In the college football bowl season, as time progresses, the games get better and better. While we’ve already been treated to some interesting matchups, it’s the games that go down in the last week of the year, as well as the first week of the upcoming year that usually takes the cake.
While many NCAAF odds fans usually focus on the CFP matchups, there are many more games, like the other four games in the traditional New Year’s Six schedule, and other bowl matchups around the country that deserve just as much love.
As we continue on the road to kissing 2022 goodbye and ushering in 2023, let’s break down some of the most intriguing Bowl games outside of the CFP matchups this season.
Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF predictions. We’ve plenty of NCAAF expert picks for you to consider.
Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs South Carolina
Teams who had more downs than ups this season, but who are also heading into the upcoming offseason with gallons of momentum and hype will throw down for a shot to win the Gator Bowl. Notre Dame and South Carolina are ready for battle on December 30. With the Gamecocks looking better than ever to knock off the Fighting Irish, the action is ensured.
South Carolina will be relying heavily on what QB Spencer Rattler can do, even with a faulty offensive line protecting him. For Rattler, who finished the season with 11 TDs and 2 INTS in his last four games, knowing that ND’s defense will be without some of its best players, including Isaiah Foskey should work wonders.
The only way that Notre Dame could have an actual claim at winning here would be for its running attack to deliver and for the defense to pressure Rattler, even with backups starting.
ReliaQuest Bowl: Mississippi State vs Illinois
A lot of emotions will be felt on January 2 for the Mississippi State Bulldogs when they take the field to face the Illinois Fighting Illini, for the first time without their legendary coach Mike Leach guiding them.
There’s no way to try and explain or understand the sadness and pain that Mississippi State’s players have had to deal with in the days after the passing of coach Leach. But if there’s anything that any football fan can remember from Leach, is his resilience and fighting spirit, which is exactly where the Bulldogs should take inspiration from.
With star QB Will Rogers leading Mississippi State’s offense, Illinois’ defense, which was ranked as the best-scoring defense in the country this season, will have its final test. If Illinois can hold Rogers under control, then we might be seeing the Fighting Illini steal the win here. If Rogers is let loose and takes control of the game, call it for Mississippi State and the memory of Leach.
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs Tennessee
Did somebody order the overdose of oranges? As Clemson and Tennessee get ready to face off in this year’s Orange Bowl, the feeling of this being a consolation prize for both teams after being shoved out of the playoff race is present. Still, with two of the best teams dueling, it’s time to push any feelings of consolation aside and get ready for what promises to be a great game.
For Clemson, this game could be tipped as the beginning of the Cade Klubnik era. After former QB DJ Ulagalelei entered the transfer portal and left Clemson for Oregon State, the time for freshman passer Klubnik to officially take over has come.
Tennessee on the other hand will have to trust its fate to QB Joe Milton, Hendon Hooker’s backup. The Vols also need another stellar performance from their defensive line, which ranked first in tackles for a loss and third in sacks amongst Power 5 conference squads.
With both teams matching up evenly, Tennessee comes into this game with a slight upper hand, mainly because of its defense, so why not think of the Vols having one last great outing?
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs Kansas State
It would be a sin to not add Alabama to this bowl conversation. Just because it couldn’t make it into this season’s CFP doesn’t mean that we should take it out on the Tide too and leave them out of any relevant bowl talk.
Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide squad will be trying to finish on a high, by beating the surprisingly good Kansas State Wildcats. On a good note for Alabama, their star QB and former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young as well as defensive superstar Will Anderson Jr. will both be playing, instead of opting out to prepare for next season’s draft.
On a not-so-good note, Kansas State could be the team nobody wants to face this bowl season. Despite some quarterback issues, the Wildcats won the Big 12 championship over TCU and finished strong overall.
This game has all the fixings to be a matchup between one of the best offensive players in the country, Wildcats RB Deuce Vaughn, and Alabama’s defense. If Vaughn is let loose, there might not be much for ‘Bama to do here, even with its defense usually being so stealthy.
