It’s time to go bowling in college football and while the majority of the attention will be on the two College Football Playoff semi-finals scheduled for New Years Eve, the six bowl games scheduled for New Years Day have the potential to provide plenty of entertainment as well. Here is a look at the slate of games that will officially make up the “New Years Six” ranked from the best to the worst in terms of the how the matchups project on paper.
College Football Playoff Semi-Final at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Alabama (12-1) vs. Michigan State (12-1)
Thursday December 31, 2015 – 8:00 PM ET
Alabama was officially ranked No. 2 by the College Football Playoff selection committee but they are still considered the top team in the country by many experts. All eyes will be on their New Years Eve showdown with Michigan State that has all of the makings of a classic. It’s the SEC champion versus the Big Ten champion in a matchup of two teams that play similar styles. Both like to run the ball, control the clock and play defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J-6gWVAeUY
College Football Playoff Semi-Final at the Capital One Orange Bowl
Clemson (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)
Thursday December 31, 2015 – 4:00 PM ET
The first playoff semi-final will feature the ACC champion and undefeated No. 1 seed Clemson versus the Big 12 champion Oklahoma. As good as the Tigers have been this season, nobody is about to crown them over the Sooners just yet. Deshaun Watson has a strong case for this year’s Heisman after guiding Clemson through a perfect regular season but Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield has been a part of that conversation as well and will be tough to slow down. Watson and Mayfield have the potential to put on a show and that will only add to the intrigue surrounding a game that college football fans can’t wait to see anyway.
Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State (11-1) vs. Notre Dame (10-2)
Friday January 1, 2015 – 1:00 PM ET
The defending national champion Buckeyes fell one win short of reaching the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row and while a spot in the Fiesta Bowl isn’t exactly the most attractive alternative, don’t think for a second that Urban Meyer’s side won’t look to make a statement in this game. Ohio State moved past the heartbreak of their last-second loss to Michigan State by absolutely dismantling rival Michigan at The Big House. As a matter of fact, the loss seemed to wake them up. Now they have the opportunity to finish the year off with one more dominant performance. The Buckeyes played their best football in last year’s playoff and it will be worth tuning in to see if Notre Dame can find a way to keep up with them on New Years Day.
Rose Bowl
Stanford (11-2) vs. Iowa (12-1)
Friday January 1, 2015 – 5:00 PM ET
There was some surprise that it wasn’t Ohio State matched up with Stanford in this year’s Rose Bowl but it might be the best decision considering what Iowa did this year. The potential for two great games that fans can’t wait to see rather than just the one. The Hawkeyes have something to prove after falling short against the Spartans in this year’s Big Ten title game but they will be in tough on the west coast in what basically amounts to a home game for the Cardinal. Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey has been one of the best players in the nation this season and he’ll try to help Stanford run the ball and grind out a win. The challenge is Iowa’s gameplan will be exactly the same. That’s what makes this matchup very interesting.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Ole Miss (9-3) vs. Oklahoma State (10-2)
Friday January 1, 2015 – 8:30 PM ET
This rematch of the 2010 Cotton Bowl will feature two programs with a lot to prove. The Rebels are looking to erase memories of last year’s New Years Six embarrassment while the Cowboys are coming off back-to-back losses after opening the year with 10 straight wins. Both teams are loaded with talented playmakers – especially on the offensive side of the ball. Expect plenty of points in this Big 12-SEC contest.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)
Thursday December 31, 2015 – 12:00 PM ET
The first of the New Years Six Bowls might be the least appealing on paper but that is more a testament to the strength of the other matchups than it is about the two teams that will meet in this year’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Houston overachieved by winning 12 of 13 games this season and it will be interesting to see how their offense matches up with the Florida State defense. They’ve been screaming for respect all season long and beating a big brand like Florida State will deliver that to the Cougars.
On the flip side, we’ll have to see how excited Florida State is about playing in this game. Their recent bowl seasons have included much more on the line than a Peach Bowl.
