STYLES MAKE FIGHTS BOWLS
13. Cheez-It Bowl in Phoenix (Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m.): Air Force vs. Washington State — Triple-option vs. Air Raid in the desert. What more do you want? The Falcons rank third in the country, and the Cougars lead the nation in passing, a glorious contrast of styles. The late time slot only adds to the fun, so grab your favorite holiday beverage and settle in.
14. Holiday Bowl in San Diego (Dec. 27, 8 p.m.): No. 22 USC vs. No. 16 Iowa — Trojans true freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis vs. the Hawkeyes defense is a matchup worth tuning in for. Iowa’s Nathan Stanley is 208 passing yards away from moving to second on the school’s all-time list, and can win his third straight bowl game to end his college career.
15. Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee (Dec. 31, 3:45 p.m.): No. 23 Navy vs. Kansas State — Quarterback Malcolm Perry’s final game for the Midshipmen should be celebrated after he helped lead one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in school history. He gets to face a Wildcats team under new coach Chris Kleiman that upset playoff participant Oklahoma.
16. Military Bowl in Annapolis (Dec. 27, noon): North Carolina vs. Temple — UNC quarterback Sam Howell quietly had one of the best true freshman seasons in recent memory, and he gets another test in a solid Owls team that reached its fifth straight bowl game despite losing its coach twice during that span (three times, if you count Manny Diaz’s jump to Miami days after being introduced at Temple).
17. Pinstripe Bowl in New York (Dec. 27, 3:20 p.m.): Michigan State vs. Wake Forest — Mark Dantonio’s Spartans were one of the most disappointing teams in the country, but a win over one of the ACC’s best teams will ease some tension. The Demon Deacons are looking to win nine games for just the third time in school history and have one of the most unique, patient read-option running games in the country.
18. Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida (Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m.): Liberty vs. Georgia Southern — Consider this the sodium-free Cheez-It Bowl. Georgia Southern’s tripleoption was good enough to beat Sun Belt champion Appalachian State earlier this season, and Liberty has a bona-fide NFL prospect in receiver Antonio GandyGolden leading its passing attack. Plus, who knows what apparatus Hugh Freeze will be coaching the game from?
28. Celebration Bowl in Atlanta (Dec. 21, noon): Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T — This HBCU rivalry has become an annual tradition. The SWAC champion Braves and the MEAC champion Aggies will meet for the second straight year and the third time since 2015, with NC A&T winning both matchups. 29. Redbox Bowl in Santa Clara, California (Dec. 30, 4 p.m.): California vs. Illinois (Over/under: 41.5) — Fear the Beard. The Fighting Illini reached a bowl game for the first time since 2014, which means we get to see Lovie Smith coach a postseason game for the first time since the 2010 NFC championship game with the Chicago Bears.
30. New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Dec. 21, 2 p.m.): Central Michigan vs. San Diego State (Over/under: 41) — The Aztecs allow just 12.8 points per game, while the Chippewas surrender 20.3 (if you remove a 61-0 loss to Wisconsin). We might see more punts than points, and that should be celebrated.