By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

There are 47 bowl games between Saturday and Jan. 20.

Sit back and enjoy each one with this game-by-game guide to the most compelling reasons to watch.

Note: Bowls organized by date. Game times listed in Eastern Standard Time

Saturday, Dec. 14

Celebration Bowl: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State, Noon ET, TV: ABC

Jackson State beat South Carolina State, 28-7, in Saturday’s game.

It marked the Tigers’ 10th win in a row.

Jackson State quarterback Jacobian Morgan completed 15 of 21 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

Jackson State senior running back Irv Mulligan scored two touchdowns on the ground.

Salute to Veterans Bowl: South Alabama vs. Western Michigan, 9 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN

South Alabama defeated Western Michigan, 30-23.

South Alabama sophomore quarterback Bishop Davenport made his second start of the season and accounted for three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jeremiah Webb had six receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Frisco Bowl: Memphis vs. West Virginia, 9 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN

Power Four vs. Group of Five.

It will mark Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan’s final college game.

West Virginia just hired Rich Rodriguez to be its coach next year. Rodriguez coached from 2001-2007 at West Virginia.

Chad Scott will serve as West Virginia’s acting coach for the bowl game. Scott has worked as the team’s offensive coordinator for the last two seasons.

West Virginia fired head coach Neal Brown, who went 37-35 in six seasons.

Memphis has consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in its 109-season history.

This is the Tigers’ 11th consecutive year to make a bowl — the longest current streak by a Group of Five team, though they didn’t get to play in the 2021 Hawaii Bowl after Hawaii withdrew a day before the game because of a COVID-19 outbreak, injuries and transfers.

Memphis senior quarterback Seth Henigan is the only current four-year FBS starting quarterback to spend all four seasons at the same school. He is the Memphis career leader with 13,972 yards passing and 102 touchdowns, both breaking Brady White’s record. Henigan is two touchdown passes from matching the American Athletic Conference record.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Boca Raton Bowl: James Madison vs. Western Kentucky, 5:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

James Madison and Western Kentucky will meet for the first time ever.

Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton is making his sixth straight bowl game.

Both teams are down their starting QBs — former Western Kentucky’s Caden Veltkamp is in the transfer portal and James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III out with an injury.

James Madison put up a season-high 70 points against North Carolina on Sept. 21. The Dukes have struggled at the end of the season, having lost two straight.

LA Bowl: UNLV vs. California, 9 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN

Coach Barry Odom has left UNLV to take the Purdue job. Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen will replace Odom at UNLV.

Interim head coach Del Alexander will lead the Rebels in this bowl matchup.

UNLV star linebacker Jackson Woodard is expected to play in the bowl game. Woodard was named the Mountain West defensive player of the year.

California quarterback Fernando Mendoza opted to enter the transfer portal.

The Golden Bears average 3.5 yards per carry (113th in college football) compared to the 3.5 per attempt the Rebels allow (19th in the FBS).

Thursday, Dec. 19

New Orleans Bowl: Sam Houston vs. Georgia Southern, 7 p.m., TV: ESPN2

Georgia Southern sophomore quarterback JC French has 2,619 passing yards (218.3 per game) while completing 65.9% of passes (249 for 378), with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Sam Houston junior quarterback Hunter Watson has 1,598 passing yards (145.3 per game) while completing 60.1% of passes (152 for 253), with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has 623 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, averaging 56.6 per game.

Friday, Dec. 20

Cure Bowl: Ohio vs. Jacksonville State, Noon, TV: ESPN

Ohio senior quarterback Parker Navarro has 2,169 passing yards (166.8 per game) while completing 65.9% of passes (176 for 267), with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has 936 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns (14th in CFB), averaging 72 per game.

Jacksonville State senior quarterback Tyler Huff has 2,179 passing yards (167.6 per game) while completing 60.6% of passes (157 for 259), with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has 1,343 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, averaging 103.3 per game.

Gasparilla Bowl: Florida vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Freshman DJ Lagway helped guide Florida to a three-game winning streak to end the season, which included wins over No. 22 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss.

Tulane will be without quarterback Darian Mensah, who announced he is transferring to Duke.

