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Bowl season has officially arrived.
With a handful of games getting underway this weekend, the college football season has entered that magical time of year. But B1G fans still have a little more than a week to wait, as those eight bowl games aren’t scheduled until after the holiday.
So, while we painfully wait for the B1G to kick off the bowl season, let’s make sure we have our priorities straight. In other words, which games are OK to casually flip through, and which matchups are absolute, must-watch television?
We’ve ranked the eight B1G bowl games based on watchability.
No. 8: Pinstripe Bowl – Iowa vs. Boston College
If you love old-school smash-mouth football, then this might be a game for you. But watching two defensive-minded teams playing in a cold-weather bowl game doesn’t have quite the same appeal as the rest of B1G features.
Both defenses rank in the top 35 nationally in points per game and the offenses have had their ups and downs throughout the year. This might turn out to be a close game, but it’s likely to be a cringe-worthy affair inside Yankee Stadium.
No. 7: Music City Bowl – No. 21 Northwestern vs. Kentucky
Maybe these aren’t the premier brands in college football, but Northwestern has rattled off seven straight wins and Kentucky had a solid year in the SEC. Still, this game won’t get the kind of attention compared to most of the other major bowl games.
This won’t be one of those “must-see” games, but if you have a few free hours, this matchup does feature two of the most underrated running backs in college football. Northwestern’s Justin Jackson has rushed for over 5,000 yards in his four-year career and Kentucky’s Benny Snell Jr. ranked second in the SEC with 1,318 yards and had 18 touchdowns.
The Music City Bowl comes in low on our list, but it could be a sneaky-good game in Nashville.
No. 6: Outback Bowl – Michigan vs. South Carolina
The typical allure of a B1G-SEC matchup on New Year’s Day is a pretty good reason to tune in to the Outback Bowl. And everything is magnified when Jim Harbaugh is involved. This game won’t be hurting for viewers.
While both teams have posted eight-win seasons and have been really good defensively, the matchup between Michigan and South Carolina could be really, really sloppy.
Neither offense has been able to move the ball effectively and both have struggled to score points. Michigan ranks 86th in scoring offense and South Carolina comes in at 98th. It’s pretty doubtful that those kind of results change in the Outback Bowl.
If you love punting, this might be the game of the day for you.
No. 5: Foster Farms Bowl – Purdue vs. Arizona
Khalil Tate is reason enough to tune into the Foster Farms Bowl. The Arizona quarterback ranked second in the Pac-12 in rushing and was considered to be a Heisman contender in the middle of the season until the Wildcats dropped three of their final four.
What makes this game even more interesting? Purdue’s defense has been stellar all season long, allowing just 19.3 points per game. Plus, you know Jeff Brohm is going to work in a few trick plays. Though they’re only 6-6, the Boilermakers had plenty of fun moments throughout the season.
Purdue’s defense against Arizona’s offense might be the talking point for this game, but the Boilers might be able to score with the Wildcats. The Foster Farms Bowl could be a shootout.
No. 4: Holiday Bowl – No. 16 Michigan State vs. No. 18 Washington State
Mike Leach is kind of like Jim Harbaugh, just watching his team is entertaining enough. But watching his high-powered, pass-heavy attack square off against one of the top pass defenses in the B1G makes for a really interesting matchup in the Holiday Bowl.
The quarterback battle might be highly entertaining, too. Washington State quarterback Luke Falk threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, proving to be one of the top passers in the country. But Brian Lewerke has been a nuisance for defenses with his mobility. He threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for nearly 500 more to help the Spartans get to 9-3 on the year.
If nothing else, Leach is bound to say something hilarious at some point before, during or after the game. So keep an eye out for that, too.
No. 3: Orange Bowl – No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 Miami
For folks who watched the B1G Championship Game, the matchup between Wisconsin and Miami might look eerily similar. This is going to be a battle of the Badgers’ power against the Hurricanes’ speed and athleticism.
Wisconsin’s ground-and-pound brand of football isn’t particularly exciting, but it’s always a little more entertaining when it’s faced against a team that plays a completely different style. Miami has a defensive front line that can shut down Jonathan Taylor and can get a lot of pressure on Alex Hornibrook. But the Badgers own one of the best offensive lines in the country, capable of pushing around the Hurricanes.
This game could be a lopsided affair, or it could come down to the wire. It’s really a tough one to project. But the clash of styles makes for an interesting contest.
Plus, turnover chain.
No. 2: Cotton Bowl – No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 8 USC
Former Heisman candidates J.T. Barrett and Sam Darnold will finally go toe-to-toe.
Ohio State and USC might be the two most athletic teams not making the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes won’t be able to torch the Trojans with their speed quite as frequently as they did against other B1G competition. And both offenses should go punch-for-punch. Combined, the two teams scored at least 30 points in 18 of 24 potential games.
We may not get that same high-scoring affair like Penn State and USC had in last year’s Rose Bowl, but this has the potential to be a back-and-forth contest that reaches the mid-30s and is determined on the final possession.
Barrett and Darnold didn’t win the Heisman, but the winner of the Cotton Bowl victory will have some bragging rights.
No. 1: Fiesta Bowl – No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 11 Washington
The Fiesta Bowl could probably be re-identified as the “Game of Missed Opportunities.” Penn State lost two games by four total points. Both of Washington’s losses came by a single possession. Neither team played in its respective conference championship game and missed on a potential bid in the College Football Playoff.
But what a matchup this is for the college football fan.
Saquon Barkley vs. Myles Gaskin. Trace McSorley vs. Jake Browning. Dante Pettis vs. well, Saquon Barkley again. And don’t forget about both defenses. The Huskies ranked sixth nationally in points allowed per game (14.5) while the Nittany Lions came one spot later at No. 7 (15.5).
This might be the most even matchup this bowl season and its hard to really know what to expect. But be sure you’re tuned in for the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30. This is bound to have some really electric moments.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB