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It’s time to put my reputation on the line and predict each of the 41 games in the upcoming college football bowl season. After providing a season’s long ranking of all 131 major college teams, let’s review each bowl match-up by the SwampSwamiSports.com rankings, predict the winners and provide a few insights to prepare you for the upcoming three week marathon of college football bowl watching!
My projected winners will have the lower SwampSwamiSports.com numerical ranking and are denoted in bold. Here we go!
#1 – Friday, Dec. 16 – Bahamas Bowl – 9:30AM ESPN – #82 Miami (OH) vs #83 UAB
This is one of the closest projected match-ups of the bowl season. Both teams went 6-6. The edge goes to the Redhawks – barely.
#2 – Friday, Dec. 16 – Cure Bowl – 2PM ESPN – #5 Troy vs. #9 UT-San Antonio
Mark this game down as “Must Watch” TV. These teams both went 11-2 and are conference champions. This could be a dandy!
#3 – Saturday, Dec 17 – Fenway Bowl – 10AM ESPN – #22 Cincinnati vs. #51 Louisville
The Bearcats went 9-3 and Louisville 7-5. Seeing a football game in baseball’s historic Fenway Park in Boston is a unique viewing experience.
#4 – Saturday, Dec 17 – Las Vegas Bowl – 1:30PM ESPN – #20 Oregon State vs. #67 Florida
9-3 Oregon State should (on paper) roll this depleted 6-6 Florida team. The Gators get to try-out a new QB as overrated Anthony Richardson has departed for the NFL draft. Meanwhile, Florida back-up Jalen Kitna was recently arrested on child pornography charges. Third-string QB Jack Miller will hand the ball off – a lot – to Florida’s talented group of running backs.
#5 – Saturday, Dec 17 – Jimmy Kimmel Bowl – 2:30PM ABC – #27 Fresno St. vs. #62 Washington St.
Fresno State (9-4) finished on a roll while the Cougars (7-5) faltered after a hot start. This has the makings of a real snoozer. Zzzz
#6 – Saturday, Dec 17 – Lending Tree Bowl – 4:45PM ESPN – #65 Southern Miss vs. #97 Rice
Rice is the big story here. At 5-7, Rice was the only bowl team selected this year with less than six wins. Yes, it’s complicated. Appalachian State went 6-6 but two of their wins came over small-college FCS teams. Army also just finished 6-6 but didn’t win their sixth game (against Navy) until the week after bowl selections were made. As a result of Rice’s top ranked academic rating, the Owls earned the tie-breaker as America’s “most deserving” 5-7 team. And now you know…the REST…of the story!
#7 – Saturday, Dec 17 – New Mexico Bowl – 6:30PM ABC – #48 SMU vs. #52 BYU
Both teams finished 7-5, have explosive offenses but played inconsistently this year. A toss-up.
#8 – Saturday, Dec 17 – Frisco Bowl – 8:15PM ESPN – #28 Boise State vs. #64 North Texas
Though the Broncos finished 9-4, the 7-5 Mean Green from North Texas will be playing a virtual “home” game in the nearby Dallas area. After six bowl games today, good luck staying awake for this Saturday nightcap!
#9 – Monday, Dec 19 – Myrtle Beach Bowl – 1:30PM ESPN – #32 Marshall vs. #75 U Conn
Marshall went to Notre Dame and beat the Irish this year. The Huskies are happy just to be playing in their first bowl game since 2015 (ironically, they lost that bowl game to Marshall!).
#10 – Tuesday, Dec 20 – Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – 2:30PM ESPN – #44 Eastern Michigan vs. #45 San Jose State
The Eagles from the MAC went 8-4, while the Mountain West Spartans finished 7-5. The game will be played on the lovely blue turf in Boise. Beware of incoming ducks trying to land on the blue football field (not a joke!).