College Football Playoff First-Round Game: No. 8 Indiana at No. 5 Notre Dame, 8 p.m., TV: ABC/ESPN

Notre Dame’s only loss this season came against Northern Illinois. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is Notre Dame’s starting quarterback.

This Indiana battle marks the very first game of the new 12-team College Football Playoff.

Head coach Curt Cignetti (“Google Me”) has brought a swagger to Indiana. The Hoosiers went 11-1 in the regular season, but did not beat one team in the AP Top 25.

Also, IU got smoked by Ohio State in the regular season. However, the Hoosiers have the second-best defense in the country (244.8 yards allowed per game).

The winner of Notre Dame-Indiana will play Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals.

Saturday, Dec. 21

College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 11 SMU @ No. 6 Penn State, Noon ET, TV: TNT/MAX

If SMU gets blown out, expect criticisms for including the Mustangs in this year’s CFP, especially from Alabama, Miami and South Carolina fans.

While SMU went 11-2, the team lost the only two top-25 teams they played (BYU and Clemson).

Penn State is finally trying to win a big game under head coach James Franklin, who is 1-15 against top-five teams during his tenure.

SMU should provide a good litmus test for junior quarterback Drew Allar.

The winner of the SMU-Penn State game will play Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals.

College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 12 Clemson @ No. 5 Texas, 4 p.m. ET, TV: TNT/MAX

The only blemishes on Texas’ resume are two losses to Georgia.

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has the third-best defense in the country (249.5 yards per game).

Looming over this game and whether Texas is officially back is what happens to quarterback Quinn Ewers after the season. He could declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, but he still has one season of eligibility left.

Several reports indicate Texas is ready to turn the starting quarterback job over to Arch Manning for the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, Clemson is the lone three-loss team in the College Football Playoff.

Clemson jumped all over SMU in the first half of the ACC Championship game, leading the Mustangs 24-7 at halftime. Then, the Tigers went cold on offense and SMU nearly pulled off an epic comeback.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is a native of Austin, Texas. Klubnik gets a rematch against Ewers, who played each other in the 2020 6A Division I state championship game in Texas.

The winner of the Clemson-Texas game will play Arizona State in the CFP quarterfinals.

College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee, 8 p.m., TV: ABC/ESPN

Ohio State has the best defense in the country (241.1 yards per game).

However, the Buckeyes are coming off a disappointing loss against rival Michigan in the regular-season finale. It marked Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan.

Despite some rumblings about Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s job security, the university’s athletic director Ross Bjork said he is confident Day will return to Ohio State in 2025.

Tennessee (10-2) destroyed its first three non-conference opponents by a combined score of 191-13. The Vols are led by freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 2,512 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Monday, Dec. 23

Myrtle Beach Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA, 11 a.m., TV: ESPN

Coastal Carolina sophomore quarterback Ethan Vasko has 2,110 passing yards (175.8 per game) while completing 54.6% of passes (148 for 271), with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has 447 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

USTA has the 17th-ranked offense in the FBS in yards per game (447.4). The Roadrunners will be up against a Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defense ranked 102nd, allowing 405.6 yards per game.

UTSA sophomore quarterback Owen McCown ranks 16th in the country with 3,170 passing yards (264.2 per game) while completing 62% of passes (271 for 437), with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State, 2:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Football on a blue field! Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, has hosted a bowl game for decades.

Northern Illinois’ biggest win in the 2024 season came in its upset of Notre Dame on Sept. 7. It was the first win for the Huskies and the MAC over a team ranked in the top five.

NIU won three of its last four games. The Huskies enter the game with one of the best defenses in the country. NIU ranks fifth in the country in total defense (281 yards per game) and second in third-down conversion percentage defense (26.45%).

Fresno State will have a new head coach, Matt Entz, for the 2025 season. Entz served as USC’s assistant head coach and linebackers coach in the 2024 season.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Hawaii Bowl: South Florida vs. San Jose State, 8 p.m., TV: ESPN

Football in paradise on Christmas Eve!

USF makes its second consecutive bowl appearance under second-year head coach Alex Golesh.

South Florida has the 29th-ranked rushing offense in the FBS (191.3 yards per game), and will be facing the 79th-ranked defense in that category, as San Jose State allows 156.3 per game.

