Ultimate Guide to 2022-23 College Football Bowl Season

It's officially the most wonderful time of the year. On Friday, college football's bowl season kicks off with the Bahamas Bowl, and it runs through Jan. 9 with the national championship game. This year we have a whopping 42 FBS bowl games to enjoy, and there are several matchups that look like they will make for great games.

Some may say there are too many bowl games, but who doesn't love a jam-packed college football slate of games around the holiday season? I say give me all the bowl games we can get.

Given how many games there are this year, it may be hard to pick which ones might be for you. That's why we're here with the ultimate bowl guide so you can tackle the multitude of glorious bowl games we'll get over the next month or so.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Line via DraftKings: Michigan (-8)

The TCU Horned Frogs (12-1) have earned their first-ever College Football Playoff berth in school history. Despite losing 31-28 in overtime against Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game, it wasn't enough to keep TCU out of the playoff. It's an impressive season for first-year TCU head coach Sonny Dykes.

Michigan (13-0), meanwhile, made it into the playoff after repeating as Big Ten champions. The Wolverines also beat Ohio State for a second year in a row—for the first time since 1999-2000—45-23 to clinch the Big Ten East title.

TCU will have its work cut out for it in matching up against this Wolverines team. Michigan is by far the best team TCU has faced all season, and the Wolverines are a top-10 team both in scoring offense and scoring defense. The closest team comparison that TCU has faced is likely Kansas State, which the Horned Frogs went 1-1 against this season.

Michigan has been incredibly balanced on offense all season, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The QB has thrown for 2,376 yards and 20 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

Although Michigan is without standout running back Blake Corum, who is out for the season with a knee injury that required surgery late in the year, his backup, Donovan Edwards, has stepped up big for Corum. Edwards has rushed for a combined 401 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games against OSU and Purdue.

TCU ranks 57th nationally in scoring defense, which means the Horned Frogs will likely need a big performance from their offense. The key to that will be quarterback Max Duggan. The Heisman finalist has played quite well late in games and has 3,725 yards of total offense along with 36 total touchdowns.

He'll need great performances from receivers Quentin Johnston and Taye Barber, both of whom average at least 17 yards per reception. Michigan's rush defense ranks third in the country, so TCU might have a hard time running the ball with Kendre Miller. TCU will have to play its best game all season to beat the Wolverines.

This feels like a season of destiny for Michigan. Last year, the Wolverines got pummeled by Georgia 34-11 in the semifinal. After beating Ohio State unexpectedly for a second straight season, Jim Harbaugh will likely be eager to prove that he can coach this team to a national title game. And if that ends up being against Ohio State, there won't be any shortage of motivation needed for Michigan to beat OSU for a third time in two seasons.

TCU is a clear underdog in this one, but I think the Horned Frogs can rise to the occasion and make this a close game.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Line via DraftKings: Georgia (-6.5)

Georgia (13-0) looks primed to repeat as national champions. The Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated and won most of their games in dominant fashion. Although the Dawgs lost eight starters on defense a year ago, UGA ranks ninth in total defense and second in scoring defense.

But it's not just the defense where Georgia has performed well. The offense, led by Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett, is averaging 39.2 points per game and ranks first in red-zone scoring percentage, netting a touchdown or field goal on 97.2 percent of trips inside the red area.

Thanks to USC losing to Utah in the Pac-12 title game, a one-loss Ohio State was awarded a playoff berth. The Buckeyes (11-1) were the best team remaining, even with their three-score loss to Michigan.

Like Georgia, Ohio State didn't play in too many close games. The Buckeyes had seven wins by 29-plus points, and their four other wins came by 11 to 14 points (Notre Dame, Penn State, Northwestern, Maryland). Ohio State losing like it did to Michigan was shocking, but the Buckeyes might get a chance to avenge that loss in the national title game. But that requires besting Georgia first.

