College Football 2021 Bowl Games – Motivational Spots

December 14, 2021

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43 Bowl games! Keep in mind that motivation can change and it is truly in the eyes of the beholders and we can just speculate the best that we can. I will also update this article in red as things change.

H = High Motivation
MH = Medium High
M = Medium
ML = Medium Low
L = Low

Dec. 17 – Bahamas Bowl, Nassau, Bahamas: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo, ESPN, noon

Middle Tennessee – M – They are happy to make a bowl but also pretty happy to Party in the Bahamas
Toledo – M – Same deal here. Great destination for kids from Ohio and they should have some fun here as well as put forth a decent effort.

Dec. 17 – Cure Bowl, Orlando, Florida: Coastal Carolina vs. Northern Illinois, ESPN2, 6 p.m.

Northern Illinois – ML – This team won the Mac Championship and celebrating while partying in Orlando could be the better option.
Coastal Carolina – M – Coastal went through a lot of adversity when they lost QB Grayson McCall for a few weeks but he is back and they will want to win. They did have higher hopes earlier in the season.

Dec. 18 – Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, Fla.: Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky, ESPN, 11 a.m.

Appalachian State – MH – They lost the conference championship but they will want to end the season on a good note.
Western Kentucky – M – Great season for the Hilltoppers but they lost their championship game to UTSA. They also go here to play FAU sometimes during the season and some of the player were here last year for their conference game.

Dec. 18 – New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, N.M.: Fresno State vs. Texas-El Paso, ESPN, 2:15 p.m.

Fresno State – ML – Fresno State had higher hopes but they had a great season. The Coach left the team for Washington and took with him their offensive coordinator. The Position coaches will call the pays.
UTEP – ML – UTEP is probably very happy to FINALLY get a bowl game yet really bummed out that they have to go to Albuquerque which is the closest main city to them anyways. Just getting to a bowl was the prize.

Dec. 18 – Independence Bowl, Shreveport, La.: Brigham Young vs. Alabama-Birmingham, ABC, 3:30 p.m.

BYU – ML – I can almost guarantee you that BYU had much higher hopes in their bowl asperations when they beat teams like ASU, UTAH and USC.
UAB – MH – UAB had higher hopes as well but getting to play BYU is a huge game for these kids.

Dec. 18 – LendingTree Bowl, Mobile, Ala.: Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty, ESPN, 5:45 p.m.

Eastern Michigan – ML – This team is lucky to get a bowl game and Mobile is a nice play to play by the Ocean. The kids will use this as a vacation.
Liberty – M – This team seemed to lose Motivation at the end of the season some but they will probably get up for this game.

Dec. 18 – LA Bowl, Los Angeles CA: Oregon State vs. Utah State, ABC, 7:30 p.m.

Oregon State – M – This team almost made the Pac 12 title game but lost to rival Oregon. Nice for the kids to go to LA and they will have some fun yet they should want to win here as well.
Utah State – ML – Utah State won the Mountain West Championship with ease but they also were just in this area for that game. I think they treat this as a vacation more than business trip.

Dec. 18 – New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans LA: Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Marshall, ESPN, 9:15 p.m.

Louisiana – M – I think that this team wanted a better bowl game themselves, but it is at least a home game for their families only having to drive 135 miles.
Marshall – MH – Marshall had some back luck in their final game vs Western Kentucky with their quarterback going out but they should be motivated here to make a statement.

Dec. 20 – Myrtle Beach Bowl, Conway, S.C.: Old Dominion vs. Tulsa, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.

Old Dominion – M – Old Dominion is happy to make a bowl game after not playing last year and they won 5 games in a row to do it. Probably more of a home game for the Monarchs
Tulsa – ML – Tulsa also happy to make a bowl game but this will be treated like a vacation for these kids from the middle of farm country.

Dec. 21 – Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, Idaho: Kent State vs. Wyoming, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Imagine being these two teams when they got selected to this bowl.

Kent State – M – This team lost their title game but they also made it to a bowl game which is huge for the program.
Wyoming – ML – Not exactly what kids from Wyoming want in a bowl game and it’s still over 600 miles away.

