Everything you need ahead of the 2023 College Football Bowl season. You will find a game-by-game guide that shows the spread, total, key opt-outs, and a short write-up regarding what to look for in every single game. Bookmark this page to circle back to all bowl season! Here’s my 2023 College Football Bowl Schedule and Preview!
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2023 College Football Bowl Schedule and Preview
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Myrtle Beach Bowl 11:00 am Brooks Stadium- Conway, SC
Georgia Southern -3.5 vs Ohio (48.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
This line opened up at Ohio -2.5, and after a slew of opt-outs, Georgia Southern is now the favorite. Former third string QB Parker Navarro will make his first career start after QB Kurtis Rourke entered the portal.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 2:15 pm Caesars Superdome- New Orleans, LA
Jacksonville State -3.5 vs Louisiana (59.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Jacksonville State finds themselves in a bowl game in year one of FBS play. It is safe to say they were ready for the jump, and I am sure Gamecock faithful will be treating this as a Super Bowl.
Zion Webb needed a waiver for his seventh year of eligibility this season.
Thankfully he’ll be back for Year 8 according to RotoWire! pic.twitter.com/lEC5T3se7Y
— JD (@YonkersCFB) December 11, 2023
Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl 3:30 pm FBC Mortgage Stadium- Orlando, FL
Miami OH (44.5) vs. Appalachian State -6.5
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
MAC Champion Miami faces off with Sun Belt runner-up Appalachian State. Miami, Ohio, will be down to signal caller number three as QBs Brett Gabbert and Aveon Smith will be out due to an injury and transfer portal entry. App State leading rusher and four-year contributer Nate Noel has entered the portal and will miss this contest as well.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl 5:45 pm University Stadium- Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico State -3.5 vs Fresno State (51.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
NM State will not have to travel far as they head to the University of New Mexico’s home facilities to “host” Fresno State. Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year Diego Pavia is optimistic to play in this bowl game for the Aggies after an injury in the C-USA title game.
Mikey Keene should be healthier than ever after missing a few games as a Fresno State signal caller. This is a true “monitor the situation game.” If Pavia is playing, which the line states, I would expect a ton of points. If not, Fresno should roll.
2023 CUSA Football Offensive Player of the Year 🏈
Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02), @NMStateFootball#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/uUyFiNlYn7 pic.twitter.com/wfQywccxsz
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) December 6, 2023
Starco Brands LA Bowl 7:30 pm SoFi Stadium- Inglewood, CA
UCLA -3.5 vs Boise State (49.5)
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
What an ugly game we have on our hands. UCLA will be without their most talented QB and coveted recruit, Dante Moore, as he entered the transfer portal. They will also miss their top defensive player and a ton of other production on both sides of the ball.
Boise State do-it-all QB Taylor Green has already committed to Arkansas, and their backup just had season-ending surgery. Outside of those two, no one else on this roster has thrown a pass besides a punter and a wide receiver.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 9:15 pm Independence Stadium- Shreveport, LA
California (57.5) vs Texas Tech -2.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Could we have a matchup of more average power five teams? You would think this game means more to Cal as this is their first Bowl appearance since 2019, and Texas Tech has been their year in and year out. Nothing to write home about opt-out wise and we should at least see a close game here.
Monday, December 18, 2023
Famous Toastery Bowl 2:30 pm Jerry Richardson Stadium- Charlotte, NC
Western Kentucky (55.5) vs Old Dominion -2.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
To keep this short, WKU had their ENTIRE offensive line enter the transfer portal. This prolific passing attack was not as strong this season, and this will make matters much harder against a hungry ODU team.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl 9:00 pm Toyota Stadium- Frisco, TX
2023 CUSA Football Offensive Player of the Year 🏈
Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02), @NMStateFootball#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/uUyFiNlYn7 pic.twitter.com/wfQywccxsz
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) December 6, 2023
UTSA -12.5 vs Marshall (52.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Frank Harris’ career as a UTSA Roadrunner will come to an end in his home state. Although UTSA will not have AAC Defensive Player of the Year, they are the first double-digit favorite we will see in Bowl Season.
