January 2 Bowl Schedule
Monday, January 2 will feature four bowl games, with action beginning at noon.
Seven of the eight teams that will be participating are ranked, including four in the top ten.
Outback Bowl---Florida vs. Iowa---Tampa, Florida---Noon---ABC
17th-ranked Florida, who lost in the SEC title game to Alabama, 54-16, has lost two-straight, and three of their last five, to enter the match-up at 8-4. They lost their last two games, to Florida St. and Alabama, by a combined score of 85-29.
Despite their last two outings, the Gators are led by a strong defense, and running back Jordan Scarlett, who has rushed for 795 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Iowa won their last three games, including key victories over Michigan and Nebraska to also finish at 8-4.
The Hawkeyes, who have a good defensive unit in their own right, are paced by running back LeShun Daniels, Jr., who has compiled 1,013 yards and 10 touchdowns.
This one will likely have the fewest points of the four games on Monday.
Cotton Bowl---Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin---Arlington, Texas---Noon---ESPN
This one should be fun, with Wisconsin, a team from the Big Ten, a power conference, taking on undefeated Western Michigan, from the Mid-American Conference.
8th-ranked Wisconsin win their last six regular season games, before falling to Penn St. in the Big Ten title game, 38-31. All three of their losses, to Michigan (14-7), Ohio St. (30-23), and Penn St. were by 7 points.
The Badgers, who traditionally have a solid defense and running game, feature running back Corey Clement, who has rushed for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns.
15th-ranked Western Michigan is 13-0, with wins over Northwestern and Illinois, who hail from the Big Ten.
Quarterback Zach Terrell has been terrific for the Broncos this season, throwing for 3,376 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Western Michigan will have to play really well to win, as Wisconsin is unquestionably the best tea they will play this season.
Rose Bowl---USC vs. Penn St.---Pasadena, California---4 pm---ESPN
This one promises to be a good one, with 9th-ranked USC, champions of the Pac-12, taking on 5th-ranked Penn St., champions of the Big Ten.
USC is one of the hottest teams in the country, entering on an 8-game win streak and a 9-3 record. Included in that 8-game win streak is a 26-13 win over Washington, who is in the College Football Playoff.
The Trojans can throw it, with quarterback Sam Darnold, who has passed for 2,633 and 26 touchdowns, or run it, with running back Ronald Jones, who has rushed for 1,027 yards and 11 scores.
Penn St., who has won 9-straight, and 10 of their last 11, has recorded key victories over Ohio St. and Wisconsin, who are both ranked in the top ten, to their credit.
The Nittany Lions have a balanced attack as well, with quarterback Trace McSorley, who has thrown for 3,360 yards and 25 touchdowns, and running back Saquon Barkley, who has rushed for 1,302 yards and 16 TD's.
Sugar Bowl---Auburn vs. Oklahoma---New Orleans, Louisiana---7:30 pm---ESPN
14th-ranked Auburn lost 2 of their first 3, and 2 of their final 3, but won all 6 in between, to finish 8-4.
The Tigers have a potent ground attack, led by running backs Kamryn Pettway, who has compiled 1,123 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Kerryon Johnson, who has accumulated 862 rushing yards and 11 scores.
7th-ranked Oklahoma lost 2 of their first 3, before ending their regular season on a 9-game win streak, and will enter as Big 12 champs, with a record of 10-2.
The Sooners, who have a dynamic offense, feature two players that were Heisman Trophy finalists, in quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has thrown for 3,669 yards and 38 touchdowns, and receiver Dede Westbrook, who has compiled 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 TD's.
This one will likely be the highest-scoring game of the day.