I like to do my bowl preview a little differently. I’ll list each bowl in order of telecast but I also give each bowl a number value 1-40, 40 being the worst bowl and put that number after it. The national title game is not included because there is nothing to write about it yet. Anyway, from there I then take on the perspective of a local fan (i.e. a Utah fan living in Salt Lake City) and give the chances of me attending. Basically I talk out of my butt like always but it is more fun to write as a fan when it comes to bowl games than really analyze these things. All times central.
December 31st Games:
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl – 5
Louisville (9-3, 7-1, ACC) vs LSU (7-4, 5-3, SEC)
The Heisman winner squares off against one of the best defenses in the nation. The reason this game is going to be awesome is pretty self explanatory, isn’t it?
Would I go if I was a Louisville fan: 10/10
While there is some potential of bowl fatigue (16th bowl since 1998) this is a special team. UL has their first Heisman Trophy winner of all time in Lamar Jackson and they are playing in their best bowl since 2012. Throw in some reasonable flights, good weather, and Disneyland, you have a pretty good game to go to.
Would I go if I was a LSU fan: 10/10
Just like their opponent, the Bayou Bengals are playing in their best bowl since the 2011-2012 season title game. Making things easy, nearby New Orleans has a ton of cheap nonstop flights to Orlando.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 8/10
I’ve made my opinion on Orlando known in previous bowls (awesome for families, I don’t have one, so I’m not bending over backwards to get there) so I don’t need to go into huge detail but I can explain why I am bumping it up to an 8 for the this game. It is a more prestigious bowl than the other Orlando games and it can be included with a really fun New Year’s Eve trip.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
You know I love games with opposing philosophies and you can’t get much more oppositional than Petrino’s high octane offense and Coach O’s bruising defense.
- Dec. 31, 10 am, ABC
TaxSlayer Bowl – 25
Georgia Tech (8-4, 4-4) vs Kentucky (7-5, 4-4)
A pair of teams that bounced back from awful starts try to cap of the season with a bowl victory. For Georgia Tech their 3-0 start soured to a 3-3 mark midway through the season. After that a 5-1 finish that included impressive road wins at Virginia Tech and Georgia. For the Wildcats they opened 0-2 with an inexplicable loss in the opener to Southern Miss. A loss to Alabama a few weeks later dropped UK to 2-3 but they also won five of their remaining games, including a big upset at Louisville.
Would I go if I was a Georgia Tech fan: 10/10
This Yellowjacket team was really resilient, that always makes for a fun season. Factor in Jacksonville being under 5 hours away from Atlanta (there are also nonstop flights for lazy folks) means you get to see this team play in a bowl with little effort, another plus.
Would I go if I was a Kentucky fan: 9/10
Downgrading from Tech just slightly because the drive is too long, so you are looking at airfare but bluegrass nation should want to go. This is their first bowl since 2010 and they are looking for their first win since 2008. Breaking bowl droughts is a damn good reason to get to the game.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 5/10
I’ve heard stories about how boring Jacksonville is but I’m not going to give it an awful grade. After all, it is the 60s in both December and January so the weather isn’t bad and it is right by St. Augustine, a very historic site and you know I’m a history nerd. I’d be more tempted to go to Jacksonville when I can take advantage of their beaches, though.
…So, should we watch on TV: 4.5/10
Paul Johnson’s triple option has worked better this year thanks to QB Justin Thomas being much more consistent this year than last. He still hasn’t returned to his brilliant sophomore year numbers when Tech won the Orange Bowl but he is playing much better. Part of that is the OL is helping way more this season than last. Kentucky’s offense is no slouch either. They hit 35+ seven times during the season. A big reason for this output was a pair of 1000 yard backs in Stanley Williams and Benny Snell Jr. Lots of weapons for this team. So yeah, there is enough fire power to flip over during commercials of the Citrus Bowl.
- Dec. 31, 10 am, ESPN
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Semifinal) – 1
Alabama (13-0, 8-0, SEC) vs Washington (12-1, 8-1, Pac 12)
The defending national champs went undefeated this year but the SEC was undeniably down this year. Factor in a freshman quarterback and some turnover issues and you have a feeling that maybe, just maybe, this Alabama team has a few cracks that can be exploited. The big question is, are any of the teams in this playoffs good enough to exploit them? Well, there’s a reason ‘Bama is the overwhelming favorite to win these last two games.
For those of you who live east of the Mississippi and don’t care about western football, this Washington team was a joy to watch. They have the best pure passing qb in the nation in Jake Browning to go along with a bruising running game, punishing defense, and solid special teams. Coach Chris Peterson knows a thing or two about winning bowls as an underdog too. Could we see a Boise-esque statue of liberty? God that would be awesome.
Would I go if I was a Alabama fan: 10/10
It’s the playoffs, yes. You beg, borrow, and steal to get there.
Would I go if I was a Washington fan: 9.99/10
Downgraded it a tad just because we saw what Alabama did last year to Michigan State. Would you want to cough up that money to get blown out? I’d be nervous as hell if I were a Husky fan…but I would be in the stadium.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 9.99/10
This is a little match up dependent because of Alabama but if Iowa were in the playoffs, I’d almost certainly be there.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Thankfully it is early enough in the day to watch it without it ruining New Year’s Eve. Call me crazy but I think this is Alabama’s toughest test in the playoffs. Ohio State has had offensive issues, especially on the OL – that spells doom for the Bucks if they face the Tide. Clemson has refused to play defense this year. That would favor the Tide, too. Washington is the most balanced of the teams in this tournament not named Alabama. If Budda Baker and the defense can generate some turnovers on young Jalen Hurts, UW can keep this thing close.
- Dec. 31, 2 pm, ESPN
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal) – 3
Clemson (12-1, 7-1, ACC) vs Ohio State (11-1, 8-1)
The controversial Buckeyes make the tournament as a non league champion, angering many. Of course that is what OSU does best is drive people bananas. Still, with their extremely difficult schedule of five highly ranked teams, beating 4 of them, beating 8 bowl teams, and going 37-3 over the last three years shows that this is one of the most consistent programs in the nation and makes any bullet point in the con-argument matched with one in the pro side of things.
Clemson is the defending runner ups and while it wasn’t always pretty, their outstanding quarterback Deshaun Watson guided them back to the playoffs. Now here, they should have a laser like focus, something that was lacking during the regular season. They say defense wins championships but when you look at the offensive weapons on paper, I’m not sure anyone can match what Clemson has in the skill positions.
Would I go if I was a Clemson fan: ?/10
I don’t honestly know if I would go. Let’s assume last year I went to both playoff games. That is a huge hit. If I’m a normal 9 to 5er, that is a huge financial investment. If I’m one of those huge boosters with more money than sense, I’d go. This is a rare feeling because with Alabama they are the defending champs, I think you have to keep going until you lose. But is there the same feeling for the runner up’s fan base? I don’t honestly know, thus the question mark.
Would I go if I was a OSU fan: 10/10
Buckeyes have played extremely well in this bowl game recently but now it is for some extra marbles. Plus Ohio winters versus Arizona…
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
You know my stance on playoff games.
…So, should we watch on TV: 0/10
It’s New Year’s Eve. Be with your friends or family. I’ll be at a party with my cell phone. Between appetizers and the main, I’ll slip off to the bathroom to check the score. So damn stupid to have games during New Year’s Eve.
- Dec. 31, 6pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 