Here are the 5 best non-CFP bowl games announced for 2015.
1. AutoNation Cure Bowl – Georgia State vs. San Jose State
If you have FunBelt Fever as badly as I do then you know why this game is so huge. Georgia State will play the first bowl game in school history and they will be led by quarterback Nick Arbuckle and his glorious long sleeves. The Panthers normally play in the Georgia Dome, so why Arbuckle covers his guns I do not know, but it certainly is the best college football fashion statement of 2015. The school that educated Ludacris will represent the FunBelt well when they whoop on San Jose State at the Citrus Bowl, Saturday December 19th.
2. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl – Michigan (14) vs. Florida (19)
This match-up is all about the coaches. Both Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and Florida’s Jim McElwain are “Coach of the Year” candidates. Harbaugh has handled the pressure of being the man in charge of Big Blue pretty darn well in his first season in Ann Arbor. Everyone expected McElwain to turn the Gators around but not this quickly. Florida found themselves inexplicably in the SEC title game this season and Michigan is one fluke play away from keeping Sparty out of the College Football Playoff. This SEC/B1G battle will be watched in hangover mode at noon on New Year’s Day. I’m pickin Florida because the defense is sick and McElwain is ba-ba-ba-bad to the bone.
3. Advocare V100 Texas Bowl – LSU (20) vs. Texas Tech
The committee is serving them up for Leonard Fournette. Just know that Tech is 3rd worst in the country against the run. Tuesday December 29th at NRG Stadium in Houston will be the day you watched a man run for 1,000 yards in a single football game. Al Bundy, eat your heart out. Giddy up!
4. Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl – Utah (22) vs. BYU
I give it up to the Mormons. All religious arguments should be settled on the football field. Our world would be a much better place. This is one of the early bowls; December 19th from Sam Boyd Stadium. Remember when Utah was going to win the Pac 12? Me neither. Give me the Utes though.
5. Military Bowl – Navy (21) vs. Pittsburgh
One of the most unfair games in all of college football every year: a home game for Navy to run all over some poor scrub team. This year it’s Pitt. The only difference is that Navy has a once in a lifetime option quarterback in Keenan Reynolds. Reynolds is now the FBS all-time career rushing touchdown leader, so Pitt is extra screwed. Good thing this one is on a Monday the week after Christmas so most of you will miss it. I will have to sit through the slaughter unfortunately. Hail to Pitt!