Complete 2021-22 College Football Bowl Game Schedule

New Year's Day didn't not disappoint, slapping a big exclamation point on bowl season with a record-setting performance by Ohio State, and dramatic comeback by Oklahoma State over Notre Dame and Baylor winning 12 games for the first time ever. Here are all the summaries, plus the remaining bowl schedule.

Author:
Tom Brew
Jan 2, 2022 9:22 AM EST

Updated Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 at 7 a.m. ET

The biggest performance came from Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes erased a double-digit against Utah and won 48-45 thanks to head-spinning numbers from quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Look at these numbers:

Stroud threw for six touchdowns an 572 yards, both Rose Bowl records. Smith-Njigba had 346 receiving yards, the most ever in any bowl game. Ohio State's 682 yards of total offense was also a Rose Bowl record, and the Buckeyes finished their season with a 11-2 record, getting that bad taste out of their mouths from the regular season loss to Michigan.

Oklahoma State and Baylor represented the Big 12 well, getting wins over Notre Dame and Ole Miss, respectively. And Arkansas and Kentucky saved some face for the SEC, getting wins over Big Ten foes Penn State and Iowa.

UNDERDOG TRACKER: So far, the opening line underdogs are 16-20 straight up and 21-15 against the spread.

Here are the summaries from the first week of games, plus the complete schedule for the 2021-22 college football bowl season, with game times, TV information and the latest points spreads from FanDuel.com for select games.

Saturday, Jan. 1 Results

Arkansas 24, Penn State 10: Quarterback KJ Jefferson led a second-half comeback with 17 unanswered points in the third quarter as Arkansas (9-4) beat Penn State (7-6) in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Jefferson passed for 98 yards and rushed for another 110, and the Arkansas defense held scoreless on Penn State's last seven possessions over 25-plus minutes. Penn State was a 1.5-point favorite.
Oklahoma State 37, Notre Dame 35: Oklahoma State (12-2) scored 30 unanswered points in the second half to beat Notre Dame (11-2) in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. It was the second-largest New Year's Six bowl comeback ever, spoiling Marcus Freeman's debut as the Fighiting Irish's head coach. “For me, obviously, as the leader of this program, it's a pit in your stomach,'' Freeman said. "As I told the group a minute ago, you want to bottle it up and you want to remember how this feels. The honeymoon stage is over. The whole, new head coach, it's a great story, but now it's about having a great product and it's about having a great team. We have to make sure that it's about developing this team for next year. This year is over, so everything we do from now moving forward is going to be development and making sure we're prepared to have success.” Notre Dame was a 2-point favorite.
Kentucky 20, Iowa 17: Chris Rodrigues Jr. scored on a 6-yard run with 1:48 to go to give Kentucky (10-3) a thrilling win over Iowa (10-4) in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Iowa had one last possession and got to the Kentucky 40 before quarterback Spencer Petras threw an interception that basically ended the game. Petras threw three interceptions on the day. Wan'Dale Robinson had 10 catches for 170 yards for the Wildcats. “It’s hard, it’s hard,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of the emotions of the final quarter, when Iowa rallied to take the lead, only to lose in the final two minutes. “The ups and downs are challenging.” Kentucky was a 3.5-point favorite.
Ohio State 48, Utah 45: C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Ngijba put on a show in the Rose Bowl, and Ohio State (11-2) pulled off a thrilling victory against Pac-12 champion Utah (10-4) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Ohio State had 682 yards of total offense, a Rose Bowl record, and Stroud threw for six touchdowns an 572 yards, also both Rose Bowl records. Smith-Njigba had 346 receiving yards, the most ever in any bowl game. “I think Jaxon has done what he’s done all year, and that’s just play within himself,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “Certainly, some of the plays he made tonight were tremendous. We leaned on him a lot. At one point, I asked him, ‘Are you tired?’ He looked at me like, ‘What are you, crazy?’ He went back out there and played one of the best games probably in the history of the Rose Bowl.” Ohio State was a 6.5-point favorite.
Baylor 21, Ole Miss 7: Abram Smith rushed for 172 yards and Big 12 champion Baylor (12-2) beat shorthanded Ole Miss (10-3) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Stadium in New Orleans, La. The Rebels played most of the game without star quarterback Matt Corral, who suffered a lower leg injury in the first quarter and did not return. "Maybe I didn't do a great enough job with the team because I was really hurting for (Corral) in that situation, because I know how much he's put into it, how much it means to him," Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. "For that to be taken away like that really sucks."Ole Miss Baylor was a 1-point favorite.

