College Football Bowl season is here and there is no shortage of games. There are 41 bowl games this year, with 17 of those taking place before Christmas.

There are six games kicking things off on Saturday, Dec. 16. After that bowl fest, there will be games on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before seven more games on Saturday, Dec. 23.

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Here is a quick look at what to watch for and know for each of the 17 bowl games taking place before Christmas, including odds, staff picks, trends, key transfers and opt outs and more. All odds via BetMGM. All kickoff times are Eastern.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Georgia Southern vs. Ohio

Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. on ESPN (Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C.)

• Ohio has posted back-to-back nine-win regular seasons for the first time in program history. The Bobcats are 6-8 in bowl games but have won their last four.
• Georgia Southern is making its sixth bowl appearance (3-2) since joining FBS in 2014.
• QB Davis Brin leads the Eagles’ potent passing attack, 14th nationally at 298.3 yards per game.
• Georgia Southern averages 30.9 points per game but yields about as many (29.6).
• Ohio boasts the MAC’s No. 1 scoring defense (15.4 points per game), which ranks fifth nationally. The Bobcats have allowed more than 20 points in a game just twice – in losses to Northern Illinois and conference champion Miami (Ohio).
• Ohio starting QB Kurtis Rourke is in the transfer portal and backup CJ Harris is injured, so the Bobcats are expected to start Parker Navarro under center.
• This game also should feature two of the nation’s top tacklers: Ohio LB Bryce Houston (119 total stops) and Georgia Southern LB Marques Watson-Trent (117).

New Orleans Bowl

Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2:15 p.m. on ESPN (Caesars Superdome)

• Jacksonville State is making its first-ever bowl appearance despite transitioning to FBS. The NCAA awarded the Gamecocks a postseason berth when not enough teams achieved bowl eligibility.
• Louisiana is in a bowl for the sixth-straight season and the Ragin’ Cajuns are 7-3 in bowl games. This also will be their seventh New Orleans Bowl (5-1).
• Jacksonville State ranks fifth in the country in rushing offense at 232.3 yards per game. The Gamecocks are averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
• Louisiana is giving up 160.8 rushing yards per game and 28.2 points per contest.
• Jacksonville State QB Zion Webb, who is in his seventh year of eligibility, is more of a threat with his legs (5.5 yards per carry, seven touchdowns) than arm (6.6 yards per attempt, five touchdowns, six interceptions).

Cure Bowl

Miami (Ohio) vs. App State

Saturday, Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m. on ABC (FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando)

• MAC champion Miami (Ohio) is in a bowl for the third straight season (6-6 all time). Appalachian State, which lost the Sun Belt Championship Game, is 6-1 in bowl games since becoming an FBS member in 2014.
• The RedHawks rank seventh nationally in scoring defense (16.2 points per game) and give up fewer than 200 passing yards per game.
• Miami linebacker Matt Salopek was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and is among the nation’s top tacklers (134 total).
• Appalachian State is 20th in both total offense (450 yards per game) and scoring offense (34.8 points per game). Miami only gave up that many yards in a game twice this season – 538 to Cincinnati and 493 to Miami (Fla.) – and that many points just once (38 to the Hurricanes).
• Mountaineers QB Joey Aguilar, the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, is tied for third in the country with 33 touchdown passes.

New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico State vs. Fresno State

Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:45 p.m. on ESPN (University Stadium, Albuquerque)

• Jerry Kill could audition for a role in a “Harry Potter” movie because he might be a wizard. Kill is in his second year as New Mexico State’s coach and he has had a winning season both years, including a 10-4 record this year. The Aggies haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons from 1964 to 1967 and haven’t won 10 games since 1960.
• Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford will not be at the bowl game. Tedford is stepping away due to health reasons. Assistant head coach and linebacker coach Tim Skipper will lead the team in this game.
• New Mexico State has never lost a bowl game. The Aggies are 4-0-1 in bowl games, including winning the Arizona Bowl in 2017 and the Quick Lane Bowl last year.
• This bowl has to feel a bit sweeter for the Aggies, who get to play on the field of rival New Mexico.
• Fresno State has won its last four bowl games, including the New Mexico Bowl two years ago.

LA Bowl

UCLA vs. Boise State

Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. on ABC (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.)

• Finding consistent quarterback play has been a struggle for UCLA this season, with three players getting starts. One of those three, freshman Dante Moore, has entered the transfer portal, leaving Ethan Garbers as the likely starter for this game.
• Boise State has won four in a row, including the Mountain West Championship Game, since starting the season 4-5. Spencer Danielson coached the Broncos for the last three of those wins as an interim coach, replacing the fired Andy Avalos. Danielson has since been named the full-time head coach.
• WR Eric McAlister left Boise State in early November to enter the transfer portal. McAlister racked up 873 yards in nine games, but Boise is 4-0 without him.
• QB Taylen Green committed to transfer from Boise to Arkansas, making it likely freshman Maddux Madsen will start this game. Madsen did get some time this year, passing for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns against three interceptions.
• UCLA last won a bowl in 2014.

