College Football Playoff First Round Game
Autzen Stadium: No. 12 James Madison (12-1, 8-0) @ No. 5 Oregon (11-1, 8-1)
Eugene, OR
Where/when to watch: Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on TNT | Line: Oregon -21.5 | O/U: 50.5
I’m sure James Madison is a decent football team, but is it one of the 12 best teams in the country? I don’t think so.
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field: Central Michigan (7-5, 5-3) vs. Northwestern (6-6, 4-5)
Detroit, MI
Where/when to watch: Friday, Dec. 26 at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN | Line: Northwestern -10.5 | O/U: 43.5
Playing a MAC team in a bowl game is pretty sad.
Rate Bowl
Chase Field: New Mexico (9-3, 6-2) vs. Minnesota (7-5, 5-4)
Phoenix, AR
Where/when to watch: Friday, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN | Line: Minnesota -2.5 | O/U: 47.5
Again, playing football games on baseball fields remains one of the stupidest things in sports.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium: Penn State (6-6, 3-6) vs. Clemson (7-5, 4-4)
Bronx, NY
Where/when to watch: Saturday, Dec. 27 at 11:00 a.m. on ABC | Line: Penn State -3 | O/U: 48.5
I’ve heard enough stories from the Iowa media members who covered this game in 2017. Open-air press box? No thanks.
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium: Tennessee (8-4, 4-4) vs. Illinois (8-4, 5-4)
Nashville, TN
Where/when to watch: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN | Line: Tennessee -5.5 | O/U: 61.5
Nashville is such an underrated city for a bowl game. Trust me, walking on Broadway last year was an awesome experience.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome: No. 16 USC (9-3, 7-2) vs. TCU (8-4, 5-4)
San Antonio, TX
Where/when to watch: Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN | Line: USC -6 | O/U: 59.5
This is one of the few bowl games that has actually kept its sponsor for awhile. Valero Alamo Bowl has a nice ring to it.
ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium: No. 23 Iowa (8-4, 6-3) vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2)
Tampa, FL
Where/when to watch: Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN | Line: Vanderbilt -6 | O/U: 49.5
Obviously I’m a little biased, but this is the best non-College Football Playoff bowl game on the schedule. These are two good football teams battling it out on New Year’s Eve.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium: No. 18 Michigan (9-3, 7-2) vs. No. 13 Texas (9-3, 6-2)
Orlando, FL
Where/when to watch: Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 2:00 p.m on ABC | Line: Texas -4.5 | O/U: 45.5
This is a fun game on paper, but there’s going to be a ridiculous amount of opt-outs. Hey, at least the winning coach gets dumped with Cheez-Its.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium: Nebraska (7-5, 4-5) vs. No. 15 Utah (10-2, 7-2)
Las Vegas, NV
Where/when to watch: Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN | Line: Utah -15.5 | O/U: 50.5
Matt Rhule should put his useless contract extension to use by playing some blackjack at Caesars Palace.