Ranking all 28 college football bowl games for the 2020-2021 season from the best-looking to the worst. How good is your bowl game?
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Ranking Every Bowl Game: Pre-Bowls
Ohhhhhhhh, are there some doozies this year.
Teams that jumped the gun and took their bowl invites early, a ton of teams with losing records, too many good programs opting out, and all while hoping to just get each of these crazy things in during a raging pandemic.
This year, the “there are too many bowls” crowd needs to stay mum. Several of them aren’t able to go, the Rose Bowl isn’t even the Rose Bowl, and the whole thing gets shot out of a cannon a day after all the pairings were announced.
Oh, you’ll watch. You have nowhere to go and nothing else to do. Oh yes, you will watch.
Let’s go.
Here’s how these things are categorized …
– Deep cuts
– Sure, whatever
– Bowls. Yes. Bowls
– Bowls that won’t suck
– Watch or die
Bowl Game Rankings: Deep Cuts
29. SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
Louisiana vs UTSA
This was one of the most exciting bowl games of last season, but this time around it has the potential to be a problem. If UTSA’s offense gets going it might stay close, but the Ragin’ Cajuns might come out and show that the rankings all season long had it wrong. This is a one-loss team that beat the Fiesta Bowl-bound Iowa State Cyclones, and it’s – no offense, or anything, SERVPRO First Responder Bowl – here.
Line: Louisiana -13.5, o/u: 59
Last Season: WKU 23, Western Michigan 20
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 25
Last year final bowl season ranking: 2
28. Montgomery Bowl
Wednesday, December 23
ESPN or ESPN2, 7:00 pm
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Florida Atlantic vs Memphis
We’re setting the bar way low for you two. The problem is that Florida Atlantic is all about the defense. It’s coming off a shootout loss to a miserable Southern Miss team, but usually the D rules the day. The concern is that Memphis takes over right away and FAU is never quite in it. Go you Owls and make this ranking look silly.
Line: Memphis -9.5, o/u: 50
Last Season: No Bowl
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: No Bowl
Last year final bowl season ranking: No Bowl
27. Myrtle Beach Bowl
Monday, December 21
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
Appalachian State vs North Texas
Technically, this should probably be rated a little bit higher. It’s a Monday afternoon game, North Texas puts up a bazillion points, gives up a bazillion and 5, and this should be a wild shootout. However, it should also be an Appalachian State blowout.
Line: Appalachian State -21, o/u: 64.5
Last Season: No Game
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: No Bowl
Last year final bowl season ranking: No Bowl
26. Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Wake Forest vs Wisconsin
The problem is that Wisconsin still doesn’t really have all of its parts healthy, it still has a struggling offense, and it still has a defense that has the ability to turn the lights out on this Demon Deacon O. It might be a close game, but don’t confuse a tight score with an interesting football game. However, last year’s Belk wasn’t expected to be much, and it was a classic.
Line: Wisconsin -6.5, o/u: 55.5
Last Season: Kentucky 37, Virginia Tech 30
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 22
Last year final bowl season ranking: 4
25. Union Home Mortgage Gasparillia Bowl
Saturday, December 26
ABC, 12:00 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
UAB vs South Carolina
This is so crazy it just might work. An awful two-win SEC team going against the Conference USA Champion? It sounds like the makings of a sitcom, and it could turn out to be an interesting matchup if the Gamecocks are into it. If this is a USC blowout, though, this will set the “yeah, Group of Five can play with anyone” crowd back several steps.
Line: UAB -5, o/u: 43.5
Last Season: UCF 48, Marshall 25
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 30
Last year final bowl season ranking: 30
24. LendingTree Bowl
Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL
WKU vs. Georgia State
Don’t be shocked if this turns into one of the surprise bowl games. WKU plays hard, Georgia State has an interesting offense, and this should be among the most unpredictable bowl games. If the WKU offense isn’t working, though, this could be a long day.
Line: Georgia State -4.5, o/u: 53.5
Last Season: Louisiana 27, Miami University 17
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 37
Last year final bowl season ranking: 28
23. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Wednesday, December 23
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Louisiana Tech vs Georgia Southern
At the very least, there should be a decent energy in the building in some way. Louisiana Tech hasn’t been all that great, and Georgia Southern runs its quirky option, but there’s a chance this game bogs down fast. Call this a We Hope To Be Wrong ranking and that it’s at least close late, even if it’s not scintillating.
