- Matchups are ranked based on initial reactions to the pairings, considering factors like program prestige and potential for fun.
- The Citrus Bowl between Texas and Michigan is ranked as the top non-playoff bowl game.
- Several games feature matchups between major conferences, such as the SEC vs. ACC and SEC vs. Big Ten.
Now that the college football bowl lineup is set, you, the discerning fan, might be wondering which games will be appointment viewing and which can be skipped in favor of other seasonal holiday activities. We’re here to help.
We’ll operate under the assumption that all bowl contests that are part of the College Football Playoff will already be on everybody’s radar. Those games, too, don’t have set matchup due to the four first-round game that are not bowls.
We’ll instead focus our energy on ranking the other 35 postseason contests. This order is completely arbitrary and non-scientific, based solely on our initial reaction when the pairings were announced. Some might be pleasant surprises, and others might be major busts. Bearing all that in mind then, here’s how we rate the bowl matchups.
1. Citrus Bowl: No. 14 Texas vs. No. 17 Michigan
Time/TV: Dec. 31, 3 p.m. ET, ABC, Orlando, Fla.
With just one more win, either of these big-name programs would have made the playoff cut. Both are hoping for greater things in 2026, so hopefully the participants will treat it as a potential springboard. The chaos surrounding Michigan and the firing of Sherrone Moore hopefully will not impact the game.
2. Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 13 Brigham Young vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC, Orlando, Fla.
Had Notre Dame accepted the invitation to come play the Cougars this one would have topped the list. As it is, this should again be among the most fun events of the bowl season, even without the giant toaster.
3. Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan
Time/TV: Dec. 19, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN, Conway, S.C.
The hidden gem of the early bowl season matches the champions of Conference USA and the Mid-American. It’s mid-day time slot isn’t ideal, but you can always start winter break a day early, right?
4. ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 12 Vanderbilt vs. Iowa
Time/TV: Dec. 31, noon ET, ESPN, Tampa, Fla.
Again, the playoff bowls will steal most of the oxygen in the room over these couple of days, but this opening act on New Year’s Eve featuring, presumably, a Heisman finalist should be worth a look.
5. Gator Bowl: No. 21 Virginia vs. Missouri
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC, Jacksonville, Fla.
The 2025 season marked a step forward for both these programs, even if their most recent results were disappointing. One can also expect a fair bit of SEC vs. ACC chirping in the run-up to the game.
6. Fenway Bowl: Army vs. Connecticut
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 2:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, Boston.
As cold-weather city bowls go, this attractive regional pairing isn’t half bad. Army games tend to move quickly, so the hearty New Englanders and fans of the schools won’t be exposed to the elements for too long.
7. Hawaii Bowl: California vs. Hawaii
Time/TV: Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, Honolulu.
The Rainbow Warriors get the rare opportunity to bookend their season with wins against both of the ACC’s new Bay Area squads. It will also be a homecoming of sorts for interim Golden Bears coach Nick Rolovich, who will be up against fellow Hawaii alum Timmy Chang.
8. Music City Bowl: No. 23 Tennessee vs. Illinois
Time/TV: Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Nashville, Tenn.
This will be another arrow in the metaphorical quiver in the SEC/Big Ten debate heading into the offseason. The winner figures to grab a ranking in the final poll after starting the season with playoff aspirations.
9. Holiday Bowl: No. 20 Arizona vs. SMU
Time/TV: Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET, Fox, San Diego.
The Wildcats might have a ‘happy to be here’ advantage as the Mustangs’ most recent outing was extremely demoralizing, but from a talent standpoint it should be a solid matchup to close out the non-playoff bowls.
10. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Washington State
Time/TV: Dec. 22, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN, Boise.
A couple of future Pac-12 foes get together in what could be a sneaky-good contest on the blue turf.
11. Rate Bowl: Minnesota vs. New Mexico
Time/TV: Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Phoenix.
This is an above-average matchup on the field, and organizers should also be happy with this draw. It’s a fairly short trip for Lobos’ faithful, and there will likely be plenty of snowbirds on hand supporting the Gophers.
12. Salute to Veterans Bowl: Jacksonville State vs. Troy
Time/TV: Dec. 16, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, Montgomery, Ala.
Both teams came up short in their respective conference championship games, but the consolation prize of an easy trip reuniting in-state opponents isn’t bad at all.
13. Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke
Time/TV: Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET, CBS, El Paso, Texas.
Get ready for all the pitchfork jokes as last year’s Big 12 champs meet this season’s unlikely ACC winners. A meeting of Sun Devils and Blue Devils? Oh my.
14. LA Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington
Time/TV: Dec. 13, 8 p.m. ET, ABC, Inglewood, Calif.
Kicking off the bowl season means a quick turnaround for the Broncos but the MWC champs will do their best to represent against the Huskies in what might be thought of as a meeting of the ghosts of Pac-12 past and future.
15. Liberty Bowl: No. 25 Navy vs. Cincinnati
Time/TV: Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Memphis, Tenn.
It was a mixed bag of a season for the Bearcats, but they should provide a good test for the Midshipmen, who first have a rivalry game to play.
16. New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs. San Diego State
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 5:45 p.m. ET, ESPN, Albuquerque.
