Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma – 1 of these teams doesn’t belong in the group. Granted the Oklahoma Sooners got a beat-down from Alabama on Saturday night, but the score doesn’t tell the whole story as the game was more competitive than the box score shows. Listen, there’s only a few teams that can hang with the Tide (surf’s up) for 60 minutes, and 1 of those teams aren’t even in the playoffs. Luckily, the earlier game saw the (much) better team prevail, providing what should be the game of the season on Monday the 7th. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, proved just about everyone right – despite an undefeated season – their schedule was soft and they’d be shell-shocked by any team in the top 10, let alone the Clemson Tigers.
If you’re under 24 years old, ignore this next sentence. I’m not saying don’t drink on New Year’s Eve but at least keep yourself cogent enough to take in the full-slate of games that’ll be on all day. I’d love to see LSU and Coach O stuff it down the throats of UCF, but I’m guessing the Knights won’t back down easily. Definitely going to want to watch the Championship game which again, should be an NFL-caliber battle.
Bowl Games: December 31, 2018 – January 7, 2019
December 31, 2018
Redbox Bowl
Michigan State Spartans vs Oregon Ducks
@ Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
2:00pm CT, FOX
Michigan State Spartan bars: Wild Goose Bar & Grill, Sedgwick’s, The Anthem, The Northside Stretch, El Hefe, Higgins Tavern, Hopsmith Tavern, Mahoney’s, Municipal Bar + Dining Co., McFadden’s, Old Crow, Avenue Tavern, The Hidden Shamrock, Mad River Bar & Grille, Grand River, Bird’s Nest, Corcoran’s Grill & Pub, Crossroads Public House, Gannon’s Pub
Oregon Duck bars: Theory Sports Div Lounge, Homeslyce Wheel House
Missouri Tigers (#23) vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Autozone Liberty Bowl
@ Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
2:45pm CT, ESPN
Missouri Tiger bars: The Beer Bistro, Derby
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
Northwestern Wildcats (#22) vs Utah Utes (#17)
@ San Diego County Credit Union Stadium, San Diego, California
6:00pm CT, FS1
Northwestern Wildcat bars: Timothy O’Toole’s, Connie’s Pizza, Kincade’s, Goose Island Beer Co.
Utah Ute bars: Nisei Lounge
Taxslayer Gator Bowl
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Texas A&M Aggies (#19)
@ Tiaa Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
6:30pm CT, ESPN
North Carolina State Wolfpack bars: Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden
Texas A&M Aggie bars: The Pony Inn, Joe’s Bar on Weed Street
January 1, 2019
Outback Bowl
Mississippi State Bulldogs (#18) vs Iowa Hawkeyes
@ Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida
11:00am CT, ESPN2
Mississippi State Bulldog bars: The Ogden, Beer on Clark
Iowa Hawkeye bars: Merkle’s Bar & Grill, Ironside Bar & Galley, Old Town Social, Highline Bar & Grill, Theory Sports Div Lounge, Crossroads Public House, Four Shadows
Playstation Fiesta Bowl
Louisiana State Tigers (#11) vs UCF Knights (#8)
@ State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
12:00pm CT, ESPN
LSU Tiger bars: Standard Bar & Grill, Gamekeepers
UCF Knight bars: The Pony Inn
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Kentucky Wildcats (#14) vs Penn State Nittany Lions (#12)
@ Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
12:00pm CT, ABC
Kentucky Wildcat bars: The Pony Inn
Penn State Nittany Lion bars: Durkin’s Tavern, A. J. Hudson’s Public House
Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual
Washington Huskies (#9) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (#6)
@ Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
4:00pm CT, ESPN
Washington Husky bars: Newport Bar & Grille, Gamekeepers
Ohio State Buckeye bars: Vaughan’s Pub, Woodie’s Flat, Gaslight Bar & Grille, Mcgee’s Tavern & Grille, Old Crow, Butcher’s Tap, Casey Moran / The Ivy
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Texas Longhorns (#15) vs Georgia Bulldogs (#5)
@ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
7:45pm CT, ESPN
Texas Longhorm bars: Stanley’s, The Field House
Georgia Bulldog bars: Old Town Social, Highline Bar & Grill
January 7, 2019
College Football Championship
Clemson Tigers (#2) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (#1)
@ Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
7:00pm CT, ESPN
Alabama Crimson Tide bars: Houndstooth Saloon