At home in NJ – In what’s commonly referred to as a “unprecedented year”, it means changes took place that made things generally ‘bad”. To leave it all behind, Collegefootballfan.com (CFF.com) proposes some “good” changes to this year’s bowl season to make this unusual, disorganized, Covid-19 strapped season one that many fans remember on a much more positive note. With wishful thinking on our part, these changes if ever really implemented, would make bowl seasons memorable and anticipated for years to come.
Every college football game is about fun amid competition
In 2020, with limited games played, reduced attendance, bands and cheerleaders restricted to the stands, and tailgating traditions banned, college football took some serious hits. A lot of our fun was taken away. The same bodes for our upcoming bowl season. We at CFF.com normally attend three to five bowl games every year. Generally, our selections are “pot-luck” when it comes to games being competitive or not. In most cases regretfully, the latter comes into play (i.e., LSU vs Oklahoma last year). We always seek the most competitive games we can attend among the options we consider. That’s what we always clamor for, the winning score as the game clock expires.
Check out our 2019 schedule in the History pages of this site. You’ll see close final scores in most games we attended no matter what level of NCAA football we watched. We look for the best matchups we can muster based on our limited budget, travel constraints, available time, and a full time job Monday-Friday during the week. Up until six or seven years ago, raising two kids limited options as well. However, having relocated to careers in Florida and Texas, they provide us new game options when we visit them!
What we foresee for bowl season 2020
This year, very few people will have the opportunity to attend bowl games. Most will be relegated to watching games on television or computers at home which is what bowl season has evolved into thanks to ESPN. Bowls used to attract festive gatherings for students, alum, friends, fans, and family to visit somewhere nice in the dead of winter to enjoy local attractions, bars, hotels, and restaurants drawn together to celebrate the success of their team in a showdown against another successful, worthy team. The numbers of bowl games has diminished the aura of a bowl game to instead sell air time on TV to let people watch all the action at home.
With even more limited opportunities to attend a game and celebrate in a locale welcoming visitors, we’ve developed a plan to improve the entire bowl season to benefit teams, fans, venues, and television viewing alike. First, all teams get pared against comparable competition to begin with. Instead of contracts between a host city and two pre-arranged college football conferences to determine the teams and fill hotel rooms if the finished product is attractive, we select two teams with comparable records and/or rankings at a site neutral to both and generally equidistant from both (sorry Fresno State, there aren’t many games west of the Mississippi this year).
Win-win-win-win
From an economic standpoint, most schools don’t have to send their teams, bands, cheerleaders, support staffs, and administrators too far out of the way for an enjoyable setting and meaningful game even if it’s not for a national championship. First and foremost, it’s about winning. Fans from both schools see their teams not only in a well-conceived even matchup to compete, but in all cases, programs with good records are chosen to play in venues and on days closest to New Year’s with a chance to show where they rank in the end among the “elite” during this particular season. Cities get to host out of towners if they’re not shuttered this year to bring in revenue (New York City and San Francisco cancelled bowl games, but who wants to visit those cities any more?). Television wins big. The schedule we put together on paper makes every game starting on December 19 as competitive as possible – literally must-see TV!
Hoop Dreams
College football should take lessons from college basketball. Isn’t learning what college is supposed to be all about? Of course, everyone roots for their team in the NCAA tournament. However, how often are you watching other games and rooting for “Cinderella” to knock off some perennial power house of college b-ball? You get that here with our proposal.
We’ve also always thought that like basketball, a selection committee should be organized to pair teams into bowl games using the standards that we employ here. If they don’t want to do it, we’ll be happy to take this on. Even with the unusual limitations this season, this was a lot of fun putting this together. More than anything, however, this schedule would make the entire bowl season more entertaining and interesting than ever before as more and more post season games have been created all over the country.
Got to have rules
Here’s the rules we laid out:
1.) Comparable records and rankings
2.) Equivalent neutrality to both teams paired
3.) No games against fellow conference members
4.) No rematches of regular season games
5.) The current Top Four – Bama, ND, Clemson, and OSU are not scheduled since they are ranked to meet in CFP. Subject to change later, of course.