Dec. 21 – Frisco Bowl, Frisco, Tex.: San Diego State vs. Texas-San Antonio, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

San Diego State – MH – These kids lost their conference title game but will want to finish strong and treat this like a business trip.
UTSA – ML – They won their conference title and this bowl game won’t matter as much but at least it is more of a home game only 300 miles away. They have also played North Texas here almost every year but that didn’t go well from them a few weeks back.

Dec. 22 – Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, Tex.: Army vs. Missouri, ESPN, 8 p.m.

Army – H – Beat an SEC team? Why the hell not?
Missouri – H – Happy to make one. They can’t stop the run for shit but Drinkwitz does have experience against the option.

Dec. 23 – Frisco Football Classic,. Frisco, Tex.: Miami (Ohio) vs. North Texas, ESPN, 3:30 p.m. – I don’t know why Frisco gets to bowls?

Miami (Ohio) – M – Lucky to even get a bowl game with only 5 division 1 wins but I am sure they are happy to be here.
North Texas – MH – Won 5 games in a row to make a bowl game but stuck not traveling and playing this one at home. They probably assumed this might happen.

Dec. 23 – Gasparilla Bowl, Tampa FL: Central Florida vs. Florida, ESPN, 7 p.m.

Central Florida – H – Gets to play an SEC team.
Florida – ML – Lost their coach and this bowl does nothing for them but it would be embarrassing to lose to a small Florida team.

Dec. 24 – Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, Hawai‘i: Hawaii vs. Memphis, ESPN, 8 p.m.

Hawaii – M – This team always plays in this bowl game.
Memphis – M – Great destination but they will also get up for this game.

Dec. 25 – Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.: Ball State vs. Georgia State, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.

Ball State – H – Ball State won the Mac last year and will be happy to win this bowl game.
Georgia State – H – I think that Georgia State caught fire and will keep it rolling.

Dec. 27 – Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit MI: Nevada vs. Western Michigan, ESPN, 11 a.m.

Nevada – ML – Lost coach and staff. Players sitting.
Western Michigan – ML – Not a great season or destination for Western Michigan who goes to Detroit plenty of times. It will however be a home game for them.

Dec. 27 – Military Bowl, Annapolis, Md: Boston College vs. East Carolina, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.

Boston College – L – Bad bowl game and this team had much higher expectations for the season. Changed to Medium High – Boston College’s QB is back and they will want to end the season on a good note.
East Carolina – H – This team hasn’t been to a bowl since 2013 and will play their asses off.

Dec. 28 – Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, Ala.: Auburn vs. Houston, ESPN, noon

Auburn – MH – I think that this team with their new coach will want to end the season on a positive note.
Houston – M – Great to face an SEC team but they blew their conference title hopes vs Cincinnati.

Dec. 28 – First Responder Bowl, University Park, Tex.: Air Force vs. Louisville, ESPN, 3:15 p.m.

Air Force – H – They would love to beat an ACC team.
Louisville – M – They are probably content to make a bowl game.

Dec. 28 – Liberty Bowl, Memphis TN: Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech, ESPN, 6:45 p.m.

Mississippi State – M – They are content to be in a bowl. Not a great destination but something different.
Texas Tech – MH – Kids are motivated to show their new coach what they have.

Dec. 28 – Holiday Bowl, San Diego CA: North Carolina State vs. UCLA, Fox, 8 p.m.

UCLA – MH – UCLA is on business
NC State – L – I think NC State wanted bigger things and blew it vs Wake Forest. Nice vacation tho

Dec. 28 – Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Phoenix AZ: Minnesota vs. West Virginia, ESPN, 10:15 p.m.

Minnesota – H – I think the Gophers will continue to row boats after their Wisconsin win.
West Virginia – MH – Good matchup for them and I think there will be motivation.

Dec. 29 – Fenway Bowl. Boston MA: SMU vs. Virginia, ESPN, 11 a.m. – First time bowl

SMU – H – Will want to win first Fenway Bowl
Virginia – H – Will want to win as well.

