Texas A&M Football and the bowl season finally gets underway for the SEC on Dec. 27. The Aggies play on Dec. 29 against Wake Forest in the Belk Bowl.
Nine SEC teams will be playing the bowl season, the only team to earn six wins and not play in the postseason is Ole Miss due to their self-imposed bowl ban. Let’s break the bowl games down by how entertaining they will be to watch.
Watch-ability Scale is 0-5. A “5” would be the College Football Playoff whereas a “0” would be on part with an FBS vs. FCS game.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Kentucky plays Northwestern Dec. 29 in Nashville. I had a hard time deciding what to write about this game. If you’re a Wildcat in blue you are thrilled to be in this game, if you’re the Wildcat in purple and you win nine games, you’re wondering why we get shipped to Nashville and not someone in Florida.
Watch-ability: 1.5
Outback Bowl
South Carolina plays Michigan Jan. 1 in Tampa. This should be a game if you like the scoreboard to not be used that often. Can South Carolina move the ball on Michigan? I do not believe they will. I expect Michigan to beat up on Gamecock quarterback Jake Bentley and force him to make several mistakes. Other than the game being played in sunny Tampa and on during lunch, everyone will be preparing for the semifinals later.
Watch-ability: 1.5
Academy Sports + Outdoor Texas Bowl
Missouri plays Texas Dec. 27 in Houston. This game will be decided when Missouri has the ball. Can the Texas defense slow down one of the best offenses in the country? If they can, I expect Texas to win, but I’m predicting Missouri to win 34-21.
Watch-ability: 2.5
Belk Bowl
The Aggies hook up with Wake Forest Dec. 29 in Charlotte. One thing to watch will be whether the Aggies travel and have more fans than the Demon Deacons. Winston-Salem is only 80 miles from Charlotte. Check back later for our Belk Bowl preview.
Watch-ability: 3
Taxslayer Bowl
Mississippi State plays Louisville Dec. 30 in Jacksonville. This game would be a heck of a lot better if Nick Fitzgerald were healthy. You also add Dan Mullen leaving for Florida and does Mississippi State really care to be there? Look for Louisville and Lamar Jackson to win going away.
Watch-ability: 3.5
Citrus Bowl presented by Overton’s
LSU plays Notre Dame Jan.1 in Orlando. This would be a great game to go too. How many times will we see LSU and Notre Dame hook up? I like LSU in this game mainly because of their offense and the explosiveness we’ve seen from the Tigers the last few weeks. If they make Irish offense one-dimensional it will be a long day for Brian Kelly and Brandon Wimbush.
Watch-ability: 3.5
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Auburn plays Central Florida Jan. 1 in Atlanta. I’m personally excited about this game. What will Scott Frost and his coaching staff do in their farewell before they all head off to Lincoln? Is Gus Malzahn and his Tigers fired up to play UCF? They better be, this is Central Florida’s chance to knock off a team that had a tremendous year. Expect a lot of scoring, but in the end Auburn will win by double digits.
Watch-ability: 4
College Football Playoff
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual
Georgia plays Oklahoma Jan. 1 in Pasadena. One question I have is will the Heisman jinx catch up with Baker Mayfield and the Sooners? I actually think he catches fire like Johnny Manziel did against the Sooners back in 2012. Yes, Georgia will score, but I think Mayfield puts on an absolute show and sends Oklahoma to the championship game.
Watch-ability: 5
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Alabama plays Clemson Jan. 1 in New Orleans. Did anyone think after Alabama lost to Auburn that we would see a game three between the Tide and Clemson? I personally thought Ohio State would be in this spot, but after thinking about it for the last couple of weeks, Alabama is the better team. However, I do not believe this game will live up to the last two. Clemson will win and go for the repeat against Oklahoma.
Watch-ability: 5
Next: Best coaches in Texas A&M history
I’ve talked about which games will be entertaining to watch. Let’s be honest, bowl season is one of the best times of the year. All the big bowl games will soon be underway. As for the playoff, we have to wait for one more week, but you should have plenty to keep your appetite wet for another week.