The 10 Best Bowl Games to Watch
By Kyle Koster
Bowl season is here and bowls are good, no matter what the chattering masses want you to believe. If forced to choose ten to watch (an oddly specific hypothetical), we’d choose these.
No. 10
Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech
Paul Johnson will coach his final game against another interesting guy on the other sideline. P.J. Fleck’s Gophers have been inconsistent, sometimes showing up and other times looking like a hot mess. It will be a homecoming of sorts for the boat-rowing enthusiast who made his name at Western Michigan. He built himself up as a master motivator and there’s no truer test for that than a mid-level bowl game. I don’t know what will happen at Ford Field, but do think both teams are going to play very, very hard.
This time of year, that’s the best anyone can hope for.
No. 9
Music City Bowl: Purdue vs. Auburn
Hey look. The Big Ten has a chance to score a major blow against the hated SEC. The Boilermakers’ second-biggest victory of the year (behind Ohio State) was keeping Jeff Brohm away from Louisville. David Blough and Rondale Moore going against Auburn’s defense will be fun to watch. Immediately gauging the Tigers’ interest will be as well. Sneaky goodness abounds.
No. 8
Las Vegas Bowl: Fresno State vs. Arizona State
OK, so N'Keal Harry isn’t going to play. But Herm Edwards is going to be there, attempting to put the cap on a largely successful first season. Fresno State would like nothing more than to score a Power 5 victory in emphatic fashion. Both of these teams are way too good to be playing so early in the bowl shuffle, so don’t miss it.
No. 7
Redbox Bowl: Oregon vs. Michigan State
Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert will be looking to shine one more time for NFL scouts. Carving up a tough and prepared Spartans defense would buoy his draft stock. This is a battle of two teams with high expectations and both feel short, but not for lack of talent. Michigan State has a month to figure out a way to put a competent offense on the field. Can Mark Dantonio get it done?
No. 6
Liberty Bowl: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State
The Tigers averaged 36.9 points/game while the Cowboys put up 38.4. The 1,000 total yard mark should be shattered in this one. Two old Big 12 foes will get a chance to touch base. Taylor Cornelius is not Drew Lock but had no trouble hanging in there against Oklahoma. Mizzou offensive coordinator gets one last ride with Lock in an NFL showcase game. Take the over.
No. 5
Sugar Bowl: Texas vs. Georgia
The two traditional powers haven’t played since 1984. Both came up just short in their respective conference championship games. Georgia may be one of the best four teams in the country and the Longhorns have proven capable of playing with anyone. Of all the “Texas is back” moments of the past few years, this would be the biggest. Of course, a Bulldogs rout would derail that conversation once again.
No. 4
Fiesta Bowl: UCF vs. LSU
The defending national champions haven’t lost in two years. They dispatched an SEC foe the last time an opportunity presented itself. Even with McKenzie Milton, these Knights weren’t up to 2017’s high standard. Can they continue to score in bunches against a fierce Tigers’ defense? This is a game where UCF has everything to gain and nothing to lose, and LSU will be motivated.
No. 3
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Clemson
These two played a thriller in Death Valley. The experts don’t think this playoff contest will be close. They are wrong. Notre Dame has been disrespected and underappreciated all season. Ian Book has been a revelation. Clemson’s defense looked profoundly beatable against South Carolina. This will be a four-quarter game and don’t be surprised if the Irish aren’t once again smiling in the face of low expectations.
No. 2
Orange Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Alabama
Kyler Murray. Tua Tagovailoa. Insane defense. Incredible offense. Immovable object. Unstoppable force. Everyone is dying to see what happens when these elements are put into a jar and shaken vigorously. Alabama may not punt all game. Oklahoma may not either — for different reasons. Hope springs eternal that this will be a competitive semifinal. And even if not, it will be spellbinding to see the Tide make the Sooners look mortal.
No. 1
Rose Bowl: Washington vs. Ohio State
This is Urban Meyer’s last game. He will certainly never coach again. And the Rose Bowl is simply the best scene in sports. If you can’t feel something when the sun sets on the San Gabriel Mountains, you need to check your pulse. In addition to the Meyer circus, this should be a very compelling game. Washington has a stout defense and could be the one team to stymie Dwayne Haskins. This is the type of matchup we’d have salivated for in the pre-playoff era. We still can.