Fansided

Ranking every bowl game by watchability

By Cody Williams

Dec 22, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Akron Zips head coach Terry Bowden holds The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy at Bronco Stadium. Akron defeated Utah State 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Akron Zips head coach Terry Bowden holds The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy at Bronco Stadium. Akron defeated Utah State 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /
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All 40 college football bowl games in 2016 ranked in terms of watchability

Not all college football bowl games is created equal. You don’t need anyone to explain that to you, but it’s an ever-existing truth entering bowl season. There are bowl games that qualify as “must-see” postseason action, games that you have on while you do something else, and then there are the games that you might just go grab some food or a beer instead. It’s just how it is.

However, you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that just because it’s a big-name bowl game, that makes it the best college football on the planet. Particularly this season because of the dominance of the Alabama Crimson Tide, even if it’s a College Football Playoff semifinal doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good game.

So as bowl season has arrived following the official end of the regular season and the Heisman Trophy Presentation, let’s assess the situation in regards to the bowl games. We’ll rank them in terms of watchability—meaning essentially how much fun you’re going to have watching them or what priority they should be on your list of games to watch.

To further prove that the program prestige and big-name bowl games don’t totally mean it will be a good game, we start with the Outback Bowl coming in last at No. 40.

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators punter Johnny Townsend (19) punts the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators punter Johnny Townsend (19) punts the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

40. Outback Bowl: Florida vs. Iowa

Unless you like punting, stay far away from this game on Jan. 2, 2017. Don’t be fooled into thinking that, just because these teams only have four losses apiece, that means they are exciting to watch. In fact, the Florida Gators and Iowa Hawkeyes are the furthest thing from it.

Florida’s offense was their Achilles heel all season long and it shows as they rank as the 114th scoring offense in the FBS. Meanwhile, Iowa was at a blistering scoring pace this season that ranked them the 80th scoring offense in the country. Sure, there will be talented defensive players and a power struggle, but there is nothing exciting about either of these offenses really. It’s all simple, it’s all slow, and it all should be disparaged for invading the normally entertaining Outback Bowl.

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