This article originally appeared on The Sports Quotient Bowl season is here once again, and all eyes are on the semi-final match-ups. However, dismissing the other bowl games would a disservice to those teams involved. While not all games are going to be nail-biters, some of the other major bowl games feature teams that were close to playing on New Years. Though the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl are perennially the best bowl games to watch, here are a few others for your viewing pleasure: BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) Facing against each other for the first time since the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame and Ohio State play in a bowl that seems to be a consolation prize for those that just missed out on glory. The Buckeyes had visions of a repeat visit to the CFP while the Irish blew their chance at a berth by losing to Stanford in their final game. [embedded content] The biggest matchup in this game will be the two juggernaut offenses against their respective opposing defenses. Both Ohio State and Notre Dame average over 34 points a game, but Ohio State has the definite edge on defense. The Buckeyes will most likely rely heavily on running back Ezekiel Elliott, especially since the Irish give up just over 166 rushing yards on the ground per game. Notre Dame will have a tough time moving the ball on Ohio State, who ranks in the Top 25 in both rushing and passing yards given up per game. Deshone Kizer has played very well at quarterback since Malik Zaire went down with an injury earlier in the season, but the Buckeyes will be the best defense Kizer will face all year. The Irish offense will have to have their best game of the year to have a shot at taking down the former champs. Valero Alamo Bowl Oregon Ducks (9-3) vs TCU Horned Frogs (10-2) Oregon and TCU have similar philosophies, which feature high octane offenses while sacrificing defense. TCU Quarterback Trevone Boykin started the season as the country’s best QB and a Heisman front-runner, but fell off near the end due to injury and a tough Big 12 schedule. For the Ducks, Vernon Adams was the complete opposite. Injuring his thumb early in the season and struggling to win games raised the question if Adams was in over his head jumping from FCS Eastern Washington…
Continue Reading: Best of the Rest: A Look At The Best Non-CFP Bowl Games