Line: Georgia Southern -6, o/u: 50
Last Season: Appalachian State 31, UAB 17
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 33
Last year final bowl season ranking: 27
22. New Mexico Bowl
Thursday, December 24
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
Hawaii vs. Houston
San Diego State might have opted out, but it would’ve been a bit more interesting if the bowl had signed on the Aztecs from the Mountain West rather than Hawaii. However, don’t be shocked if this is far closer and far more interesting than the line. Hawaii will battle and Houston still has to prove its good.
Line: Houston -13, o/u: 60.5
Last Season: San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 36
Last year final bowl season ranking: 37
– Sure, whatever
– Bowls. Yes. Bowls
– Bowls that won’t suck
– Watch or die
NEXT: Bowl Game Rankings: Sure. Whatever.
Bowl Game Rankings: Sure. Whatever.
21. AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN
West Virginia vs Tennessee
This was supposed to be one of the better games of the bowl season last year, and Kansas State and Navy sure didn’t disappoint. This isn’t going to be that. Both West Virginia and Tennessee are looking for a spark, but the Vols got that in the bowl win over Indiana last year and it didn’t seem to matter. This becomes the season-maker for the winner.
Line: West Virginia -4, o/u: 45.5
Last Season: Navy 20, Kansas State 17
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 6
Last year final bowl season ranking: 7
20. Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Friday, January 1
ABC, 1:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Northwestern vs Auburn
Northwestern has one of the best head coaches in the business, and Auburn is trying to find its new head man. Kevin Steele will be the interim head coach, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is about to be wooed by the NFL, and …
These two might play a dull game that kicks off just as Georgia and Cincinnati start the second quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach. Northwestern games are struggles to watch as is, however, they’re the perfect hangover-nap watch on New Year’s Day.
Line: Northwestern -3.5, o/u: 45.5
Last Season: Alabama 35, Michigan 16
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 12
Last year final bowl season ranking: 16
18. Mercari Texas Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 8:00 pm
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TCU vs Arkansas
Let’s just do that old Southwest Conference thing. There should be a decent energy for this, TCU is forgiven for its part in the 2018 Cheez-It, and Arkansas should be fired up to be in a bowl game no matter what. TCU closed strong, it’s a program-builder for Arkansas, and it has one key distinction.
This is the last sporting event of 2020.
Line: TCU -5, o/u: 55.5
Last Season: Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 14
Last year final bowl season ranking: 14
17. Valero Alamo Bowl
Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 9:00 pm
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Texas vs Colorado
Does anyone besides me care that this will probably make me miss the Big 12? This has the potential to be among the worst of the bowl games if Tom Herman’s team goes Tom Herman team in a bowl game – the guy owns these things – and Colorado’s season never really got going. The Buffs will bring the defense and the running game.
Line: Texas -12.5, o/u: 64.5
Last Season: Texas 38, Utah 10
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 13
Last year final bowl season ranking: 38
16. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Tulsa vs Mississippi State
Get past that a mediocre Mississippi State squad is here instead of, say, Army in something called the Armed Forces Bowl. The Bulldogs have improved in a big way late in the season, and Tulsa doesn’t seem to know how to play uninteresting games. This could be one of those stepping-stone moments for Mike Leach and Miss State.
Line: Tulsa -1.5, o/u: 49.5
Last Season: Last Season: Tulane 30, Southern Miss 13
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 21
Last year final bowl season ranking: 32
– Bowls. Yes. Bowls
– Bowls that won’t suck
– Watch or die
NEXT: Bowl Game Rankings: Bowls. Yes. Bowls.
Bowl Game Rankings: Bowls. Yes. Bowls.
15. TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 12:00 pm
TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
NC State vs Kentucky
Don’t let your memory of last year’s Gator Bowl fool you – that Tennessee comeback over Indiana was a dog with fleas before the final few minutes. This year’s matchup might be better, even if you’re not all that interested in the brand names. And why?
Kentucky gives good bowl under Mark Stoops.
The last three Wildcat bowl games were decided by a total of 11 points and all three were fantastic. It’s asking a lot for the same here, but it should be entertaining.
Line: NC State -3, o/u: 52.5
Last Season: Tennessee 23, Indiana 22
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 10
Last year final bowl season ranking: 15
14. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 4:00
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Oregon vs Iowa State
There are a few conflicting things happening at once here. Three of the last four Oregon bowl games have been fantastic – the last two under Mario Cristobal were each decided by one point. But there’s no way this game can match last year’s CFP Semifinal between Clemson and Ohio State.
