College football TV schedule and open thread: Holiday weekend bowl games

Happy holidays Alligator Army readers.

If you’re finding yourself with the opportunity to watch some bowl games this weekend, there are a few options for you to choose from. Below you’ll find the games available on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday (Monday being Christmas and all) — and all of the games the aforementioned days are airing on ESPN. (Yay, bowl games monopoly.)

Saturday, December 23

Texas Tech vs. South Florida (12:00 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): This year’s Birmingham Bowl features two statistically impressive offenses, though the Bulls have a decided advantage at quarterback with Quinton Flowers running the shows. There is a fair chance for fireworks and not too much defense in this game. South Florida is in Birmingham for the second year in a row, having defeated South Carolina in this game last year.

San Diego State vs. Army (3:30 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl pits 10-2 San Diego State, and All-American running back Rashaad Penny, against Army, which is currently having its most successful season since 1996. The Aztecs hope to notch a third straight 11-win season with a victory over the Black Knights.

Appalachian State vs. Toledo (7:00 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): In Mobile, the Mountaineers and Rockets will meet in the Dollar General Bowl. Toledo is the MAC conference champion, while Appalachian State managed to take a share of the Sun Belt title with Troy, despite losses to middling UMass and Louisiana-Monroe teams.

Sunday, December 24

Fresno State vs. Houston (8:30 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): These two teams will be spending the night before Christmas on the island of Hawaii in the Hawai’i Bowl. The Bulldogs mostly rode their defense to a Mountain West title game appearance, while the Cougars had a solid year, if not as spectacular as some of their recent seasons. Houston upset South Florida, but was hurt by injuries in Major Applewhite’s first year at the helm. The Cougars’ offensive coordinator this season was Brian Johnson, who is now coaching quarterbacks at Florida.

Tuesday, December 26

Utah vs. West Virginia (1:30 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): The day after Christmas finds the Utes and Mountaineers in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Utah has won 13 of their last 14 bowl appearances, giving head coach Kyle Whittingham the best bowl game winning percentage for any coach in NCAA history. WVU will be without quarterback Will Grier, who injured his finger in November, and starting running back Justin Crawford, who decided not to play to focus on the draft. This is also only the second time that these two teams have faced each other, and the first time since the 1960s.

Duke vs. Northern Illinois (5:15 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): The Quick Lane Bowl will be the first meeting between the Huskies and Blue Devils. This game in Detroit should be between two teams that are somewhat evenly matched.

Kansas State vs. UCLA (9:00 p.m., ESPN/WatchESPN): Josh Rosen is very likely playing his last collegiate game, and the Bruins will be taking the field for the last time before Chip Kelly takes over. UCLA’s Cactus Bowl opponent is Kansas State, and the Wildcats are going bowling for the eighth straight season under Bill Snyder.

And here’s your schedule tables.