December 23
Gasparilla Bowl: UCF vs. Western Kentucky
2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN – Tampa, Fla.
December 24
Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. BYU
8 p.m. ET, ESPN – Honolulu, Hawaii
December 26
Independence Bowl: Miami (FL) vs. Ohio*
4 p.m. ET, ESPN – Shreveport, La.
Quick Lane Bowl: Michigan State vs. North Carolina
8 p.m. ET, ESPN – Detroit, Mich.
December 27
Military Bowl: Navy vs. Louisville
12 p.m. ET, ESPN – Annapolis, Md.
Pinstripe Bowl: Florida State vs. Illinois
3:20 p.m. ET, ESPN – Bronx, N.Y.
Texas Bowl: Texas vs. SMU*
6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN – Houston, Texas
Cheez-It Bowl: Kansas State vs. Fresno State*
10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN – Phoenix, Ariz.
Holiday Bowl: Michigan vs. Washington
Time TBA – San Diego, Calif.
The Skinny
Things looked dire in Ann Arbor earlier in the season, but Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines have resoundingly defeated their last three opponents. Starting with a 45-14 blowout of Notre Dame and culminating in a beatdown of the rival Spartans, Michigan has put itself in position to be a real factor in the New Year’s Six race, if still it will once again come up short in its quest for that elusive Big Ten Championship. Wins over Indiana and Ohio State to finish the season would likely be enough to propel the Wolverines over other contenders.
It’s been a disappointing season in Austin as Sam Ehlinger’s words amidst the celebration of last year’s Sugar Bowl win over Georgia have proved more haunting than prophetic. Ehlinger was far from the first to shout from the rooftops about Texas being back over the last decade of futility, but his proclamation has proven just as incorrect as the others. Texas fell on a last-second field goal to Iowa State this weekend to fall to 6-4 on the season. With a road trip to Baylor coming, he Longhorns are staring a 7-5 regular season in the face.