Kelley Joiner Jr. has 110 carries for 766 rushing yards (63.8 yards per game) and 11 touchdowns.

San Jose State’s 325.3 passing yards per game ranks fifth in college football. Junior quarterback Walker Eget has played solid since taking over for Emmett Brown.

Eget is coming off a 385-yard game against Stanford. He threw for four touchdowns too.

Thursday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl: Pitt vs. Toledo, 2 p.m., TV: ESPN

Pitt and Toledo last met in 2006.

The Panthers are making their first bowl appearance since 2022.

Pitt will likely be without wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, the team’s leading pass catcher who has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein missed Pitt’s last game of the regular season with a lower-leg injury after he had two previous head injuries. If Holstein can’t play, expect to see walk-on David Lynch.

Toledo is led by junior quarterback Tucker Gleason, who has thrown for 2,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Gleason has 330 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns too.

Rate Bowl: Rutgers vs. Kansas State, 5:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Kansas State ranked fourth in the country with 5.6 yards per carry

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is a dual threat. He has 2,517 passing yards (209.8 per game) while completing 59.1% of passes (202 for 342), with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has 548 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, averaging 45.7 per game.

Senior running back Kyle Monangai has 256 carries and ranks 16th in the country with 1,279 rushing yards (116.3 per game) and 13 touchdowns.

68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green, 9 p.m., TV: ESPN

Both teams enter the game with 7-5 records.

Bowling Green senior quarterback Connor Bazelak has 2,654 passing yards (221.2 per game) while completing 67.1% of passes (237 for 353), with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a nice connection with junior tight end Harold Fannin Jr., whose 100 receptions rank third in the country with 1,337 yards (111.4 per game) and has nine touchdowns (17th in CFB).

This game will mark Arkansas State’s second consecutive bowl appearance under head coach Butch Jones.

Earlier this month, Jones signed a contract extension through the 2029 season.

Friday, Dec. 27

Armed Forces Bowl: Navy vs. Oklahoma, Noon, TV: ESPN

Navy (8-3) is playing in its first bowl game since 2019. The Midshipmen are led by junior quarterback Blake Horvath, who has 1,154 passing yards and 895 rushing yards with a combined 24 touchdowns.

Oklahoma (6-6) is having a down year by its standards in the program’s first year in the SEC. It doesn’t get any easier in 2025 for the Sooners and head coach Brent Venables.

Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt’s 2024 teams will be remembered as season spoilers.

Georgia Tech upset Florida State in the season opener with a last-minute win in Dublin and also later upset Miami.

Vanderbilt upset Alabama for its first-ever win against an AP top-five team. Before the upset, Vanderbilt was 0-10 against AP No. 1 ranked teams and 0-60 versus top-five teams.

It could be the last time we see Vanderbilt senior quarterback Diego Pavia, who sued the NCAA over its rules limiting the eligibility of former junior college players after transferring to a Division I school. Pavia argued his two seasons playing in junior college shouldn’t count toward his Division I eligibility due to his inability to make money from his name, image and likeness.

Earlier this month, a judge denied Pavia’s request for a temporary restraining order that would grant him another year of eligibility, but did not close the matter entirely.

Vanderbilt is making its first bowl appearance since 2018.

The Yellow Jackets are making their second straight bowl appearance.

Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. Texas Tech, 7 p.m., TV: ESPN

Texas Tech was one of two teams to beat Arizona State this season. The Red Raiders are led by senior running back Tahj Brooks, who was third in the Big 12 with 1,505 rushing yards. Brooks had 17 rushing touchdowns this season.

Arkansas has a nice passing game with quarterback Taylen Green (2,813 passing yards) and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong (1,140 receiving yards).

Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington State, 8 p.m., TV: FOX

Get the eggnog ready! Professional eater Joey Chestnut will serve as the Chief Eggnog official for the bowl’s second annual celebratory “eggnog dump” on the winning coach.

Anyone who loves to watch passing offenses should watch this game.

Syracuse ranks first in the FBS with 363.1 passing yards per game. Senior quarterback Kyle McCord ranks second in college football with 4,326 passing yards (360.5 per game) while completing 65.8% of passes (367 for 558), with 29 touchdowns (sixth in CFB) and 12 interceptions.

