While everyone is focused on the College Football Playoff – the expansion has made it more enjoyable overall, but it is also depleting the oxygen in the room – simply becoming bowl eligible has taken a back seat.
That makes sense for the big programs that should be competing for one of the 12 berths, but for teams like Florida, Nebraska, USC, Washington, Oklahoma, and Michigan, among others, getting to six wins and an extra game is a fantastic goal.
The season that was a disappointment since the CFP dream was dashed early now has something nice to look forward to.
With only a few weeks remaining, less and fewer teams are expected to be in contention for one of the bowl games. Here are our newest bowl forecasts for Week 13.
Bowl Projections: Week 13, 2024
Cricket Celebration Bowl
Saturday, December 14
12:00, ABC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Bowl Affiliations: MEAC, SWAC
Last Season: Florida A&M 30, Howard 26
Bowl Projection: South Carolina State vs Jackson State
Last Week: South Carolina State vs Jackson State
Camellia Bowl
Saturday, December 14
9:00, ESPN
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery Alabama
Bowl Affiliations: CUSA, MAC, Sun Belt
Last Season: Northern Illinois 21, Arkansas State 19
Bowl Projection: Texas State vs Western Michigan
Last Week: USF vs Toledo
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Tuesday, December 17
9:00, ESPN
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
Bowl Affiliations: Gof5, Gof5
Last Season: UTSA 35, Marshall 17
Bowl Projection: TCU vs North Texas
Last Week: Houston vs Coastal Carolina
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Wednesday, December 18
5:30, ESPN
FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
Bowl Affiliations: Gof5, Gof5
Last Season: USF 45, Syracuse 0
Bowl Projection: Rutgers vs James Madison
Last Week: North Carolina vs Rutgers
LA Bowl
Wednesday, December 18
9:00, ESPN
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Bowl Affiliations: MW, Former Pac-12
Last Season: UCLA 35, Boise State 22
Bowl Projection: UNLV vs Washington
Last Week: UNLV vs USC
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Thursday, December 19
7:00, ESPN2
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Bowl Affiliations: CUSA, Sun Belt
Last Season: Jacksonville State 34, Louisiana 31 OT
Bowl Projection: Jacksonville State vs Louisiana
Last Week: WKU vs Louisiana
StaffDNA Cure Bowl
Friday, December 20
12:00, ESPN
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Affiliations: Gof5, Gof5
Last Season: Appalachian State 13, Miami University 9
Bowl Projection: Coastal Carolina vs Bowling Green
Last Week: UConn vs Georgia Southern
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Friday, December 20
3:30, ESPN
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Affiliations: AAC, ACC, CUSA, SEC
Last Season: Georgia Tech 30, UCF 17
Bowl Projection: USF vs Florida
Last Week: Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Monday, December 23
11:00 am, ESPN
Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
Bowl Affiliations: AAC, CUSA, MAC, Sun Belt
Last Season: Ohio 41, Georgia Southern 21
Bowl Projection: East Carolina vs Toledo
Last Week: Western Michigan vs James Madison
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Monday, December 23
2:30, ESPN
Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Bowl Affiliations: MAC, MW, Sun Belt
Last Season: Georgia State 45, Utah State 22
Bowl Projection: Ohio vs San Jose State
Last Week: Northern Illinois vs San Jose State
Hawaii Bowl
Tuesday, December 24
8:00, ESPN
Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI
Bowl Affiliations: CUSA, MW
Last Season: Coastal Carolina 24, San Jose State 14
Bowl Projection: WKU vs Colorado State
Last Week: Liberty vs Colorado State
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Thursday, December 26
2:00, ESPN
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Bowl Affiliations: Big Ten, MAC
Last Season: Minnesota 30, Bowling Green 24
Bowl Projection: Michigan State vs Miami University
Last Week: Michigan State vs Miami University
Rate Bowl
Thursday, December 26
5:30, ESPN
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Bowl Affiliations: Big Ten, Big 12
Last Season: Kansas 49, UNLV 36
Bowl Projection: Wisconsin vs Baylor
Last Week: Wisconsin vs TCU
68 Ventures Bowl
Thursday, December 26
9:00, ESPN
Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Bowl Affiliations: CUSA, MAC, Sun Belt
Last Season: South Alabama 59, Eastern Michigan 10
Bowl Projection: UConn vs Marshall
Last Week: Ohio vs Marshall