Upcoming Games

Tuesday, Jan. 4 Game

Texas Bowl — LSU (6-6) vs. Kansas State (7-5), 9 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (TV: ESPN) ... ... Point Spread: Kansas State is a 3.5-point favorite on FanDuel.com as of Tuesday. Lots of movement here, because LSU opened as a 1.5-point favorite. The over/under is 47

Monday, Jan. 10 Game

National Championship Game, No. 1 Alabama (13-1) vs. No. 3 Georgia (13-1), 8 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Ind. (TV: ESPN) Georgia is a 2.5-point favorite in the opening line on FanDuel.com. The two teams met in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4, with Alabama winning 41-24.

Bowl game results thus far

Friday, Dec. 31 Results

ALABAMA 27, CINCINNATI 6: No. 1 Alabama (13-1) got a school bowl record 204 rushing yards from Brian Robinson Jr., and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes as the Crimson tide ended the dream season of No. 4-seed Cincinnati (13-1) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff Semifinal. "I didn't think I was going to be the spotlight for the game," Robinson said. "Whatever they threw at us we had to adjust to it. If the run game works for us we have to stay with it. Coach (Bill) O'Brien trusted me and put the ball in my hand in certain situations and carried this team. It means a lot to me." Alabama was a 13.5-point favorite.
GEORGIA 34, MICHIGAN 11: No. 3 Georgia (13-1) dominated from the start, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives, and routed No. 2 Michigan (12-2) in the Capital One Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal in Miami Gardens, Fla. "They did a very good job early in the game, first half especially, of extending drives," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. "They were able to bleed out yards on the perimeter with some of the bubbles and swing routes. Then hit the big play.'' It was a tough ending to a great season for Michigan. "We climbed mountains this season that no one thought we could," defensive end Aiden Hutchinson said. "We set the standard for the future of Michigan football. Those young guys have got the scar tissue now, and having to feel this, I know they're going to bounce back next year and give them hell." Georgia was an 8-point favorite.
Wake Forest 38, Rutgers 10: TaxSlayer Gator Bowl — Wake Forest (11-3) had no trouble putting away last-minute entrant Rutgers (5-8) in an easy win in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl inJacksonville, Fla. Rutgers has replaced Texas A&M in the game, The Aggies pulled out because of COVID issues inside their program. Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman was 23-for-39 passing for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Wake Forest, which reached 11 wins for only the second time in program history, was a 14.5-point favorite.
Central Michigan 24, Washington State 21: Central Michigan (9-4) had to take a bowl game detour and play in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl instead of the Arizona Bowl, but it was worth the diversion after beating Washington State (7-6). Miami had to pull out of the Sun Bowl because of COVID issues, and Central Michigan lost its opponent in the Arizona Bowl when Boise State bowed out. So. they shuffled east instead to pick up a game, and they played great in knocking off a Pac-12 foe. Lew Nichols rushed for 120 yards for the Chippewas. Point Spread: Washington State was a 7.5-point favorite.
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl — Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Boise State (7-5) has been cancelled because of issues inside Boise State's program.

