The college football bowl season is here. It brings excitement, nostalgia, and, honestly, a little bit of melancholy.
Between player opt-outs and team withdrawals, the bowl landscape keeps shifting. But that competitive spirit? Still going strong.
This year’s bowl season stretches from December 13 to January 2, with playoff games running through January 19. Whether you’re all about the Independence Bowl or holding out for the College Football Playoff, there’s a game for every type of fan.
Let’s check out the vibes and matchups for each bowl, and maybe dig up a few stories you haven’t heard yet.
Celebration Bowl: Prairie View vs. South Carolina State
The Celebration Bowl kicks off Saturday in Atlanta. Prairie View is making its first appearance, led by the electric quarterback Cameron Peters.
South Carolina State comes in hot, with coach Chennis Berry guiding them to back-to-back MEAC championships. That momentum is real.
What They Have in Common
Both schools bring elite bands and dance squads. Prairie View’s Marching Storm and S.C. State’s Marching 101 are half the reason to tune in.
Dash Pick
Prairie View 27, S.C. State 21.
LA Bowl: Washington vs. Boise State
Inglewood, California, hosts the LA Bowl—Washington against Boise State. Washington’s a 9.5-point favorite, hoping to salvage a rough season under Jedd Fisch.
Boise State enters with a three-game win streak and a Mountain West title. They’re feeling pretty good.
What They Have in Common
Both programs are linked by former coach Chris Petersen. That subplot adds a little drama.
Dash Pick
Washington 34, Boise State 24.
Camellia Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State
The Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, is a fight for East Alabama bragging rights. Troy and Jacksonville State have both handled coaching changes and kept rolling.
There’s history here—they’ve played 64 times. The last meeting was 2001, but the 1948 Paper Bowl (Jax State won 19-0) still gets mentioned by old-timers.
What They Have in Common
Shared history. Lots of it. This one feels personal.
Dash Pick
Troy 28, Jacksonville State 21.
Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida
Orlando’s Cure Bowl features Old Dominion and South Florida. Both had solid seasons, but star QBs Byrum Brown (USF) and Colton Joseph (ODU) have opted out.
That changes things, but not the stakes.
What They Have in Common
Both teams have upset power-conference neighbors—Old Dominion stunned Virginia Tech, and South Florida took down Florida.
Dash Pick
South Florida 31, Old Dominion 24.
LendingTree Bowl: Louisiana vs. Delaware
Mobile, Alabama, hosts the LendingTree Bowl: Louisiana versus Delaware. Louisiana fans still talk about the Billy Napier days.
Delaware, meanwhile, is making its first FBS bowl appearance. That’s a big deal for them.
What They Have in Common
Both states are famous for their crab dishes. Not exactly a football thing, but it counts for something.
Dash Pick
Delaware 41, Louisiana 40.
Frisco Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Missouri State
Frisco, Texas, gets Arkansas State against Missouri State. Both are new to the FBS scene this year.
Big step up, and both teams know it.
What They Have in Common
They play in the shadows of SEC giants and have both hired ex-SEC head coaches. It’s a theme.
Dash Pick
Arkansas State 27, Missouri State 24.
First-Round College Football Playoff: Alabama vs. Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma, hosts a first-round playoff game: Alabama vs. Oklahoma. Alabama fans are split about being in the playoff at all.
Oklahoma fans? They’re just happy to be hosting.
What They Have in Common
Both wear crimson, have struggling offenses, and coaches still trying to win the crowd.
Dash Pick
Alabama 17, Oklahoma 16.
First-Round College Football Playoff: Miami vs. Texas A&M
College Station, Texas, hosts Miami and Texas A&M in another playoff first-rounder. Miami’s pumped about snagging the last at-large spot.
Texas A&M fans are just glad to host a playoff game. It’s the little things.
What They Have in Common
Both towns have lively fashion and nightlife scenes. Northgate District is basically the South Beach of East Texas—well, sort of.
Dash Pick
Miami 24, Texas A&M 23.
First-Round College Football Playoff: Mississippi vs. Tulane
Oxford, Mississippi, gets a playoff matchup: Mississippi vs. Tulane. Both fan bases are buzzing, but also a little conflicted.
It’s a strange mix of nerves and excitement.
What They Have in Common
Ole Miss and Tulane students both love a weekend in the French Quarter. Social rivalry? Absolutely.
Dash Pick
Mississippi 31, Tulane 17.
First-Round College Football Playoff: Oregon vs. James Madison
Eugene, Oregon, hosts Oregon and James Madison. The Dukes are all-in on the underdog role.
The Ducks want to bounce back after last year’s Rose Bowl letdown. There’s a lot to prove.
What They Have in Common
Both teams will lose key coaches after this playoff run. It’s just the way of things.
Dash Pick
Oregon 34, James Madison 14.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Washington State
Boise, Idaho, hosts the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Washington State. Both teams are dealing with coaching shakeups and some fan uncertainty.
It’s not exactly smooth sailing for either side.
What They Have in Common
Neither campus is easy to reach. Boise’s a solid halfway point.
Dash Pick
Utah State 28, Washington State 24.
Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville vs. Toledo
The Boca Raton Bowl features Louisville and Toledo. Louisville’s dealing with injuries and possible opt-outs.
Toledo’s just excited to take on a Power 4 opponent. Can’t blame them.
What They Have in Common
Both have horse racing in their history. Toledo’s Hasty Road finished second in the 1954 Kentucky Derby—random, but true.
Dash Pick
Louisville 23, Toledo 17.
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss
New Orleans hosts Western Kentucky and Southern Miss. Western Kentucky kept coach Tyson Helton, while Southern Miss is rolling with an interim.
It’s a bit of a reset for both programs.
What They Have in Common
Both are kind of third wheels in their states. Not the worst thing, maybe.
Dash Pick
Western Kentucky 33, Southern Miss 27.
Hawai’i Bowl: Cal vs. Hawai’i
Honolulu’s Hawai’i Bowl brings together Cal and Hawai’i. Cal’s under interim coach Nick Rolovich.
Hawai’i’s got the home-field edge. That always matters here.
What They Have in Common
One of Hawai’i’s early football highlights was beating Cal in the 1935 New Year’s Classic. That’s a memory that sticks.
Dash Pick
Hawai’i 25, Cal 23.
Quick Lane Bowl: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan
Detroit hosts the Quick Lane Bowl: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan. Northwestern’s hoping to keep its five-bowl win streak alive.
Central Michigan is just happy to be back in the postseason.
What They Have in Common
Both schools have been launchpads for future power-conference commissioners. Not something you hear every day.
Dash Pick
Northwestern 24, Central Michigan 14.
Want a deeper dive into every bowl game? Or curious about the College Football Playoff matchups? Check out the original article on Sports Illustrated.
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