One of the wildest seasons in the College Football Playoff era delivered one of the most stacked and controversial fields of New Year’s Six bowl teams to date. (OK, you know we’re talking about Georgia and Florida State playing in the Orange Bowl and not the playoff.)
Thankfully, we don’t have to choose between these games since they’re all thoughtfully scheduled out, so that you can watch each and every minute of all six games.
But just for kicks, we decided to rank these games according to how excited we are to watch each matchup.
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6
Fiesta Bowl: No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 23 Liberty (Monday, 1 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Oregon (-17)
This year’s Group of Five entrant Liberty completed an undefeated season and heads into the Fiesta Bowl poised to take a shot at what would be unquestionably the biggest win in this young program’s existence. On the other side is an Oregon squad that came tantalizingly close to returning to the playoff but still has plenty of reasons to finish the season with a big statement, as the Ducks sail off into the mist of a new super-conference: The Big Ten.
5
Orange Bowl: No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 6 Georgia (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Georgia (-16.5)
It might be shocking to casual fans to see the second-largest point spread of any New Year’s Six game for a matchup between the two teams that missed the playoff by the narrowest margin. It makes a little more sense when you realize that Florida State will be missing at least 15 players who have chosen to opt out of the game, either to prepare for their NFL careers or to enter the transfer portal. Add to that the fact that Florida State has become mired in an ugly and complicated legal battle stemming from its future membership in the ACC, and you’ve got a recipe for distraction and potential disaster. Can FSU overcome all the noise and make this a more competitive game than we’re expecting?
4
Peach Bowl: No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 11 Ole Miss (Saturday, Noon ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Penn State (-3.5)
Both of these teams would be playoff participants under the forthcoming 12-team format, but for now, they’re playing for pride and a Peach Bowl trophy. James Franklin’s squad was clearly in the upper echelon of the Big Ten all season but couldn’t manage to get its offense off the ground against Ohio State and Michigan. Meanwhile Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss team racked up several impressive wins throughout the season but fell flat against the SEC’s Big Two (Alabama and Georgia). These two teams share a similar ranking in their respective conference pecking orders and both will try to use a Peach Bowl win as a launchpad for greater things down the road.
3
Cotton Bowl: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Missouri (Friday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Ohio State (-1)
This one gets my ranking for the most intriguing non-playoff game of the year. Missouri’s defense shocked the SEC all season long, even forcing Georgia to fight for its life until the fourth quarter. Ohio State, despite missing its starting quarterback, has some of the best offensive talent in the country. These are two teams that did a lot of impressive things all season and still somehow don’t get a lot of talk or respect.
2
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas (Monday, 8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Texas (-4.5)
Two teams I’m not sure many people took seriously as playoff contenders when the season began will meet in New Orleans for a shot at the national championship game. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. faced a brutal gauntlet of a schedule and despite numerous close games managed to make it through unscathed. For Texas, nearly 15 years of being a national punchline have finally come to an end, and coach Steve Sarkisian has led the Longhorns back to a place of not just national prominence but potentially national dominance.
1
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama (Monday, 5 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Favorite: Michigan (-2)
Arguably the two most talked-about teams of the season. Two of the most storied programs in college football history. The most mythologized stadium and bowl game in all of college football. For fans of college football, it doesn’t get much better than this, on paper anyway. The on-field matchup is just as intriguing as the off-field buzz, with Michigan’s physical, hard-nosed ground game clashing with an Alabama team that found rebirth thanks to a spectacular quarterback. We’re in for quite a treat on New Year’s Day.
