Ranking the top-5 must-see bowl games outside New Year's Six
The CFP committee decided the four playoff teams, as well as the rest of the New Year's Six bowl participants Sunday, but that doesn't mean there won't be entertaining matchups in the remaining bowl games.
Here are the top-5 must watch bowl games outside of the New Year's Six.
5) LAS VEGAS BOWL
Houston (9-3) vs. San Diego State (10-3)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 17
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
In what will be San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey's final game as a college football player, the senior needs 108 yards to move ahead of Ron Dayne and become the FBS all-time leading rusher.
Passing Dayne will be a tall order for Pumphrey, as Houston ranks third in yards-per-game allowed on the ground. The Aztecs are no slouches on the rush defense either, ranking 11th in the FBS in the same category, so the difference in the outcome could very well present itself in each team's aerial attack.
4) PINSTRIPE BOWL
No. 23 Pittsburgh (8-4) vs. Northwestern (6-6)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28
Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
Every year, the iconic Yankee Stadium is converted to play host to the Pinstripe Bowl, and this year's lucky contestants have been announced as No. 23 Pittsburgh and Northwestern.
Panther's running back James Conner could be playing his last collegiate game, as the possibility of him declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft looms. Pitt appears the likely victor heading into the contest, and a strong performance could produce a legitimate swan song for Conner if he indeed decides to leave for the professional ranks.
3) MUSIC CITY BOWL
No. 21 Tennessee (8-4) vs. Nebraska (9-3)
Date: Friday, Dec. 30
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
No. 21 Tennessee has had a roller coaster of a season, including five consecutive wins, three consecutive losses, and a stunning defeat to Vanderbilt.
Despite the drama, the Volunteers find themselves in this year's Music City Bowl, taking on a 9-3 Nebraska team that narrowly missed playing for a Big Ten championship. The unpredictability of Tennessee makes picking a favorite difficult between the two teams, however, the Huskers' losses to No. 3 Ohio State and No. 8 Wisconsin are undeniably stronger than those of the Volunteers.
2) ALAMO BOWL
No. 12 Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. No. 10 Colorado (10-3)
Date: Thursday, Dec. 29
Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Both No. 10 Colorado and No. 12 Oklahoma State came up short in their quests to earn conference championships this past weekend, so the motivation on both sides to not end their respective seasons on two consecutive losses will be high.
The Buffaloes will be looking for their first bowl victory since the 2004 Houston Bowl, while the Cowboys enter their tenth consecutive year with a bowl game, and their third Alamo Bowl appearance in team history. Oklahoma State took home Alamo Bowl honors in 2010 over Arizona.
1) CITRUS BOWL
No. 20 LSU (7-4) vs. No. 13 Louisville (9-3)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 31
Start Time: 11 a.m. ET
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
New Year's Eve will be the last chance fans get to see No. 13 Louisville and Heisman Trophy favorite Lamar Jackson this season, as the Cardinals will take on No. 20 LSU in the Citrus Bowl.
Jackson has proven time and time again that he can single-handedly take control of a game, but LSU ranks 13th among FBS teams in yards allowed per game. Ed Orgeron would love to get a feather in his cap in the form of a bowl victory fresh off being anointed with the label of head coach, so expect the Tigers to give Jackson and the Cardinals all they can handle.