Washington State sophomore quarterback John Mateer is 17th in the country with 3,139 passing yards (261.6 per game) while completing 64.6% of passes (224 for 347), with 29 touchdowns (sixth in CFB) and seven interceptions. He has 826 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging 68.8 per game.

Washington State will look to stop a three-game losing streak.

Las Vegas Bowl: USC vs. Texas A&M, 10:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

It will mark the first meeting between USC and Texas A&M since the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl.

Texas A&M won seven consecutive games at one point during the 2024 season under first-year head coach Mike Elko, but lost three of its last four.

The defensive-minded Elko goes against the offensive-minded Lincoln Riley.

USC sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava took over as the starter in early November over Miller Moss, who is entering the transfer portal.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. North Carolina, 11 a.m., TV: ESPN

There’s a joke about new North Carolina coach Bill Belichick returning to Boston, but it escapes me.

Interim head coach Freddie Kitchens will lead the Tar Heels in the bowl game after UNC fired Mack Brown in November before the regular season finale against rival NC State.

UNC is bowl-eligible in Brown’s sixth and final season during his second stint with the program.

The Tar Heels will be without star running back Omarion Hampton, the ACC’s leading rusher with 1,660 yards. The junior declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and opted out of the bowl game.

Meanwhile, UConn is in its second bowl game in three seasons under Jim Mora. At 8-4, the Huskies have their most wins in a season since going 8-5 in 2010.

Running back Durell Robinson, the team’s second-leading rusher with 731 yards, entered the transfer portal.

Also, sign me up for football at a baseball stadium!

Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska, Noon, TV: ABC

More football at a baseball stadium!

Second-year head coach Matt Rhule improved Nebraska’s record by a game in 2024 (6-6) compared to the year before (5-7).

Perhaps the biggest win for Nebraska is that freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is a doppelganger of Patrick Mahomes, announced he is staying with the program next season.

Raiola threw for 2,595 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also led Nebraska to its first bowl game appearance since 2016.

Boston College has had an up-and-down season in head coach Bill O’Brien’s first season. The Eagles started 4-1 and then lost three straight games. The Eagles have won three of their last four games to close the season.

Junior quarterback Grayson James took over for Thomas Castellanos in November.

Castellanos, who started 20 games for Boston College in the last two seasons, lost his starting job in November. Castellanos announced he is transferring to Florida State, which is a reunion with offensive coordinator Guz Malzahn, who previously coached Castellanos at UCF.

New Mexico Bowl: TCU vs. Louisiana, 2:15 p.m., TV: ESPN

This game marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

TCU won five of its last six games to close the season 8-4.

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said senior wide receivers Jack Bech and Savion Williams could play in the bowl game. It’s common for NFL-bound players to opt out of bowl season to stay healthy.

Louisiana reached 10 wins for the first time since the 2021 season. The Ragin’ Cajuns lost to Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship game.

It’s unclear who will play quarterback for Louisiana.

Starting quarterback and Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Ben Wooldridge suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 16 and won’t play in this game. His backup, Chandler Fields, is a sixth-year senior with 35 games of experience. But Fields left the Sun Belt Championship with an injury and true freshman Daniel Beale stepped in relief.

Pop-Tarts Bowl: Miami vs. Iowa State, 3:30 p.m. TV: ABC

Miami quarterback Cam Ward plans to play in the bowl game even though he was not happy the Hurricanes were left out of the College Football Playoff.

Ward is considered by many to be a 2025 NFL first-round pick. He was also a finalist for the Heisman.

Iowa State is coming off a loss in the regular-season finale against Arizona State. However, Iowa State awarded head coach Matt Campbell a contract extension through the 2032 season.

If that isn’t enough, this game will have three different edible Pop-Tarts mascots.

Arizona Bowl: Colorado State vs. Miami (Ohio), 4:30 p.m., TV: CW Network

The RedHawks’ offense ranks 106th in the FBS at 22.6 points per game. They will be facing the Rams’ defense which allows 24.3 per game (62nd in college football).

Miami quarterback Brett Gabbert has 2,737 passing yards (210.5 per game) while completing 57.6% of passes (204 for 354), with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Colorado State’s offense is 91st in the FBS at 25 points per game. Miami gives up 18.9 per game (16th in college football).

Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has 2,456 passing yards (204.7 per game) while completing 61.9% of passes (205 for 331), with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Military Bowl: NC State vs. East Carolina, 5:45 p.m., TV: ESPN

NC State (6-6) has made five straight bowl games under head coach Dave Doeren.

The bowl game will mark the Wolfpack’s first game since 2019 without defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who accepted the Marshall head coaching job.

It also marks the 33rd meeting between NC State and ECU. NC State leads the series 19-13.

The game is a teaser for next year’s season opener: NC State hosts ECU on Aug. 30, 2025.

The Wolfpack have won three straight against the Pirates.

Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey has played well this season, stepping in for Grayson McCall, who retired due to injuries. Bailey threw for 2,183 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

While Bailey will return in 2025, star receiver KC Concepcion has entered the transfer portal.

NC State defensive end Davin Vann led the FBS with six forced fumbles, which matched the school’s single-season record.

East Carolina (7-5, 5-3 American Athletic) returns to postseason play after winning four of its last five games under then interim and now head coach Blake Harrell. During that stretch, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 203-140 averaging 40.6 points and 504.0 yards of total offense per contest.

ECU’s offense is led by quarterback Katin Houser who has passed for 1,859 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Alamo Bowl: BYU vs. Colorado, 7:30 p.m., TV: ABC

If Colorado head coach Deion Sanders sticks to his word, expect quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter to play in the bowl game. Both players are expected to be top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hunter is the winner of the 2024 Heisman trophy.

Colorado is vying for its first 10-win season since 2016. It’s been quite the turnaround led by “Coach Prime.”

Meanwhile, quarterback Jake Retzlaff has led the Cougars to a 10-2 record. He is the first Jewish quarterback in program history.

Independence Bowl: Army vs. Marshall, 9:15 p.m. TV: ESPN

The game will be the first matchup of conference champions in the Independence Bowl since the inaugural bowl in 1976.

It will mark Army’s 11th bowl appearance. Army won the AAC Championship in a 35-14 win over Tulane. The conference championship was Army’s first conference title in the program’s 134-year history.

Marshall has a 10-3 record after a 31-3 victory over Louisiana in the 2024 Sun Belt Championship.

The Thundering Herd is led by Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Mike Green, who broke the conference record and tied the Marshall University record with 17.0 sacks on the season.

Monday, Dec. 30

Music City Bowl: Missouri vs. Iowa, 2:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Missouri (9-3) fell just short of the CFP conversation after a late-season road loss to South Carolina.

Senior quarterback Brady Cook will suit up one final time for the Tigers, but he’ll be without his leading pass catcher.

Wide receiver Luther Burden III is skipping the bowl game and declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Burden helped the school to a 20-5 record over the past two years.

Cook ingratiated himself to Missouri fans after he was hospitalized during the Oct. 19 game against Auburn to have an MRI exam on his ankle. He later returned to the game and led his team to two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a comeback win.

Iowa (8-4) has a typical team: A stout defense (10th in points allowed) and some offensive challenges.

Iowa running back and Doak Walker Award finalist Kaleb Johnson isn’t playing, but Kamari Moulton is expected to play. Moulton was the starter to begin the season before Johnson replaced him.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan, Noon, TV: ESPN

Michigan (7-5) capped off a turbulent season with an upset against Ohio State in the regular-season finale, which marked the Wolverines’ four consecutive win over the Buckeyes. Michigan limited Ohio State to 10 points.

Alabama was the first team out of the College Football Playoff. Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe said he plans to play in the bowl game. However, he hasn’t decided if he plans to return to Alabama in 2025. He could go to the NFL or enter the transfer portal.

Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. Washington, 2 p.m., TV: CBS

Washington and Louisville have never played before in football.

Louisville (8-4) will be without seventh-year quarterback Tyler Shough who has opted out of the bowl game and has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Louisville has not announced who will start in Shough’s absence.

Washington senior quarterback Will Rogers has 2,458 passing yards (223.5 per game) while completing 70.7% of passes (220 for 311), with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Citrus Bowl: South Carolina vs. Illinois, 3 p.m. ET, TV: ABC

South Carolina enters as one of the hottest teams in college football, having won six consecutive games.

