDs rushing) will try to close out his senior season with a victory.

SUN BOWL

ARIZONA STATE (7-5) vs. N.C. STATE (8-4)

When, TV: Dec. 29, 2 p.m. CST, CBS Outlook: Series tied 1-1, and this is the first meeting since 1974. It’s the final game at Arizona State for coach Todd Graham, who was fired after a Territorial Cup defeat of Arizona and replaced with former NFL coach Herm Edwards. N.C. State was on the verge of a breakout season thanks to a 6-1 start, but losses to Notre Dame and Clemson knocked the Wolfpack out of national and ACC title contention.

MUSIC CITY BOWL

KENTUCKY (7-5) vs.

No. 20 NORTHWESTERN (9-3)

When, TV: Dec. 29, 3:30 p.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Northwestern leads series 1-0, a 7-0 victory in 1928. This is a matchup of teams whose seasons have gone in opposite directions. While Kentucky has benefitted from the excellent work of TB Benny Snell (1,318 yards), it also dropped four of its last six after a 5-1 start.

ARIZONA BOWL

NEW MEXICO STATE (6-6) vs. UTAH STATE (6-6) When, TV: Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. CST, CBSSN Outlook: Utah State leads series 30-7, and the teams played every year but one between 1985 and 2012.

TAXSLAYER BOWL

LOUISVILLE (8-4) vs.

No. 24 MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-4)

When, TV: Dec. 30, 11 a.m. CST, ESPN Outlook: Mississippi State leads series 4-0, though this is the first meeting since 1976. It’s the likely college swansong for Louisville star Lamar Jackson, who won last year’s Heisman Trophy and finished third in this year’s balloting.

LIBERTY BOWL

IOWA STATE (7-5) at No. 19 MEMPHIS (10-2)

When, TV: Dec. 30, 11:30 a.m. CST, ABC Outlook: First meeting. It’s the first time Memphis has ever earned a Liberty Bowl invite, and it is sure to be packed with Tiger partisans after QB Riley Ferguson led the program to the American Athletic Conference title game. Coach Mike Norvell remains with Memphis despite being an appealing target in this year’s coaching carousel.

OUTBACK BOWL

MICHIGAN (8-4) vs. SOUTH CAROLINA (8-4)

When,, TV: Jan. 1, 11 a.m. CST, ESPN2 Outlook: South Carolina leads series 2-1, including a 33-28 victory in the 2013 Outback Bowl. This is an early candidate for the lowest-scoring game of this year’s postseason. South Carolina is giving up just 20.8 points per game, while Michigan owns the nation’s top pass defense, the No. 3 total defense and yields only 18.3 yards per game. The Wolverines are also 101st in total yardage, while South Carolina is 108th. Don’t expect a scoreboard-buster in Tampa to ring in the new year.

CITRUS BOWL

No. 16 LOUISIANA STATE (9-3) vs. No. 14 NOTRE DAME (9-3)

When, TV: Jan. 1, noon CST, ABC Outlook: Notre Dame leads series 6-5 and won the last meeting 31-28 in the 2014 Music City Bowl. Both teams had turnarounds in 2017, only they came at different times. Notre Dame reinvented itself in the offseason as a power rushing team, and QB Brandon Wimbush and TB Josh Adams are the primary reasons the Fighting Irish bounced back from a 4-8 season. Louisiana State was 2-2 after a loss to Troy, but stiffened behind TB Derrius Guice to win seven of eight (with the lone loss against Alabama) to close out the regular season.