Marshall will be without their starting QB and second leading receiver. Look for all the production to come from running back Rasheed Ali, if he even suits up.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl 8:00 pm FAU Stadium- Boca Raton, FL
South Florida (60.5) vs Syracuse -3
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Syracuse started this season 4-0 and finished 2-6. They looked like they quit after the Garrett Shrader injury but showed some life when he returned. South Florida is all about the fast-paced offense, and they are a lot of fun when they are clicking. QB Byrum Brown will be the best athlete on the field and has the ability to take it over.
Friday, December 22, 2023
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl 6:30 pm Raymond James Stadium- Tampa-FL
Georgia Tech (64.5) vs Central Florida -4.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
UCF’s inaugural season in the Big 12 results in a Bowl Game appearance. That has to be a success for Malzahn and Co. They get the short trip southwest and “host” Georgia Tech, which had a very up-and-down year.
There is not much to be written in terms of opt-outs, and we should see a very competitive matchup in this game from start to finish.
Saturday, December 23, 2023
𝘼𝙇𝙇-𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙍𝙄𝘾𝘼𝙉
The nation’s leader in sacks … congrats @solomon_40! pic.twitter.com/kIZacCAR0u
— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) December 11, 2023
76 Birmingham Bowl 12:00 pm Protective Stadium- Birmingham, AL
Troy -7.5 vs Duke (43.5)
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
What a line we have on our hands. Sun Belt Champion Troy has a great opportunity to take care of a Power 5 opponent. Duke had an up-and-down year and will clearly be without sought-after transfer portal QB Riley Leonard, who will be taking his talents to Notre Dame.
Truthfully, I don’t believe Leonard is all that, but that is neither here nor there. Duke will be without their leading rusher as well, but Troy will be missing two key pieces defensively. This line may have the answer for who to bet, but I see a world where Duke is in this game from the jump.
Camellia Bowl 12:00 pm Cramton Bowl- Montgomery, AL
Arkansas State -1 vs Northern Illinois (53.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
This game is smack in the middle of a few nice games and does not have much buzz around it. Both of these teams showed the potential to get absolutely blown out, so this can be a fun one.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl 3:30 pm Amon G. Carter Stadium- Forth Worth, TX
James Madison -3 vs Air Force (41.5)
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
Both of these teams cracked the top 25 during the season but come in with very different narratives. James Madison needed the lord’s work to go down in order for them to get into a bowl game due to eligibility issues. James Madison had a historic season which led to their coach getting a Power Five job.
A slew of JMU Dukes have entered the portal which includes their starting QB, two leading rushers, and some key defensive pieces. As of now, QB Jordan McCloud is planning to play. Air Force dealt with some injury to finish the season and kind of fell off a cliff. I expect them to have more starters than JMU, and we know this game means a lot to them.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 3:30 pm Albertsons Stadium- Boise Idaho
Georgia State (61.5) vs Utah State -1
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Georgia State is the more electric team, but they will be without their leading rusher and receiver. That will make things a bit tougher for QB Darren Grainger who can light up many defenses. Utah State has not done anything special this year but still has a great chance to finish the season with a bowl win.
68 Ventures Bowl 7:00 pm Hancock Whitney Stadium- Mobile, AL
South Alabama -16 vs Eastern Michigan (46.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Biggest spread of Bowl Season thus far as South Alabama “hosts” Eastern Michigan. EMU was a poor MAC team and somehow snuck into bowl season. They will be without their quarterback as well, which will be a tough hill to overcome against a South Alabama team that is not scared to put points on the board.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl 7:30 pm Allegiant Stadium- Las Vegas, NV
Utah -7 vs Northwestern (41.5)
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
Who’s playing QB for Utah? It looks like they will be down to man number four on the pre-season depth chart. Northwestern winning six games this year is truly the most impressive feat of the year, with all that went down pre-season and how poor the roster looked. Both of these teams are offensively challenged, so expect an ugly one in Vegas.
EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl 10:30 pm EST Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex- Honolulu, HI
Coastal Carolina (53.5) vs San Jose State -10
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
This feels like more of a vacation for Coastal Carolina than a work trip. They lose a ton of offensive production due to the transfer portal and injury.
They will have their hands full with this impressive San Jose State team. I bought SJSU at 100/1 to win their conference after their 1-5 start to the season. They then rattled off six straight wins and missed the conference championship game due to tiebreakers. This team is GOOD, and they are hungry.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Quick Lane Bowl 2:00 pm Ford Field- Detroit, MI
Bowling Green (38.5) vs Minnesota -3.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Weird line in a MAC-Big Ten matchup, but here we are. Sadly for Minnesota, they will be without their QB and they are a team that already has offensive struggles. Bowling Green will be extremely hungry to get a win against a Power 5 team.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl 5:30 pm Gerald J. Ford Stadium- Dallas, TX
Texas State -4 vs Rice (60.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
No real transfer portal news here, as these two Texas teams match up in Dallas. Rice QB and man of many jerseys, JT Daniels, has medically retired from football, and that is a big loss to this team.
Texas State will be able to get the ball up and down the field with TJ Finley slinging it. Rice will struggle to keep up with their backup quarterback starting here.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl 9:00 pm Chase Field- Phoenix, AZ
Kansas -12 vs UNLV (64.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Do It All QB Jayden Maiava will be out for UNLV, which is a shame because we would have seen some fireworks with these two offenses. Kansas looks fairly healthy, and we are expected to see QB Jason Bean. Expect points, but it may be tough for UNLV to keep up.
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
TOUCHDOWN GREEN WAVE
Michal Pratt to Mykel Jones, Beautiful throw by the Freshman. pic.twitter.com/G4iBLoNbZR
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) October 16, 2020
Military Bowl Presented by GoBowling.com 2:00 pm Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium- Annapolis, MD
Virginia Tech -8 vs Tulane (46.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Tulane is coming off the unexpected loss in their conference title game, and we are expecting QB Michael Pratt to be out. Already confirmed out our reciver Chris Brazzell and tight end Alex Bauman. These are pretty significant losses which shows in the betting line.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl 5:30 pm Bank of America Stadium- Charlotte, NC
North Carolina (55.5) vs West Virginia -5.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
The big news, Drake Maye will not be in this one. That was expected so congrats to those who grabbed the -3’s with West Virginia early. They will also be without their leading receiver, Tez Walker, as well as some key defensive pieces.
West Virginia had an above-average season, looking back at the pre-season expectations. It would be nice to cap that off with a solid bowl win.
DIRECTV Holiday Bowl 8:00 pm PetCo Park- San Diego, CA
Louisville -7.5 vs USC (57.5)
Where to Watch? FOX
Clearly, there is no Caleb Williams in this game, as we see the Cardinals as touchdown favorites. USC will also be without their starting RB and some key receivers. Louisville is truly not as good as their record shows, but that goes to show what the books think of the corpse of USC. A very interesting game to watch here.
TaxAct Texas Bowl 9:00 pm NRG Stadium- Houston, TX
Texas A&M -3 vs Oklahoma State (53.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
An old Big 12 rivalry here meets up in Texas. Oklahoma State will be without their all-world running back, Ollie Gordon and Texas A&M will be without their top two quarterbacks, leading receiver, and MANY key defensive pieces. This game is going to be ugly, and we are truly not sure who will be on the field.
