Saturday kicks off the lengthy college football bowl season, and in just a week since the end of the regular season, we have been steep in off-field theatrics. Notre Dame turned into a school of petulant scolds, when they were not selected for the playoff bracket. Then this week, we have the stark soap opera surrounding Michigan’s (now former) head coach Sherrone Moore, as if we lacked any drama.
Somewhat lost in all the cries that the Indiana university were treated unfairly is the reality that the Fighting Irish have been granted special treatment. The selection process that saw them excluded was done, in part, by their own hand, when the former Irish athletic director helped craft the 12-team format.
Additionally, while the playoff selection committee is comprised of people from all of the conferences, Notre Dame is the only school to have its own representative.
It comes down to a reality: The Irish choose to remain a collegiate football freelancer, and as an independent, they expect to be treated differently. And in a way, they were. Without the benefit of a conference bid, they were excluded based on metrics, not conference eligibility.
As we have come to expect, many of these games are impacted by player flight, and the roster permutations due to the transfer portal. Another common component that seems more impactful than usual this bowl season is the number of coaching changes. This has led to a challenge not seen previously: A lack of teams accepting bowl bids.
Two eligible schools - Iowa State and Kansas State - declined offers after coaches left those schools. Invites then were sent to schools with 5-7 records, and still many were passing on the chance to play. Of those, FSU, Temple, Auburn, Central Florida, Baylor, Kansas, and Rutgers all declined invitations.
Here is the rundown of the postseason matchups running throughout the holidays. (Note: All times listed are Eastern.) Things start with the purest American tradition: The Army-Navy game
Chills.
— Army-Navy Game (@ArmyNavyGame) December 13, 2025
Another great open from @CBSSports. #ArmyNavypic.twitter.com/h0JVJjecks
Dec. 13
LA BOWL HOSTED BY GRONK - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood / 8:00 PM, ESPN
Boise State - Washington
Division 1 Bowl Season starts strong this Saturday with the Mountain West champs, the Broncos of Boise State, going against a potent Washington Huskies offense. Both schools have reloaded their rosters, and each has been ranked at times this season. Boise replaced Ashton Jaenty with dual-threat Dylan Riley, who gained over a thousand yards running and caught passes for another 800 yards.
Dec. 16
SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL - Cramton Bowl, Montgomery / 9:00 PM, ESPN
Troy - Jacksonville State
Quite the letdown for Troy, as they were on the cusp of earning a playoff bid, but lost to James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference final. These are two Alabama schools playing in Alabama, so there is an incentive to impress from the standpoint of local recruiting
Dec. 17
CURE BOWL - Camping World Stadium, Orlando / 5:00 PM, ESPN
Old Dominion - South Florida
While it may look intriguing on paper, this is just the beginning of the games that will be affected by the transfer portal. The Monarchs will be without their starting quarterback, and as for the Bulls, it is a wait-and-see scenario. Their coach is headed to Auburn, so the mystery is how many players will follow him there, with Brian Hartline coming in from Ohio State.
68 VENTURES BOWL - Hancock White Stadium, Mobile / 8:30 PM, ESPN
Louisiana - Delaware
Though it features a pair of 6-6 schools in this matchup, the game could be enjoyable. The Blue Hens are a fun squad that likes to throw, and the Ragin Cajuns, who won their last four games just to qualify, are a run-heavy squad.
Dec. 18
X-BOX BOWL - Ford Center, Frisco, Texas / 9:00 PM, ESPN2
Arkansas State - Missouri State
With the demise of the Bahamas Bowl, this one in the Lone Star State was created as a replacement. New to the FBS, Missouri had to apply to the NCAA for the chance to qualify for a bowl as a first-year school.
Dec. 19
MYRTLE BEACH BOWL - Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina / 11:00 AM, ESPN
Kennesaw State - Western Michigan
The Owls had a supreme turnaround after going 2-10 in 2024. They sport a 10-3 record, after winning the Conference USA championship, and are heading to a bowl for the first time in school history. The Broncos had a wild year, starting 0-3, but then won eight of their next nine games, and ultimately beat Miami of Ohio for the Mid-American title. This could be a fun game
GASPARILLA BOWL - Raymond James Stadium, Tampa / 2:30 PM, ESPN
Memphis - NC State
The Tigers were hot out of the gate, going 6-0 and hitting the AP board, then the wheels came off. After an upset by Alabama Birmingham, they ended the season with a three-game losing streak, and head coach Ryan Silverfield left for the Arkansas job. The Wolfpack had a middling year, but highlighted it with a Georgia Tech win, and took three of the last four to finish well enough.
🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL 🚨
— Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (@GasparillaBowl) December 7, 2025
⁰The 2025 @UnionHomeMtg Gasparilla Bowl is set to bring @MemphisFB (away/west) and @PackFootball (home/east) to battle on Friday, December 19 at @RJStadium. 🏴☠️🔥Who’s taking the treasured Gasparilla Bowl trophy this year?
