Now that we’re the previous the mayhem of the weekend and the College Football Playoff being set in between No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama, we expect what the remainder of the postseason is going to bring us, and there is no lack of prominent and amazing video games.
We break down the video games and gamers we are most thrilled to view when bowl season gets underway on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Dive to: CFP| New Year’s 6| The very best of bowl season
Who has something to show| Under-the-radar gamers
What are you thrilled to see in the playoff?
Blake Baumgartner: We have actually been here before with Texas and Washington By the time the Allstate Sugar Bowl starts on New Year’s Day night, 368 days will have passed because the very first year of the Kalen DeBoer age in Seattle concluded with a 27-20 triumph over Steve Sarkisian and Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl. A track fulfill is most likely to occur in New Orleans with Michael Penix Jr (FBS-leading 4,218 passing lawns with 33 goals) and Quinn Ewers (3,161 passing lawns with 21 goals) calling the shots for 2 of the most explosive offenses in the nation, with Texas ninth (475.9 YPG) and Washington not too far behind at 12th (469.1 YPG). Just how much does last December’s conference in San Antonio play into preparation for this year’s? I’m uncertain, however it unquestionably includes intrigue and ought to offer an enjoyable watch with the Huskies (1991) and Longhorns (2005) wanting to end long championship game dry spells.
Mark Schlabach: What typeface will the asterisk beside Michigan‘s nationwide title be if the Wolverines lastly get it done? Arial? Comic Sans MS? Times New Roman? There will be a great deal of college football fans throughout the nation rooting for Alabama— as challenging as that may be for some– to beat the Wolverines in a CFP semifinal at the Rose Championship game provided by Prudential. The very same opts for the winner in the other CFP semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, either Texas or Washington, if the Wolverines win their very first CFP video game under coach Jim Harbaugh on New Year’s Day. Florida State‘s unmatched snub in the CFP may have taken headings on Choice Day, however Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal isn’t going to be swept under the carpet for lots of fans.
Chris Low: It wasn’t too long ago that Jalen Milroe was basing on the sideline and enjoying Tyler Buchner (yes, the very same Tyler Buchner who simply moved to play lacrosse at Notre Dame) and Ty Simpson integrate to finish 10 passes in an awful win over South Florida Now, here he remains in the College Football Playoff 3 months later on as one of the most popular gamers in the sport, attempting to lead Alabama to its seventh championship game under Nick Saban. Milroe wasn’t on anyone’s radar back in September as a gamer who might be a driver for his group taking home the leading reward. He resembles an explosive running back with fantastic velocity who’s acquired increasing self-confidence to stand in the pocket, and he’s stepped up in the pocket when required to provide big-time tosses. Oh yeah, he’s respectable at improvising, too. See his flip pass versus Georgia in the SEC national championship. Michigan’s defense is stout and specifically skilled at bullying groups. It ought to produce great theater seeing Milroe take on an elite defense for the 2nd straight video game after engineering Alabama’s 27-24 win over Georgia to win the SEC title.
Paolo Uggetti: Can the Pac-12 go out with a bang? It was a banner year for the conference in more methods than one. Elite quarterbacks ruled the season and, at one point, the conference had 9 ranked groups in the AP Top 25. It took an unbeaten Washington group to provide the Pac-12 its very first playoff group because 2016. Now, the Huskies will be bring the conference into a match with Texas. A win and they’ll be the very first to make it to a nationwide title video game because Oregon performed in 2015. This season, the Huskies have actually revealed they understand how to just keep winning in any circumstance. Can they keep it going?
Adam Rittenberg: Whether Michigan can take the action from bullying the Huge 10 to winning on the nationwide phase. This was an issue under Jim Harbaugh’s coach at Michigan, Bo Schembechler, and has actually been an issue throughout Harbaugh’s period too. Harbaugh is 1-6 in bowls at Michigan, consisting of losses in each of the previous 2 CFP semifinals. The Wolverines do not have an apparent weak point, although their offense didn’t impress versus Iowa in the Big 10 national championship. They will require their best shot to remove Nick Saban and Alabama at the Rose Bowl. If they fail, how will we take a look at this age at Michigan? I can’t wait to see what occurs.