Iowa State is going to be pumped up to be here, and it closed the season strong before losing to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, but there’s a chance the Big 12 just isn’t very good. For those still suffering from the 33-9 loss to Notre Dame in last year’s Camping World Bowl, you are not alone.
Line: Iowa State -4.5, o/u: 57.5
Last Season: Clemson 29, Ohio State 23
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 1
Last year final bowl season ranking: 1
13. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Tuesday, December 22
ESPN, 3:30
Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Tulane vs Nevada
As long as Tulane is okay in the colder temperatures, this should be sneaky-good fun. Both teams have an offense, they’re both well coached, and this is one of those true fish-out-of-water matchups that should be a key component in any sort of post-bowl conference ranking.
Line: Tulane -3, o/u: 56.5
Last Season: Ohio 30, Nevada 21
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 31
Last year final bowl season ranking: 31
12. TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Iowa vs Missouri
Call it a hunch that the two head coaches are going to bring it. It’s been a rough run off the field for Iowa in 2020, but it’s on a six-game winning streak and Kirk Ferentz has won three straight bowl games. Missouri struggled late, but it seemed like a team that needed a bit of a break.
Line: Iowa -14, o/u: 50.5
Last Season: Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 26
Last year final bowl season ranking: 22
11. Arizona Bowl
Thursday, December 31
CBS Sports Network, 4:00 pm
Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Ball State vs San Jose State
I’ve always been proud of this bowl – like you care, but I was one of the main talking heads at the opening press conference when it first came together. I don’t know if anyone has actually seen it, since it always seems to come on at the same time as other bowls, but this year it’s worth the watch with two Group of Five champs going at it. Fair warning, though – San Jose State has won every game by double-digits.
Line: San Jose State -7, o/u: 64
Last Season: Wyoming 38, Georgia State 17
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 38
Last year final bowl season ranking:
NEXT: Bowl Game Rankings: Bowls That Won’t Suck
Bowl Game Rankings: Bowls That Won’t Suck
10. Camellia Bowl
Friday, December 25
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Buffalo vs Marshall
The matchup itself is great – it’s between two teams that should’ve won their respective conference championships – but is Jaret Patterson healthy for Buffalo? Will Marshall’s offense show up after two total clunkers, and will that D make this game a snooze-fest? Try this – be happy you have a college football game on Christmas, and be prepared to take an absolutely killer late afternoon nap.
Line: Buffalo -3, o/u: 54.5
Last Season: Arkansas State 34, FIU 26
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 29
Last year final bowl season ranking: 17
9. The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One
Friday, January 1
ESPN, 5:00 pm
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Bowl Matchup: Alabama vs Notre Dame
There’s a chance this ranking is a total gift. Let’s hope that it’s way low and the Irish come up with something special, but it’s Notre Dame, it’s Alabama, it’s the College Football Playoff – we sort of know what’s going to happen, right?
Alabama is always a thrill ride no matter what, and Notre Dame really is a whole lot better than it looked against Clemson in the ACC Championship, and it’s a College Football Playoff semifinal, but … we sort of know what’s going to happen, right?
At least all the parents will be there to watch.
Line: Alabama -19.5, o/u: 65.5
Last Season: Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 2
Last year final bowl season ranking: 6
8. Outback Bowl
Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 12:30 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Indiana vs Ole Miss
On a Saturday after New Year’s Day, this should help keep all the fun going. Ole Miss is fun. Indiana is fun. Lane Kiffin teams are fun, and Tom Allen has a fun Hoosier squad. This should be fun for the whole family as these two come up with a wild shootout.
Line: Indiana -7.5, o/u: 69.5
Last Season: Minnesota 31, Auburn 24
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 4
Last year final bowl season ranking: 5
7. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Friday, January 1
ESPN, 12:30 pm
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Georgia vs Cincinnati
Full disclosure, the ranking is only this high because I don’t want to get yelled at by the Group of Five woke crowd. This is where I’m supposed to write something about how it’s Cincinnati’s chance to show the world that it deserved that CFP fourth spot, and … it’s sort of true. This is the chance to make a statement it didn’t in the AAC Championship. However, Georgia is better than it gets credit for. No matter what. there’s going to be a fascinating college football theoretical talking point after this.
