Lost amid all of the hoopla for the College Football Playoff is the fact that there are two other games being played today. They may not have the same kind of implications as the semifinals, but they do have big names attempting to gain one more win and head into the offseason on a high note.
One personal aside -- while I enjoy the drama of the CFP, it's still a little disappointing that Cotton Bowl isn't part of New Year's Day. Growing up, I always enjoyed knowing that we had the big four games -- Cotton, Rose, Sugar and Orange, and if I was ever made college football czar I would go back to putting them all on New Year's Day, provided they weren't hosting CFP semifinals that year.
CAMPING WORLD BOWL (12 pm, Orlando)
Notre Dame (10-2) vs Iowa State (7-5)
WHY TO WATCH: Can Notre Dame end finish on the plus side of .500 in bowl games this decade? A win here would do it. Iowa State is 21 points from being unbeaten and has to feel that it can hang with the Irish, especially since it lost by one to Iowa and Oklahoma and by two to Baylor. This is the first-ever meeting between the teams, but the Irish are 3-1 in bowl games vs current Big 12 members. The Cyclones don't only play tight games in the regular season, as five of their last seven bowl appearances have been decided by four points or less. The Irish will be led by quarterback Ian Book, who didn't put up a ton of yards but was excellent at valuing the football (only six interceptions). Notre Dame has a little more margin for error should its offense not fire as the defense is top 15 nationally and fourth in turnover margin. So the Irish have been good at limited opponents possessions. The Cyclones are solid on D, but have given up their share of big plays. Brock Purdy is a standout at quarterback but will be challenged by a Notre Dame defense that has allowed just 13 touchdowns and ranks fifth in opponent passer rating. That may mean more work for freshman running back Breece Hall.
BOWL RECORDS: Notre Dame 18-19, Iowa State 4-10
BETTING NUMBERS: Notre Dame -3.5, Total 54.5
COTTON BOWL (12 pm, Dallas)
Memphis (12-1) vs Penn State (10-2)
WHY TO WATCH: The country's best G5 program tries to take down a traditional power from the Big Ten, and both sides have a ton of speed and playmakers. So it has the potential to be a score-fest. Memphis is 0-3 in bowl games against Power 5 programs, but has lost its last two by a combined four points. The Tigers offense is top 10 nationally and features Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield and Antonio Gibson and Damontie Coxie out wide. All three are difference makers, as is quarterback Brady White, who tossed 33 TDs while stretching the field to the tune of 9.6 YPA. Gibson is also one of the most dangerous return men in America, and could give the Tigers a field position advantage. The Nittany Lions weren't nearly as explosive on offense this season as in previous years, but do have home run threats in RB Journey Brown and WR/RS KJ Hamler. If Penn State's offense is to have success QB Sean Clifford must throw better than he has this season (59.5 completion percentage). PSU's D has been nails most of the season, ranking in the top 10 in total and scoring defense, but has allowed 39 pass plays of 20+ yards. Penn State has dropped five of its last seven bowl games but is unbeaten in three Cotton Bowl appearances (2-0-1). The Nittany Lions were humiliated in their lone bowl showdown against a G5 team, losing 30-14 to Houston in the 2012 Ticket City Bowl.
BOWL RECORDS: Memphis 4-7, Penn State 29-18-2
BETTING NUMBERS: Penn State -7, Total 60.5
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