College football bowl season kicks off with two games Saturday and doesn’t end until Jan. 7 when Alabama and Notre Dame will decide the national championship. There are 35 bowl games in all — too many for anyone to watch (and no one should want to see all of these, which include some dreadful matchups). To save you from a wasted three hours on the couch, we’ve broken them down from best to worst — No. 1 through No. 35 — using size of a television as a guide.
MOVIE THEATER-SIZED GAMES
1. BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Notre Dame
Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
You’re going to watch. Even if you hate Notre Dame or the SEC or both, you’re watching. Resistance is futile. The game between traditional powers will set a ratings record. Combined wins: 24
HOME THEATER GAMES
2. COTTON BOWL
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma
Jan. 4, 6 p.m., Fox
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel leads the Aggies against their old conference rivals. This would have been a regular-season game before the Aggies bolted for the SEC. Combined wins: 20
3. FIESTA BOWL
Oregon vs. Kansas State
Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
For a while, it looked like the Ducks and Wildcats might meet for a national title. Instead, it’s a sexy matchup in what could be Oregon coach Chip Kelly’s final game with the Ducks. Combined wins: 22
4. SUGAR BOWL
Louisville vs. Florida
Jan. 2, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
The Gators have a legit case to be in the national title game. Louisville and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater have plenty to prove against one of the SEC’s best. Combined wins: 21
5. CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
LSU vs. Clemson
Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Can the high-octane Clemson offense get anything accomplished against LSU in a battle of Tigers in Atlanta? Can the ACC compete with the SEC after taking a beating in head-to-head games late in the season? Combined wins: 20
6. ORANGE BOWL
Northern Illinois vs. Florida State
Jan. 1, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
The Huskies have heard all the criticism and they have enough talent to make this one competitive. Florida State is underwhelming. And who doesn’t love to see the little guy get his chance? Combined wins: 23
7. ROSE BOWL
Wisconsin vs. Stanford
Jan. 1, 3 p.m., ESPN
The Rose Bowl has the best time slot and setting of all the bowl games. Stanford would be a candidate if the four-team playoff were in effect this year. Can Athletic Director Barry Alvarez earn another Rose Bowl victory as interim coach of the Badgers? Combined wins: 19
PUT IT ON THE FLAT SCREEN
8. CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Georgia vs. Nebraska
Jan. 1, 11 a.m., ABC
Both teams lost conference championship games. After Wisconsin hung 70 points on Nebraska in the Big Ten title game, Georgia could duplicate that. Combined wins: 21
9. OUTBACK BOWL
South Carolina vs. Michigan
Jan. 1, 11 a.m., ESPN
I’m a sucker for big-conference intersectional matchups like this in bowl games. Wish we had more in the regular season. Combined wins: 18
10. GATOR BOWL
Mississippi State vs. Northwestern
Jan. 1, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Another Big Ten-SEC challenge on New Year’s Day. This one features two sneaky good teams. Combined wins: 17
11. MAACO BOWL LAS VEGAS
Washington vs. Boise State
Dec. 22, 1:30 p.m., ESPN
If you wonder why the 10-win Broncos get stuck playing in pre-Christmas games, just take a look at the previous three games. The SEC and Big Ten have a monopoly on New Year’s Day games. Combined wins: 17
THE LIVING ROOM TV WILL DO JUST FINE
12. ALAMO BOWL
Texas vs. Oregon State
Dec. 29, 4:45 p.m., ESPN
New Arkansas State coach Bryan Harsin will not run the Texas offense for this game. Mack Brown’s seat is getting hot in Austin. Combined wins: 17
13. FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Toledo at Utah State
Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Two hot coaching commodities square off in Boise’s annual game. Utah State’s Gary Andersen declined overtures from Cal and Colorado, while Toledo’s Matt Campbell, just 33, will be on Big Ten radars soon. Combined wins: 19
14. HOLIDAY BOWL
Baylor vs. UCLA
Dec. 27, 7:45 p.m., ESPN
The bowl has a history of high-scoring, entertaining affairs (though defense has actually been played in the past three games). Baylor’s all-offense, no-defense style could contribute to another shootout. Combined wins: 16