Thursday, Dec. 30 Results

South Carolina 38, North Carolina 21: Kevin Harris rushed for 182 yards and South Carolina (7-6) upset North Carolina (6-7) in its border war battle at Charlotte, N.C. It was the first win for the SEC so far in the bowl season. South Carolina scored 18 unanswered points in the first quarter. North Carolina was a 9-point favorite.
Purdue 48, Tennessee 45: Aidan O'Connell threw for 534 yards and five touchdowns as Purdue (9-4) upset Tennessee (7-6) in a wild TransPerfect Music City at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Purdue tied for the second-most wins in program history as only the 12th team in the Boilermakers' 134-year history to win at least nine games. They also won their fifth game away from home, something they hadn't done since 1943. It was a wild finish, with four touchdowns in the final five minutes, a controversial ruling on a fourth-down play by Tennessee and a 39-yard field goal by Purdue's Mitchel Fineran to win it. Tennessee was a 5-point favorite.
Michigan State 31, Pittsburgh 21: Michigan State (11-2) scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come from behind and beat Pittsburgh (11-3) in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Jayden Reed caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Payton Thorne 2:51 to go and Spartans linebacker Cal Haladay returned an interception for a touchdown with 22 seconds to go to seal the deal. Thorne passed for 354 yards. Michigan State opened as a 2-point favorite, but Pittsburgh was a 4-point favorite on game day.
Wisconsin 20, Arizona State 13: Wisconsin (9-4) and its top-ranked defense held Arizona State (8-5) to just 219 total yards and the Badgers won for the eighth time in nine starts in the first SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Badgers running back Braelon Allen had 159 yards in 29 carries. Wisconsin was a 6-point favorite.

Wednesday, Dec. 29 Results

Maryland 54, Virginia Tech 10: Taulia Tagovailoa was 20-for-24 passing for 265 yards and two scores as Maryland (7-6) pounded Virginia Tech (6-7) in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Terps, who got their first bowl win since 2010 and its first winning season in seven years, also got a 70-yard punt return for a score from Tarheeb Still and returned a Tech fumble for a score. It was Virginia Tech's worst loss since 1982, and it was the second-largest margin of victory in Big Ten bowl history. “I hope it quiets some of the critics and [Tagovailoa] gets the respect he deserves,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said. His quarterback, who started all 13 games, finished with a school-record 3,860 passing yards. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for Taulia. I’m really proud of him and how he responded. He’s had a positive impact on others.” Tagovailoa Maryland was a 3.5-point favorite on game day, but Virginia Tech opened as the 1-point favorite.
Clemson 20, Iowa State 13: Clemson (10-3) held undermanned Iowa State (7-6) to just 66 yards rushing and earned a 10-win season for the 11th year in a row with a win in the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Clemson got an 18-yard interception return fo a touchdown from Mario Goodrich to blow the game open in the third quarter. "It means a lot for everyone on this team because we started off 2-2 and to rally back and get 10 wins is amazing," Goodrich said. "To keep the tradition going, it's a legacy. It's amazing to finish my last game with these guys and go out on a good note." It was Dabo Swinney's 150th career win, and he was the sixth-fastest to that number in NCAA history. Clemson was a 1.5-point favorite on game day, but it was Iowa State that opened as a 1.5-point favorite.
Oklahoma 47, Oregon 32: Caleb Williams passed for 242 yards and three scores and Kennedy Brooks rushed for 142 yards and three more trouchdowns as Oklahoma (11-2) whipped Oregon (10-4) in the Valero Alamo Bowl at San Antonio, Texas. Bob Stoops came out of retirement to coach the Sooners in the bowl game after Lincoln Riley left for USC. It was his 191st career victory. He was also able to see his son, Blake Stoops, make a touchdown pass. Oklahoma was a 4-point favorite.
Wasabi Fenway Bowl — SMU (8-4) vs. Virginia (6-6), the game has been cancelled because of COVID issues inside the Virginia program.

