College football bowl rankings Which games should

As much as we cant wait for bowl season to arrive and even though we will inevitably mourn the end of another college football season its fair to say that not every bowl game is created equal.This year is no different, as college football fans will be treated not only to fantastic matchups in high-stake games but also bowls that make us say, I didnt know these teams were playing.MORE: So, for your viewing convenience, weve ranked the 41 bowl games plus the plus-one in order of how much you should watch them. (All times listed are Eastern.)42.St. Petersburg BowlMi si sippi State (5-7) vs. Miami (Ohio) (6-6)Monday, Dec. Kirk Gibson Jersey 26, 11 a.m., ESPNThese teams records arent impre sive, but keep an eye on Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who has more total touchdowns (35) and rushing yards (1,243) than Alabamas Jalen Hurts.41. Zaxby's Heart of Dallas BowlArmy (7-5) vs. North Texas (5-7)Tuesday, Dec. 27, noon,ESPNArmy finished off its regular season in amazing fashion, beating Navy for the first time in 15 years. That does not make its game against 5-7 North Texas any more exciting.40. R+L Carriers New Orleans BowlSouthern Mi s (6-6)vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6)Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 p.m., ESPNThese teams each boast top-35 defenses, but expect the Golden Eagles to pull away from the Ragin Cajuns, who rank 105th nationally in total offense.39. Hawaii BowlMiddle Tenne see State (8-4) vs. Hawaii (6-7)Saturday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPNMTSU has to be the happiest bowl team playing outside the New Years Six bowls this season. For Hawaii, this bowl isnothing more than achance to reach .500 in what amounts to an extrahome game.38. Air Force Reserve Celebration BowlNorth CarolinaCentral (9-2) vs. Grambling State (11-1)Saturday, Dec. 17, noon, ABCFCS programs Grambling (No. 14) and N.C. Central (No. 18) forfeited their right to play in the FCS playoff to participate in the Celebration Bowl, so expect both teams to pull out all the stops to get one final win this year.37. Gildan New Mexico BowlNew Mexico (8-4) vs. Texas-San Antonio (6-6)Saturday, Dec. 17, Kenley Jansen Jersey 2 p.m., ESPNUTSA faces a challenge in its first bowl game since becoming an FBS program in 2013. New Mexicos triple-option attack ranks first nationally with 4,331 rushing yards.36. AutoNation Cure BowlCentral Florida (6-6) vs. Arkansas State (7-5)Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., CBS Sports NetworkThis game features monumental defensive talent: Arkansas State defensive end JaVon Rolland-Jones,the Sun Belt Player of the Year,and UCF defensive end Shaquem Griffin, the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.35. Quick Lane BowlBoston College (6-6) vs. Maryland (6-6)Monday, Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m., ESPNBoston College and Maryland clash in this reunion of former ACC rivals. Its the Eagles first trip to a bowl since 2014: They went 3-9 and 0-8 in conference play last season.34. Famous Idaho Potato BowlIdaho (8-4) vs. Colorado State (7-5)Thursday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m., ESPNThe Rams have a stud receiver in Michael Gallup, who has 70 receptions for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns. That doesnt bode well for the Vandals 112th-ranked pa s defense.33. Popeyes Bahamas BowlEastern Michigan (7-5) vs. Old Dominion (9-3)Friday, Dec. 23, 1 p.m., ESPNODU earned its best record as an FBS program in 2016, and has its first bowl game to show for it. The Monarchs face off against an Eagles team that hasnt been to a bowl since 1987.32. Camping World Independence BowlNorth CarolinaState (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)Monday, Dec. 26, 5 p.m., ESPN2Vegas favors the Wolfpack, but Vanderbilts All-American linebacker Zach Cunningham will be the most talented player on the field. He led the SEC with 119 tackles this season.31. NOVA Home Loans Arizona BowlAir Force (9-3) vs. South Alabama (6-6)Friday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m., American Sports Network/CampusInsiders.comThe Falcons will be heavily favored, but South Alabama has already pulledoff upsets this seasonagainstMi si sippi State and then-No. 19 San Diego State.MORE: 30. Miami Julio Urias Jersey Beach BowlTulsa (9-3) vs. Central Michigan (6-6)Monday, Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m., ESPNTulsa is only the fifth team in history with a 3,000-yard pa ser (Dane Evans, 3,044), two 1,000-yard rushers (James Flanders, 1,529; DAngelo Brewer, 1,330) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Keenan Lucas, 1,108). Thatll be a tough task for CMU coach John Bonamego and Co.to handle.29. Military BowlNo. 24 Temple (10-3) vs. Wake Forest (6-6)Tuesday, Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m., ESPNTemple has won its last seven outings, while the Demon Deacons in the middle of a limps in having lost four of its last five games.28. Birmingham BowlSouth Florida (10-2) vs. South Carolina (6-6)Thursday, Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPNThe Bulls are without former coach Willie Taggart, but interim coach T.J. Weist can help USF get a win over Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks and set the bar even higher for incoming coach .27. Dollar General BowlOhio (8-5) vs. Troy (9-3)Friday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m., Andre Ethier Jersey ESPNThe Bobcats lost a hard-fought game against undefeated Western Michigan in the MAC championship game, and Troy, which finished third in the Sun Belt, nearly beat No. 2 Clemson earlier in the season.26. Foster Farms BowlIndiana (6-6) vs. No. 19 Utah (8-4)Wednesday, Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m., FoxKyle Whittingham is 9-1 coaching Utah in bowl games. It helps thatrunning back Joe Williamsaveraged 185 yards in his last six games and Indiana's defese ranks 46th nationally in rushing yards per game (152.4).25. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia BowlWyoming (8-5) vs. BYU (8-4)Wednesday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., ESPNCowboys running back Brian Hill ranks fourth nationally with 1,767 rushing yards this season. It will be interesting to see how he handles BYUs eighth-ranked rush defense (108.4 ypg).24. Raycom Media Camellia BowlToledo (9-3) vs. Appalachian State (9-3)Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., ESPNToledos eighth-ranked pa s attack (329.1 yards per game) will take on an App State team that ranks third nationally with 20 interceptions this season.23. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces BowlNo. 25 Navy (9-4) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-5)Expect a high-scoring affair. The Bulldogs feature the countrys eighth-ranked offense (516 ypg), while Navys triple option attack ranks fourth nationally with 310.9 yards per game. Both teams defenses rank outside the top 50.22. AutoZone Liberty BowlTCU (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)Friday, Dec. 30, noon, ESPNNeither TCUs Gary Patterson nor first-time coach Kirby Smart expected their season to go as badly as they did. Expect both teams to fight as hard as po sible to end the year on a positive note.21.TaxSlayer BowlGeorgia Tech (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)Saturday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m., ESPNThe Yellow Jackets are 4-1 in their last five meetings against SEC opponents, dating back to a 2014 Orange Bowl win over Mi si sippi State. But hey, Kentucky knows how to play Hyun-Jin Ryu Jersey the underdo