Which New Year’s 6 championship game are you most anticipating?
Baumgartner: Oregon and Liberty have actually made the lives of opposing defenses unpleasant all season long which need to set the phase for a really amusing Vrbo Feast Bowl. Both groups include dynamite quarterbacks, Bo Nix (Oregon) and Kaidon Salter (Liberty), who lead the second-and-third-best offenses, respectively, in the nation– Oregon at 526.6 YPG and Liberty at 514.9 YPG. We understand Jamey Chadwell and the Flames will be thrilled to be there with Salter (3,814 overall lawns and 43 overall goals) blazing a trail for the very first Conference U.S.A. group to reach the New Year’s 6. Can the Ducks put another three-point loss to Washington in the rear-view mirror and permit Nix (4,145 passing lawns with 40 TDs) to conclude his college profession in appropriate style?
Schlabach: I believed there were much better prospective matches offered– Georgia vs. Oregon in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl or Ohio State vs. Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl– than what we’ll really view. That being stated, the Orange Bowl will be intriguing, if not amusing, to see how the Seminoles search offense and who appears for the Bulldogs. Is Georgia quarterback Carson Beck returning or going into the NFL draft? Will star tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Ladd McConkey, 2 of the most competitive guys on the group, play another video game? Their inspiration level may take a hit after the Bulldogs were excluded of the CFP with a 12-1 record. The two-time safeguarding nationwide champs insist they’ll be prepared to play, however it’s difficult to actually understand. If Florida State knocks off Georgia, the Seminoles will unquestionably declare a nationwide title. They can purchase their Tee shirts from the very same supplier that printed the UCF ones in 2017.
Hale: The very best championship game typically originate from 2 programs with diametrically opposed designs, which’s precisely what makes the Peach Bowl so appealing. Ole Miss is all offense, all the time under coach Lane Kiffin. Penn State‘s defense was amongst the most dominant in the nation in 2023 (even if its offense was uninformed of the forward pass sometimes). Drew Allar, Quinshon Judkins, Kaytron Allen and others offer sufficient star power, and both fan bases need to appear completely force in Atlanta. Plus, the video game’s on a Saturday, so the Chick-fil-A at Mercedes Benz Arena will be open. Spicy chicken sandwiches all around!
Rittenberg: Ohio State’s transfers and opt-outs alter the outlook for the Buckeyes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, however I’m still interested to see how coach Ryan Day and his gamers react from their newest problem versus Michigan. They handle a Missouri group that apparently will be a lot more encouraged at AT&T Arena after an unexpected 10-2 season. The Tigers’ backfield of Brady Cook and Cody Schrader is must-see, and will offer a genuine obstacle for a Buckeyes’ defense that could not leave the field versus Michigan. Missouri’s defense is strong, too, and breaks a Buckeyes’ offense now including Devin Brown at quarterback and more than likely brand-new faces around the field. Ohio State has actually dealt with these alleviation bowls much better than anticipated, winning the Rose Bowl after both the 2018 and 2021 seasons. Day definitely is incentivized to restore some goodwill after another Michigan failure. Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz joked on ESPN that he would be getting intel on the Buckeyes from previous Michigan employee Connor Stalions. It ought to be an intriguing night at Jerry World.
0:32
Missouri coach makes Connor Stalions joke to end interview
Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz jokes that he’s getting a call from declared Michigan signal-stealer Connor Stalions ahead of the Tigers’ match vs. Ohio State.
Which under-the-radar bowl is a must view?