Independence Bowl

Cal vs. Texas Tech

Saturday, Dec. 16, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN (Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.)

• Texas Tech has been known for passing more than rushing over the years, but running back Tahj Brooks racked up 1,443 yards this season, the fourth-most in the country.
• Tyler Shough entered the season with nearly 4,000 career passing yards for Texas Tech and Oregon, but he got hurt in September and missed the rest of the season. He is transferring to Louisville.
• Third-year sophomore Behren Morton took over the starting job and has 1,498 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
• Cal has also had some changes at quarterback, with three players (Fernando Mendoza, Ben Finley, Sam Jackson V) getting starts this season. Mendoza, a redshirt freshman, started in October and November with 13 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
• Cal is playing in its first bowl game since 2019.

Famous Toastery Bowl

Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion

Monday, Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN (Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte)

• This is usually the Bahamas Bowl, but it’s been moved to Charlotte and re-named due to stadium renovations.
• This is a matchup of former Conference USA foes (2013-21) before Old Dominion moved to the Sun Belt. Western Kentucky leads the head-to-head series 6-1.
• WKU QB Austin Reed is among the nation’s most prolific passers (3,340 yards and 31 touchdowns). It’s not clear if he will play or opt out.
• Reed’s top target, WR Malachi Corley, also could sit this one out and three starting offensive linemen are in the portal.
• ODU LB Jason Henderson, the nation’s leading tackler (170 total) and a second-team All-American (FWAA, USA Today) will miss the bowl game due to injury.
• The Hilltoppers are tied for third in the country with 25 takeaways.

Frisco Bowl

UTSA vs. Marshall

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. on ESPN (Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Tex.)

• UTSA is among the biggest favorites this bowl season. A win would be the first bowl victory for UTSA, which is 0-4 in bowls all-time.
• Marshall is making its seventh-straight bowl appearance and is 13-6 overall in the postseason.
• Thundering Herd QB Cam Fancher, who started 10 games, is in the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman Cole Pennington, son of former NFL and Marshall QB Chad Pennington, will likely get the start. Cole has six interceptions and no touchdowns in 79 attempts.
• The Herd have the country’s third-worst turnover differential (-13), thanks to 28 giveaways (17 interceptions).
• Linebacker Trey Moore, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, is in the transfer portal. Moore was third in the country with 14 sacks for UTSA.

Boca Raton Bowl

Syracuse vs. USF

Thursday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. on ESPN (FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.)

• First-year USF coach Alex Golesh has already orchestrated the greatest turnaround in program history. After going 1-11 last season, the Bulls find themselves back in a bowl for the first time since 2018.
• Syracuse is undergoing a transition following the dismissal of head coach Dino Babers. Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile is the interim.
• This also is a matchup of former Big East rivals. The two schools were in the conference together from 2005-12. USF leads the all-time series 8-2 with the last matchup occurring in 2016.
• The Bulls enter this game ranked 16th in total offense at 455.3 yards per game. Redshirt freshman QB Byrum Brown is seventh in total offense (3,078 passing yards, 745 rushing yards) and has accounted for 34 touchdowns (23 passing, 11 rushing).
• Syracuse is more productive on the ground than through the air, averaging 185 rushing yards per game. RB LeQuint Allen and QB Garrett Shrader have combined for more than 1,500 yards and 17 rushing TDs, although Shrader is out due to shoulder surgery.

Gasparilla Bowl

UCF vs. Georgia Tech

Friday, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN (Raymond James Stadium, Tampa)

• UCF was 3-5 and started 0-5 in Big 12 play before winning three of its last four games, including a 45-3 win against Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma State.
• These teams met last September in Orlando, a 27-10 UCF win.
• The Yellow Jackets are making a first bowl appearance since 2018, a solid start in Year 1 under coach Brent Key.
• This is UCF’s eighth straight bowl appearance. The Knights are 3-4 in bowl games in that run.
• Georgia Tech went 3-6 against teams that made bowl games this year.

Birmingham Bowl

Duke vs. Troy

Saturday, Dec. 23, noon on ABC (Protective Stadium)

• The momentum of these two teams entering this game is very different. Troy is coming off a Sun Belt championship and Duke is rebuilding after losing its coach and quarterback. Duke coach Mike Elko left to take the Texas A&M job. Standout quarterback Riley Leonard transferred to Notre Dame after Elko’s departure.
• The Trojans have won 10 games in a row since a 1-2 start and won the Sun Belt for the second season in a row.
• Troy RB Kimani Vidal is second in the country with 1,582 rushing yards.
• Troy has won its last five bowl games.