For our purpose, we looked at the current Top 25 below as if this were the final rankings at the end of the regular 2020 season (pretend the championships have already been played and this is where everyone finished).
The ESPN Bowl Projections
With no disrespect to Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabac of ESPN who publish their bowl projections on ESPN.com throughout the season, we provide our selections below realizing that they plan under guidelines using current parameters, particularly bowl contracts affiliated with specific college football conferences. We take liberty throwing those right out to show what “shoulda, woulda, coulda” been created for a more fantastic ,enjoyable, entertaining bowl season for the benefit of many this season. Remember, it’s all about the fun of college football. Let us know what you think about this plan.
ed. and blogger – Steve Koreivo
Current rankings used
| RK | TEAM | REC | PTS | TREND |
| 1 | Alabama(62) | 10-0 | 1550 | – |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 10-0 | 1482 | – |
| 3 | Ohio State | 5-0 | 1405 | – |
| 4 | Clemson | 9-1 | 1388 | – |
| 5 | Texas A&M | 7-1 | 1286 | – |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 8-0 | 1248 | 1 |
| 7 | Indiana | 6-1 | 1140 | 1 |
| 8 | Iowa State | 8-2 | 1059 | 2 |
| 9 | Coastal Carolina | 11-0 | 994 | 2 |
| 10 | Georgia | 7-2 | 968 | 2 |
| 11 | Florida | 8-2 | 940 | 5 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 7-2 | 902 | 1 |
| 13 | USC | 5-0 | 774 | 3 |
| 14 | BYU | 10-1 | 724 | – |
| 15 | Northwestern | 6-1 | 691 | – |
| 16 | North Carolina | 8-3 | 631 | 4 |
| 17 | Louisiana | 9-1 | 566 | – |
| 18 | Iowa | 6-2 | 502 | 1 |
| 19 | Miami | 8-2 | 454 | 10 |
| 20 | Tulsa | 6-1 | 408 | 2 |
| 21 | Texas | 6-3 | 227 | 2 |
| 22 | Liberty | 9-1 | 184 | – |
| 23 | Buffalo | 5-0 | 183 | 1 |
| 24 | NC State | 8-3 | 137 | NR |
| 25 | San José State | 6-0 | 124 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Oklahoma State 83, Marshall 47, Boise State 12, UCF 11, Army 9, Washington 9, Auburn 8, TCU 3, Appalachian State 1
Bowl schedule
Dec. 19
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
7 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: SMU vs. UTSA
Schlabach: SMU vs.UTSA CFF.com: North Texas 4-5 vs. Houston 3-4
Reason: All Texas affair between two sub-.500s
Actual matchup: SMU vs. UTSA
Dec. 21
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Georgia Southern vs. Western Kentucky
Schlabach: Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky
CFF.com: Wake Forest 4-4 vs. Georgia State 5-4
Reasons: Myrtle Beach is a nice bus ride for both squads. They would be well prepared for a good fight for a winning season.
Actual matchup: Appalachian State vs. North Texas
Dec. 22
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Boise State vs. Ball State
Schlabach: Nevada vs. Tulane
CFF.com: Oregon 3-2 vs. Minnesota 3-3
Reasons: Two Power 5 teams that fell since 2019 geographically acclimated to play in a cold climate. They can take their frustrations out on each other. We have better plans for the two teams selected, but this contest looks interesting on paper.
Actual matchup: Nevada vs. Tulane
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
7 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: vs. UCF vs. Kent State
Schlabach: UCF vs. FAU CFF.com: Central Michigan 3-3 vs. Fresno State 3-3
Reasons: The two teams announced below deserve better bowl games than this one though this is a good one for a TV audience. CMU deserves a warm weather game.
Actual matchup: UCF vs. BYU
Dec. 23
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: UAB vs. Louisiana
Schlabach: Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia Southern
CFF.com: Louisiana Tech vs. Ole Miss
Reasons: We’d like to see Tech get a shot at a middle of the pack SEC team. Fun time in the Big Easy for both schools if not for the pandemic. Like to see the Eagles play against Power 5 as well. Take a shot when they can.
