Projecting All 41 2022-23 College Football Bowl Matchups
It's not the words we want to hear, but there's only two weekends left on the 2022 college football regular season schedule. But beyond the sadness that is the end of the regular season is Bowl Season with 41 unique and terrific matchups ahead.
With Bowl Season in sight, let's project what the matchups may be for every bowl game on the slate.
Kick time listed in ET
HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl: Florida Atlantic vs. Eastern Michigan
Friday, Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m., ESPN
Thomas Robinson Stadium (Nassau, Bahamas)
The only international bowl game between Conference-USA and the MAC kicks off Bowl Season annually. This matchup is set on best possible matchup while also avoiding previous matchups.
Duluth Trading Cure Bowl: UNLV vs. UConn
Friday, Dec. 16, 3:00 p.m., ESPN
Exploria Stadium (Orlando, FL)
The Cure Bowl is between two mid-level Group of Five at-largest this season, based on matchup. It felt weird projecting either of these teams in a bowl game since it's been awhile since they've been at the forefront. Welcome to Orlando, Jim Mora!
Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Duke vs. Cincinnati
Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 a.m., ESPN
Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
Speaking of upstart bowl teams, Duke is the ACC representative for the Fenway Bowl, played between the ACC and American Conferences. Cincinnati seems like a worthy foe, since this bowl game is typically between higher-tiered teams.
PUBG New Mexico Bowl: UAB vs. Wyoming
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2:15 p.m., ESPN
University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
The New Mexico Bowl this year is set between the Mountain West and the American or Conference-USA. The AAC exhausted their representatives, leading to one of C-USA's better teams, UAB, landing a date with Wyoming.
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl: UCLA vs. Boise State
Saturday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m., ABC
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
The LA Bowl is a newly-minted game between the Pac-12 and Mountain West. Last year, a mid-level Pac-12 team (Oregon State) played the MWC champion (Utah State), so I'm going to follow that model again this year.
LendingTree Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Marshall
Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:45 p.m., ESPN
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, AL)
In one of a handful of MAC vs. Sun Belt bowl games, the LendingTree Bowl takes a mid-level MAC team and pits them against a comparable Sun Belt team. Brett Gabbert and the RedHawks take on Marshall, who are newly eligible for this bowl thanks to joining the Sun Belt this year.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State vs. Mississippi State
Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
The Las Vegas Bowl trades off representatives from the Big Ten and SEC, with the latter getting the bid this year. Last year, they picked an underperforming team with a bigger name to face against a mid-level Pac-12 team. Following that model, this is what we got.
Frisco Bowl: Troy vs. BYU
Saturday, Dec. 17, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, TX)
The Frisco Bowl features two at-large bids from Group of Five Conferences or independents, and fitting BYU into that category felt right. Last year, it was a high-level game between ranked San Diego State and UTSA, but the prestige could fall a bit this year.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: North Texas vs. Louisiana
Monday, Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Brooks Stadium (Conway, SC)
The Myrtle Beach Bowl features two teams from the American, MAC, or Sun Belt. The MAC won't have a ton of representation in bowl games this year, so the open spot could be filled by C-USA, who has more bowl-eligible teams to spare.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. San Jose State
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, ID)
This game is often one of the highest-scoring affairs between two of the better MAC and Mountain West teams. Ohio has fielded a high-flying offense and, since this game is set based on best possible matchup, how about a date with a terrific MWC defense in San Jose State?
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl: South Alabama vs. Liberty
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, FL)
This bowl doesn't have conference tie-ins and instead takes two at-large bids from the Group of Five. South Alabama has quietly been one of the better teams, posting an 8-2 record after 11 weeks and very well could be a 10-win team by year's end. Liberty, who has been less-quietly good is a great matchup in South Florida.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: UTSA vs. Appalachian State
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 9:00 p.m., ESPN
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
The New Orleans Bowl has featured some of the best teams from Conference-USA and the Sun Belt over the past few years. Although underdelivering in the wins column, App State has plenty of rock-solid wins to pit against UTSA.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: SMU vs. Western Kentucky
Thursday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, TX)
The Armed Forces Bowl is tricky to pin down because it's really just a mesh of whoever's left. Last year, that led to SEC Missouri going against Army. But in the past it's been lower teams. This year, how about two high-flying offenses in SMU and WKU?
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Houston vs. Army
Friday, Dec. 23, 3:00 p.m., ESPN
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, LA)
Army always gets priority in the Independence Bowl, but often they'll take bigger bowls with higher payouts or bigger opponents. Just barely sneaking into bowl eligibility, the Independence Bowl is likely their best option. Army faces an at-large bid among Group of Five conferences, but the American takes priority.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Maryland vs. Southern Miss
Friday, Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
A peek behind the proverbial curtain: this was the bowl game I finished last. Tie-ins for this one are between the American, ACC, or SEC. However, those conferences filled other priority bowls, leaving two at-large bids so... here. Unlikely, low confidence, but sure.
EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Fresno State
Saturday, Dec. 24, 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Ching Complex (Honolulu, HI)
What lucky two teams get to spend Christmas in paradise? According to tie-ins, Conference-USA gets a spot while either the American or Mountain West gets the other. The hometown Rainbow Warriors usually get the nod, but they're far from bowl eligibility this season.
Quick Lane Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Buffalo
Monday, Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m. ESPN
Ford Field (Detroit, MI)
Chalk this one up for the weirdest annual bowl that's rarely played out its Big Ten-MAC conference tie-ins. However, the Big Ten orders their bowl games and the eighth-place team snags this one. A good counter for Wisconsin is Buffalo, who runs the heck out of the ball themselves.
SERVPro First Responder Bowl: Arizona vs. Air Force
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 3:15 p.m. OR 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas, TX)
One bid for this game is a Group of Five at-large one while the other is a lower-tier member from the ACC/Big 12/Pac-12. While Arizona has some work to do to get bowl-eligible, they fit the criteria of "lower-tier" Pac-12 spot on. On the other side, teams often are invited back to bowls and Air Force played in this one last year.
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl: Tulane vs. Missouri
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 3:15 p.m. OR 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, AL)
It's not an indictment on Tulane's incredible season to end up in the Birmingham Bowl against a low-tier SEC team. After all, 12-win Houston upended Auburn to cap off their season here a year ago. Following that model, this matchup was one of the easier to place.
Camellia Bowl: Toledo vs. Coastal Carolina
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 12:00 p.m., ESPN
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, AL)
Strength versus strength in the Camellia Bowl between the projected MAC and Sun Belt champions. It's not guaranteed that the champions play in this one, but beyond conference tie-ins, it comes down to matchup. And this would be one terrific matchup in Montgomery.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Michigan State
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m., ESPN
Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ)
Can we make sure the roof is closed this time, Phoenix? A couple mid-level teams from the Big 12 and Big Ten travel all the way out to the desert to play this bowl game. The Big Ten sends their seventh-place team while their opponent is hand-picked. Talk about two big-name teams– this game would draw plenty of attention.
Military Bowl: Pitt vs. East Carolina
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2:00 p.m., ESPN
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, MD)
East Carolina was actually supposed to play in last year's Military Bowl before it got cancelled. So, it only feels right that they invite the Pirates back this year to face a rep from the ACC. Pitt was one of the "leftover" ACC teams that won't venture to a premiere bowl, but they do get a scrappy ECU team in Annapolis.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Kansas vs. Kentucky
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, TN)
Memphis is nearly a dead-even split milage-wise between Lawrence, KS, and Lexington, KY. This bowl game annually is between the Big-12 and the SEC and this is a nice spot for Kansas, who exceeded anyone's expectations. Kentucky is a good counter defensively for the Jayhawks and the geography just makes too much sense.
SDCCU Holiday Bowl: North Carolina vs. Washington
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 8:00 p.m., FOX
Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
UNC's rival NC State was supposed to play in this bowl game last year until it was cancelled last-minute. Petco Park hosts teams from the ACC and Pac-12 in the Holiday Bowl, which is one of the higher-level ones among the conference ranks. UNC very well could be 11-2 come this time and their offense against Washington's would be a spectacle.
TaxAct Texas Bowl: Texas vs. Florida
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 9:00 p.m. ESPN
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
This year, the Texas Bowl is between the Big 12 and the SEC, with the nod going to mid-level teams. On namesake alone this bowl matchup would draw a ton of intrigue and Texas is no stranger to this bowl. A pair of high-profile QBs is the primary draw here.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs. Purdue
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2:00 p.m., ESPN
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
Aside from this game being an ACC vs. Big Ten showdown, doesn't Syracuse and Purdue just scream "Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl?" Someone call the Sickos Committee.
Cheez-It Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Baylor
Thursday, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, FL)
The Cheez-It Bowl bid goes to the Big 12 and the ACC, but Notre Dame can fill the ACC spot here. Despite the hilarious name, this has been a high-level matchup of late and two surging teams likely both with eight wins are good candidates here.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
Thursday, Dec. 29, 9:00 p.m. ESPN
Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
Now we're getting to the good stuff. The Alamo Bowl annually is a high-level matchup usually between ranked teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12. Who gets there is determined on matchups, and I believe this would be a great one.
