Cincinnati and Louisville are two teams facing off in the first weekend of college football bowl week action.
Left: Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images, Right: Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

This Weekend's 8 College Bowl Games, Ranked by Watchability

The 2022-23 college football season is coming to it's end. With a full slate of bowl games set that are leading up to the College Football Playoff, we will have quite the season finale as we bid ado to one of the best, and crazier, seasons in recent years.

So with that being said, here are our rankings of all eight college bowl games this weekend!

8. HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl: Miami (OH) RedHawks (6-6) vs UAB Blazers (6-6)

A general view of a UAB Blazers helmet during the game between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the UAB Blazers

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 16, 11:00 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: UAB -11, O/U: 44.5
  • UAB 's Last Bowl Win: 2021 Independence Bowl
  • Miami (OH)'s Last Bowl Win: 2021 Frisco Bowl

The UAB Blazers and Miami (OH) RedHawks go head-to-head as both teams look for their second consecutive bowl win.

Prediction: UAB 30, Miami (OH) 17.

7. LendingTree Bowl: Rice Owls (5-7) vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-6)

Rice Owls wide receiver Luke McCaffrey #10 runs after a catch against the Houston Cougars

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 17, 5:45 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: SMISS -6, O/U: 45.5
  • Rice's Last Bowl Win: 2014 Hawaii Bowl
  • Southern Miss's Last Bowl Win: 2016 New Orleans Bowl

The Rice Owls finished below .500 but still qualified for a bowl game and take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Prediction: Southern Miss 23, Rice 17.

6. Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl: North Texas Mean Green (7-6) vs Boise State Broncos (9-4)

Austin Aune of North Texas looks to pass down field.

Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

RELATED: "They Call Me Dad": Meet Austin Aune, College Football's Oldest Quarterback

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 17, 9:15 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: BOISE -10.5, O/U: 59.5
  • North Texas's Last Bowl Win: 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl
  • Boise State's Last Bowl Win: 2017 Las Vegas Bowl

The Boise State Broncos go for win No. 10 in their bowl game against Austin Aune and the North Texas Mean Green.

Prediction: Boise State 37, North Texas 20.

 

5. New Mexico Bowl: SMU Mustangs (7-5) vs BYU Cougars (7-5)

Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) during a college football game between the BYU Cougars against the USC Trojans

Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

RELATED: Jaren Hall's Parents Raised Their Son to be a Leader, On the Field and Off

  • How to Watch: ABC
  • Date/Time: December 17, 7:30 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: SMU -3.5, O/U: 64
  • SMU's Last Bowl Win: 2012 Hawaii Bowl
  • BYU's Last Bowl Win: 2020 Boca Raton Bowl

In a battle of two schools with acronyms, the SMU Mustangs take on the BYU Cougars in the New Mexico Bowl.

Prediction: SMU 38, BYU 37.

4. Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3) vs Louisville Cardinals (7-5)

Jawhar Jordan #25 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 17, 11:00 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: LOU -1.5, O/U: 40
  • Cincinnati's Last Bowl Win: 2019 Birmingham Bowl
  • Louisville's Last Bowl Win: 2019 Music City Bowl

A year after making the College Football Playoff, the Cincinnati Bearcats find themselves in a mid-December bowl game against the Louisville Cardinals. But, silver lining, they do get to play in one of the oldest ballparks in the country.

Prediction: Louisville 26, Cincinnati 23.

 

3. Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl: Washington State Cougars (7-5) vs Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4)

Jake Haener looks on during a Fresno State football game.

Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images

  • How to Watch: ABC
  • Date/Time: December 17, 3:30 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: FRES -3.5, O/U: 52.5
  • Washington State's Last Bowl Win: 2018 Alamo Bowl
  • Fresno State's Last Bowl Win: 2021 New Mexico Bowl

Fresh off their MWC title game win, the Fresno State Bulldogs take on the Washington State Cougars.

Prediction: Washington State 38, Fresno State 30.

2. SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Florida Gators (6-6) vs Oregon State Beavers(9-3)

Head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators talks with Trevor Etienne #7 during the 4th quarter of a game

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

RELATED: Upset in the Swamp: Billy Napier Begins Florida Tenure with Massive Win

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 17, 2:30 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: OSU -10, O/U: 53
  • Florida's Last Bowl Win: 2019 Orange Bowl
  • Oregon State's Last Bowl Win: 2013 Hawaii Bowl

After a huge win in Week 1, the Florida Gators fizzled out quickly but still managed to become bowl eligible as they take on a rising Oregon State Beavers team.

Prediction: Oregon State 45, Florida 32.

1. Duluth Trading Cure Bowl: UTSA Roadrunners (11-2) vs Troy Trojans (11-2)

Wide receiver Joshua Cephus #2 of the UTSA Roadrunners catches a touchdown pass ahead of Kobe Hylton #2 of the UTEP Miners in the first half at Alamodome

Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

  • How to Watch: ESPN
  • Date/Time: December 16, 3:00 p.m. (EST)
  • Betting: Troy -2, O/U: 55.5
  • UTSA's Last Bowl Win: None
  • Troy's Last Bowl Win: 2018 Dollar General Bowl

One of the first games of the bowl season should be one of the best, as the UTSA Roadrunners take on the Troy Trojans in a battle of two Group of Five teams with 11 wins.

Prediction: UTSA 41, Troy 37.

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