Most Intriguing Non New Year's Six Bowl Games
BOWL SEASON IS HERE!!!! All 42 bowl games are official. The College Football Playoffs are set and the New Year's Six games. But, outside of the major games what are some bowl games that are worth watching during this holiday season for casual fans? Well there are five games to watch outside of the New Year's Six games.
1. Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl
December 18, 2021 7:30PM ABC, Los Angeles, California
Utah State vs. Oregon State
The Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl will feature a Group of 5 Conference Champion against a Power 5 team. The Mountain West Champions against a PAC-12 North team. The Utah State Aggies, the Mountain West Champions against the PAC-12 opponent Oregon State. The Aggies are coming off a dominating performance against then 19th ranked San Diego State Aztecs, 46-13. The Aggies will come in as a 10-win team.
The Oregon State Beavers coming off a lost to in-state rival Oregon in the Civil War where the PAC-12 North Title was still up for grabs. The Beavers lost to the then ranked 11th Ducks 38-29 in Eugene finishing third in the division. Oregon State comes in bowl season at 7-5.
The Aggies has a good passing attack while the the Beavers uses their running game to run their offense.
Utah State Quarterback, Logan Bonner has thrown for 3,560 yards, which ranked 12th in the country on 61% completion for 36 touchdown (ranks T-6th) and 11 interceptions. The Beavers lean on Running Back, B.J. Baylor who has 1,259 yard rushing averaging 6 yards a carry with 13 rushing touchdowns. This L.A. Bowl should be a good one to the watch the week before Christmas. The Oregon State Beavers are a 7.5 point favorite over the Utah State Aggies.
2. Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl
December 21, 2021 7:30PM ESPN, Frisco, Texas
UTSA vs. 24. San Diego St.
The Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl has probably the best Group of 5 matchup this bowl season. One is a Group of 5 Conference Champion and the other is looking to rebound from losing theirs. Frisco, Texas is in for a great one as the UTSA Roadrunners, C-USA Champions go against 24th ranked San Diego State Aztec from the Mountain West.
The Roadrunners defeated Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Conference USA Championship, 49-41. A good way to bounce back after losing to North Texas the week before. UTSA finished the season 12-1.
The San Diego St. Aztecs coming into this bowl game off a embarrassing beat down at home in the Mountain West Championship to Utah State. The Aztecs 11-2 on the season and ranked 24th in the CFP Polls.
The Roadrunners good offense led by QB Frank Harris with 2,906 yards passing with 25 touchdowns and RB Sincere McCormick who ran for 1,479 yards and 15 touchdowns against the Aztecs good defense is something to watch. UTSA Roadrunners are a 2.5-point favorite.
3. Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
December 23, 2021 7:00PM ESPN, Tampa Bay, Florida
Florida vs. UCF
The state of Florida take center stage two days before Christmas. A game the entire state of Florida has been waiting for since 2017. It will be the Florida Gators of the SEC against the UCF Knights of the American Conference. UCF began its raise to respectable Florida teams under the Scott Frost where the would go undefeated in 2017 and self-claim the National Championship even though Alabama would actually win it all. The major Florida programs, Florida State, Miami, and Florida did not take too kindly to the rise of UCF. The two programs had an opportunity to meet in the regular season but could not agree on a 2 and 1 or home for home matchup.
Four years later these two programs will meet in Tampa Bay in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. Even though these two teams don't completely what they were in years past nevertheless, the matchup is happening and Raymond James Stadium will be rocking with blue/orange and black/gold.
The Florida Gators are coming into this game bowl eligible after beating in-state rival Florida State at home Thanksgiving weekend and ending FSU season. 6-6 on the season, the Gators looks to impress new head coach Billy Napier(not coachin