Dec. 29 – Pinstripe Bowl, New York, NY: Maryland vs. Virginia Tech, ESPN, 2:15 p.m.

Maryland – ML – Not the best destination for a bowl game for an East Coast team.
Virginia Tech – MH – I can see some motivation to play well for the new coach.

Dec. 29 – Cheez-It Bowl: Clemson vs. Iowa State, ESPN, 5:45 p.m.

Clemson – ML – Clemson had much higher hopes but at least the kids get to go to Orlando.
Iowa State – H – This team was out of it for a while and

Dec. 29 – Alamo Bowl, San Antonio TX: Oklahoma vs. Oregon, ESPN, 9:15 p.m. – They should rename this game to the sad-ass bowl.

Oklahoma – L – Lost their coach and hopes of making it to the championship and many players won’t care. Defense might some tho.

Oregon – L – Also lost their coach and hopes of making it to the championship.

Dec. 30 – Duke’s Mayo Bowl Charlotte NC, : North Carolina vs. South Carolina, ESPN, 11:30 a.m.

North Carolina – MH – I can see this team finishing strong and I think that Sam Howell Plays.
South Carolina – MH – I can also see this team showing up for Shane Beamer who made a bowl game his first year.

Dec. 30 – Music City Bowl, Nashville TN: Purdue vs. Tennessee, ESPN, 3 p.m.

Purdue – H – Jeff Brohm will want to beat the SEC.
Tennessee – H – Josh Hueple trying to build his program.

Dec. 30 – Peach Bowl, Atlanta GA: Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh, ESPN, 7 p.m.

Michigan State – H – They would love to beat the ACC Champ here.
Pittsburgh – L – They won the ACC and they are still partying.

Dec. 30 – Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona State vs. Wisconsin, ESPN, 10:30 p.m.

Arizona State – M – This team was strange this year and had bigger expectations.
Wisconsin – MH – This team loves to win bowl games and their season was essentially over earlier this year. Not sure why Leonard hasn’t been hired.

Dec. 31 – Gator Bowl or Tax Slayer, Jacksonville, Fla.: Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest, ESPN, 11 a.m.

Texas A&M – M – They should be fine here.
Wake Forest – ML – They might be upset about losing the ACC Championship due to a fake slide.

Dec. 31 – Sun Bowl Tony the Tiger, El Paso, Tex.: Miami (Fla.) vs. Washington State, CBS, 12:30 p.m.

Miami – L – They lost their coach and might not care at all.
Washington State – H – Not a great destination by any means but they would love to go down and beat Miami.

Dec. 31 – Cotton Bowl, Arlington, Texas: Alabama vs. Cincinnati, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.

Alabama – H – Playoffs
Cincinnati – H – Playoffs

Dec. 31 – Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Ariz.: Boise State vs. Central Michigan, 4:30 p.m.

Boise State – ML – Playing a MAC team in Tucson doesn’t sound so appealing.
Central Michigan – MH – Playing Boise State isn’t bad at all.

Dec. 31 – Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Fla.: Michigan vs. Georgia, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

Michigan – H – Playoffs
Georgia – H – Playoffs

Jan. 1 – Outback Bowl, Tampa, Fla.: Arkansas vs. Penn State, ESPN2, noon

Arkansas – MH – Team did great this year and will want to beat Big 10
Penn State – M – I think this team had higher asperations.

Jan. 1 – Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State, ESPN, 1 p.m.

Notre Dame – M – Continuity with their defensive coordinator becoming coach yet was still kinda weird.
Oklahoma State – ML – They thought they might get into the playoffs.

Jan. 1 – Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla: Iowa vs. Kentucky, ABC, 1 p.m.

Iowa – MH – losing the Big 10 championship is standard for this team.
Kentucky – MH – I think they will try and beat a team with no offense here.

Jan. 1 – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.: Ohio State vs. Utah, ESPN, 5 p.m.

Ohio State – M – Ryan Day will get his team up but they had playoff aspirations.
Utah – MH – They won the Pac 12 and this would be the icing on the cake.

Jan. 1 – Sugar Bowl, New Orleans LA: Baylor vs. Mississippi, ESPN, 8:45 p.m.