Line: Cincinnati -7, o/u: 50.5
Last Season: LSU 63, Oklahoma 28
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 13
Last year final bowl season ranking: 3
6. Cheez-It Bowl
Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 5:30 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Note: Was Camping World Bowl last season
Miami vs Oklahoma State
We’re dealing with a bit of an exorcism here. The 2018 Cheez-It – a 10-7 TCU OT win over Cal – is gold standard of awful bowl games. Last year’s version wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything special.
We’re also dealing with a Miami team that set another standard for miserable Power Five program performances in a bowl game, losing 14-0 to Louisiana Tech in last year’s Independence.
The Canes and Cowboys might not be amazing, but they should combine for a terrific game in Orlando.
Line: Oklahoma State -1.5, o/u: 59.5
Last Season: Notre Dame 33, Iowa State 9
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 5
Last year final bowl season ranking: 19
NEXT: Bowl Game Rankings: Watch Or Die
Bowl Game Rankings: Watch Or Die
5. RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Tuesday, December 22
ESPN, 7:00 pm
FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
UCF vs BYU
The only possible concern is that BYU comes out and just steamrolls over the Knights on the lines. This is a fun, dangerous UCF team that’s going to bring the high-octane offense and a whole lot of speed, but this has been a focused Cougar team throughout the year. Either way, expect points, expect brilliance out of the two quarterbacks, and expect a fun Tuesday night.
Line: BYU -6.5, o/u: 72
Last Season: Arkansas State 34, FIU 26
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 16
Last year final bowl season ranking: 23
4. Capital One Orange Bowl
Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 8:00 pm
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
North Carolina vs Texas A&M
If nothing else, this game will go a long way to shaping the narrative of the 2020 season. If Notre Dame gets rocked by Alabama in the CFP and Texas A&M trucks North Carolina, the SEC types will scream that the committee totally blew it with the No. 4 call. They might howl anyway if the Aggies are strong.
However, the Tar Heels are dangerous, they’re fun, and Mack Brown is tremendous in bowl games – his teams have gone 8-2 in the last ten, and one of those losses was a national championship. A&M’s Jimbo Fisher is 7-2 in bowls, and one of those was a CFP semifinal.
Line: North Carolina -6, o/u: 68.5
Last Season: Florida 36, Virginia 28
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 18
Last year final bowl season ranking: 12
3. GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic
Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 7:15 pm
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Oklahoma vs Florida
These two almost certainly won’t combine for the 92 points Penn State and Memphis cranked up in last year’s Cotton Bowl, but they might come close. It’s not Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford for the national title, but you’re going to get offense, offense, and more offense on a Wednesday night.
Line: Florida -3, o/u: 70
Last Season: Penn State 53, Memphis 39
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 8
Last year final bowl season ranking: 11
2. Allstate Sugar Bowl
Friday, January 1
ESPN, 8:45 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Clemson vs Ohio State
It’s not No. 1 because 1) there’s no way it can be as good as last year’s matchup, 2) this isn’t 2019 Ohio State, 3) I’m being pretentious with the No. 1 call.
It’s getting lost that Ohio State hasn’t had its full team over the last few weeks and it’s still been impressive. The rest of the Big Ten might stink, and there aren’t any phenomenal wins, but the hope is for the rest to change this team around.
Clemson is humming, but here we go. This is the game Ohio State has waited an entire year for. This is the chance for Justin Fields to get his redemption. We haven’t seen a team want a rematch this badly since 1990 Duke got 1991 UNLV in the Final Four.
It probably should be No. 1. Let’s hope it is.
Line: Clemson -8.5, o/u: 65.5
Last Season: Georgia 26, Baylor 14
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 11
Last year final bowl season ranking: 25
1. Cure Bowl
Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Liberty vs Coastal Carolina
I don’t want to hear it, you two. The pressure is on to be the best game of the 2020-2021 bowl season, and darn it if this doesn’t have the makings of something amazing.
Yes, Coastal Carolina, you deserve a big bowl stage against a big-name program. Yes, Liberty, you were a blocked field goal against NC State away from being everyone’s darling. Use that disrespect and give us a classic.
I know everyone fawns over Cincinnati, but these two have a real claim to being among the best non-Power Five programs, and they’re going to put on one wild show.
Line: Coastal Carolina -6, o/u: 61.5
Last Season: Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16
Last year pre-bowl season ranking: 28
Last year final bowl season ranking: 24
