Top 5 Bowl Games To Watch, Non-College Football Playoff Edition
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) An old narrative still appears each December, one that really grinds my gears. Let's get this straight: There are not too many bowl games.
Sure, the average fan may want to spend Christmas Eve nestled by a warm fire, not watching Western Michigan and Middle Tennessee State in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, but that game was the most exciting of the 2014 bowl season. If you don't like that, well, you must not like college football. Some prefer to dislike the absurd -- and growing -- number of bowls, but I choose to embrace it.
While bowl season now drags deep into January, I say that's cool, because it's more football. This really isn't a groundbreaking argument or reinventing the wheel -- college football is fun, and more of it can be considered good. The television executives would seem to agree. The reason for adding more and more bowl games is based on the all-important ratings, what really drives college athletics.
There aren't too many bowl games. In fact, I'd argue for more, even if that means more 5-7 teams. Sure, let Illinois play some brutal team from the Sun Belt in an awful Louisiana town. I'd watch and so many more will, too.
Let's look at the top five most intriguing bowl games.
Note: We didn't include the College Football Playoff matchups aren't included. Watching those is a no-brainer.
1.) Fiesta Bowl -- Notre Dame vs. Ohio State, Jan. 1
The Buckeyes were three points away from College Football Playoff contention, and the Fighting Irish were two plays away in a pair of tough losses. Instead, they will meet in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. One could argue these are talent-wise two of the top four teams in college football, so it should be a good battle.
2.) Rose Bowl -- Iowa vs. Stanford, Jan. 1
"You are looking live at Pasadena and the Rose Bowl." Brent Musberger's intro of the breathtaking San Gabriel mountains and scenic Southern California pictures are a New Year's Day tradition, building excitement for the longstanding tradition, no matter the matchup. In this case, Iowa and Stanford should deliver an exciting defensive battle at the Rose Bowl.
3.) Outback Bowl -- Tennesse vs. Northwestern, Jan. 1
Pat Fitzgerald embraces the underdog card against an SEC foe. He will have the Wildcats fired up in their attempt to attain 11 wins this season, but the Volunteers will be a difficult test, posing a fun contest for early on New Year's Day.
4.) Citrus Bowl -- Florida vs. Michigan, Jan. 1
Two traditional power programs meet after seeing their successful seasons fall short of playoff contention, but both are moving in the right direction under their first-year coaches. Look for a low-scoring, defensive battle between the Gators and Wolverines.
5.) Alamo Bowl -- TCU vs. Oregon, Jan. 2
The Horned Frogs and Ducks will take the field in a battle of two teams that once boasted playoff hopes. If this game follows the trend of Alamo Bowls past, it could be a thrilling shootout. Trevone Boykin and Vernon Adams Jr. form a fun quarterback matchup.
Best bowl hyperbole
Best shootout: Pinstripe Bowl -- Indiana vs. Duke, Dec. 26: The two basketball schools will run up the scoreboard like they're playing on the hardcourt.
Best individual performance: Texas Bowl -- Texas Tech vs. LSU, Dec. 29: Watch Leonard Fournette against a weak Red Raiders defense, with the Tigers running back 259 yards away from 2,000 on the season. He may get that in the first quarter. You never know.
Best game to watch during Christmas Eve: Hawaii Bowl -- Cincinnati vs. San Diego State, Dec. 24: Spend your day before Christmas watching the exciting Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati's quarterback, against the Aztecs.
Best fun-bad game: St. Petersburg Bowl -- Marshall vs. UConn, Dec. 26: A high-powered Thundering Herd offense meets Bob Diaco's improving Huskies defense in a game the average viewer won't ordinarily care about but would enjoy if watching, despite the two teams taking the field.
Best bowl you didn't know existed: Camellia Bowl -- Appalachian State vs. Ohio, Dec. 19: Welcome in bowl season with what could be the best Camellia Bowl ever. Montgomery, Alabama, will host an exciting matchup -- I think?
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.