Want to win a bowl trivia contest? Ask people which date has the most bowl games. They'll probably answer New Years Day, which is fairly logical. But they would be wrong. It's today, Dec. 21st -- seven bowl games on tap, all of varying important and fun.
There's an FCS tilt to lead it off, which means a great band show, a tasty P5 v G5 in Sin City and a host of G5 teams facing off for conference pride.
Here is rundown of all of today's games. Try to keep up.
CELEBRATION BOWL (12 pm, Atlanta)
Alcorn State (9-3) vs. North Carolina A&T (8-3)
WHY TO WATCH: It's the first game of a huge day of bowls, and the halftime show will be the best of any game on this year's slate. Oh, the game should be pretty competitive if you want to watch for that reason. Two very good defensive teams (both top 20 FCS in scoring D) will do battle, and the one who can make a big play here and there will win.
BETTING NUMBERS: North Carolina A&T -3, Total 51.5
NEW MEXICO BOWL (2:20 pm, Albuquerque)
San Diego State (9-3) vs Central Michigan (8-5)
WHY TO WATCH: Stellar defense vs big play offense. There's also the matter of motivation -- the Aztecs KNOW they can't play offense, and were pretty much an afterthought in the MWC despite having a veteran team. CMU made the league title game in year one under Jim McElwain and feels it still has something to prove. America will get a chance to see Aztecs defenders Kyahva Tezino and Luq Barcoo, and Chippewas RB Jonathan Ward.
BOWL RECORDS: San Diego State 5-9, Central Michigan 3-8
BETTING NUMBERS: San Diego State -3.5, Total 41
CURE BOWL (2:30 pm, Orlando)
Georgia Southern (7-5) vs Liberty (7-5)
WHY TO WATCH: Who among us doesn't love disparate offenses on display? The Eagles live by the triple option while Liberty loves to fling it all over the place. Fans who like downfield passing should love the matchup of Flames WR Antonio Gandy-Golden going against Eagles DBs Kindle Vildor and Monquavion Brinson, each of whom has an an NFL future. There's also that Hugh Freeze guy patrolling the Liberty sideline, and taking the Flames to a bowl game in year one of his image makeover.
BOWL RECORDS: Georgia Southern 2-0, Liberty first bowl appearance
BETTING NUMBERS: Georgia Southern -5, Total 58.5
BOCA RATON BOWL (3:30 pm, Boca Raton, FL)
SMU (10-2) vs FAU (10-3)
WHY TO WATCH: There should be plenty of points, which is reason enough to tune in. This would be must-watch TV if Lane Kiffin was still at FAU, but he has moved on to Ole Miss so the drama factor will be almost nil. Both teams sport high-powered offenses, so it could be as simple as the last one who has the ball, wins.
BOWL RECORDS: SMU 7-8-1, FAU 3-0
BETTING NUMBERS: SMU -3, Total 71
CAMELLIA BOWL (5:30 pm, Montgomery, AL)
FIU (6-6) vs Arkansas State (7-5)
WHY TO WATCH: Butch Davis is always entertaining, and the Red Wolves have receiver Omar Bayless, who does a little bit of everything despite the fact the opposition knows he's getting his.
BOWL RECORDS: FIU 2-2, Arkansas State 3-6
BETTING NUMBERS: Arkansas State -2.5, Total 63
LAS VEGAS BOWL (7:30 pm, Las Vegas)
Washington (7-5) vs Boise State (12-1)
WHY TO WATCH: The final game as coach for Chris Petersen, and it's safe to assume his Huskies will want to send him out on a high note against the program he helped elevate. UW had a disappointing campaign and will want to build for next season. Boise State is the G5 that keeps on chugging, and has the electric John Hightower on offense. Look for Bryan Harsin to find multiple ways to get him the football. Also, Vegas, baby!
BOWL RECORDS: Washington 17-20-1, Boise State 12-6
BETTING NUMBERS: Washington -3.5, Total 50
NEW ORLEANS BOWL (9 pm, the Crescent City)
Appalachian State (12-1) vs UAB (9-4)
WHY TO WATCH: How will the Mountaineers react to Eli Drinkwitz being a one and done coach? He took over at Missouri, which means OL coach Shawn Clark will do the heavy lifting for this one and the foreseeable future, as he got the gig permanently. The Blazers may not be pretty on offense, but man can they play some D?! Bill Clark is the next G5 coaching name to watch as someone needs to take a chance on the guy. App State's offense was one of the best in America all season, and has a lot of big play weapons. The chess match between coaches should be fun.
BOWL RECORDS: App State 4-0, UAB 1-2
BETTING NUMBERS: App State -16, Total 48
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