It's hard to pinpoint a formula for the Buckeyes to upset Georgia, since the Bulldogs have been so dominant on both sides of the ball all season. But one thing that would help is a big game from Ohio State's offense.

Heisman finalist QB C.J. Stroud has put up big numbers all season, throwing for 3,340 yards and 37 touchdowns with six interceptions. Against Michigan, Stroud threw two interceptions, the most in a game for him all season. Georgia's defense has 10 interceptions, tied for 59th nationally, and he can't afford to give the Dawgs offense any short fields.

Ohio State ranks 11th in total defense. The unit hasn't been quite as dominant as Georgia's this season, but shutting down Bennett and a talented Dawgs receiving corps will be key.

Georgia is the clear favorite in this one. But it could be argued that Ohio State has yet to play its best game of the season. We'll see if that is enough to beat Georgia.

Orange Bowl: No. 7 Clemson vs. No. 6 Tennessee

When: Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This year's Orange Bowl will be very orange—literally—as both of these teams' primary colors are orange. Uniforms aside, these two teams had playoff hopes but lost to South Carolina late in the season. Getting an Orange Bowl trophy isn't a bad consolation prize.

It'll be interesting to see which quarterback has the better day. With DJ Uiagalelei entering the transfer portal and Hendon Hooker's devastating ACL tear late in the season, both offenses will be playing guys that were primarily backups in Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Tennessee's Joe Milton III.

Sugar Bowl: No. 9 Kansas State vs. No. 5 Alabama

When: Dec. 31, Noon ET (ESPN)

For the first time since 2019, Alabama will not be playing in a playoff semifinal.

It'll be interesting to see whether Alabama's biggest stars, quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr., will play, since both have NFL first-round potential. If a depleted Tide roster falls to Kansas State, expect more conversations surrounding whether Nick Saban has lost his touch to start up again.

Cotton Bowl: No. 16 Tulane vs. No. 10 USC

When: Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Tulane will be looking to cap off one heck of a season in the Cotton Bowl. The AAC champion Green Wave are 11-2, marking the first double-digit-win season since 1998. Tulane also was ranked in the playoff rankings for the first time in school history.

USC saw its playoff hopes dashed when it lost to Utah in the Pac-12 title game. But this is still a very good Trojans team, and Lincoln Riley surely wants to go out on a high note in his first season in Los Angeles. Tulane's offense averages 35.2 points per game, compared to USC's 41.1 points per game. We'll see if this Green Wave team can hang with a talented USC team.

Rose Bowl: No. 11 Penn State vs. No. 8 Utah

When: Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Penn State lost to both Ohio State and Michigan this season, so the Nittany Lions were out of the playoff conversation. But this is the first time since 2016 that the Nittany Lions are back at the Rose Bowl, which isn't a bad way to finish out a year.

Utah, meanwhile, was just at this game last season, losing to Ohio State 48-45 in a thriller. Utah has a top-10 scoring offense, whereas Penn State has a top-10 scoring defense, so this should be a decent matchup.

Cure Bowl: No. 25 UTSA vs. No. 24 Troy

When: Dec. 16, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)

We're in for a treat. Both teams enter this one 11-2 and conference champions, as Troy won the Sun Belt conference and UTSA repeated as C-USA champions.

These two teams have some talented playmakers on offense. UTSA quarterback Frank Harris is second in the conference in passing, with 3,865 yards and 31 touchdowns on the season. Troy running back Kimani Vidal has rushed for 1,059 and nine touchdowns.

Bowl season will be kicked off with a bang Friday.

Holiday Bowl: No. 15 Oregon vs. North Carolina

When: Dec. 28, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

If you like high-scoring offenses, this game is for you. Both of these teams have talented quarterbacks, too. North Carolina's Drake Maye ranks first nationally in total offense, accounting for 4,768 yards on the season. Oregon's Bo Nix has 3,892 yards on the season. Although Nix is eligible for the 2023 NFL draft, he is expected to suit up for the Ducks one last time.