Duke's Mayo Bowl: Florida State vs. Illinois
Friday, Dec. 30, 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
Last year this game was between the ACC and SEC (which was the two Carolinas), but the SEC and Big Ten rotate this and the Las Vegas Bowl. This year, it's the Big Ten's turn. While Illinois has been a good story this year, they're going to end in the mid-level tier of the Big Ten, which matches up nicely against Florida State.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. Washington State
Friday, Dec. 30, 2:00 p.m., CBS
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, TX)
The Sun Bowl features teams from the Pac-12 and ACC or Notre Dame and is usually one that falls down the list. Last year, Central Michigan from the MAC jumped in to play on a cancellation against Washington State. This year, Wazzu could be back to face their initially-intended opponent.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: South Carolina vs. Wake Forest
Friday, Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, FL)
The SEC has a bid to the Gator Bowl against a member from the Big Ten or ACC. In this case, upstart South Carolina takes on a high-flying but underdelivering Wake Forest team in what should be a very watchable football game.
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl: Bowling Green vs. San Diego State
Friday, Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m.
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, AZ)
The first ever Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl didn't happen last year. It was supposed to be between Central Michigan and Boise State, but the Broncos had to cancel due to COVID-19 and CMU filled the Sun Bowl bid just down the road. This year, Bowling Green– who just won a game that Barstool was at– squares off against a higher-level Mountain West foe.
Capital One Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Ole Miss
Friday, Dec. 30, 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
The ACC Champion, if not selected for the College Football Playoff, gets the auto-bid into the Orange Bowl. They face a top-tier Big Ten or SEC opponent, usually the highest ranked outside of the semifinals and Rose/Sugar Bowls. That leaves Ole Miss as a prime candidate for this spot to face Clemson, my projected ACC champion. If not Clemson, this spot will be filled by UNC.
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl: Georgia Vs. Tennessee
Saturday, Dec. 31, 4:00 p.m. OR 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
*Audible groans.*
This isn't what I want, but the landscape of things is sure shaping up this way.
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Vs. TCU
Saturday, Dec. 31, 4:00 p.m. OR 8:00 p.m., ESPN
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ)
Okay– more fun. The point total for this game might be set around 80 for one of two CFP semifinal games (the other being the Peach Bowl).
TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Arkansas vs. Iowa
Saturday, Dec. 31, 12:00 p.m., ABC
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
The SEC this year has a guaranteed spot in the Music City Bowl if they can fill it while the other seat comes down to the ACC or Big Ten. In fact– Arkansas may not even be bowl eligible on their own. My projections have 41 teams with the required six wins. The 42nd? James Madison, who is bowl in-eligible as they transition to the FBS. Welcome up on a technicality, 5-7 Arkansas.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Kansas State
Saturday, Dec. 31,12:00 p.m. ESPN
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
The Sugar Bowl features league champions from the SEC and Big 12 should they not be selected for the CFP. It's a foregone conclusion that the SEC champion is in the playoff, so the runner-up LSU Tigers get the spot. TCU will have the spot here if they win the league (which I project them to do), but an undefeated TCU team is getting in the dance.
ReliaQuest Bowl: NC State vs. Minnesota
Monday, Jan. 2, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
You may know this bowl under its former name, the Outback Bowl. Annually, teams from the ACC, Big Ten, or SEC square off in Tampa. It's the perfect bowl game for the in-between good and great teams and has produced some stellar matchups. This one is good because it features two excellent defenses.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl: Utah vs. UCF
Monday, Jan. 2, 1:00 p.m., ESPN
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
A seat in the Cotton Bowl– when it's not a CFP semifinal– is reserved for the highest-ranked team from the Group of Five, which I expected to be American Conference champion UCF. They go against another at-large team and I believe Utah will be a top-10 team even if they lose the Pac-12 championship. Other notable names to watch: Penn State, Oregon.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Penn State vs. Alabama
Monday, Jan. 2, 1:00 p.m., ABC
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, FL)
The Citrus Bowl has second priority in the SEC behind the Sugar Bowl. Since the top-two ranked SEC teams I believe make the playoff and LSU is in the Sugar Bowl, fourth-ranked Alabama gets a seat against a high-level Big Ten team like Penn State.
Rose Bowl Game: Michigan vs. USC
Monday, Jan. 2, 5:00 p.m. ESPN
Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, CA)
The Granddaddy of Them All is pretty cut-and-dry: The Big Ten champion against the Pac-12 Champion, so as long as they're not CFP contestants. If this isn't Michigan, then it's Ohio State. The Big Ten winner is assured a Playoff spot, so the inevitable loser of that game goes against the Pac-12 champion. After a few upheavals in the conference late in the season (shocker, Pac-12), I don't buy that any of them get in the Playoff.
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