Weekly Bowl preview: Dec. 23-28, 2024

Note: This is an excerpt from the Substack Weekly Bowl Preview article. For the full breakdown of all 19 of this week's bowl games - College Football Playoff nonwithstanding - subscribe for free at sidsports.substack.com

So the first round of the playoffs wasn’t the most entertaining. That happens. It happened in the four-team era, it happens in the NFL. Blowouts happen.

But bowl season? The plain old, run of the mill bowls? Those ones are delivering. Big time. Which ones this week are begging for your attention? Which ones will be Sicko Fests long admired by the Committee? Let’s find out.

As always, all times are Eastern.

Myrtle Beach Bowl - Dec. 23, 11 a.m.

Coastal Carolina (6-6) v. UTSA (6-6) (ESPN)

A few years ago, this would be must-watch football. Not so much right now. Still, this is an even matchup that should be fun. Neither team is particularly good at any one thing, but both have promising quarterbacks in Ethan Vasko and Owen McCown and solid tailbacks in Braydon Bennett and Robert Henry respectively. They match up well on paper, but this could quickly become a snoozer if UTSA’s defense shows up.

Worth a watch?: It’ll help the work day speed up, I guess?

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m.

Northern Illinois (7-5) v. Fresno State (6-6) (ESPN)

Personally, I love the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Mountain West on MAC action on the smurf turf with a french fry bath is the things you only see in your dreams. And the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Northern Illinois will be without star tailback Antario Brown and Fresno State is without quarterback Mikey Keene, who has hit the portal. Despite that, this game always finds a way to be entertaining, even without the little star power it boasted before.

Worth a watch?: It’s the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Of course it’s worth a watch.

Hawai’i Bowl - Dec. 24, 8 p.m.

South Florida (6-6) v. San Jose State (6-6) (ESPN)

Offensive-inclined watchers, this one is for you. One of the nation’s most underrated receivers - despite leading the nation in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns - in San Jose State’s Nick Nash will take a bow on his long and varied career. South Florida will counter with a run-based veer and shoot variant that can rack up yards and points quickly. Whichever defense blinks first will likely lose this one.

Worth a watch?: Has shootout possibilities. But at least watch for a Nick Nash send-off

GameAbove Bowl - Dec. 26, 2 p.m.

Pittsburgh (7-5) v. Toledo (7-5) (ESPN)

Toledo is one of the nation’s best Group of Five programs. Pittsburgh is a model of stability, but has lost five straight after a 7-0 start that brought playoff hype. The duel between quarterbacks Eli Holstein (Pittsburgh) and Tucker Gleason (Toledo) could be fun, especially if the secondaries aren’t prepared. But this could also become a defense battle. Really, anything’s on the table.

Worth a watch?: Why not? This is probably the most volatile game on the docket, but that’s worth a watch, right?

Rate Bowl - Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m.

Rutgers (7-5) v. Kansas State (8-4) (ESPN)

The Rate here is no longer guaranteed, but a strong running game is. This is a down and dirty, ground and pound game here. Two of the nation’s best backs - Kyle Monangai and D.J. Giddens are the clear stars here, but the game may be decided by which quarterback can make the most timely plays. Expect a close slog.

Worth a watch?: I’d say so. Especially so if you like the running game.

Like this content? Read the rest of the post for FREE over at sidsports.substack.com! Be sure to subscribe to keep getting all the content through Bowl Season, the College Football Playoff and all the way through the college football offseason.