15. GODADDY.COM BOWL
Kent State vs. Arkansas State
Jan. 6, 7 p.m., ESPN
Excellent regular seasons by both teams means neither one has its coach for the bowl game. Kent State was a MAC title game victory from the BCS. Combined wins: 20
THE TV IN THE GUEST BEDROOM WORKS
16. PINSTRIPE BOWL
West Virginia vs. Syracuse
Dec. 29, 1:15 p.m., ESPN
The former Big East mates (West Virginia left for the Big 12; Syracuse is headed to the ACC) meet at Yankee Stadium. Remember when West Virginia QB Geno Smith was going to win the Heisman? Me either. Combined wins: 14
17. POINSETTIA BOWL
BYU vs. San Diego State
Dec. 20, 6 p.m., ESPN
The former Mountain West mates (BYU is independent; San Diego State is headed to the Big East) meet in San Diego. Remember BYU QB Riley Nelson’s heroics last season? Me either. Combined wins: 16
18. NEW MEXICO BOWL
Nevada vs. Arizona
Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPN
Points, points and more points! Combined wins: 14
19. MUSIC CITY BOWL
North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt
Dec. 31, 10 a.m., ESPN
It’s a virtual home game for Vanderbilt, which has become a program on the rise under James Franklin. Just going to a bowl game isn’t good enough for N.C. State, which fired Tom O’Brien after a 7-5 season. Combined wins: 15
20. BELK BOWL
Cincinnati vs. Duke
Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Cincinnati desperately wants into the ACC. Unfortunately beating Duke won’t help that cause. Combined wins: 15
21. LIBERTY BOWL
Iowa State vs. Tulsa
Dec. 31, 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Ten-win Tulsa deserves a better foe than 6-6 Iowa State, which went 3-6 in Big 12 play. Combined wins: 16
BUST OUT THE OLD BLACK AND WHITE TV
22. MILITARY BOWL
San Jose State vs. Bowling Green
Dec. 27, 1 p.m., ESPN
San Jose State’s coach bolted for Colorado, one of the worst BCS-conference jobs in the country. Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier could turn to the Boise State coaching tree for a replacement. Combined wins: 18
23. KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL
Navy vs. Arizona State
Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPN2
Watch former Eagle High QB Taylor Kelly, now at Arizona State. Combined wins: 14
24. SUN BOWL
USC vs. Georgia Tech
Dec. 31, Noon, CBS
At least the Trojans’ wide receivers are something to watch. Combined wins: 13
TRANSISTOR RADIO TIME?
25. BEEF O’BRADY’S BOWL
Central Florida vs. Ball State
Dec. 21, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Is there anything else on? Combined wins: 18
26. NEW ORLEANS BOWL
East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Dec. 22, 10 a.m., ESPN
If I have to. Combined wins: 16
27. HAWAII BOWL
Fresno State vs. SMU
Dec. 24, 6 p.m., ESPN
June Jones was such a perfect fit at Hawaii. Wonder if he regrets leaving? I know Hawaii regrets seeing him go. Combined wins: 15
28. RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL
Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech
Dec. 28, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
A very down year from Virginia Tech. Rutgers is still euphoric from its invitation to join the Big Ten, where it might struggle to get bowl eligible. Combined wins: 15
29. MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
Minnesota vs. Texas Tech
Dec. 28, 7 p.m., ESPN
Better than getting your car worked on. Combined wins: 13
30. BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWL
TCU vs. Michigan State
Dec. 29, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Just go to Buffalo Wild Wings instead. Combined wins: 13
NO TV TO WATCH? YOU WON’T MISS ANYTHING
31. HEART OF DALLAS BOWL
Purdue vs. Oklahoma State
Jan. 1, 10 a.m., ESPNU
Need more evidence that New Year’s Day games don’t mean what they once did? Well, here you go. Combined wins: 13
32. INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Ohio vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Dec. 28, Noon, ESPN
I want to care about two eight-win teams, but when people talk about reducing the number of bowl games, this is why. Combined wins: 16
33. LITTLE CAESARS BOWL
Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan
Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
And here’s another reason why. Combined wins: 13
34. ARMED FORCES BOWL
Rice vs. Air Force
Dec. 29, 9:45 a.m., ESPN
Two 6-6 teams kicking off before noon local time. Feel the excitement. Combined wins: 12
35. BBVA COMPASS BOWL
Pittsburgh vs. Mississippi
Jan. 5, 11 a.m., ESPN
Really? Is this necessary? Combined wins: 12
© 2012 Idaho Statesman
Brian Murphy: 377-6444
