College football fans are ready for a whole lotta bowls, and not the ones you put dip in. (Courtesy Joseph Czikk)

[apss_share]

College football bowl season is under way, which means completely boring matchups or insane finishes – we never really know when we’ll get which.

Here’s The Eastern Door’s holiday guide to college football.

Today:

12:30 p.m., Bahamas Bowl: UAB (8-4) vs. Ohio (8-4).

Watchability: LOL this will be awful.

UAB didn’t actually have a football team for the last two seasons, so I’d bet on them to be fired up. Watch out for star freshman RB Spencer Brown (1,292 yards, 10 TDs).

4:00 p.m., Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Wyoming (7-5). Watchability: Meh. Sure

Battle of the disappointments. Central’s QB was the centre of a concussion scandal at Michigan before he transferred out of the program. Wyoming’s QB, Josh Allen, was supposed to be the next No. 1 draft pick, but underperformed this year.

Saturday, December 23:

12:00 p.m., Birmingham Bowl: Texas Tech (6-6) vs. South Florida (9-2)

Watchability: Watch this.

This will be an old-fashioned shootout, because that’s just what Texas Tech does. USF’s senior star QB, Quinton Flowers, will likely put up 500 yards of offense.

3:30 p.m., Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: San Diego State (10-2) vs. Army (9-3) Watchability: LOL this will be awful.

San Diego State will run the ball a lot with Rashaad Penny, who rushed for over 2,000 yards this year. Army might bore you to sleep with the triple-option. Give it to SDSU.

7:00 p.m., Dollar General Bowl: Appalachian State (8-4) vs. Toledo (11-2).

Watchability: Meh. Sure.

The only exciting thing I see about this game is Toledo’s freaky receiver Diontae Johnson, who put up 13 TDs. Consider the game “defense-optional.”

Sunday, December 24:

8:30 p.m., Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4)

Watchability: LOL this will be awful

Look, the Hawaii Bowl is never expected to be great. Houston lost their QB Greg Ward Jr. to the NFL and their coach, Tom Herman, to Texas. It’s not a good look right now. Fresno State takes this one.

Tuesday, December 26

1:30 p.m., Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl: Utah (6-6) vs. West Virginia (7-5) Watchability: Watch this

Both of these teams clearly underachieved, but WVU’s QB, Will Grier (a Florida transfer) is returning for his senior season. Utah’s D is much better, but I still see WVU’s offense stealing this one.

5:15 p.m., Quick Lane Bowl: Duke (6-6) vs. Northern Illinois (8-4)

Watchability: LOL this will be awful.

Not too big on this one. Duke is the ACC’s perennial pushover, while Northern Illinois is a MAC team, which… yeah, enough said. Duke needs to win this for any modicum of self-respect.

9:00 p.m., Cactus Bowl: Kansas State (7-5) vs. UCLA (6-6)

Watchability: Watch this

This should be a solid game. Old Man Snyder always has his boys playing tough at Kansas State. Meanwhile, UCLA’s Josh Rosen will air it out all day. Still, KSU’s run game might be the difference here. Also, UCLA’s defense is pathetic.

Wednesday, December 27

1:30 p.m., Walk On’s Independence Bowl: Southern Mississippi (8-4) vs. Florida State (6-6) Watchability: Meh, sure

Two thousand seventeen was very disappointing for Florida State, who many had as early season playoff favourites. Their now-former coach has bolted to Texas A&M. Still, FSU will beat the over-matched Southern Miss.

5:15 p.m., New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa (7-5) vs. Boston College (7-5)

Watchability: Watch this

The battle in the Bronx. Iowa slayed a dragon this season in #6 Ohio State and narrowly lost to #4 Penn State. Boston College comes in red hot, having won five of its last six games. Give it to Iowa and its stingy defense.

8:30 p.m., Foster Farms Bowl: Arizona (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)

Watchability: Meh. Sure

Both of these teams have brutal pass offenses, so this game has the potential to be bad. However, Arizona can pound the ball with star QB Khalil Tate, who rushed for 1,353 yards and 12 TDs, along with his nine passing scores. Give it to ‘Zona.

9:00 p.m., Texas Bowl: Texas (6-6) vs. Missouri (7-5)

Watchability: Watch this

Missouri finished the regular season strong while Texas struggled offensively all year. Texas will also be without two starters who will sit out for the NFL draft. Give it to Mizzou and QB Drew Lock, who threw for 43 TDs.

Thursday, December 28

1:30 p.m., Military Bowl: Virginia (6-6) vs. Navy (6-6)

Watchability: Meh. Sure

This bowl could have been worse, but I really like Virginia’s senior QB, Kurt Benkert.  Navy will run the hell out of the football. Tough pick, but I’ll still say Navy takes it.

5:15 p.m., Camping World Bowl: #22 Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. #19 OK State (9-3)

Watchability: Watch this

Oklahoma State senior QB Mason Rudolph will air the heck out of the ball and then the Cowboys will allow a ton of points on defense. If V-Tech can run the ball effectively, they could take this one.