Thursday, December 28, 2023
— SMU FOOTBALL 🏆 (@SMUFB) December 12, 2023
Wasabi Fenway Bowl 11:00 am Fenway Park- Boston, MA
SMU -10.5 vs Boston College (50.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
SMU is off a very impressive season and kind of getting disrespected in this bowl matchup. 11-2 and American Athletic Champs, with a backup QB and they are getting sent up to the Northeast to play 6-6 Boston College at Fenway Park seems very unfair. SMU should feel the same way, and I would expect them to absolutely roll a team they are surely better than.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl 2:15 pm Yankee Stadium- Bronx, NY
Rutgers (41.5) vs Miami -1
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Rutgers is back to a bowl game, and they are damn sure fired up for this game. They get to “host” an old Big East Rival who needs to take the trip from Miami.
The Canes will be without their starting QB, backup QB and a few defensive pieces. I can tell you right now that the last place these Canes want to be is in the cold. Look for Rutgers to make a statement in this one.
Pop-Tarts Bowl 5:45 pm Camping World Stadium- Orlando, FL
NC State (47.5) vs Kansas State -3
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Fun match-up here, although we will see some changes at QB. Kansas State QB Will Howard will miss this game, as well as running back Treshaun Ward and some defensive starters.
NC State went through some QB Issues this year as Brennan Armstrong lost his job mid-way through the season and got it back as MJ Morris decided to leave after his great play. This should be a close game from start to finish.
Valero Alamo Bowl 9:15 pm Alamodome- San Antonio, TX
Arizona -3 vs Oklahoma (62.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Dillon Gabriel is off to Oregon, but Jackson Arnold has a chance to show the country how talented he is. Oklahoma will also lose one of their best defensive players and some offensive production, but they should fare all right with Arnold behind center. Arizona got better by the week and has a chance to cap an amazing season and create so much buzz heading into 2024.
Friday, December 29, 2023
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl 12:00 pm EverBank Stadium- Jacksonville, FL
Clemson -4.5 vs Kentucky (46.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
A disappointing season for Clemson. They will be without a few key defensive pieces, which could be big here as the Clemson defense was all that was solid this year. Kentucky will have a majority of their guys here, including Ray Davis, and have some momentum after they defeated Louisville a few weeks ago.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl 2:00 pm Sun Bowl- El Paso, TX
Oregon State (42.5) vs Notre Dame -6.5
Where to Watch? CBS
This game could have been so fun. With no Sam Hartman or DJ Uiagalelei, this game could be pretty bland. Besides the two, Notre Dame will be without leading rusher Audric Estime and some key offensive linemen. Oregon State loses their backup QB as well. The Beavers also lost two of their top defensive players. This will be an ugly matchup from start to finish.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl 3:30 pm Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium- Memphis, TN
Memphis (57.5) vs Iowa State -8.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
A true home game for Memphis as they host Iowa State. The Cyclones are a team led by their defense which will be a lot of fun against this Memphis offense who loves to put 40+ points on the board.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic 8:00 pm AT&T Stadium- Arlington, TX
Missouri -2.5 vs Ohio State (48.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
The line has completely flipped as Ohio State opened this one up as favorites. As expected, many guys from this roster have opted out, including QB Kyle McCord.
Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming, and Emeka Egbuka are expected to follow suit. The key pieces for Missouri are all intact, and they are extremely hungry to get a massive win for the program.
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Chop Robinson is going to have one heck of a career in the NFL 🤝
— State Media (@StateMediaPSU) November 25, 2023
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 12:00 pm Mercedes-Benz Stadium- Atlanta, GA
Ole Miss (48.5) v Penn State -3.5
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Penn State will be without some of their best players on both sides of the ball, while Ole Miss looks to be locked and loaded for this game. Ole Miss may have a step on the Penn State defense, especially inside the dome.
TransPerfect Music City Bowl 2:00 pm Nissan Stadium- Nashville, TN
Auburn -2.5 vs Maryland (49.5)
Where to Watch? ABC / ESPN+
What to make of Auburn… the last we saw of them was taking Alabama to the brink and losing in dramatic fashion. Maryland had a very middling season, but they took both Michigan and Ohio State to the edge. This could be a very fun middle-of-the-day matchup.