Cheez-It Bowl: No. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma

When: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

These teams had pretty opposite seasons. Oklahoma, which entered with playoff hopes under first-year head coach Brent Venables, is 6-6. Florida State is 9-3, its best season since Jimbo Fisher's 10-3 finish in 2016.

If Florida State, which is currently a 7.5-point favorite, can win big over the Sooners, the 'Noles might be in the preseason playoff conversation heading into the 2023 season.

Alamo Bowl: No. 20 Texas vs. No. 12 Washington

When: Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Texas (8-4) has a chance to have its best win total since Tom Herman's 10-4 finish in 2018. While this season isn't up to par with what Longhorns fans are hoping head coach Steve Sarkisian can produce, it's a massive improvement from Texas' 5-7 finish last year.

But the Longhorns defense might have a tough time against Washington (10-2). That's because the Huskies have one of the nation's most prolific passers under center in quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix leads the nation in passing yards, having thrown for 4,354 yards and 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions on the season.

Texas ranks 88th in passing defense, but Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers can put up points, too. This should be a good matchup, as the Longhorns are slight 4.5-point favorites.

It's football, so sure, put these on

• Bahamas Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. UAB; Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m. ET (ESPN)
• Myrtle Beach Bowl: Marshall vs. UConn, Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama; Dec. 21 at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Armed Forces Bowl: Baylor vs. Air Force; Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Buffalo, Dec. 27 at Noon ET (ESPN) 
• Arizona Bowl: Ohio vs. Wyoming; Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. ET (Barstool Sports) 

You can probably just have these on as background noise, to be honest

• LendingTree Bowl: Rice vs. Southern Miss; Dec. 17 at 5:45 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Frisco Bowl: North Texas vs. Boise State; Dec. 17 at 9:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Potato Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. San José State; Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Hawai'i Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. San Diego State; Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Quick Lane Bowl: New Mexico State vs. Bowling Green; Dec. 26 at 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• First Responder Bowl: Memphis vs. Utah State; Dec. 27 at 3:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Mid-major/independent bowl teams' games to watch

• Fenway Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Louisville; Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. ET (ESPN) 
• LA Bowl: Washington State vs. Fresno State; Dec. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• New Mexico Bowl: SMU vs. BYU; Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC) 
• Boca Raton Bowl: Liberty vs. Toledo; Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Independence Bowl: Louisiana vs. Houston; Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)  

These Power Five vs. Power Five games should be fine

• Las Vegas Bowl: Florida vs. Oregon State; Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Gasparilla Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Missouri; Dec. 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Liberty Bowl: Kansas vs. Arkansas; Dec. 28 on 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs. Minnesota; Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Duke's Mayo Bowl: Maryland vs. NC State; Dec. 30 at Noon ET (ESPN) 
• Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. UCLA; Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. ET (CBS)  
• Music City Bowl: Iowa vs. Kentucky; Dec. 31 at Noon ET (ABC) 
• ReliaQuest Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Illinois; Jan. 2, Noon ET (ESPN2) 

Games that should be fun

• Birmingham Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina; Dec. 27 at 6:45 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma State; Dec. 27 at 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Military Bowl: UCF vs. Duke; Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)  
• Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss; Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Florida State; Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Alamo Bowl: Texas vs. Washington; Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Citrus Bowl: LSU vs. Purdue; Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET (ABC) 

Must-watch bowl games

• Cure Bowl: UTSA vs. Troy; Dec. 16, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Holiday Bowl: Oregon vs. North Carolina; Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. ET (Fox) 
• Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs. South Carolina; Dec. 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Orange Bowl: Tennessee vs. Clemson; Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Kansas State; Dec. 31 at Noon ET (ESPN) 
• Fiesta Bowl: TCU vs. Michigan; Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Peach Bowl: Ohio State vs. Georgia; Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Cotton Bowl: Tulane vs. USC; Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN) 
• Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Utah; Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)