College bowl game schedule, scores, viewing guide for Dec. 22

It’s a four-pack of bowl games on Saturday so grab a seat and prepare to enjoy today’s college football games.

If you’ve already finished your Christmas shopping and don’t have to brave the elements at your local shopping mall, you’ve won the day and can spend it inside with ESPN on all day to watch the college football games. Bowl season is one week old today and the matchups are beginning to get a little more intriguing as it gets ever so close to the College Football Playoff semifinals on Dec. 29 and the New Year’s 6 games two days later.

There are only four games on today but they’re spread throughout the day so you won’t have to flip channels every four minutes to see what’s going on down the dial. And if you’re planning to enjoy a nice Saturday celebrating bowl season, here is a handy viewer’s guide so you can stream games online and why you should be watching.

Jared Birmingham Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Memphis

This could have been the last time for college fans to get a look at Memphis running back Darrell Henderson who was less than 100 yards away from hitting the 2,000-yard mark this year. He declared for the draft and elected to skip the game. This gives fans a chance to get an early look at the Tigers 2019 tandem featuring Patrick Taylor Jr. and Tony Pollard. Meanwhile, Wake Forest will be without Greg Dortch, their top receiver and playmaker, who is out with a hand injury. Look for a steady dose of running back Matt Colburn II who has the potential to go off.

Final: Wake Forest 37, Memphis 34

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Army

Army has a chance to end this season with a program-best 11th win if they can knock off a Houston team playing without their two best players. Jeff Monken’s team picked up their 10th win vs. Navy two weeks ago and will rely on their triple option attack led by quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. and lead running back Darnell Woolfolk. Houston will be without quarterback D’Eriq King who suffered a season-ending injury in November. Freshman Clayton Tune will start in his place and hopes the extra bowl practices have him up to speed. Top draft prospect Ed Oliver is sitting out, as he did much of the year, as he prepares for the next level.

Final: Army 70, Houston 14 

Dollar General Bowl: Buffalo vs. Troy

This game features two of the best head coaches you may not know about. Buffalo’s Lance Leipold is a legend on the Division III level for his work at Wisconsin-Whitewater and has turned the Bulls into a MAC Championship contender. Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson is an exciting player to watch in an exciting offense. Troy head coach Neil Brown could make the leap next offseason after a successful run at Troy that’s seen him pick up wins vs. LSU and Nebraska the last two years.

Final: Troy 42, Buffalo 32

Hawaii Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Who wouldn’t want to be in Hawaii today?! Outside of watching purely for the weather purposes and wishing you were on the island paradise, expect plenty of points in this late-night shootout. Staying up late to watch Hawaii is a weekly tradition for die-hard college football fans, so make sure you have the caffeine on hand for this one. Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald should throw for 400-plus yards and three touchdowns. But Louisiana Tech pass rushing sensation Jaylon Ferguson will try to make things difficult on him. Ferguson has 15 sacks on the year and could open some eyes from the NFL with a strong performance.

Watch the Hawaii Bowl.