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The College Football Playoff committee has spoken, and the playoff is set. Clemson will face Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, while Alabama meets Michigan State in the Cotton. There's very little dispute about any of this, although there's some angst about Oklahoma falling to the four seed. Regardless, everything will settle itself in a fashion which the vast majority of college football observers will deem fair and equltable.
There are some excellent games and/or storylines on tap this bowl season, now that the full slate has been revealed. In chronological order, some notes:
Georgia State will be in their first bowl game.
Arizona vs New Mexico brings back an ancient and bitter rivalry, and BYU/Utah reinstates one that hasn't been dead very long.
Appalachian State is the second team to make their first bowl appearance.
Western Kentucky takes on their former head coach as they face South Florida.
The third team to debut in the bowl season is Georgia Southern; you'll note all three newbies are Sun Belt teams.
For once, the Sun Bowl might be interesting. Miami vs the Dread Pirate? You bet.
The Pinstripe Bowl features a basketball game. That's the only explanation for Duke-Indiana.
Frank Beamer's career ends against the team geographically closest to your benevolent despot, and on the home newspaper turf of his FEPO frenemy Luke Thompson. (That's right, folks. Luke gets to cover Frank Beamer's final game.
The Quick Lane Bowl features two teams which wear maroon and gold.
Baylor makes the trip to Orlando on behalf of the Big 12, and that should be an interesting matchup with North Carolina.
The Arizona Bowl's first installment ends up being an all-Mountain West affair because it was the Mountain West with far too many teams to fill their own bowls. (Strangely, although the MW was very much down this year, that mediocrity led to far more MW teams bowl-eligible than usual.)
Les Miles vs Kliff Kingsbury. Oh, yeah.
Oregon and TCU in the Alamo Bowl could be explosive.
And then, of course, there's the CFP bowls, which you'll read plenty about elsewhere. Can Houston roll Florida State? Can Oklahoma State replicate TCU's anti-Mississippi magic from last year? Will we all mute our televisions during Ohio State/Notre Dame? (Seriously, that could be the most unbearable broadcast of the month.) And could any game possibly have more potential to put us to sleep than the Rose Bowl?
All valid questions, but none so important as which two logos will fill the end of the following table. And with that unsubtle seque, the full bowl schedule follows. (All ranks are AP Poll ranks.)
| Saturday, Dec 19, 2015 | ||||
| AIR FORCE RESERVE CELEBRATION BOWL Georgia Dome, Atlanta GA | ||||
11:00 AM CT ABCWatchESPN
|
 Alcorn State9-3, 7-2 SWAC |
vs. | North Carolina A&T 9-2, 7-1 MEAC |
|
| GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL University Stadium, Albuquerque NM | ||||
1:00 PM CT ESPNWatchESPN
|
 Arizona6-6, 3-6 P12 |
vs. |  New Mexico7-5, 5-3 MWC |
|
| ROYAL PURPLE LAS VEGAS BOWL Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas NV | ||||
| 2:30 PM CTABCWatchESPN
|
 (rv) Brigham Young9-3 IND |
vs. |  (20) Utah9-3, 6-3 P12 |
|
| RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL Cramton Bowl, Montgomery AL | ||||
| 4:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Ohio8-4, 5-3 MAC |
vs. |  Appalachian State10-2, 7-1 SBC |
|
| CURE BOWL Citrus Bowl, Orlando FL | ||||
6:00 PM CT CBSSN
|
San José State 5-7, 4-4 MWC |
vs. | Georgia State 6-6, 5-3 SBC |
|
| R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans LA | ||||
| 8:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Louisiana Tech 8-4, 6-2 CUSA |
