6 most watchable non-College Football Playoff bowl games, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl
Over the next week or so, much of the attention in college football will be paid to the remaining games in the inaugural 12-team playoff. And indeed, we’ll be talking and writing a whole lot about those contests here too.
But other games remain on the 2024 college football calendar. Games featuring big names, like the Valero Alamo Bowl between BYU and Colorado, which is the last time we’ll see Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter play college football. There will also be games with interesting matchups to distract you from having awkward holiday conversations with your family, like Louisville versus Washington in the Tony the Tiger the Tiger Sun Bowl. Finally, there are games with wild names with a sneaky fun matchup, like Miami (OH) against Colorado State – a pair of eight-win teams – in the *checks notes* Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl on The CW.
Here is your guide to the best non-College Football Playoff bowl games to watch as the season finally winds down.
The Best non-CFP Game: No. 15 South Carolina vs. No. 20 Illinois (Cheez-It Citrus Bowl)
Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. ET – ABC
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 30: LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks makes a pass during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
South Carolina is the hottest – and perhaps the best – team in college football that didn’t make the 12-team playoff. The Gamecocks ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak, a stretch that included wins over Texas A&M, Missouri and Clemson. Meanwhile, Illinois is probably the best Big Ten team that didn’t make the playoff and has the chance to win 10 games for just the fifth time in program history.
One of the big reasons that this game looks like the best of the non-CFP bowls is that both starting quarterbacks – Luke Altmyer and LaNorris Sellers – are expected to play.
This should be pretty good and fun too: No. 18 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Miami (Pop-Tarts Bowl)
Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Nov 9, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
We’re all tuning in to see what sort of shenanigans the Pop-Tart mascot will be up to, but this game also features two of the more high-flying offenses in college football. Iowa State sports a pair of All-Americans at wide receiver in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, while Miami has ACC Player of the Year Cam Ward leading its unit. Come for the Pop-Tarts, stick around for lots of points scored in style.
Weird Weekday Game: Oklahoma vs. Navy (Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl)
Friday, Dec. 27 at 12 p.m. ET – ESPN
Sep 21, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) celebrates after scoring a first half touchdown against the Memphis Tigers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Drew Cronic’s offense against a Brent Venables-coached defense? Yes, please. This matchup presents a clash of styles, and a big platform and opportunity for Navy quarterback Blake Horvath to add to his collection of highlights this season.
Game that renews a rivalry: East Carolina vs. N.C. State (Go Bowling Military Bowl)
Saturday, Dec. 28 at 5:45 p.m. ET – ESPN
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Dave Doeren of the NC State Wolfpack looks on prior to their game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Despite what Dave Doeren says, yes, this is a rivalry. And the only reason that N.C. State and East Carolina don’t play each other every year is because he and the folks at State don’t want to.
Anyways, this will be the Super Bowl of sorts for the Pirates, who fired their coach mid-season and then won four of their final five games under then-interim Blake Harrell to reach bowl eligibility. N.C. State is 19-13 all-time against the Pirates and the Wolfpack have won each of the last three meetings.
It’s the second time they’re meeting in a bowl game. The first was the 1992 Peach Bowl that the Pirates won 37-34.
Awesome Group of Five matchup worth watching: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green (68 Ventures Bowl)
Thursday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Sep 7, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Bowling Green Falcons tight end Harold Fannin Jr (0) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
This is probably your last chance to see Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who is likely going to be playing on Sundays next year.
Sickos Guilty Pleasure Game: Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech (Duke’s Mayo Bowl)
Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
ESPN’s Harry Lyles Jr. interviews WVU coach Neal Brown after his mayo bath at the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. (Mitchell Northam / For The Win)
Be honest, you’re watching this game to see Brent Pry or PJ Fleck get covered in mayo and then sticking around to see if ESPN’s Harry Lyles Jr. eats a fry after dipping it in the mayo dripping off the winning coach.