It is that time of year when people all over the world will gather together with loved ones to think back on the previous year, share fellowship and food, exchange gifts, and enjoy the holidays. But please remember the reason for the season. Meaningless college football bowl games in nearly empty stadiums in shameless attempt to make money for every person involved except the players!
Now many people don't care about any games outside of the four team College Football Playoff. A few may care about the other top ranked teams in the New Year's Day games. Those people are doing it wrong. You don't know true sport happiness unless you are enjoying midweek afternoon games between a mid-major school you weren't aware played FBS football and a mediocre team from a power conference. These are the true great games. These are the best part of December, so in your face Santa Claus. I am here to show you how to really each and every bowl game this year. So just follow along and you'll reach full sports Nirvana.
Did Santa knock a burning log out of your fireplace and cause some fire damage? Then I have the bowl for you. It's the ServPro First Responders Bowl.
Who is playing: The Boston College Eagles who finished fourth in the ACC Atlantic with a 7-5 record will battle the #25 Boise State Broncos (10-3) who won the Mountain West Mountain division.
How to watch: Wednesday, December 26th at 1:30pm ESPN
Where: Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
Gambling Info: Boise St -2.5, o/u 52.5
Why you should watch: This game was the Heart of Dallas Bowl and the Ticket City bowl before that. The new sponsor Servpro is a company that repairs fire and water damage to your home. So if disaster struck on Christmas and the homeless shelter has ESPN, this game is for you. Boise State is quarterbacked by senior Brett Rypien, the son of Super Bowl winning quarterback, Mark Rypien. Boston College running back A.J. Dillon is one of the Heisman front runners for next year. This game features some interesting players to keep an eye on next year in both college and the NFL, so while your kids are still enjoying their toys from Santa, enjoy the ServPro First Responders Bowl, unless you are a first responder yourself, in which case, you are probably working.
Need your car serviced and want to watch a bowl game in the waiting room? May I present to you, the Quick Lane Bowl!
Who is playing: Minnesota went 6-6 which was good enough for 6th place in the Big Ten West, that's next to last for the Golden Gophers meet the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5) finished second in the ACC Coastal division.
How to watch: Wednesday, December 26th. 5:15 ESPN
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan.
Gambling Info: Georgia Tech -5.5 o/u 56.5
Why you should watch: Georgia Tech fans are mad that they fell to the Quick Lane Bowl, which gets the eighth pick of ACC teams, despite finishing second in their division. Paul Johnson., who brought the triple option to power 5 football after a multiple decade absence is retiring after the game. The Yellow Jackets should be fired up to prove their critics wrong and send their coach off on a high note. Minnesota coach, PJ Fleck, has announced that players will be suspended following unspecified actions after the Gophers beat Wisconsin in the final game of the season to become bowl eligible. Tune in to see who those players are and maybe what they did not that you know any players on Minnesota anyway.
Need a snack to make it through our third and final game of the day, have no fear, It's the Cheez-It Bowl!
Who is playing: The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (6-6) finished 5th in the ten team Big 12 line up against the California Golden Bears that ended the year 5th in the Pac-12 North with a 7-5 record.
How to watch: Wednesday, December 26th 9:00 ESPN
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona home Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gambling info: Cal -1, o/u 39
Why you should watch: Although it is the first edition of this game being named after a snack cracker, it is the thirtieth edition of the bowl, previously known as the Cactus Bowl (4x), Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (2x), Insight Bowl (15x), and the Copper Bowl (8x). It has been played in three different stadiums in three different cities in Arizona. The main reason that you should watch this game is because there is a very good chance that the Cheeze-It Bowl from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona will never happen again. It is like a square salty cheesy baked cracker comet. Enjoy it before it passes you by.
Start another day of football by freeing yourself from the shackles of work and declare your independence with the Walk On's Independence Bowl!
Who is playing: The Duke Blue Devils went 7-5 to finish 6th in the ACC Coastal Division and they will battle the Temple Owls who finished second in the American Athletic Conference Eastern division with an 8-4 tally.
How to watch: Thursday, December 27th 1:30 ESPN.
Where: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana
Gambling Info: Temple -3, o/u 54.5
Why you should watch: You need to watch this game so you can see all of the commercials that have co-owner Drew Brees in them. Walk-On's was founded by two LSU basketball walk-on players. They feel that they revolutionized the sports bar experience by having their sports bar feature fried food, beer, and large televisions that will show sporting events. CONSIDER THE GAME CHANGED!!! Unfortunately, this unique sports bar experience, is only available in 24 locations, 17 of which are in Louisiana, and all of which are way below the Mason-Dixon Line. Sorry Yankees. If you want to get a sneak peak at Drew Brees' pitch man skills click here.
Speaking of Yankees, our next bowl extravaganza is the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
Who is playing: The Miami Hurricanes and their 7-5 record and fourth place finish in the ACC Coastal division head up North to meet the Wisconsin Badgers who finished 7-5 and managed to be good enough to finish second in the Big Ten West.
How to watch: Thursday, December 27th 5:15 ESPN
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Gambling Info: Miami -3, o/u 47.5
Why you should watch: It's the Underachiever Bowl...er...um... the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Wisconsin and Miami were both ranked in the preseason top ten and finished unranked. I suggest turning the sound down on this game and exploring the rap duo, The Underachievers also from Brooklyn, New York, I have listened to exactly zero of their songs but they have released four albums, one of which peaked at number 86 on the charts. They might be terrible for all I know, but they deserve your attention more than these college football blue bloods slumming through a disappointing season to determine whose season is slightly less disappointing. Definitely keep the game on your screen however, because it is a football game being played outdoors in January which allows for the possibility of snow, and football in the snow looks cool. That is science fact.
Heading into the homestretch, don't give up now, it's the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl.
How to watch: Thursday, December 27th 9:00 ESPN
Who is playing: The Vanderbilt Commodores finished the season 6-6 to place sixth in the SEC East will matchup against the (6-6) Baylor Bears who finished 6th in the Big 12.
Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas home of the NFL's Houston Texans
Gambling info: Vanderbilt -4 o/u 55.5
Why you should watch: The matchup features two teams who are widely considered the smartest schools in the respective conferences. Although the naming rights don't seem to be that smart. The Academy Sports + OUTDOORS Texas Bowl could be played INDOORS because NRG stadium has retractable roof. Seems like odd marketing. Maybe the sporting goods store sponsor has it's too cold outside hunting gear or it's raining so stay on the couch fishing poles. See what interesting products are advertised during this matchup of Power 5 mediocre squads. Also check out this game if you are fans of the four teams who were bowl eligible but were not selected to bowl games. Fans of Miami (OH), Southern Mississippi, Wyoming, and Louisiana Monroe can try to figure out why these two teams were selected why they were left at home. Wait...I'm getting word on why....oh...it's because of money.