The records indicate this game could outperform this spot in the rankings, but the Aztecs’ offensive shortcomings might mean blowout potential if the Mean Green get off to a fast start.
17. Arizona Bowl: Fresno State vs. Miami (Ohio)
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m. ET, The CW, Tucson.
We place this one in the middle of the rankings with the knowledge it could easily surpass or fall short of expectations. Both teams finished in the upper tier of their respective conferences but were also prone to offensive outages during the season.
18. Frisco Bowl: Ohio vs. UNLV
Time/TV: Dec. 23, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, Frisco, Texas.
This is another MWC vs. MAC pairing that might exceed expectations but could be a mismatch. The Bobcats could make it interesting if the Rebels, who are on shorter rest, are still smarting from their loss in the conference final.
19. Military Bowl: East Carolina vs. Pittsburgh
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN, Annapolis, Md.
The Panthers were a wildly inconsistent bunch, especially in November. They might get a battle from the Pirates, who were in the mix in the American for most of the campaign.
20. Alamo Bowl: No. 16 Southern California vs. TCU
Time/TV: Dec. 30, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, San Antonio, Texas.
We’re starting to get into likely mismatch territory, though the Trojans will have to play like they want to be here. The Horned Frogs should have most of the home-state crowd behind them.
21. Texas Bowl: No. 24 Houston vs. LSU
Time/TV: Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, Houston.
LSU games have been tough watches all season. The Cougars will welcome this home-town opportunity to take down an SEC squad, but it probably won’t be pretty.
22. New Orleans Bowl: Southern Mississippi vs. Western Kentucky
Time/TV: Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, New Orleans.
Though both programs expected better, they were nevertheless each just a win away from competing for their conference titles. The game will be worth a look if both teams decide they want to be here.
23. Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis vs. North Carolina State
Time/TV: Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Tampa, Fla.
The Wolfpack showed improvement in the latter half of the season while the Tigers faded in the stretch. Add in the coaching transition underway in Memphis and this could be a long day.
24. Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida
Time/TV: Dec. 17, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN, Orlando, Fla.
Hey, not every Orlando bowl can be a home run. ODU did have some moments against Indiana early on, but the Bulls appear to be the much stronger outfit.
25. GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern
Time/TV: Dec. 26, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN, Detroit.
MAC members have been known to surprise their Big Ten big brothers on occasion. The Wildcats weren’t in the league’s upper echelon but should still have the edge against the Chippewas.
26. Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville vs. Toledo
Time/TV: Dec. 23, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN, Boca Raton, Fla.
An injury-riddled ACC squad against a MAC program undergoing a coaching transition isn’t likely to move the needle for you. Then again, what else do you have to do on a Tuesday afternoon?
27. Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State
Time/TV: Dec. 27, noon ET, ABC, Bronx, N.Y.
If you were looking at preseason polls and saw this matchup you’d probably assume it was a playoff game. The level of engagement by the participating institutions will largely determine its watchability, though both teams do deserve some credit for salvaging their seasons to a small degree.
28. 68 Ventures Bowl: Delaware vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Time/TV: Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Mobile, Ala.
The transitioning Blue Hens are bowling ahead of schedule. They might be overmatched by the Ragin’ Cajuns, not the Sun Belt powers of years past but still more accustomed to the bowl atmosphere.
29. First Responder Bowl: Florida International vs. Texas-San Antonio
Time/TV: Dec. 26, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, Dallas.
The Panthers were on the short end of several routs early but won their last four games to qualify for the postseason. The Roadrunners didn’t have the season they wanted, so we will see how interested they are in competing.
30. Las Vegas Bowl: No. 15 Utah vs. Nebraska
Time/TV: Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Las Vegas.
This has all the earmarks of a curb stomping. If the Utes come out with a point to prove and the shorthanded Cornhuskers’ late swoon continues, this will be over in a hurry.
31. Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Missouri State
Time/TV: Dec. 18, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Frisco, Texas.
Like Delaware, Missouri State also merits plaudits for achieving immediate bowl eligibility. Nevertheless, this matchup probably won’t grab your attention unless you have a rooting interest.
32. Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest
Time/TV: Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, Charlotte, N.C.
The gimmick of the condiment dumping has about run its course. But beyond that, we’re now getting into the realm of bowl allotments filled by 5-7 teams, which we cannot in good conscience recommend.
33. Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State
Time/TV: Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fort Worth, Texas.
There isn’t likely to be much interest in this one either, though the Owls and Bobcats can at least claim a small measure of Lone Star State bragging rights.
34. Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech
Time/TV: Dec. 30, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN, Shreveport, La.
The Chanticleers fired their coach, so that should tell you how their fans feel about limping to a 6-6 finish. The Bulldogs figure to be somewhat more enthused about getting what amounts to an extra home game.
35. Birmingham Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern
Time/TV: Dec. 29, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN, Birmingham, Ala.
Somebody had to play in this one, right? In the not-too-distant past this could have been a super-fun Championship Subdivision contest, possibly for all the marbles. As it is, it’s a rematch of a Nov. 6 Sun Belt game that wasn’t especially noteworthy, though at least it was close.