🎟️ at https://t.co/2Dkf9nI903 pic.twitter.com/bN1xLUzbvB
Dec. 22
THE FAMOUS IDAHO BOWL - Albertsons Stadium, Boise / 2:00 PM, ESPN
Utah State - Washington State
It is not easy being a Cougar. For the second straight year, they have a coach leaving before the bowl game, and then there was the complete implosion of the PAC-12. The only saving grace was that with only two teams remaining, they were promised to be in the final, and a revenge victory against Oregon State got them to 6-6 and barely bowl eligible. Aggies QB Bryson Barnes could make the difference, with a year of 2,686 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, as well as the team’s leading rusher.
Dec. 23
BOCA RATON BOWL – Flagler Credit Union Stadium, Boca Raton / 2:00 PM, ESPN
Toledo - Louisville
The Cardinals' signature win threw the postseason talk into hysterics when they beat Miami. It also put them in the hunt for the ACC title game, but they have to settle for another trip to South Florida. The Rockets arrive on a four-game win streak, but lost both their head coach and defensive coordinator to different schools
NEW ORLEANS BOWL - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans / 5:30 PM, ESPN
Western Kentucky - Southern Mississippi
Southern Miss had a great turnaround under first year coach Charlie Huff, taking them from a 1-11 afterthought to a bowl team, but he has already fled, as he took the head coaching job at Memphis. The Hilltoppers played LSU to a surprisingly tight 13-10 loss, and have a rising running back in La’Vell Wright, who became the go-to back in the second half of the year, amassing 10 touchdowns.
FRISCO BOWL – Ford Center, Frisco, Texas / 9:00 PM, ESPN
UNLV - Ohio
The Bobcats have their own coaching change, but not due to fleeing for opportunity. Brian Smith was placed on leave days after their last game. The Rebels lost the Mountain West Championship, but can still get a rare 11 win season.
HAWAII BOWL – Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu / 8:00 PM, ESPN
Hawaii - Cal
There are some homecoming elements as Cal has interim coach Nick Rolovich, who was Hawaii’s former bench boss, and the Golden Bears have an island native behind center with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The Rainbow Warriors play at home in their first bowl game in five years, led by sharp QB Micah Alejado, who had 2,832 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
At the end of the regular season… the Tokyo Toe is still the nation’s best 🇯🇵
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) December 1, 2025
Keep voting for Kansei!
Lou Groza Award ➡️ https://t.co/Fr62WLj81F
Heisman ➡️ https://t.co/zq4gJRY3QM#BRADDAHHOOD x @kan08sei pic.twitter.com/C7pIDq0n0h
Dec. 26
GAME ABOVE SPORTS BOWL – Ford Field, Detroit / 1:00 PM, ESPN
Central Michigan - Northwestern
This is the former Quick Lane Bowl (which took over the Little Caesars Bowl). Maybe take the under in this one, as these are two squads with limited offenses and stronger defenses. Northwestern sports a win over Penn State, and narrowly lost to Michigan by two points. The Lobos closed the year with six straight wins.
RATE BOWL – Chase Field, Phoenix / 4:30 PM ESPN
New Mexico - Minnesota
It’s Eck versus Fleck in the desert. Coach Jason Eck led the Lobos to a four-way tie in the Mountain West and they got a 9-3 record after closing with six wins, capped by a 2-OT win over San Diego State. Longtime Coach P.J. Fleck leads the Gophers, and is undefeated in bowl games, winning all six he piloted for the team.
FIRST RESPONDER BOWL – Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas / 8:00 PM, ESPN
Florida International - UTSA
Close enough to a home game for the Roadrunners, it remains to be seen if the team lives up to promise. After an impressive 2024 campaign, this was a bit of a step back in San Antonio, as it did deliver an impressive win over Tulane, but struggled elsewhere, including closing with a loss to Army. Playing in the shadow of Miami, the Panthers recovered from a rough start to qualify for a bowl with a four-game win streak. They have a solid running back with Kejon Owens rushing for 1,298 yards and 11 touchdowns
Dec. 27
MILITARY BOWL – Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis / 11:00 AM, ESPN
Pitt - East Carolina
The Panthers had a decent year but seemed to be cursed each time they entered the AP Top-25. A loss to Notre Dame dropped them, then they upset Georgia Tech, before closing with a deflating loss to Miami. They have a solid young offense foundation for next season. The Pirates have a talent at QB with Katen Houser who threw for 3,300 yards and 19 TDs.