#11 – Tuesday, Dec 20 – Boca Raton Bowl – 6:30PM ESPN – #41 Liberty vs. #46 Toledo
The Flames (8-4) lost their head coach (Hugh Freeze) to Auburn recently. The 8-5 Toledo Rockets are champions of the MidAmerican Conference. This should be a close match-up and could be a fun game.
#12 – Wednesday, Dec 21 – New Orleans Bowl – 8PM ESPN – #14 South Alabama vs. #47 Western Kentucky
The 10-2 Jaguars posted their first winning record in eleven FBS seasons. The Hilltoppers (8-5) will have their work cut out for them in this match-up.
#13 – Thursday, Dec 22 – Armed Forces Bowl – 6:30PM ESPN – #23 Air Force vs. #79 Baylor
On paper, the Falcons (9-3) look to be a big favorite over the disappointing 6-6 Bears. However, Baylor is located just 90 miles south of Fort Worth and should bring an enthusiastic contingent up I-35 with them.
#14 – Friday, Dec 23 – Independence Bowl – 2PM ESPN – #49 Houston vs. #73 Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns
This is the first bowl trip to Shreveport for both the Cougars and Cajuns. Just a week earlier, the I-Bowl tried to get the NCAA to pre-approve Army to play this game against Houston. However, the Black Knights were still just 5-6 when the bowl bids were due last weekend so the permission was denied by the NCAA. Note to visitors in Shreveport – Indy Bowl weather is notoriously fickle (terrific or a miserably wet and/or cold experience). You’ve been warned.
#15 – Friday, Dec 23 – Gasparilla Bowl – 5:30PM ESPN – #58 Wake Forest vs. #72 Missouri
The Demon Deacons from the ACC are 7-5 while Mizzou from the SEC finished 6-6. If you’re like me and want to know “What is a Gasparilla?” click on this link for the answer.
#16 – Saturday, Dec 24 – Hawaii Bowl – 7PM ESPN – #60 San Diego State vs. #63 Middle Tennessee State
Is there ANY better way to enjoy your Christmas Eve at home on a cold winter night than having some hot chocolate and watching a college football game from Honolulu, Hawaii? Whoever put this football game into this particular time slot is a marketing genius!
#17 – Monday, Dec 26 – Quick Lane Bowl – 1:30PM ESPN – #71 New Mexico State vs. #76 Bowling Green
This game is played inside at Ford Field in Detroit. Other than that, this match-up of two 6-6 teams looks line an early afternoon snoozer!
#18 – Tuesday, Dec 27 – Camellia Bowl – 11AM ESPN – #70 Georgia Southern vs. #78 Buffalo
Did you know that Montgomery, Alabama’s 100-year old Cramton Bowl was the first stadium to play football under the lights in September, 1927? This pairing of two 6-6 teams may serve as a nice lunch-time snack to start a long day of four straight college football games.
#19 – Tuesday, Dec 27 – First Responder Bowl – 2:15PM ESPN – #69 Utah State vs. #81 Memphis
This is another bowl game being played in a small football stadium (SMU). The match-up of two more 6-6 teams could help to jump-start your afternoon nap. Zzzz
#20 – Tuesday, Dec 27 – Birmingham Bowl – 5:45PM ESPN – #21 Coastal Carolina vs. #53 East Carolina
You might wonder, “Why are two teams from the Carolinas both playing in Birmingham, Alabama?” Who knows? The Chanticleers finished 9-3 after losing the Sunbelt Championship game to Troy (11-2). The ECU Pirates (7-5) are known to spring a few upsets – like beating 9-4 UCF earlier this season. Yarrghh – ye fighting chickens better watch out!
#21 – Tuesday, Dec 27 – Guaranteed Rate Bowl – 9:15PM ESPN – #20 Oregon State vs. #77 Wisconsin
This game (played in Phoenix) features a classic battle between the surprising Oregon rodents (9-3 Beavers) vs. the disappointing Wisconsin omnivores (6-6 Badgers). You’ll need some caffeine to complete this fourth game of the day!