Actual matchup: Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia Southern
Montgomery Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
7 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2 and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Louisiana Tech vs. Georgia State
Schlabach: Memphis vs. Liberty
CFF.com: Kansas State 4-6 vs. Kentucky 4-6 Reasons: Dead even. Wildcats vs. Wildcats. Left this one out accidentally the first time around really. Best of remaining teams.
Actual matchup: Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic
Dec. 24
New Mexico Bowl
TBD (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: San Jose State vs. BYU
Schlabach: San Jose State vs. Houston CFF.com: Hawaii 4-4 vs. UCLA 3-3 Reasons: Give the Rainbow Warriors a bowl on the Mainland. Another other vs. “Power 5” match-up.
Actual matchup: Hawai’i vs. Houston
Dec. 25
Camellia Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Buffalo vs. Coastal Carolina
Schlabach: Ball State vs. Georgia State CFF.com: Missouri 5-4 vs. Toledo 4-2 Reasons: Call this the Gary Pinkel Bowl. He coached both programs to success in the past. Toledo won 73 games under his tutelage from 1991-2000, and left for Mizzou where the Tigers won 118 games from 2001-2015. Buffalo, if MAC champs, and CC ranked No. 9 especially, both deserve shots against better comp other than each other to prove their prowess.
Dec. 26
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon on ABC and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Georgia Tech vs. Liberty
Schlabach: Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina CFF.com: Georgia Southern 7-5 vs. Virginia Tech 5-6 Reasons: Come on! Don’t belittle 9-1 Liberty in the same breath with 3-7 Tech or 2-8 SC! Give fans sitting at home a game to watch the day after Christmas!
Cure Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
Noon on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Florida Atlantic vs. Troy
Schlabach: UAB vs. Louisiana CFF.com: UAB 5-3 vs Western Michigan 4-2 Reasons: Teams were competitive in respective their C-USA and MAC. Both would compete well here against one another for an entertaining game near Disney World.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
3:30 p.m. on ABC and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Wake Forest vs. Tulsa
Schlabach: Wake Forest vs. BYU CFF.com: San Diego State 4-4 vs. Western Kentucky 5-6 Reasons: Very neutral site for both squads making for a rarely seen, east-west matchup. Both fell to good teams. Both to BYU. WKU to Liberty and Marshall. SDSU to San Jose and Nevada. Would be a very close, entertaining game. We almost replaced WKU with Kent. Despite the Golden Flash record of 3-1, four games aren’t enough to qualify here.
LendingTree Bowl
Ladd-Peebles Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Marshall vs. Appalachian State
Schlabach: Marshall vs. Coastal Carolina CFF.com: West Virginia 5-4 vs. Colorado 4-1 Reasons: The three targeted by the ESPN guys deserve better recognition than this. Their combined records are 26-4. The Big 12 and Pac-12 aren’t exactly CFP material this year. Let’s let them play each other here, good game, and find better opportunities for the others.
Actual matchup: Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
7 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Army vs. Oregon
Schlabach: Army vs. Oregon CFF.com: Florida Atlantic 5-3 vs. Air Force 3-2 Reasons: Taking a chance that Air Force may beat Army this week at West Point, and if they do they deserve to get a post-season game some place. This would be it. Shreveport has an Air Force base. FAU beat two other bowl qualifiers in UT San Antonio and Western Kentucky. Shreveport offers a good meeting point in between for both.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
10:15 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Penn State vs. West Virginia
Schlabach: Rutgers vs. West Virginia CFF.com: Nevada 6-2 vs. Memphis 7-3 Reasons: Two competitive teams finishing near the tops of their conferences deserve a shot to show what they can do against comparable competition. Great pairing here! You who follow us know we are big PSU fans and not RU fans by any stretch. Sorry, but whether fan base, history, or “improvement”, neither deserves a bowl game this year. Under .500 in the Big Ten this year is nothing to gloat about. This conference played very poorly all season. Northwestern looked to be best in the west until they lost to struggling Michigan State. Indiana really looked good this year, even when QB Eric Penix suffered a season-ending injury. Ohio State is undefeated and has its rep. If IU gave them a run, they have to watch out in the CFP no matter who they play.