Camellia Bowl

Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

Saturday, Dec. 23, noon on ESPN (Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.)

• These teams met in the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl, a 38-20 win for Northern Illinois. The Huskies have lost seven bowls in a row since.
• Arkansas State is a bowl for the first time since 2019. The Red Wolves are 4-6 in bowls, including 1-1 in two previous Camellia Bowl appearances.
• Arkansas State QB Jaylen Raynor was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year after throwing for 2,300 yards with 15 touchdowns during the regular season.
• After a 1-4 start, NIU won five of its last seven games to earn bowl eligibility. The running game carried the load on offense, averaging 219.7 yards per game during that critical stretch.
• The Huskies are sixth nationally against the pass, giving up 164.9 yards per game.

Armed Forces Bowl

James Madison vs. Air Force

Saturday, Dec. 23, 3:30 p.m. on ABC (Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Tex.)

• James Madison is making its first-ever bowl appearance. The Dukes were initially ineligible because they are transitioning to FBS but were awarded a spot due to the lack of bowl-eligible teams.
• The Dukes dominated the Sun Belt season awards, but Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti is now at Indiana, and Defensive Player of the Year DL Jalen Green (15.5 sacks) is injured.
• QB Jordan McCloud, the Offensive Player of the Year, is in the transfer portal but is expected to play in this game.
• Air Force is in a bowl game for the third year and has won its last four bowls. The Falcons are 2-4 in the Armed Forces Bowl, including a win in this game last year.
• The crux of this matchup is Air Force’s patented flexbone offense, which ranks second in the nation with 275.8 rushing yards per game, against JMU’s No. 1 rushing defense (61.5 yards per game).

Idaho Potato Bowl

Georgia State vs. Utah State

Saturday, Dec. 23, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN (Albertsons Stadium, Boise)

• RB Marcus Carroll rushed for 1,350 yards, seventh-most in the country, this season for Georgia State, but has already transferred to Missouri.
• Utah State averages 186.6 rushing yards per game but did so without a 1,000-yard rusher. Three Aggies (Davon Booth, Rahsul Faison, Robert Briggs Jr.) rushed for over 400 yards in the regular season.
• On the flip side, Utah State threw 18 interceptions this year.
• Georgia State was 6-1 but has lost its last five games, four of which were by at least 17 points.

68 Ventures Bowl

South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan

Saturday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m. on ESPN (Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Ala.)

• South Alabama is one of the biggest favorites of bowl season. The Jaguars are favored by more than two touchdowns.
• The Jaguars have never won a bowl game. USA is 0-3 in bowl games all-time.
• Eastern Michigan has a bottom-20 scoring offense in FBS (20.3 points per game).
• WR Caullin Lacy is sixth in the country with 1,316 receiving yards for South Alabama in the regular season. Lacy entered the transfer portal, but hasn’t ruled out playing in the bowl game.

Las Vegas Bowl

Utah vs. Northwestern

Saturday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. on ABC (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas)

• Northwestern coach David Braun took over the team as an interim coach in the summer and led the Wildcats to seven wins after NU combined to win four the previous two years.
• Utah dropped off from its Pac-12 winning teams the last two years, mostly due to struggles on offense. With Cam Rising out injured all season, Bryson Barnes quarterbacked the team most of the season. Rising is set to return next year, and Barnes has entered the transfer portal along with fellow QBs Nate Johnson and Mack Howard. However, Barnes is sticking around to start in this game.
• Utah has a top-25 scoring defense (19.8 points per game) while playing in the high-scoring Pac-12. Northwestern held four of its last six opponents under 20 points.
• Utah has lost its last four bowl games.

Hawaii Bowl

Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State

Saturday, Dec. 23, 10:30 p.m. on ABC (Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu)

• Grayson McCall is in the transfer portal for the second straight year. Last year, he said he would play in the bowl game and ended up coming back to Coastal Carolina. That’s not happening this time. The four-year starter has been out since late October. Senior Jarrett Guest and freshman Ethan Vasko have split time in McCall’s absence. Coastal Carolina is 3-2 without McCall.
• San Jose State features a 2,500-yard passer in Chevan Cordeiro and a 1,000-yard rusher in Kairee Robinson. Both were first-team All-Mountain West picks.
• At 7-5, San Jose State has clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1989-1992.
• This is the fourth-straight bowl appearance for Coastal, which has only been at the FBS level since 2017.

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(Photo of Bryson Barnes: Chris Coduto / Getty Images)

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