#22 – Wednesday, Dec 28 – Military Bowl – 1PM ESPN – #25 UCF vs. #42 Duke
Both of these teams finished with four losses. One of UCF’s wins came at 11-2 Tulane, so the Knights should have the edge in this game being played at Navy’s home field in Annapolis.
#23 – Wednesday, Dec 28 – Liberty Bowl – 4:30PM ESPN – #68 Arkansas vs. #74 Kansas
One thing is certain in this match-up between the 6-6 red team (Razorbacks) and the 6-6 blue team (Jayhawks). The word “Kansas” will win and lose in this game. This is an excellent match-up!
#24 – Wednesday, Dec 28 – Holiday Bowl – 7PM on FOX – #17 Oregon vs. #29 N. Carolina
From San Diego, this interesting West vs. East match-up (the first televised bowl game not being played on a Disney-owned outlet) promises a lot of scoring.
#25 – Wednesday, Dec 28 – Texas Bowl – 8PM ESPN – #36 Ole Miss vs. #57 Texas Tech
Get your popcorn out, Rebel fans! This game promises to keep the scoreboard busy as 8-4 Ole Miss and 7-5 Texas Tech both score an average of 34 points per game. Don’t blink!
#26 – Thursday, Dec 29 – Pinstripe Bowl – 1PM ESPN – #43 Minnesota vs. #55 Syracuse
Like watching the Fenway Bowl in Boston, this football game may destroy the lovely baseball turf in New York’s Yankee Stadium. Both of these teams faded coming down the stretch in 2022. A good nap may be in order here to preserve your strength for the other two games!
#27 – Thursday, Dec 29 – Cheez-it Bowl – 4:30PM ESPN – #19 Florida State vs. #80 Oklahoma
In selecting the 6-6 Oklahoma Sooners, this Orlando-based bowl will feature one of America’s most disappointing college football teams. The 9-3 Florida State Seminoles chalked-up a few close wins over ACC champion Clemson (11-2) and SEC-West champion LSU (9-4). Will the “real” OU Sooners show-up ready to compete in this bowl game?
#28 – Thursday, Dec 29 – Alamo Bowl – 8PM ESPN – #11 Washington vs. #34 Texas
The Huskies quietly finished their regular season with an impressive 10-2 record. They’ll be facing a hostile crowd in San Antonio as the 8-4 Longhorns fans should show-up in force from nearby Austin. This should be a fun nightcap game!
#29 – Friday, Dec 30 – Duke’s Mayo Bowl – 11AM ESPN – #37 NC State vs. #61 Maryland
Maryland (7-5) was a long-time member of the ACC before moving to the Big Ten for (of course) more money. The 8-4 Wolfpack from the ACC sports a win over 9-3 Florida State and is a very dangerous opponent. This should be a solid start to five college football games on Friday!
#30 – Friday, Dec 30 – Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – 1PM CBS – #18 UCLA vs. #40 Pitt
Don’t believe the hype! This game is NOT “GRRR-eat!” The 9-3 Bruins defeated Pac-12 champion Utah (10-3) and could steamroll the 8-4 Pitt Panthers from the ACC.
#31 – Friday, Dec 30 – Gator Bowl – 2:30PM ESPN – #31 South Carolina vs. #33 Notre Dame
This match-up of 8-4 teams should be quite entertaining. The Gamecocks beat Tennessee (10-2) and Clemson (11-2) to end their season. They have been prone to inconsistency on offense. Notre Dame’s defense always shows up and may be a factor in this game.
#32 – Friday, Dec 30 – Arizona Bowl – 3:30PM on www.barstool.tv – #30 Ohio U vs. #50 Wyoming
You REALLY have to be willing to find this game (internet only) in order to watch this one. A solid 9-4 Bobcats team from the MAC will take on the 7-5 Cowboys from the Mountain West (who notched a win over 9-3 Air Force earlier this season).