Capital One Orange Bowl 4:00 pm Hard Rock Stadium- Miami Gardens, FL
Georgia -14 vs Florida State (44.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN / ESPN+
Eyes will, in fact, be on this matchup. Two teams (mainly FSU) got ripped out of the CFB playoff. FSU has an amazing chance to prove the haters wrong and defeat Georgia as two-touchdown underdogs.
They are obviously without Jordan Travis, and they are, in fact, without their leading receivers and running backs, which will give them little to zero chance of defeating Georgia. The dogs will be without a few pieces, potentially Brock Bowers, but they should have what it takes to take down FSU.
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl 4:30 pm Arizona Stadium- Tucson, AZ
Toledo (44.5) vs Wyoming -3
Where to Watch? CW NETWORK / Barstool
This line opened at a pickem and got bet down after Toledo QB Dequan Finn decided to transfer. Finn is the do-it-all guy for the Rockets, and he will surely be missed.
Monday, January 1, 2024
Today’s guest, Jayden, gives his thoughts on Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels playing in the LSU Bowl Game vs. Wisconsin@rhoback pic.twitter.com/tWQ9EzPtTK
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) December 13, 2023
ReliaQuest Bowl 12:00 pm Raymond James Stadium- Tampa, FL
Wisconsin (55.5) vs LSU -8.5
Where to Watch? ESPN2
Wisconsin will be without their horse in Braelon Allen as he has opted out of the NFL. LSU is made up of three players… Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, and Malik Nabers. Those three are expected to miss this contest. Outside of that, they are not working with much, and I would expect Wisconsin to keep this close.
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl 1:00 pm State Farm Stadium- Glendale, AZ
Liberty (65.5) vs Oregon -17.5
Where to Watch? ESPN
It seems like Bo Nix will be on the field in this matchup which is obviously massive. That is occurrent in the line as it has sided a bit towards Oregon upon opening.
It does look like they will be without their leading rusher and receiver, which could slow the Ducks down a bit, but I am not sure that will matter against this weak Liberty defense. Liberty is fully intact and ready to take on a big opponent and keep the undefeated season going. Could surely be a fun matchup.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl 1:00 pm Camping World Stadium- Orlando, FL
Iowa (36.5) vs Tennessee -8.5
Where to Watch? ABC
What Iowa does have, they will be missing this game. They cannot afford any losses on the defense because they cannot score any points! Tennessee should be full go on offense (outside of pre-existing injuries) and if they can find the end zone just twice, I would expect them to cover this number.
CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game Pres. by Prudential 5:00 pm Rose Bowl- Pasadena, CA
Alabama (45.5) vs Michigan -1
Where to Watch? ESPN
Playoff time… The white-hot Crimson Tide faces off against number one Michigan in the Rose Bowl. This will be by far the toughest team Michigan has faced all year, and I am not sure McCarthy and Co will be ready. Expect a tough, hard-fought defensive matchup with possibilities of massive plays downfield. This will be a fun one.
CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl 8:45 pm Caesars Superdome- New Orleans, LA
Texas -4 vs Washington (63.5)
Where to Watch? ESPN
Washington has played a do-or-die game against a tough opponent since November 4th. They have some time to rest but they have a Texas team who is buzzing waiting for them. Hopefully, Texas’ eyes are not on the Alabama rematch because they have the infrastructure to take care of this Washington team. The Huskies defense has stepped up and they will need to have another great showing against Ewers and Co.
Monday, January 8, 2024
CFP National Championship Pres. by AT&T 7:30 pm NRG Stadium- Houston, TX
Where to Watch? ESPN
My Prediction? Alabama over Texas
I have been saying it since the middle of the season. Alabama hit a stride and looked better than anyone else. Tommy Rees figured out how to unleash Jalen Milroe, and they are NOT the same team that last to Texas in Tuscaloosa. This will be one of the most anticipated National Championships ever. Roll with the Tide!