PINSTRIPE BOWL – Yankee Stadium, New York / 12:00 PM, ESPN
Penn State - Clemson
These are two schools that supremely disappointed to such a degree that you are surprised either of them earned a bowl berth. The Nittany Lions lost six straight, including two consecutive, jarring games when they were favored by 20-plus points, leading to the firing of James Franklin. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney felt his seat warming for the first time, as the Tigers struggled against conference foes and had a losing home record, with a last game victory at South Carolina getting them to 6-6.
FENWAY BOWL – Fenway Park, Boston / 2:15 PM, ESPN
U Conn - Army
Success breeds departure, as the Huskies can achieve their first 10-win season, but will do so without coach Jim Mora, who left to take the job at Colorado State. The Black Knights had a mixed bag of a year (a loss to Tarleton State?!). To get a sense of Army’s style, just look to QB Cale Hellums. He literally doubled his passing yards by running the ball, leading all rushers with a 1,078/504 ratio. As you may have seen, Army lost to Navy on Saturday, 16-17.
Welcome to Selection Sundae!!! pic.twitter.com/3zblLq4oQX
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 7, 2025
POP TARTS BOWL – Camping World Stadium, Orlando / 2:15 PM, ABC
Georgia Tech - BYU
This was the bowl that Notre Dame boldly snubbed, and how could they?! The most fun and ridiculous of all the bowls promises this year to have THREE tart mascots jump into monolith toasters for the winning team to consume on the field. Okay, it also promises to be an entertaining game, with a pair of strong teams squaring off.
SNOOP DOGG ARIZONA BOWL – Arizona Stadium, Tucson / 4:30 PM The CW
Fresno State - Miami (OH)
Fresno State had a decent if not great year in the Mountain West, while Miami could not distinguish itself too well, relying on a soft middle schedule to recover from starting 0-3, but losing to Western Michigan for the second time in the MAC Championship.
NEW MEXICO BOWL – Branch Field Stadium, Albuquerque / 5:45 PM, ESPN
North Texas - San Diego State
Drew Mestemaker had an explosive season throwing for the Mean Green, and guiding them to the top-scoring offense in Division 1. They were one win away from making the college playoff bracket before falling to Tulane. San Diego State, on the other hand, had one of the toughest defenses in D-1, so this could be a chess match, determined by which players participate and how much North Texas misses head coach Eric Morris. Morris left for the job at OSU.
GATOR BOWL – Everbank Stadium, Jacksonville / 7:30 PM, ABC
Missouri - Virginia
This should be a watchable game with a pair of strong teams. The Cavaliers had a great year, and was an upset in the ACC title game away from an assured spot in the playoffs. Missouri played well, but faced a tough SEC schedule, going 3-4 in the last half of its schedule.
TEXAS BOWL – NRG Stadium, Houston / 9:15 PM, ESPN
LSU - Houston
High preseason hopes for the Tigers involved playoff contention and a Heisman bid for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. That was all dashed when they lost four out of five SEC games, and coach Brian Kelly was dismissed. With starters sitting with injuries or portal impacts, Houston looks favored behind QB Connor Weigman, who tossed 21 touchdowns in 2025 and is also a running threat with 11 rushing strikes.
H-Town, we're ready. pic.twitter.com/SiEoXN5fxT
— Kinder's Texas Bowl (@TexasBowl) December 7, 2025
Dec. 29
BIRMINGHAM BOWL – Protective Stadium, Birmingham / 2:00 PM, ESPN
Georgia Southern - Appalachian State
This bowl represents the change of the sport, when teams wanted to reach six wins for an assured invite. Now, we have schools with a losing record declining a chance, so we have a 5-7 Mountaineers team participating. These two played each other just over a month ago, and it was a tight, two-point affair.
Dec. 30
INDEPENDENCE BOWL - Independence Stadium, Shreveport / 2:00 PM, ESPN
Coastal Carolina - Louisiana Tech
This will be a challenge for the Chanticleers, beginning with what is essentially a home game for the Bulldogs, whose campus is located in nearby Ruston. They fired head coach Tim Beck after a 6-6 season that was hot and cold – or frozen and scorching. They began the year with a sole touchdown scored in the first three games, had four straight outings scoring 40 points or better, then closed with two blowout losses totaling 110-17
MUSIC CITY BOWL – Nissan Stadium, Nashville / 5:30 PM, ESPN
Tennessee - Illinois
The Volunteers faithful have a 90-minute drive to the game, and that will not be the only disadvantage for the Illini. The air attack for Tennessee is formidable, with Joey Aguilar throwing for 3,444 offensive yards and 24 touchdowns this year, with the preferred target being 1,000-yard receiver Chris Brazzell. But Illinois QB Luke Altmyer (actually courted by Tennessee in the 2024 portal) has a chance as the Volunteers’ defense ranks in the lower stages of Division-1.
