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Top 5 Non-College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six Bowl Games

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 3, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daikiel Shorts (6) scores a touchdown and celebrates with Mountaineers wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Daikiel Shorts (6) scores a touchdown and celebrates with Mountaineers wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Tim Lynott (56) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Washington Huskies during the Pac-12 championship at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Tim Lynott (56) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Washington Huskies during the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Alamo Bowl

#12 Oklahoma State Cowboys v. #10 Colorado Buffaloes

  • Date: Thursday, Dec. 29
  • Start Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
  • Location: San Antonio, TX
  • Venue: Alamodome
  • TV: ESPN
  • Live Stream: WatchESPN

Oklahoma State is still crying about their loss to Central Michigan that went against the letter of the law but vindicated the spirit of the game. Even then, the Cowboys had a shot at the Big 12 title and a Sugar Bowl berth had they won an eighth straight against Oklahoma in the Bedlam game. Mike Gundy’s team featured one of the top 20 offenses in the nation, but was let down time and time again by its defense. The unit allowed 28 points and over 450 yards per game, ranking it in the bottom half of the country in both statistics. Central Michigan wouldn’t have had a chance at a Hail Mary, after all, had the Pokes not already given up 24 points to the Chippewas.

They still pose a formidable matchup for Colorado. The Buffaloes are this year’s surprise contender after coming out of nowhere to emerge as Pac-12 South champs. Though they were trounced by Washington in the league championship, Colorado nevertheless remains one of the ten best teams in the nation. Mike McIntyre’s team matched a top-20 defensive unit with a balanced offense that provided either feast or famine on the scoreboard. Though the loss to the Huskies snapped a six-game winning streak, Colorado proved itself to be a premier team throughout 2016.

Next: Picking Every Bowl Game Against the Spread

The Buffaloes and Cowboys, former Big 12 rivals, will square off for the first time since 2009. The Alamodome has featured some exciting finishes in recent years. Two years ago Kansas State nearly came back against UCLA in a 40-35 thriller. Last year TCU pulled off the comeback, erasing a 31-0 halftime deficit to beat Oregon in triple overtime. The battle between Oklahoma State and Colorado could prove to be the best game of this postseason, New Year’s Six or otherwise.

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