#33 – Friday, Dec 30 – Orange Bowl – 7PM ESPN – #7 Clemson vs. #10 Tennessee
This will be the most orange-colored Orange Bowl in its history as these two teams with Florida citrus-colored jerseys invade Miami. Tennessee’s offense has been nearly unstoppable. We’ll also learn whether Clemson’s late-season change at quarterback proves to be the real deal. Expect points galore here!
#34 – Saturday, Dec 31 – Music City Bowl – 11AM ABC – #56 Kentucky vs. #59 Iowa
Both of these 7-5 teams had higher hopes for 2022. Iowa lost the Big Ten West with an embarrassing home field loss to 4-8 Nebraska. Kentucky simply didn’t beat the upper-tier of teams within the SEC. Kentucky’s quarterback has already left the team for the NFL draft. Iowa’s offense has been pit-i-ful in 2022. Take the “under”, and go take a nap!
#35 – Saturday, Dec 31 – Sugar Bowl – 11AM ESPN – #12 Alabama vs. #15 Kansas State
On paper, the 10-2 Crimson Tide may be the big favorite here, but the 10-3 Kansas State Wildcats handed 12-1 TCU its only loss. Bama’s 2021 Heisman quarterback Bryce Young is most likely not going to play in this game to avoid an injury prior to the NFL draft. K-State’s defense has been exceptional. This game should be a very interesting intersectional match-up.
#36 – Saturday, Dec 31 – College Football Playoff Semifinal 1 – 3PM ESPN – #1 Michigan vs. #3 TCU
The immovable object (Michigan’s defense) will face the shape-shifting offense of TCU in Tempe, Arizona. The 12-1 Horned Frogs rely on senior quarterback and team leader Max Duggan. His passing and gutsy running rallied TCU to several late wins this season. Unbeaten Michigan (13-0) has a balanced running and passing attack which supplies enough points to allow their stout defense opportunities to create a few turnovers.
#37 – Saturday, Dec 31 – College Football Playoff Semifinal 2 – 7PM ESPN – #2 Georgia vs. #4 Ohio State
The defending champion Bulldogs (13-0) will have a commanding home-field advantage with this game being played in Atlanta. The Buckeyes (11-1) did not have to play a conference championship game after losing their regular season finale to Michigan. Ohio State’s detractors (and there are many of us) believe that the Buckeyes’ soft schedule will be exposed in this game against the SEC’s best overall team in Georgia.
#38 – Monday, Jan 2 – Reliaquest Bowl – 11AM ESPN2 – #35 Miss. State vs. #39 Illinois
If you want to watch two 8-4 teams with significantly different styles of play, this game is for you! This game (played in Tampa) features a pass-happy Mississippi State team vs. a traditional Big Ten run-oriented Illinois.
#39 – Monday, Jan 2 – Citrus Bowl – 11AM ABC – #26 LSU vs. #38 Purdue
The 9-4 Tigers finished with two straight ugly losses (at Texas A&M and Georgia). LSU QB Jayden Daniels has been hobbled by a serious ankle injury. Purdue (8-5) fought its way into the Big Ten Championship game but was throttled by Michigan 43-22. Purdue’s coach (Jeff Brohm) just left for Louisville, so the Boilermakers may be distracted coming into this game.
#40 – Monday, Jan 2 – Cotton Bowl – 12Noon ESPN – #6 Tulane vs. #8 USC
The Green Wave’s first major bowl game since 1939, Tulane will be stoked for this match-up. USC’s quarterback Caleb Williams just won the Heisman Trophy and must wait for another full year to enter the NFL. Tulane’s defense is feisty and will present some unique problems for USC. If Tulane can just score enough points, this could be a fun match-up!
#41 – Monday, Jan 2 – Rose Bowl – 4PM ESPN – #13 Penn State vs. #16 Utah
This bowl game (known as “The Grand Daddy of them all”) features two exceptional defensive teams. Pac-12 Champion Utah also brings a solid offense, while Penn State’s scoring has been hot and cold at times during the past season. I will be surprised if the winner of this game scores more than 24 points.
Enjoy the 2022 College Football Bowl-a-Rama!