Dec. 28
Military Bowl Presented by Perspecta
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Louisville vs. Navy
Schlabach: Louisville vs. Navy CFF.com: Ball State 5-1 vs. Tulane 6-5 Reasons: Both teams have winning records and deserve to celebrate their success. Again, we’re Navy fans, but that team struggled all year. So did Louisville. Let the winners play here this year.
Dec. 29
Cheez-It Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Miami vs. Oklahoma State
Schlabach: Miami vs. Texas CFF.com: Auburn 6-4 vs. Appalachian State 8-3 Reasons: We always like to see the Mountaineers play the role of “giant killers”.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Oklahoma vs. Washington
Schlabach: Iowa State vs. Colorado CFF.com: SMU 7-3 vs. UTSA 7-4 Reasons: Reality pitted these two in the Tropical Fruit Smoothie Bowl in Frisco, TX. We could have saved then some gas money. We figure the best matchups should be played as close as possible as we get closer to January 1.
Dec. 30
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Noon on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Virginia Tech vs. Wisconsin
Schlabach: Virginia Tech vs. Penn State CFF.com: Marshall 7-1 vs. Army 8-2 Reasons: Good records against comparable yet questionable competition. The game would be interesting having more local interest. Army bases in the area. Reminds us of the game we saw these two play at West Point in 1997 – the “Randy Moss highlight film” won by the visitors, 35-25.
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Minnesota vs. Tennessee
Schlabach: Minnesota vs. Kentucky CFF.com: TCU 6-4 Washington 3-1 Reasons: First of all, we’ve attended enough SEC blow-outs in bowl game over the Big Ten West too many times. Even with paltry records of our esteemed pundits’ selections under the guidelines they have to use, let’s take break from this “tradition”. On the other hand, Washington’s only played four games. With few bowls on the west coast this season, we need to give the PAC-12 a shot somewhere. The Music City in Nashville is our favorite!
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7:15 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Iowa State vs. Florida
Schlabach: Oklahoma vs. Florida CFF.com: Boise State 5-1 Central Florida 6-3 Reasons: Well UCF gets BYU already early in Boca Raton, and we’re trying to get Boise out of Boise, but reality is that we feel both deserve a bigger stage. The Cotton Bowl two days before New year’s gives both programs a shot to give a big TV audience a great game! There are 11 more games other than the three CFP games to be played. We don’t feel like we’re slighting teams nor fans. Every game but one remaining features two teams ranked closely in the current Top 25!
Dec. 31
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
Noon on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Colorado vs. Missouri
Schlabach: Washington vs. Mississippi State CFF.com: No. 25 San Jose State (6-0) vs. Oklahoma State 7-3 Reasons: A belated newcomer to the Top 25 for the first time in years and undefeated, the Spartans come up against the Cowboys who constantly challenge in the Big Twelve, but always come up short. Both come in with a lot to play for to prove their worthiness in 2020.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: TCU vs. South Carolina
Schlabach: TCU vs. Tennessee CFF.com: No. 23 Buffalo 6-0 vs. No. 24 NC State 8-3 Reasons: Buffalo improves every year under HC Lance Leopold who coached six national championships at D-III Wisconsin-Whitewater. He’s proving himself once again, and has the country’s most exciting RB in Jarret Patterson. NC State always prides itself on defense and includes Liberty’s only loss among its eight victories. If this was a real game, we’d love to go to this one!
Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4 p.m. on CBSSN
Bonagura: Western Michigan vs. Nevada
Schlabach: Buffalo vs. Boise State CFF.com: No. 12 Oklahoma 7-2 vs. No. 14 BYU 10-1 Reasons: The Sooners have lost in recent years on the CFP big stage. Taking a step down, they have chips on their shoulders. For BYU, they’re another team who seeks to prove to others that their reputation and record are legit by beating a perennial Power Five leader. Both teams should be fired up! Great matchup where fans from both allegiances can find a way to see their teams play only a few states away.
Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
8 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Texas vs. Arkansas
Schlabach: Oklahoma State vs. Arkansas CFF.com: No. 13 USC 5-0 vs. No. 15 Northwestern 6-1 Reasons: Closest offering for traditionalists who like the Rose Bowl played between the PAC-12 and Big Ten. Good USC offense averaging 35.4 ppg versus good Northwestern defense under HC Pat Fitzgerald allowing only 13.8 ppg. The teams have played only five games and seven games respectively, and both have tough tests this weekend in Championship games against Oregon and Ohio State respectively, usually two Rose Bowl contenders. However, win or lose, both programs get to play in this year’s version of the Rose Bowl. Only this year, Houston offers a more neutral venue. Should be fun.
Jan. 1
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
Noon on ESPN2 and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Memphis vs. Mississippi State
Schlabach: Tulsa vs. San Jose State CFF.com: No. 19 Miami 8-2 vs. No. 20 Tulsa 6-1 Reasons: Two improved teams as No. 19 vs No. 20. They get closer to New Year’s Day primarily because of their proximity to Birmingham compared to higher ranked teams. Great matchup this year though. The American Athletic gets another shot to coin the phrase, “Power Six.”
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
12:30 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Georgia vs. Cincinnati
Schlabach: Georgia vs. Cincinnati CFF.com: No.11 Florida 8-2 vs. No 16 North Carolina 8-3 Reasons: How can anyone not like the anticipation of this shootout between U of F’s QB Kyle Trask and UNC’s Sam Howell? SEC vs. ACC in Atlanta – a natural. The Gators average 41.2 ppg, average 386.4 passing yards, and scored on 42 TD passes. The Tar Heels average 42.8 ppg, average 307.5 passing yards, and scored on passes 28 times. What a warm up to watch before the CFP games later in the day. New Year’s fireworks!
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
1 p.m. on ABC and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Northwestern vs. Auburn
Schlabach: Northwestern vs. Auburn CFF.com: No. 21 Texas 6-3 vs. No. 22 Liberty 9-1 Reasons: Another chance for one of the surprise teams to show what it can do against the vaunted Big Twelve. How much separation is there really between good non-Power Five teams and a conference who generally makes it to the CFP more often than not?
Jan. 2
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
Noon on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: NC State vs. Ole Miss
Schlabach: NC State vs. Ole Miss CFF.com: No. 17 Louisiana 9-1 vs. No. 18 Iowa 8-2 Reasons: No withdrawals the day after the CFP semis, we go right back to another competitive game. The Ragin Cajuns of the Sunbelt started the season with an upset win over current No. 8 Iowa State. Now they get a chance to win the championship of Iowa if they can defeat the No. 8 Hawkeyes. Fun stuff!
Outback Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
12:30 p.m. on ABC and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Iowa vs. Kentucky
Schlabach: Iowa vs. Missouri CFF.com: No. 7 Indiana 6-1 at No. 8 Iowa State 8-2 Reasons: Who wants to watch a mediocre game between Iowa and either Kentucky or Missouri the day after the CFP semis when we can have two hungry programs like these two playing at probably the highest level either has ever played at? No CFP hangover if this game is on!
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
4 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: USC vs. Indiana
Schlabach: USC vs. Indiana CFF.com: No. 5 Texas A&M 7-1 vs. No. 6 Cincinnati 8-0 Reasons: Here’s the one that answers the question: which one of these belonged in the CFP after one of the invitees got hammered the night before? Will the Aggies with only one loss to No. 1 Alabama have deserved a chance instead, or should it have been the undefeated Bearcats, champs of the American Athletic under HC Luke Fickell with a good balance of offense and defense that should have been there? It would be nice to have an answer to this season-long question decided on the gridiron.
Capital One Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
8 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Texas A&M vs. North Carolina
Schlabach: Texas A&M vs. North Carolina CFF.com: No. 9 Coastal Carolina 11-0 vs. No. 10 Georgia 7-2 Reasons: The surprise team of the season versus a traditional power house in a traditional CFP venue. What a great tribute to the end of a crazy season. The last game of the season before the grand finale to be held on Monday, January 11. We’d all have a lot to talk about before that one was played, and the talk wouldn’t stop after it either!