College football fans are in for a treat on Saturday as a full slate of bowl games drops just before Christmas.
Each game features teams loaded with talent, and many of the players will be taking the podium in April at the 2024 NFL Draft. Here are the compelling storylines for each of Saturday’s bowl games:
Birmingham Bowl – Birmingham, AL
Troy Trojans vs. Duke Blue Devils, 11 a.m. CT, ABC
Both teams are coming to the Birmingham Bowl with interim head coaches. The Trojans currently have five wins. A big day for the Trojans’ Kimani Vidal could elevate the running back to the national lead. The Blue Devils offense could be in a position to put up points on Troy, which struggled against the lone Power Five opponent of the season.
Camellia Bowl – Montgomery, AL
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Northern Illinois Huskies, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN
The Huskies are likely to pound the rock against Arkansas State, who have one of the worst rush defenses in the country. All six of the Red Wolves’ losses this season came against bowl teams, while four of the six losses by the Huskies were against non-bowl teams. These two teams are among the most evenly matched.
Armed Forces Bowl – Fort Worth, TX
James Madison Dukes vs. Air Force Falcons, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC
The Dukes will be led by an entirely new coaching staff when they face the Falcons in North Texas. The triple-option Falcons offense lost a valuable component with running back John Lee Eldridge entering the transfer portal. The Dukes come into the game riding on an impressive 11-win season and snuck into the bowl game despite being barred by NCAA rules.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Boise, ID
Georgia State Panthers vs. Utah State Aggies, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
Georgia State has lost five consecutive games and will face an Aggies team that has dominated in recent contests. To make matters worse, the Panthers will be without their starting running back and wide receiver. The Aggies could turn this into a lopsided affair quickly.
68 Ventures Bowl – Mobile, AL
South Alabama Jaguars vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN
The Jaguars have won two consecutive bowl games and will be at home in South Alabama. Eastern Michigan has relied on a stout defense this season but will be missing many important players due to the transfer portal and the upcoming NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas, NV
Utah Utes vs. Northwestern Wildcats, 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC
In response to the Michigan sign-stealing saga earlier this year, the Utes and Wildcats will employ smart tablets and helmet communications systems — a first for college football. The Utes will be without a significant number of players heading into the game but expect quarterback Bryson Barnes to be available despite entering the transfer portal. The game will be an opportunity for newly-minted Northwestern head coach David Braun to get his first bowl victory.
Hawaii Bowl – Honolulu, HI
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs. San Jose State Spartans, 9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
After starting the season 1-5, the Spartans rallied to finish with a 7-5 record and booked their trip to Hawaii for the holidays. A strong season for the Chanticleers ended with the news that starting quarterback Grayson McCall would transfer. With McCall out, the Spartans are likely to dominate Coastal Carolina.
