Let’s do this – this year’s slate of bowl games are creeping up on us. They’ll be here on FRIDAY – so let’s dig into what I’m loving from this year’s slate. This is the official unofficial 2021 bowl preview on SoBros Network. One important caveat, though…these games are largely dependent upon who actually plays, who actually wants to win, and who is skipping out for the NFL Draft. It’s a crap shoot.
The Cream of the Crop
We have to start with the College Football Playoff, right?!?! It’s the whole reason any of us are even here. For the first time…I think…ever, I actually agreed with the committee on the four teams. They absolutely got it right, and I don’t know that any team on the outside looking in has a legitimate gripe with being left out.
(Semifinal) Cotton Bowl, 12/31: Alabama vs. Cincinnati – On paper, the Bearcats should be overwhelmed in this one, but I’m not going to discount their heart just yet. Plus, I’ll just throw this out there – this Bearcats secondary is the best the Tide will have faced all season long. Crazier things have happened…
(Semifinal) Orange Bowl, 12/31: Georgia vs. Michigan – the Bulldogs are favored in this one, but I think the Wolverines are going to be able to make this one a game with their ability to run the ball and get after the quarterback.
National Championship: I think we’re getting Alabama vs. Michigan for all the marbles. Does anyone outside of the southeast actually want to see a rematch between Alabama and Georgia? Correct me if I’m wrong, but….
The New Year’s Six
Peach Bowl, 12/30: Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State – This could be a showcase for two of college football’s brightest stars in Pitt QB Kenny Pickett and Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III. Something tells me that we won’t be seeing both of those guys, though.
Fiesta Bowl, 1/1: Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame – This one should be a fun, gritty, and grimy football game played like it’s the old days. I’m excited for Marcus Freeman and think he gets off to a great start as head coach of the Irish.
Rose Bowl, 1/1: Ohio State vs. Utah – On paper, this looks like it should be dominated by the Buckeyes, but the Utes have shown a propensity for winning big bowl games as underdogs in the past. Just ask Alabama fans. Plus, Ohio State has already lost to one Pac-12 team this season. Why not Utah, too?
Sugar Bowl, 1/1: Baylor vs. Ole Miss – At full strength, this match-up would have every college football fan salivating for its match-up of strength vs. strength in the Ole Miss offense vs. the Baylor defense.
Other Big Bowls
Alamo Bowl, 12/29: Oregon vs. Oklahoma – This has “who is even going to give a shit?” written all over it between the coaching changes and both teams having their CFP hopes crushed mere weeks ago.
Gator Bowl, 12/31: Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M – Can Wake Forest cap off a special season with a massive upset of a strong Aggies squad?
Outback Bowl, 1/1: Penn State vs. Arkansas – Sam Pittman, Treylon Burks, KJ Jefferson, and Barry Odom have all had special seasons at Arkansas. Penn State has played some good defense this season. If both teams show up, this could be an enthralling ‘battle of wills’ type of game.
Citrus Bowl, 1/1: Kentucky vs. Iowa – The Hawkeyes once had CFP hopes, and look like a tough opponent for the Wildcats. I think they’ll be motivated to win this one – 10 wins still means something in Lexington, after all.
Underrated Bowl Games
These are going to be fun…again…assuming everyone actually shows up and wants to play…
Boca Raton Bowl, 12/18: Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky – App State has had a phenomenal season despite losing the Sun Belt Championship game. On the other side, you have an electric offense with Bailey Zappe at the helm. This one should be fun.
Frisco Bowl, 12/21: UTSA vs. San Diego State – I may be more excited for this one than any other bowl game. I don’t know that there’s a more potent ‘strength vs. strength’ match-up than the defense of UTSA going up against the offense of San Diego State. LFG!
Birmingham Bowl, 12/28: Houston vs. Auburn – Another one of those interesting clashes in styles….assuming both teams show up. I think the Tigers will, as a bowl win would keep this program on track after a surprisingly good season that wasn’t nearly as bad as a 6-6 record would indicate.
Fenway Bowl, 12/29: SMU vs. Virginia – You want to talk about a fireworks show, this one should be a fireworks show. Set the over/under at a hundred for these two offenses.
Music City Bowl, 12/30: Purdue vs. Tennessee – We already know that the Boilermakers are going to have a couple of stars absent for this one as they prepare for the NFL Draft. But, this Vols team wasn’t supposed to be here this quickly. Plus, Hendon Hooker announced earlier this week that he’s coming back. This should be a big victory lap for Josh Heupel in his first year as head coach in Knoxville.
Sneaky Good Ones
Lastly, don’t sleep on these 2021 bowl schedule deep cuts…
Independence Bowl, 12/18: BYU vs. UAB – I know the Cougars have been good, but don’t sleep on this Blazers defense. That’s all I’m saying here.
LA Bowl, 12/18: Utah State vs. Oregon State – I think this is one that’s going to mean something to both teams and should be an interesting clash of styles between Utah State’s potent offense and Oregon State’s plodding run-the-ball and play defense style.
Armed Forces Bowl, 12/22: Mizzou vs. Army – This game just feels really weird to me…like, it’s such an interesting match-up. If it’s all systems go, I think this game could be a surprisingly fun watch the way these two teams can exchange body blows at full strength.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 12/30: North Carolina vs. South Carolina – A HUGE rivalry game for Carolina. They ought to be all sorts of fired up in Charlotte for this one. On one side, we have NFL hopeful Sam Howell at quarterback (if he plays). On the other, we have an overachieving South Carolina team in its first year under Shane Beamer. These guys are going to want to win. I just hope one lucky coach gets a mayo bath.
If you’re so inclined, you can listen to Steven McCash and me break down this year’s slate of bowl games on the latest episode of the College Football Roundup by smashing that play button on the embed below:
Listen to “2021, Ep. 16: Our Full 2021-22 Bowl Preview” on Spreaker.If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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