vs. | (rv) Arkansas State 9-3, 8-0 SBC |
|
| Monday, Dec 21, 2015 | ||||
| MIAMI BEACH BOWL Marlins Park, Miami FL | ||||
| 1:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(25) Western Kentucky 11-2, 8-0 CUSA |
vs. |  (rv) South Florida8-4, 6-2 AAC |
|
| Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015 | ||||
| FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL Albertsons Stadium, Boise ID | ||||
| 2:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Akron 7-5, 5-3 MAC |
vs. | Utah State 6-6, 5-3 MWC |
|
| MARMOT BOCA RATON BOWL FAU Stadium, Boca Raton FL | ||||
| 6:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(24) Temple 10-3, 7-1 AAC |
vs. | (rv) Toledo 9-2, 6-2 MAC |
|
| Wednesday, Dec 23, 2015 | ||||
| SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego CA | ||||
| 3:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Northern Illinois 8-5, 6-2 MAC |
vs. |  Boise State8-4, 5-3 MWC |
|
| GODADDY BOWL Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile AL | ||||
| 7:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Georgia Southern 8-4, 6-2 SBC |
vs. | (rv) Bowling Green 10-3, 7-1 MAC |
|
| Thursday, Dec 24, 2015 | ||||
| POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Middle Tennessee State 7-5, 6-2 CUSA |
vs. | Western Michigan 7-5, 6-2 MAC |
|
| HAWAI'I BOWL Aloha Stadium, Honolulu HI | ||||
| 7:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Cincinnati7-5, 4-4 |
vs. | (rv) San Diego State 10-3, 8-0 MWC |
|
| Saturday, Dec 26, 2015 | ||||
| SAINT PETERSBURG BOWL Tropicana Field, Saint Petersburg FL | ||||
| 10:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Marshall 9-3, 6-2 CUSA |
vs. |  Connecticut6-6, 4-4 AAC |
|
| HYUNDAI SUN BOWL Sun Bowl, El Paso TX | ||||
1:00 PM CT CBS
|
 Miami (FL)8-4, 5-3 ACC |
vs. |  (rv) Washington State8-4, 6-3 P12 |
|
| ZAXBY'S HEART OF DALLAS BOWL Cotton Bowl, Dallas TX | ||||
| 1:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
Southern Mississippi 9-4, 7-1 CUSA |
vs. |  Washington6-6, 6-6, 4-5 P12 |
|
| NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY | ||||
| 2:30 PM CTABCWatchESPN
|
 Duke7-5, 4-4 ACC |
vs. |  Indiana6-6, 2-6 B10 |
|
| CAMPING WORLD INDEPENDENCE BOWL Independence Stadium, Shreveport LA | ||||
| 4:45 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Virginia Tech6-6, 4-4 ACC |
vs. | Tulsa 6-6, 3-6 AAC |
|
| FOSTER FARMS BOWL Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara CA | ||||
| 8:15 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Nebraska5-7, 3-5 B10 |
vs. |  (rv) UCLA8-4, 5-4 P12 |
|
| Monday, Dec 28, 2015 | ||||
| MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHRUP GRUMMAN Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis MD | ||||
| 1:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Pittsburgh8-4, 6-2 ACC |
vs. | (21) Navy 9-2, 7-1 AAC |
|
| QUICK LANE BOWL Ford Field, Detroit MI | ||||
4:00 PM CT ESPN2WatchESPN
|
Central Michigan 7-5, 6-2 MAC |
vs. |  Minnesota5-7, 2-6 B10 |
|
| Tuesday, Dec 29, 2015 | ||||
| LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth TX | ||||
| 1:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 California7-5, 4-5 P12 |
vs. | Air Force 8-5, 6-2 MWC |
|
| RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL Citrus Bowl, Orlando FL | ||||
| 4:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (17) Baylor9-3, 6-3 B12 |
vs. |  (10) North Carolina11-2, 8-0 ACC |
|
| NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL Arizona Stadium, Tucson AZ | ||||
| 6:30 PM CTCBSSNCampus Insiders
|
Nevada 6-6, 4-4 MWC |
vs. | Colorado State 7-5, 5-3 MWC |
|
| ADVOCARE V100 TEXAS BOWL NRG Stadium, Houston TX | ||||
| 8:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (22) Louisiana State8-3, 5-3 SEC |