Tuesday, Dec. 28 Results

Houston 17, Auburn 13: Clayton Tune passed for 283 yards and two touchdowns as Houston (12-2) rallied late to beat Auburn (6-7) in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. Cougars wide receiver Nathaniel Dell had 10 receptions for 150 yards., Auburn was a 2.5-point favorite.
Air Force 31,Louisville 28: Quarterback Haaziq Daniels led Air Force (10-3) to an upset win over Louisville (6-7) with a surprise passing attack in winning the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Air Force, the leading rushing team in the country with its option offense, scorched the Cardinals with 252 passing yards on just 10 throws from Daniels. who completed nine passes. Louisville was a 1.5-point favorite.
Texas Tech 34, Mississippi State 7: Donovan Smith threw for 252 yards as Texas Tech (7-6) upset Mississippi State (7-6) and former coach Mike Leach in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. "It's a sense of relief and accomplishment," said Texas Tech interim coach Sonny Cumbie, who was a former player under Leach at Tech. "In these bowl games, the most excited team that shows up is the one that comes out on top. That's what this team did." Mississippi State was a 9.5-point favorite.
Minnesota 18, West Virginia 6: Minnesota (9-4) dominated on the ground, getting 144 rushing yards from Ky Thomas and 129 yards from Mar'Keise Irving in a Guaranteed Rate Bowl win over West Virginia (6-7) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. The Gophers held the Mountaineers to 206 total yards to win their fifth straight bowl game, third under Fleck. "They kind of grinded out a win and a credit to them — that's how they did it all year," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. "We just weren't good enough today." Minnesota finished fourth nationally in total defense, allowing 284.8 yards per game. Minnesota was a 4.5-point favorite.
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl — UCLA (8-4) vs. N.C. State (9-3), 8 p.m. ET at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif. was postponed because of COVID issues inside the UCLA program.

Monday, Dec. 27 results

Western Michigan 52, Nevada 24: Sean Tyler rushed for 146 yards and Jaxson Kincaide added 105 and two touchdowns as Western Michigan (8-5) cruisted to an easy win over Nevada (8-5) in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, Mich. Western Michigan was a 7-point favorite.
Military Bowl presented by Peraton — Boston College (6-6) vs. East Carolina (7-5), has been cancelled because of COVID issues inside the BC program.

Saturday, Dec. 25 result

Georgia State 51, Ball State 20: Georgia State (8-5) quarterback Darren Grainger passed for 203 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 122 and another score in a blowout win over Ball State (6-7) in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. Georgia State was a 4.5-point favorite.

Friday, Dec. 24 result

EasyPost Hawaii Bowl — The game between Memphis (6-6) and Hawaii (6-7) has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues inside the Hawaii program.

Thursday (Dec. 23) results

Miami of Ohio 27, North Texas 14: Brett Gabbert threw for 228 yards and two scores and Kenny Tracy rushed for 92 yards as Miami of Ohio (7-6) beat North Texas (6-7) in the Frisco Football Classic in Frisco, Texas. Miami was a 3-point favorite.
UCF 29, Florida 17: Former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn knocked off another SEC rival, leading his UCF (9-4) team to a win over Florida (6-7) in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Isaiah Bowser, who starred at Northwestern for three years before transferring to UCF, rushed for 155 yards for the Knights, and Ryan O'Keefe added another 110 on the ground. UCF has now won 50 games in the past five years, the fifth-highest total in the nation during that time. Florida was a 7.5-point favorite.

Wednesday (Dec. 22) result

Army 24, Missouri 22: Army (9-3) got a 41-yard field goal from Cole Talley at the buzzer to knock off Missouri (6-7) from the SEC in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Army was a 3.5-point favorite.

Tuesday (Dec. 21) results

Wyoming 52, Kent State 38: Levi Williams rushed for 202 yards and Wyoming (7-6) rolled up 404 total yards on the ground in a win over Kent State (7-7) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho. Wyoming was a 3-point favorite.
San Diego State 38, No. 24 Texas-San Antonio 24: San Diego State (12-2) quarterback Lucas Johnson threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Aztecs to an upset win over UTSA (12-2) in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas. UTSA was a 2.5-point favorite.