Baumgartner: James Madison‘s defend bowl eligibility in the middle of its two-year shift from FCS to FBS was among the season’s fascinating stories as it left to a 10-0 start and “College GameDay” concerned town ahead of its video game with Appalachian State With coach Curt Cignetti now at Indiana and quarterback Jordan McCloud (3,413 passing lawns with 32 lTDs; 311 hurrying lawns and 8 hurrying TDs) meaning to play regardless of going into the transfer website, the Dukes’ match with Flying Force in the Lockheed Martin Army Bowl on Dec. 23 reeks a little of unpredictability. However something will need to provide with the Falcons’ rush offense (275.8 YPG; 2nd in the FBS) taking on a Dukes’ rush defense that has actually permitted simply 61.5 lawns per video game, which led the whole nation. James Madison has actually won at a high level and has actually done so regularly– 5 11-win seasons because 2016– and is intending to end up with 12 success for the 2nd time in the previous 2 seasons.
Schlabach: The Las Vegas Bowl includes what may be the very best training task of the season by Northwestern‘s David Braun and among the very best of the previous years in Utah‘s Kyle Whittingham. After winning 11 of their very first 12 championship game under Whittingham, the Utes have actually fallen in 4 directly. Braun worked a wonder after taking control of for long time coach Pat Fitzgerald in July following a hazing examination, then directing the Wildcats to a 7-5 record.
Low: If you’re searching for a pairing of 2 coaches who have actually done major work this year and the previous number of years, the Surefire Rate Bowl match in between Kansas and UNLV need to be one to view. Lance Leipold has actually worked marvels at Kansas, which was 8-4 and 5-4 in the Huge 12. Let’s put that into point of view. The last time the Jayhawks had a winning total record was 2008, and it was just the 3rd time in the previous thirty years that Kansas ended up with a winning record in conference play. Barry Odom wasn’t to be surpassed in his very first season at UNLV. The Rebels won 9 video games and made it to the Mountain West Championship game video game. Before Odom’s arrival, UNLV had actually suffered through 9 straight losing seasons.
Uggetti: The Alamo Bowl appears to constantly provide an amusing match and this year’s video game establishes for an offending surge with Oklahoma and Arizona wearing in San Antonio. In spite of the Sooners losing quarterback Dillon Gabriel to the transfer website, the chance is there for freshman first-class possibility Jackson Arnold to reveal why he’s the guy for the task next season. On the other sideline, Noah Fifita has actually done simply that this season. The freshman actioned in following an injury to Jayden de Laura and instantly turned into one of the very best quarterbacks in the conference, tossing for 2,515 lawns and 23 goals while leading the Wildcats to a 9-3 record. In between Fifita’s increase and the prospective introduction of Arnold, this will be an enjoyable watch.
Hale: Florida State’s aggravation at being snubbed by the committee may be echoed by another future ACC group, SMU The Mustangs got the opposite treatment of FSU though. While the Seminoles were excluded based upon a “finest group” credentials, Liberty got the Group of 5’s Brand-new Year’s 6 quote from the Mustangs based upon its unbeaten record. Was the committee talking out both sides of its mouth? Naturally! However the result is SMU still gets an intriguing match in the Fenway Bowl versus its future conference mate, Boston College Both offenses can install points, and who does not enjoy going to (checks notes) Boston in (checks notes once again) December?
Kyle Bonagura: How about a little love for New Mexico State? The Aggies won 10 video games for the very first time in over 60 years as coach Jerry Eliminate, in Year 2, has actually in some way breathed life into a program that handled simply 8 combined wins in the 4 seasons before his arrival. Their very first look in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl comes versus a Fresno State group that, regardless of some difficult losses down the stretch, has actually generally been among the very best Group of 5 programs. A win versus the Bulldogs, who will lack their coach, Jeff Tedford, as he handles a health concern, would connect NMSU’s school record for wins.
Rittenberg: The reality that none of you selected the Pop-Tarts Bowl is ridiculous and frustrating. Even if the match wasn’t intriguing, we’re speaking about Pop-Tarts here. The winner gets to consume the Pop-Tart mascot! The match is respectable, too, as NC State goes for the evasive 10th win versus Kansas State, in a Leading 25 match. Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong will top an up-and-down season, while Kansas State need to counter with Avery Johnson, its quarterback of the future. NC State hasn’t won 10 video games because 2002, when Philip Rivers was its quarterback. Kansas State goes for successive seasons of 9 or more wins for the very first time because 2011 and 2012. However Pop-Tarts, guys. Enough stated.