ALAMO BOWL – Alamo Dome, San Antonio / 9:00 PM, ESPN
USC - TCU
This is a quixotic game for USC. The Trojans had a solid, if disappointing season, and might have been a win against Notre Dame away from a playoff bid. They had the #1-ranked recruiting class, but will have a number of those possibly sitting out for the portal, so retention will be the challenge. The Horned Frogs have a potent offense - with QB Josh Hooper throwing for 3,472 yards and 24 TDs - but their four losses were all in-conference and stifled a chance at better postseason placement.
Dec. 31
RELIAQUEST BOWL – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa / 12:00 PM, ESPN
Vanderbilt - Iowa
One of the better matchups seen outside the playoffs. Diego Pavia has proven to be all the reason to watch, as he has transformed the Commodores from a doormat to just missing out on the CFP bracket. The Hawkeyes figured out how to play offense this year and their defense has been strong. They put the scare into Oregon, which managed a win with a last-second field goal
TONY THE TIGER BOWL - Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso / 12:00 PM, CBS
Duke - Arizona State
It is a contest between two devilish schools. Duke delivered all the drama by making the ACC final despite a five-loss season and upsetting Virginia. Coach Manny Diaz is thought of as a defensive mind, but his team struggled on that side, while his QB Darian Mensah lit up the stat sheet with 3,646 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. The Sun Devils were a perplexing team, making the AP poll a number of times only to suffer a loss for Coach Kenny Dillingham, when the offense disappeared against Utah, Houston, and Arizona And like other teams, rumors run rampant on whether Dillingham might seek greener pastures away from Tempe after this season.
BOWL SEASON IS HERE 🔔 🏈 @ASUFootball will face @DukeFOOTBALL in the @TonyTheTigerSB !#BowlSeason #CFB #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/Fxbn82J7kp
— Coca-Cola Bowl Season (@BowlSeason) December 7, 2025
CITRUS BOWL - Camping World Stadium, Orlando / 3:00 PM, ABC
Michigan - Texas
Another must-watch game, with absences being a key factor – including the drama with the Wolverines losing their coach. The Longhorns recovered their season after dropping their first two games, and dropping off the poll after being the preseason #1. Arch Manning has grown into his role, and the Texas running game is impressive.
LAS VEGAS BOWL - Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas / 3:30 PM, ESPN
Nebraska - Utah
A strong 10-2 season from the Utes was marred with the two losses - to Texas Tech and BYU - coming in conference and missing out on the title game. Nebraska managed to get above .500 after losing star QB Dylan Raiola to a broken leg, and now much of the concern is whether he will remain. It does not look good as his uncle, who was a coach was recently fired, and his younger brother just pulled his commitment to the Cornhuskers. Meanwhile, they should be overmatched in Vegas.
January 2, 2026
ARMED FORCES BOWL – Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth / 1:00 PM, ESPN
Texas State - Rice
An entirely Texas bowl that contains also-rans with a combined 11-13 record. Rice gets in as a result of the schools that declined offers.
LIBERTY BOWL – Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis / 4:30 PM, ESPN
Navy - Cincinnati
This one has a chance at being enjoyable with a pair of quarterbacks with differing strengths. Brendan Sorsby for the Bearcats is a passing threat, while Blake Horvath for the Midshipmen had his second 1,000 yard season, leading a team with five runners getting over 400 yards. This of course will be Navy's first game after defeating Army in Saturday's contest in Baltimore.
DUKE’S MAYO BOWL – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte / 8:00 PM, ESPN
Mississippi State - Wake Forest
Unlike the Pop-Tarts Bowl, winning this one carries a disincentive, as the winning coach gets dumped with a gallon of mayonnaise. The Bulldogs, with a losing record are a default choice and should struggle with a Deacons squad that perform well in the ACC, sporting wins against SMU and Virginia.
After a long season of debating everything from Bill Belichick’s girlfriend to the CFP rankings, it’s finally time to sit back and enjoy the good, bad and ugly of the college bowl season.https://t.co/ykThHNC3pc
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) December 13, 2025
HOLIDAY BOWL – Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego / 4:30 PM, ESPN
Arizona - SMU
This one is entirely a potentially entertaining toss-up, as they are basically evenly matched on both sides of the ball; it may come down to which players for both schools sit out.
Playoff schedule:
First Round Matchups, with the higher-seeded team hosting a home game.
#12 James Madison vs. #5 Oregon – Dec. 20, 7:30 PM, TNT/HBO Max (Winner plays Texas Tech)
#11 Tulane vs. #6 Ole Miss – Dec. 20, 3:30 PM, TNT/HBO Max (Winner plays Georgia)
#10 Miami vs. #7 Texas A&M – Dec. 20, 12:00 PM, ESPN/ABC (Winner plays Ohio State)
#9 Alabama vs. #8 Oklahoma – Dec. 19, 8:00 PM, ESPN/ABC (Winner plays Indiana)
Stay tuned, fans, for more coverage of bowl season!
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