vs. |  Texas Tech7-5, 4-5 B12 |
|
| Wednesday, Dec 30, 2015 | ||||
| BIRMINGHAM BOWL Legion Field, Birmingham AL | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(rv) Memphis 9-3, 5-3 AAC |
vs. |  Auburn6-6, 2-6 SEC |
|
| BELK BOWL Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC | ||||
| 2:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (rv) Mississippi State8-4, 4-4 SEC |
vs. |  NC State7-5, 3-5 ACC |
|
| FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL LP Field, Nashville TN | ||||
| 6:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Louisville7-5, 5-3 ACC |
vs. |  Texas A&M8-4, 4-4 SEC |
|
| HOLIDAY BOWL Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego CA | ||||
| 9:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (23) Wisconsin9-3, 6-2 B10 |
vs. |  (rv) USC8-5, 6-3 P12 |
|
| Thursday, Dec 31, 2015 | ||||
| CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL Georgia Dome, Atlanta GA | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(14) Houston 12-1, 7-1 AAC |
vs. |  (9) Florida State10-2, 6-2 ACC |
|
| CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens FL | ||||
| 3:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (4) Oklahoma11-1, 8-1 B12 |
vs. |  (1) Clemson13-0, 8-0 ACC |
|
| GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX | ||||
| 7:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (3) Michigan State12-1, 7-1 B10 |
vs. |  (2) Alabama12-1, 7-1 SEC |
|
| Friday, Jan 1, 2016 | ||||
| OUTBACK BOWL Raymond James Stadium, Tampa FL | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPN2WatchESPN
|
 (12) Northwestern10-2, 6-2 B10 |
vs. |  (rv) Tennessee8-4, 5-3 |
|
| BUFFALO WILD WINGS CITRUS BOWL Citrus Bowl, Orlando FL | ||||
| NOON CTABCWatchESPN
|
 (17) Michigan9-3, 6-2 B10 |
vs. |  (19) Florida10-3, 7-1 SEC |
|
| BATTLEFROG FIESTA BOWL University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ | ||||
| NOON CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (7) Ohio State11-1, 7-1 B10 |
vs. |  (8) Notre Dame10-2 IND |
|
| ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA | ||||
| 4:00 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (6) Iowa12-1, 8-0 B10 |
vs. |  (5) Stanford11-2, 8-1 P12 |
|
| ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans LA | ||||
| 7:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (13) Oklahoma State10-2, 7-2 B12 |
vs. |  (16) Mississippi9-3, 6-2 SEC |
|
| Saturday, Jan 2, 2016 | ||||
| TAXSLAYER BOWL EverBank Field, Jacksonville FL | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Penn State7-5, 4-4 B10 |
vs. |  (rv) Georgia9-3, 5-3 SEC |
|
| AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL Liberty Bowl, Memphis TN | ||||
| 2:20 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 Kansas State6-6, 3-6 B12 |
vs. |  (rv) Arkansas7-5, 5-3 SEC |
|
| VALERO ALAMO BOWL Alamodome, San Antonio TX | ||||
| 5:45 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 (15) Oregon9-3, 7-2 P12 |
vs. |  (11) Texas Christian10-2, 7-2 |
|
| MOTEL 6 CACTUS BOWL Chase Field, Phoenix AZ | ||||
| 9:15 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
 West Virginia7-5, 4-5 B12 |
vs. |  Arizona State6-6, 4-5 P12 |
|
| Saturday, Jan 9, 2016 | ||||
| NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Toyota Stadium, Frisco TX | ||||
| 11:00 AM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(3) North Dakota State 12-2, 7-1 MVFC |
vs. | (1) Jacksonville State 12-1, 8-0 OVC |
|
| Monday, Jan 11, 2016 | ||||
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY AT&T University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ | ||||
| 7:30 PM CTESPNWatchESPN
|
(2) Alabama 13-1, 7-1 SEC |
vs. | (1) Clemson 14-0, 8-0 ACC |
|