What gamer, group or coach has the most to show in a bowl?
Baumgartner: J.J. McCarthy and Michigan have actually had a year to stew over what occurred last season versus TCU in the CFP. McCarthy tossed 2 pick-sixes in the 51-45 loss to the Horned Frogs, however has actually because has actually had a strong junior season in Ann Arbor, tossing for 2,630 lawns and 19 goals for the three-time ruling Huge 10 champs. However the requirement at Michigan is greater than conference titles. The cumulative response to the illustration of Alabama in the Rose Bowl throughout the Wolverines’ watch celebration on Sunday was informing. They understand they have actually got their work cut out for them with Nick Saban and business. However it supplies the Wolverines an incredible opportunity and chance to lastly put those devils away for great if they can knock off the Tide and take an action they could not a year ago and discover themselves 60 minutes far from their very first indisputable championship game because 1948. — Baumgartner
0:25
Michigan appears less than passionate about dealing with Alabama in CFP
Take a look at Michigan’s response as the group discovers it is dealing with Alabama in the College Football Playoff.
Schlabach: Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is just a sophomore and a first-year starter, so I’m unsure he’s under any kind of pressure heading into his video game versus Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. I make certain Nittany Lions coach James Franklin wish to see Allar action up on a huge phase. He finished 61.1% of his passes for 2,336 lawns with 23 goal passes and one interception in the routine season. However Allar had 70 lawns with one goal pass in a 24-15 loss to Michigan, then 191 lawns with one rating in a 20-12 loss at Ohio State. Franklin fired offending organizer Mike Yurcich after the loss to the Buckeyes; he employed Kansas’ Andy Kotelnicki to change him, however Kotelnicki will be just observing throughout bowl practices. Allar requirements to take the next action if Penn State is ever going to challenge Michigan and Ohio State.
Wilson: Texas’ Quinn Ewers has an NFL arm. He’s got an NFL pedigree, going from the No. 1 total hire to the quarterback who led a storied program back to its very first conference title after a 13-year dry spell and a College Football Playoff look. After a rocky very first season as a starter in 2015 in Austin, Ewers appeared like a completed item in the Huge 12 national championship versus Oklahoma State, finishing his very first 12 passes, ending up the day early after finishing 35 of 46 passes for 452 lawns and 4 goals to one interception. He’s missed out on part of the previous 2 seasons with injuries and has actually been favoring going back to Texas, however with another excellent efficiency or more in the spotlight, his draft stock might increase, making that a harder choice. Not to point out that he matured a Longhorns fan and has an opportunity to end up being an all-time Texas legend at the same time.
Hale: The response is unquestionably Michigan. After among the most questionable seasons in years, and on the heels of 2 straight playoff beats, the Wolverines might actually utilize a win. And unlike the previous 2 seasons when Michigan was plainly dealing with an uphill reach a championship game with the vaunted Georgia Bulldogs in the method, this year’s field is large open for Jim Harbaugh’s group to win everything. 2 groups that should not feel pressure to show something, nevertheless, are Alabama and Florida State. For the Tide, their playoff berth was questionable, however not unjust. Nick Saban has actually done possibly his finest training task ever this year, and a win in the playoff isn’t required to validate the program’s success in 2023. By that very same token, an FSU loss in the Orange Bowl states absolutely nothing about the Seminoles’ snub. With opt-outs, aggravation and a handful of gamers entering into the website, whatever variation of the Seminoles appears in South Florida will be something far various than the group that strolled off the field in Charlotte with an ACC title.