9:00 p.m., Valero Alamo Bowl: #13 Stanford (9-4) vs. #15 TCU (10-3)

Watchability: Watch this

This should be an awesome game. TCU’s offense under former Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill is fun to watch, as is Stanford’s run game under Heisman runner-up, RB Bryce Love. TCU seems the logical pick here with a slightly stronger team.

9:00 p.m., Holiday Bowl: #18 Washington State (9-3) vs. #16 Michigan State (9-3)

Watchability: Watch this

Two very different teams. Washington State, under the brilliant Mike Leach, likes to pass. Michigan State is a bit more balanced, and won a lot of close games this year. Sparty feels slighted for not getting a New Year’s bowl game, so go with them.

Friday, December 29

1:00 p.m., Belk Bowl: Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5)

Watchability: Meh. Sure

A&M struggled again this season, which is why it went out and got Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher as its new coach. How will A&M look against a Wake Forest team with dual-threat QB John Wolford? Give it to the Demon Deacons.

3:00 p.m., Hyundai Sun Bowl: #24 NC State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5)

Watchability: Watch this.

NC State’s offense under QB Ryan Finley should clearly be the favourite here. The Sun Devils gave up a ton of yards this season and I don’t see their D stepping up.

4:30 p.m., Music City Bowl: Kentucky (7-5) vs. #21 Northwestern (9-3)

Watchability: Watch this.

Despite finishing with a better record than Michigan, Northwestern didn’t get a New Year’s bowl, which should sufficiently anger their team. They’ll lean on senior RB Justin Jackson (1,154 yards, nine TDs).

5:30 p.m., Arizona Bowl: New Mexico State (6-6) vs. Utah State (6-6)

Watchability: Lol this will be awful

New Mexico State has slightly better passing numbers in the poorer Sun Belt Conference, while Utah State runs the ball better against better Mountain West opponents. Give it to the boys from gorgeous Logan, Utah.

8:30 p.m., Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: #8 USC (11-2) vs. #5 Ohio State (11-2)

Watchability: Must watch!

USC’s Sam Darnold, the presumed first QB in next year’s draft, takes on J.T. Barrett’s Buckeyes. Ohio State is the better team, but was inconsistent. Still, give it to Ohio.

Saturday, December 30

12:00 p.m., Taxslayer Bowl: Louisville (8-4) vs. #23 Mississippi State (8-4)

Watchability: Watch this.

Should be a doozy. Last year’s Heisman winner Lamar Jackson leads Louisville against Nick Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs. Miss State’s defense is better, and played against better teams. Bulldogs.

12:30 p.m., Autozone Liberty Bowl: Iowa State (7-5) vs. 20 Memphis (10-2)

Watchability: Watch this.

This should be fun. Iowa State took down two top-five opponents in October. Give it to Memphis and its pass-happy offense under QB Riley Ferguson.

4:00 p.m., Playstation Fiesta Bowl: #11 Washington (10-2) vs. #9 Penn State (10-2)

Watchability: Must watch!

Arguably the most lethal player in the country, Saquon Barkley, leads Penn State against a Washington team that is still very strong with RB Myles Gaskin. Washington will take a wild one here.

8:00 p.m., Capitol One Orange Bowl: #6 Wisconsin (12-1) vs. #10 Miami (10-2)

Watchability: Must watch!

Another must-watch. Wisconsin got stiffed from the College Football Playoff while Miami buckled under pressure late in the season. “The U” will let the dogs loose and award the Turnover Chain several times for the upset.

Monday, January 1

12:00 p.m., Outback Bowl: Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (8-4)

Watchability: Watch this.

Michigan probably didn’t deserve to earn this bowl. South Car arguably has a better quarterbacking situation but Michigan’s defense is so much better. Wolverines.

12:30 p.m., Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl: #12 UCF (12-0) vs. #7 Auburn (10-3)

Watchability: Watch this.

Probably the best QB matchup with UCF’s McKenzie Milton and Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham. Auburn’s offense will be too powerful for UCF.

1:00 p.m., Citrus Bowl: #14 Notre Dame (9-3) vs. #17 LSU (9-3)

Watchability: Watch this.

It’s a battle of the star RBs in Notre Dame’s Josh Adams (1,386 yards) and LSU’s Derrius Guice (1,183 yards). Give it to Notre Dame in a narrow win.

5:00 p.m., Rose Bowl: #3 Georgia (12-1) vs. #2 Oklahoma (12-1)

Watchability: Must watch!

I think Oklahoma and star QB Baker Mayfield will upset Georgia in this one, despite Georgia being so damn good.

8:00 p.m., Sugar Bowl: #4 Alabama (11-1) vs. #1 Clemson (12-1)

Watchability: Must watch!

I think Alabama will get their revenge in a rematch of last year’s national championship. Their QB, Jalen Hurts: older, wiser and better.

Monday, January 8

8:00 p.m., CFP National Championship: Alabama (12-1) vs. Oklahoma (13-1)

Watchability: Must watch!

As much as I can’t stand Baker Mayfield’s antics, I can see him leading the Sooners in a huge upset here. But logically, that won’t happen. ‘Bama returns to the throne.