College Football 2021: 4 bowl games that will be better than the playoff

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 03: Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes gestures after throwing a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter of the PAC-12 Football Championship football game against the Oregon Ducks at Allegiant Stadium on December 03, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

2. Rose Bowl (Ohio State vs. Utah)

To say the least, this year’s installment of the Rose Bowl is a bit unorthodox. This is because the two participants are the Utah Utes (who have never made it) and Ohio State Buckeyes (who are typically in the playoff).

Some pundits do not see this as an overly competitive matchup, believing that Ohio State should steam right past the Utes. However, the former failed to do that with Oregon, while the latter did so twice.

Not only that, but Utah has garnered a reputation for its physical play throughout the Kyle Whittingham era. As for the Bucks, it is indisputable that 2021 has seen a more diluted edition of the college football world’s typical expectations of them.

Ohio State is currently nearly a touchdown favorite over Utah, so a nail-biter shouldn’t be too much of a surprise; the first way to lose to Utah is to convince yourself that you won’t.

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