The Gamecocks are led offensively by dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers and running back Raheim Sanders.

Defensively, edge rusher Kyle Kennard had 11.5 sacks on the season and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the top defensive player in all of college football.

Illinois finished the season on a three-game winning streak. Illinois will look for its 10th win on the season, which would tie the program record for wins in a season.

Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Baylor, 3:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Baylor (8-4) enters this game on a six-game winning streak. Head coach Dave Aranda served as LSU’s defensive coordinator from 2016-2019.

LSU (8-4) rebounded by winning its last two games after having a three-game losing streak. Bryan Kelly will finish with fewer than 10 wins for the first time since the 2016 season.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Fiesta Bowl), No. 3 Boise State vs. either No. 11 SMU or No. 6 Penn State, 7:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

Whether it’s SMU or Penn State, opposing defenses have had problems trying to slow down Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Jeanty was a Heisman finalist.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Peach Bowl): No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 12 Clemson or No.5 Texas, 1 p.m., TV: ESPN

What a run for the Sun Devils, who were picked to finish last in the Big 12.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham is among the favorites for national Coach of the Year honors after leading the Sun Devils to 11 wins and an outright conference title for the first time since 1996.

Arizona State got a boost from quarterback transfer Sam Leavitt (Michigan State). However, the offense runs through senior running back Cam Skattebo, who finished with 1,568 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns on 6 yards per carry.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Rose Bowl): No. 1 Oregon vs. either No. 8 Ohio State or No. 9 Tennessee, 5 p.m., TV: ESPN

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel leads the hunt for the program’s first national championship. Gabriel was a Heisman finalist.

Gabriel is 794 passing yards behind Case Keenum for the all-time career lead. Gabriel has passed for 18,423 yards during his stints at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Sugar Bowl): Georgia vs. Either No. 7 Notre dame or No. 10 Indiana, 8:45 p.m., TV: ESPN

Enter sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton.

Georgia’s Carson Beck injured his elbow getting hit while attempting a Hail Mary on the final play of the first half in the SEC championship game. The school is being as vague about the significance of the injury or how much time Beck might miss.

Thursday, Jan. 2

Gator Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Duke, 7:30 p.m., TV: ESPN

It’s unclear who will play quarterback for Duke after Maalik Murphy and Grayson Loftis announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.

Duke is vying for its second 10-win season in program history.

Meanwhile, the Blue Devils will have to try to stop Ole Miss senior quarterback Jaxson Dart, who led the SEC in passing with 3,875 yards.

Friday, Jan. 3

First Responders Bowl: North Texas vs. Texas State, 4 p.m., TV: ESPN

North Texas senior wide receiver Damon Ward Jr. is what college football is all about. The Denton Record-Chronicle reported he has had 12 knee surgeries.

Texas State returns to the First Responders Bowl after beating Rice last year in the first bowl win in program history. The Bobcats have had consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2008-2009.

Texas State senior quarterback Jordan McCloud was the Sun Belt Player of the Year last year at James Madison.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN

Bring on the mayo bath! This celebrated recent bowl tradition sees the winning coach doused in mayonnaise.

Minnesota (7-5) snapped a two-game losing streak to finish the regular season with a win over Wisconsin.

Virginia Tech (6-6) got some good news in that starter Kyron Drones and reserve William “Pop” Watson III will return for the 2025 season.

It’s hard to decipher which Virginia Tech players will actually play.

Saturday, Jan. 4

Bahamas Bowl: Liberty vs. Buffalo, 11 a.m., TV: ESPN2

I would argue the Bahamas Bowl is the most sought-after bowl game in terms of ambiance.

The Flames’ offense ranks 25th in the FBS in yards per game (434.5), while the Bulls rank 100th in yards allowed (404.3).

Buffalo averages 190.4 passing yards per game (106th in the FBS). It plays Liberty’s defense that ranks 43rd, allowing 201.7 yards per game through the air.

Thursday, Jan. 9

College Football Playoff Semifinal Game (Orange Bowl)
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida

Friday, Jan. 10

College Football Playoff Semifinal Game (Cotton Bowl)
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas

Monday, Jan. 20

College Football Playoff National Championship Game
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Source: wralsportsfan.com