Monday (Dec. 20) result

Tulsa 30, Old Dominion 17: Shamari Brooks rushed for 107 yards and quarterback Davis Brin threw for 285 yards as Tulsa (7-6) beat Old Dominion (6-7) in the Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by TaxAct in Conway, S.C. Old Dominion was outgained, 529 yards to 247, and had just 10 first downs to Tulsa's 35. The ODU highlight was LaMareon James returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a score. Tulsa was an 8.5-point-favorite.

Saturday (Dec. 18) results

Western Kentucky 59, Appalachian State 38: Bailey Zappe passed for 422 yards and six touchdowns and set FBS passing records in the process in Western Kentucky's (9-5) win over Appalachian State (10-4) in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl in Boca Raton, Fla. Appalachian State was a 3-point favorite, and had never lost a bowl game before. Zappe finished the season with 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns. He topped the previous FBS marks of 5,833 yards set by Texas Tech's B.J. Symons in 2003 and 60 touchdowns set by LSU's Joe Burrow in the Tigers' run to the national championship in the 2019 season. "In my opinion Bailey Zappe is the best quarterback in college football, and now he gets to say he is one of the best," Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton said. "He'll go down in history as being one of the best, and holds two records. It's just special to be a part of that." Back on Sept. 25, he threw for 365 yards in a 33-31 loss to Indiana.
Fresno State 31, UTEP 24: Jake Haener passed for 286 yards and Jordan Mins runs for 165 yards and two scores as Fresno State (10-3) beat UTEP in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M. Fresno State was an 11.5-point favorite and capped off a 10-win season. They played the game without coach Kalen DeBoer, who left a few weeks earlier to become the head coach at Washington. DeBoer was the offensive coordinator at Indiana in 2019.
UAB 31, No. 13 BYU 28: UAB quarterback Dylan Hopkins threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Trea Shropshire on fourth-and-7 with 6:17 left in the game to give the Blazers (9-4) a stunning upset over No. 13 BYU (10-3) in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. BYU was a 6.5-point favorite.
Liberty 56, Eastern Michigan 20: Malik Willis passed for 231 and three scores as Liberty (8-5) cruised to an easy win over Eastern Michigan (7-6) in the LendingTree Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Liberty was a 9.5-point favorite.
Utah State 24, Oregon State 13: Utah State (11-3) completed its amazing season turnaround with another win over a Pac-12 team in a win over Oregon State (7-6) in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. Utah State went 1-5 in 2020 but turned things around quickly under first-year coach Blake Anderson. Oregon State was a 7.5-point favorite, but never scored another touchdown after a first-minute TD run.
No. 23 Louisiana 36, Marshall 21: Levi Lewis passed for 270 yards as No. 23 Louisiana (13-1) scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to top Marshall (7-6) in the R&L Carriers Bowl in New Orleans, La. Louisiana was a 5.5-point favorite. The Ragin' Cajuns played the game without coach Billy Napier, who left for the head coaching job at Florida.

Friday (Dec. 17) results

Middle Tennessee 31, Toledo 24: Middle Tennessee (7-6) freshman quarterback Nick Vattiato had a school-record 59-yard touchdown pass and threw for 270 yards in its upset win over Toledo (7-6) in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau. The Rockets were 10-point favorites.
Coastal Carolina 47, Northern Illinois 41: Grayon McCall threw for 315 yards and four touchdown as Coastal Carolina (11-2) won the first bowl game in school history with a win over Northern Illinois (9-5) in the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Northern Illinois was threatening to score late when time expired. The Huskies thought the clock should have stopped after getting out of bounds on the previous play. Coastal Carolina was a 10.5-point favorite.