The 2025 college football season has been nothing short of exhilarating. As we get closer to the postseason, the excitement just keeps building.
Sure, the College Football Playoff (CFP) grabs most of the headlines, but honestly, the non-playoff bowl games have their own kind of magic. This year, there are 35 extra bowl games featuring 70 non-CFP teams.
These games give players a chance to shine and wrap up their seasons with something to celebrate. Even with more players opting out or a few teams declining invites, bowl season still feels like a beloved tradition in college football.
So, what do the 2025 non-playoff college football bowl games have in store? Let’s take a look at the matchups and predictions.
Exciting Matchups to Watch
From the LA Bowl to the Liberty Bowl, there’s no shortage of intriguing games this season. Here are some of the most anticipated ones and how they might play out:
LA Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington
Boise State (9-4) faces Washington (8-4) on Saturday, December 13, at 8 p.m. ET. Maddux Madsen, Boise State’s quarterback, has been a huge part of their run, especially in the Mountain West title game.
Still, Washington’s deep roster could give them the edge, especially against a Boise defense that’s struggled against the run. Prediction: Washington 31, Boise State 24.
Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State
Troy (8-5) meets Jacksonville State (8-5) on Tuesday, December 16, at 9 p.m. ET. This one has “tight game” written all over it.
Leaning toward Jacksonville State, but it could go either way. Prediction: Jacksonville State 27, Troy 23.
Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida
Old Dominion (9-3) squares off against South Florida (9-3) on Wednesday, December 17, at 5 p.m. ET. South Florida looks like the favorite here.
Prediction: USF 29, ODU 24.
68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana vs. Delaware
Louisiana (6-6) takes on Delaware (6-6) on Wednesday, December 17, at 8:30 p.m. ET. This could be a nail-biter—maybe too close to call, but let’s go with Louisiana by a hair.
Prediction: Louisiana 28, Delaware 27.
Mid-Week Thrillers
Some of these mid-week games might just steal the show for college football fans:
Xbox Bowl: Missouri State vs. Arkansas State
Missouri State (7-5) battles Arkansas State (6-6) on Thursday, December 18, at 9 p.m. ET. Arkansas State seems poised to take this one.
Prediction: Arkansas State 30, Missouri State 24.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan
Kennesaw State (10-3) lines up against Western Michigan (9-4) on Friday, December 19, at 11 a.m. ET. Expect a close contest, but Western Michigan should sneak out a win.
Prediction: Western Michigan 26, Kennesaw State 23.
Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis vs. North Carolina State
Memphis (8-4) takes on North Carolina State (7-5) on Friday, December 19, at 2:30 p.m. ET. NC State looks like the stronger side.
Prediction: NC State 34, Memphis 27.
Holiday Highlights
The holidays bring a flurry of fun bowl games:
Boca Raton Bowl: Toledo vs. Louisville
Toledo (8-4) matches up with Louisville (8-4) on Tuesday, December 23, at 2 p.m. ET. Louisville’s got the roster to handle Toledo.
Prediction: Louisville 30, Toledo 19.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State
Washington State (6-6) meets Utah State (6-6) on Monday, December 22, at 2 p.m. ET. Utah State might just squeak by.
Prediction: Utah State 27, Washington State 26.
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss
Western Kentucky (8-4) faces Southern Miss (7-5) on Tuesday, December 23, at 5:30 p.m. ET. Western Kentucky looks like the pick here.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 31, Southern Miss 23.
Frisco Bowl: UNLV vs. Ohio
UNLV (10-3) goes up against Ohio (8-4) on Tuesday, December 23, at 9 p.m. ET. UNLV’s got the momentum.
Prediction: UNLV 34, Ohio 27.
Hawaii Bowl: Cal at Hawaii
Cal (7-5) heads to Hawaii (8-4) for a Wednesday, December 24, 8 p.m. ET showdown. Cal should edge it out, but it’s tough to win on the islands.
Prediction: Cal 30, Hawaii 28.
Post-Christmas Showdowns
The action doesn’t slow down after Christmas:
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern
Central Michigan (7-5) takes on Northwestern (6-6) on Friday, December 26, at 1 p.m. ET. Northwestern’s defense could make the difference.
Prediction: Northwestern 27, CMU 17.
Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota
New Mexico (9-3) lines up against Minnesota (7-5) on Friday, December 26, at 4:30 p.m. ET. New Mexico by a whisker, if you ask me.
Prediction: New Mexico 24, Minnesota 23.
First Responder Bowl: Florida International vs. UTSA
Florida International (7-5) takes on UTSA (6-6) on Friday, December 26, at 8 p.m. ET. UTSA seems to have the upper hand.
Prediction: UTSA 35, FIU 24.
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
The last day of the year packs in some must-watch games:
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt
Iowa (8-4) meets Vanderbilt (10-2) on Wednesday, December 31, at Noon ET. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt’s quarterback, could be the difference here.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 27, Iowa 20.
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Texas
Michigan (9-3) faces Texas (9-3) on Wednesday, December 31, at 3 p.m. ET. Texas gets the nod, especially if Michigan’s roster is in flux.
Prediction: Texas 31, Michigan 21.
Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke
Arizona State (8-4) squares off with Duke (8-5) on Wednesday, December 31, at 2 p.m. ET. I’m leaning Arizona State here.
Prediction: ASU 24, Duke 20.
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah
Nebraska (7-5) faces Utah (10-2) on Wednesday, December 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Utah looks set for a comfortable win.
Prediction: Utah 35, Nebraska 17.
New Year, New Games
The new year brings even more bowl action:
Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State
Rice (5-7) lines up against Texas State (6-6) on Friday, January 2, at 1 p.m. ET. Texas State should take this one pretty decisively.
Prediction: Texas State 38, Rice 24.
Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati
Navy (9-2) meets Cincinnati (7-5) on Friday, January 2, at 4:30 p.m. ET. This could be a tight finish, but Cincinnati gets the edge.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Navy 28.
Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. SMU
Arizona (9-3) wraps things up against SMU (8-4) on Friday, January 2, at 8 p.m. ET. I like Arizona’s chances here.
Prediction: Arizona 31, SMU 27.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Wake Forest (8-4) will clash with Mississippi State (5-7) on Friday, January 2, at 8 p.m. ET.
Mississippi State is predicted to secure the win. The prediction: Mississippi State 28, Wake Forest 24.
For more detailed predictions and insights, you might want to check out the full article on Bleacher Report.
The 2025 bowl season looks like it’ll be packed with exciting games and those wild moments that stick with you. Go ahead and mark your calendars—this could be a good one.
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