5 bowl games to watch that are not part of the NY6, playoffs


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SALT LAKE CITY — College football's bowl season is upon us and all eyes will surely be on some of the biggest games this year. There is always a lot of hype and preparation for the New Year’s Six bowl games and the College Football Playoff games, but there is a lot of good games to keep an eye out for this year.

Here are five games to watch this bowl season that are not part of the NY6 bowl games or the playoffs.

New Mexico Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs North Texas Mean Green

Dec. 15 - 2 p.m. on ESPNThe first game to watch takes place Saturday when Utah State meets up with North Texas. Utah State has enjoyed an excellent year that landed them at 10-2, one game shy of playing for the Mountain West championship. North Texas also enjoyed a great season and finished at 9-3, one win short of playing in the Conference USA championship game.

The matchup hosts two high-flying offenses led by Utah State sophomore quarterback Jordan Love, and North Texas junior quarterback Mason Fine. Both quarterbacks have had remarkably similar years. Love has thrown for 3,208 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions; Fine has thrown for 3,734 yards, 27 touchdowns and also just five interceptions.

This game could turn into a shootout, and it is definitely one to watch for all our local Aggie fans.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Western Michigan Broncos vs BYU Cougars

Dec. 21 - 4 p.m. on ESPNBoth the Broncos and the Cougars are coming off a previous season without playing in a bowl and will be excited to be back in the mix this year. Western Michigan found themselves bowl eligible last year but went unselected and were left sitting at home, so no doubt about it, the Broncos will be coming out with a chip on their shoulder.

Western Michigan finished the season 7-5 and averaged 34.4 points per game. But they will have a tough time scoring on BYU’s 18th-ranked defense in the nation. BYU’s offense found its quarterback midway through the season in freshman Zach Wilson. The Cougars finished the year at 6-6, improving on last year’s 4-9 season.

Valero Alamo Bowl - No. 24 Iowa State Cyclones vs No.13 Washington State Cougars

Dec. 28 - 9 p.m. on ESPNThe Washington State Cougars could very easily be sitting in a NY6 game if it hadn’t been for an incredibly snowy game in the Apple Cup against their rival the Washington Huskies. The snow limited the Cougars' air-raid attack and they only put up 15 points in the loss. Now the 10-2 Cougars will set their sights on the 8-4 Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State had a rough start to the year, with losses to Iowa, Oklahoma and TCU. They went on a nice late-season stretch and finished the rest of the season with a 6-1 record. They will take that momentum into the Alamo Bowl where they'll be matched up against the Pac-12's offensive player of the year in Gardner Minshew.

Minshew was a perfect fit for Cougars head coach Mike Leach’s air-raid attack. He threw for 344 yards per game and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, which is given to the most outstanding senior quarterback.

The Cyclones may be coming in hot, but will they be hot enough to slow down Minshew and the Cougars?

VRBO Citrus Bowl - No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions vs No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats

Jan. 1 - 1 p.m. on ABCThe Kentucky Wildcats may be generally known as a basketball school, but this year has proved they are not a one-sport school. They now sit at 9-3 and are ranked No. 14 in the nation. They will be matched up against the 9-3 Penn State Nittany Lions that is led by star quarterback Trace McSorley.

McSorley won’t have an easy afternoon facing off against the Wildcats' 22nd-ranked defense. The Citrus Bowl will be the highest ranked matchup outside of the NY6 bowl games.

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl - No. 17 Utah Utes vs No. 22 Northwestern Wildcats

Dec. 31 - 7 p.m. on FS1Both the Utah Utes and the Northwestern Wildcats fell one game short of the Rose Bowl after loses in their respective conference championship games. The Holiday Bowl, though, is an excellent consolation prize for two teams who had excellent seasons and won their respective divisions.

It could be a tough contest for the Utes who have had offensive weapons go down week after week. Utah's senior quarterback Tyler Huntley is questionable for the game; and if he can’t go, redshirt freshman Jason Shelley will take the reins for the offense once again.

The Utes will also be without stars Zack Moss and Britain Covey, who suffered season-ending injuries. The Utes defense, however, remains dominant and is ranked 15th in the nation.

Northwestern began the year poorly with a 1-3 opening record. Things looked bleak for the Wildcats, but hey were able to have a miraculous turnaround and finished the season 7-2.

Can Northwestern finish the season on a high note, or will Kyle Whittingham improve on his 11-1 bowl record?

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