Low: The choice here is Nick Saban, however not for standard factors. After all the outcry– from fans, media, other coaches and other groups– about Alabama not being deserving of a playoff area or that Saban’s impact (or the SEC brand name) is what landed the Crimson Tide that 4th area over Florida State, it now boils down just to what Saban’s Alabama group does on the field, beginning with Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Saban is a stickler when it concerns outdoors forces (even delicious rat toxin) not impacting the method his group prepares or plays in video games. There will be lots of sound surrounding Alabama and its 8th playoff look. This may be the supreme test for Saban’s process-oriented technique as the college football world outside the Alabama bubble world screams loudly and nonstop that the Tide do not should have to be in this position. However as Clint Eastwood, aka William Munny, stated in “Unforgiven,” the very best Western movie ever made, “Deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it.”
Bonagura: Look, Saban is far beyond ever needing to show himself in college football. Everybody ought to concur he’s the best coach in contemporary college football. That’s why Alabama remains in the playoff over an unbeaten Power 5 blue-blood program. The Great Alabama-Florida State Dispute of 2023 will survive on for several years and nevertheless the Tide carry out in the playoff will unquestionably play a large function in how individuals validate their arguments in the future. It will never ever be as basic as vindication for the committee or evidence they got it incorrect, however felt confident, that’s typically how it will be framed.
Which under-the-radar gamer should we have our eyes on?
Baumgartner: Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter has actually been the point guy for a program that leads the country in hurrying (302.9 YPG), is 3rd in overall lawns (514.9 YPG) behind LSU and Oregon and has actually left to the program’s first-ever 13-0 start. Salter, who moved from Tennessee, has actually built up 3,814 overall lawns (2,750 death) and 43 overall goals (31 passing goals) en route to piloting an offense balancing 40.8 points a video game (5th in all of FBS). 7 times this season, Salter has actually represented a minimum of 4 overall goals in a video game as the Flames have actually tallied a minimum of 30 points in all however one video game this season (a 21-16 win over Sam Houston on Oct. 5).
Rittenberg: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty appeared on my radar previously this season and he’s not one to miss out on. Jeanty leads the country in typical lawns from skirmish (hurrying or getting) at 164.9 lawns per video game, 15.7 lawns more than any other FBS gamer. The sophomore ranks 6th nationally in hurrying lawns per video game (114.7) and likewise has 552 getting lawns and 5 goals for Boise State, leading all FBS running backs in getting lawns per video game (50.2 ). After assisting Boise State to a Mountain West title Saturday, Jeanty revealed Tuesday that he’s going back to the Broncos in 2024, skipping the website and most likely numerous financially rewarding deals. He will deal with UCLA, which leads the country in hurrying defense (69.6 ypg) however just recently lost protective organizer D’Anton Lynn to equal USC, in the Starco Brands LA Bowl.— Rittenberg
Low: Jaylen Raynor will not fly under the radar for long. He assembled the very best season for an FBS real freshman quarterback in 2023 and didn’t develop himself as Arkansas State‘s full-time starter till the 4th video game of the season. His play was a huge factor the Red Wolves had the ability to get to a championship game for the very first time because 2019. They will deal with Northern Illinois in the Camellia Bowl. In 10 video games, Raynor passed for 2,300 lawns, hurried for 324 lawns and represented 20 goals. He’s a vibrant playmaker. His 15.2 passing lawns per conclusion ranks seventh nationally. — Low
Wilson: UTSA senior quarterback Frank Harris has actually been the most crucial gamer in the school’s football history. First off, he’s existed 7 of the program’s 13 years out there due to a redshirt, a medical redshirt and a COVID year. He nearly could not play this year, his last season, due to that history of knee concerns going back to high school, however a cosmetic surgeon covered him up enough to play this year, though the Roadrunners held him out of a number of nonconference video games to maintain him. Harris is a San Antonio native, hugely popular in the neighborhood, and under Jeff Traylor, has actually taken the program to brand-new heights, tossing for 11,862 lawns and 91 goals as the Roadrunners have actually won 31 video games in the previous 3 years. His influence on the history of UTSA football is sealed, however the something that the Roadrunners have actually never ever done is win a championship game. So while the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl may not be on your radar, enjoying Harris attempt to make history in Texas– a gamer who actually wishes to play in one last championship game– will deserve it.— Wilson