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Dr. Saturday's 2016 bowl rankings: Ohio State-Clemson should be awesome

Yahoo Sports Staff

Bowl season is less than two weeks away.

With all 40 matchups set for one of the best times of the year, let’s take a look at all of them. Unsurprisingly, we think the two College Football Playoff semifinal games will be the best matchups, but there are some non-New Year’s Six games that should be pretty good.

Below is our list, in descending order, of the most appealing matchups. There will undoubtedly be some duds at the top of this list and some scintillating contests at the bottom. But that’s not going to deter us from making predictions.

1. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31, Phoenix): Ohio State (11-1) vs. Clemson (12-1)
Our top matchup of bowl season has loads of intrigue. Ohio State is well-equipped to defend Clemson’s offense. But Clemson is well-equipped to defend Ohio State. Our early guess is that the games of OSU RB Mike Weber and Clemson RB Wayne Gallman decide the game.

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson vs. Ohio State's defense should be a great matchup. (Getty)
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson vs. Ohio State’s defense should be a great matchup. (Getty)

2.Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Dec. 31, Atlanta): Alabama (13-0) vs. Washington (12-1)
Washington quarterback Jake Browning has weapons in receivers John Ross and Dante Pettis to take advantage of the Alabama secondary. Will Alabama be challenged for the first time in a while? If Washington can stop Alabama’s run game relatively well and force QB Jalen Hurts into a couple mistakes, the Huskies have a chance to pull the upset.

Dalvin Cook is Florida State's leading career rusher. (Getty)
Dalvin Cook is Florida State’s leading career rusher. (Getty)

3. Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30, Miami): Florida State (9-3) vs. Michigan (10-2)
How will Dalvin Cook fare against a staunch Michigan defensive front? How will Michigan handle playing outside of its home state for just the fourth time this year? The Wolverines will be well-served to have a healthy Wilton Speight, who threw two key interceptions in the regular season finale vs. Ohio State.

4. Rose Bowl (Jan. 2, Pasadena): USC (9-3) vs. Penn State (11-2)
These are two of the most improved teams throughout the course of the season. Who’d have guessed that one of the better QB matches this bowl season would be Sam Darnold vs. Trace McSorley? Penn State WR Saeed Blacknall vs. USC CB Adoree’ Jackson should be a fun matchup too.

5. Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29, San Antonio, Texas): Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Colorado (10-3)
This is the best game outside of the New Year’s Six Bowls for the second year in a row. Oklahoma State had late-season success rushing the football. Colorado should be a stiff test. Colorado QB Sefo Liufau vs. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph is a fun matchup too.

6. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31, Orlando): LSU (7-4) vs. Louisville (9-3)
The two best offensive players in college football this season have been LSU RB Leonard Fournette and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson. Let’s hope Fournette is fully healthy for this one and that a Louisville defense that’s been pushed around late in the season provides him with a challenge.

7. Goodyear Cotton Bowl (Jan. 2, Dallas): Western Michigan (13-0) vs. Wisconsin (10-3)
If Western Michigan wins, the Broncos will cap an undefeated season with a third victory over a Big Ten West opponent. That’s more Big Ten wins than four teams had in the conference in 2016. But the Broncos haven’t faced a rushing attack as relentless as Wisconsin’s. And the Badgers defense is pretty damn good too.

8. Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2, New Orleans): Oklahoma (10-2) vs. Auburn (8-4)
Auburn’s defense has been consistently strong in 2016. But we know Oklahoma’s offense will score a relative ton of points. Will Auburn’s offense keep up vs. Oklahoma’s mediocre (at best) defense? It can, assuming quarterback Sean White is healthy. The Tigers clicked when White was at full-strength. When he wasn’t late in the season, it was ugly. And Oklahoma, with its big-play ability between QB Baker Mayfield and WR Dede Westbrook, can make things ugly in a hurry.

9. Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 20, Boca Raton, Florida): Memphis (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (10-3)
Offense, offense, offense! This one features two teams that average 40 points per game. Memphis just put up 48 in an upset over Houston while Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech 58-44 for the Conference USA title. There are two awesome receivers to watch here: Memphis’ Anthony Miller (84 catches, 1,283 yards, 11 TDs) and WKU’s Taywan Taylor (89 catches, 1,586 yards, 16 TDs).

10. Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 17, Las Vegas): Houston (9-3) vs. San Diego State (10-3)
Houston may have lost Tom Herman, but it still has a ton of talent, led by quarterback Greg Ward and freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver. The Mountain West champion Aztecs are led by star back Donnel Pumphrey, who just passed Ricky Williams for No. 3 all-time in rushing yards.

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey has returned to 2015 form in the past five games. (AP)
Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey has returned to 2015 form in the past five games. (AP)

11. Hyundai Sun Bowl (Dec. 30, El Paso, Texas): North Carolina (8-4) vs. Stanford (9-3)
Stanford’s loss to Colorado on Oct. 22 took the Cardinal off the national radar, but they stormed back with a fury and won five straight games. In those five games, running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for no fewer than 135 yards and had two 200-yard rushing games in the final two contests. He also had at least one touchdown in each of those games. UNC lost two of its final three and a chance at the ACC Coastal. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who has thrown for 3,468 yards, 28 TDs and four INTs is one of the nation’s best.

12. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Dec. 30, Nashville) Tennessee (8-4) vs. Nebraska (9-3)
There should be a packed house here. Tennessee really needs the win to prevent a dramatic season from ending disastrously while Nebraska can get its first 10-win season since 2012. This could come down to the passing effectiveness of Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong and Tennessee QB Josh Dobbs.

13. Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 28, Orlando): Miami (8-4) vs. West Virginia (10-2)
West Virginia ended the season as the only 10-win team not ranked in the top 10 of the CFP. The Mountaineers only losses this season came to the two teams that played for the Big 12 title. Still, the season got coach Dana Holgorsen a contract extension. Miami started the season hot, but four straight losses in the middle of the season doomed any division championship hopes. The Hurricanes rebounded to win their final four.

14. Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27, San Diego): Minnesota (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4)
A dynamic Washington State pass attack meets a Minnesota passing game that can’t be described with the word dynamic. But the Gophers do well with an efficient rushing attack and a defense that gives up 4.7 yard per play, a mark good for No. 11 in the country.

15. AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Dec. 28, Houston): Kansas State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (8-4)
Viva Big 12. The Wildcats have once again silently cruised to a very good season while A&M can’t avoid drama. And you know Bill Snyder will have a trick or two up his sleeve. A loss would give Texas A&M a third-straight 8-5 season. While that’s success at many programs, Texas A&M fans sometimes aren’t too realistic.

16. Outback Bowl (Jan. 2, Tampa, Florida): Florida (8-4) vs. Iowa (8-4)
First one to 17 wins? This should be an extremely competitive game, even if it’s not the most entertaining for fans of high-scoring football. Florida and Iowa tied for No. 10 in the country in scoring defense, each allowing 18 points per game.

Toledo QB Logan Woodside has 43 TD passes this year. The Rockets will play Appalachian State in the Camellia Bowl. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Toledo QB Logan Woodside has 43 TD passes this year. The Rockets will play Appalachian State in the Camellia Bowl. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

17. Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Dec. 17, Montgomery, Alabama): Appalachian State (9-3) vs. Toledo (9-3)
Sun Belt co-champion Appalachian State squares off against one of the better teams in the MAC in this one. Toledo, led by Logan Woodside’s 43 touchdown passes, could have spoiled Western Michigan’s unbeaten season in the final week but fell 55-35. The Rockets have the task of facing a Mountaineers team that averages 247 rushing yards per game.

18. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23, Fort Worth, Texas): Louisiana Tech (8-5), Navy (9-3)
Both of these teams lost their respective conference title games, but Navy also lost starting QB Will Worth along with RBs Toneo Gulley and Darryl Bonner as well as a potential spot in the Cotton Bowl. Navy still has a game against Army remaining before the bowl game. Louisiana Tech got hot in the latter half of the season, but lost its final two games to Southern Miss and Western Kentucky. Both La. Tech and Navy rank in the top 20 in scoring offense.

19. Belk Bowl (Dec. 29, Charlotte): Virginia Tech (9-4) vs. Arkansas (7-5)
If the Arkansas that beat Florida shows up, then Virginia Tech is in trouble. If it’s the Arkansas that lost to Auburn, LSU and Missouri, then this could be ugly. Given the histories of these teams, it’s easy to think this will be a ground-and-pound affair, but VT QB Jerod Evans and Arkansas QB Austin Allen may each throw for over 300 yards.

20. Miami Beach Bowl (Dec. 19, Miami): Tulsa (9-3) vs. Central Michigan (6-6)
The first two Miami Beach Bowls were high-scoring affairs. This one should be no different. Tulsa, which won five of its last six, averages 41.3 points per game. CMU played in one of the more memorable games of the year with its “upset” over Oklahoma State, but lost four of five down the stretch. Dane Evans (Tulsa) vs. Cooper Rush (CMU) is a fun QB matchup.

Pittsburgh running back James Conner has become one of the nation's most inspirational players. (AP)
Pittsburgh running back James Conner has become one of the nation’s most inspirational players. (AP)

21. New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York): Northwestern (6-6) vs. Pittsburgh (8-4)
Pitt was in the running for the ACC Coastal Division before a two-game skid late in the year derailed those hopes. Still, the Panthers rebounded to win three straight to end the year, including an upset of No. 2 Clemson. This will be the final game for RB James Conner, who returned this season after battling cancer. Northwestern won its final game of the year to earn bowl eligibility. The Wildcats boast the Big Ten WR of the year in Austin Carr.

22. TaxSlayer Bowl (Dec. 31, Jacksonville, Florida): Kentucky (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech (8-4)
The Wildcats’ rushing attack has been underrated over the second half of the season. The Wildcats finished the season No. 16 in rushing offense while Georgia Tech’s option-based attack is No. 10. If there’s going to be a bowl game that finishes in under three hours this bowl season, the TaxSlayer is the favorite.

23. Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29, Birmingham, Alabama): South Florida (10-2) vs. South Carolina (6-6)
This is once again a mismatch in records between a mediocre SEC team and a good AAC team. South Carolina’s defense may have trouble with South Florida’s rushing attack. USF QB Quinton Flowers ran for over 1,400 yards while running back Marlon Mack has over 1,100.

24. NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (Dec. 30, Tucson, Arizona) South Alabama (6-6) vs. Air Force (9-3) South Alabama has beaten Mississippi State and San Diego State yet struggled to gain bowl eligibility. Air Force finished third in a stacked Mountain West Mountain Division. The Falcons don’t have any 1,000-yard rushers, but four different players ran for over 600 yards each as the team ran for over 3,800 yards.

25. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 22, Boise, Idaho): Idaho (8-4) vs. Colorado State (7-5)
Idaho is heading back to the FCS level in two years, but wants to win a few more bowl games before doing so. The Vandals will head south from Moscow to Boise to face a Colorado State team that really improved late in the year. CSU beat two of the Mountain West’s better teams — New Mexico and conference champ San Diego State — by 18 and 32 points in its last two games.

26. AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Dec. 30, Memphis, Tennessee): TCU (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
TCU’s defense has vacillated between stifling good offenses (Baylor and Texas Tech) and looking like a sieve. Georgia’s run game can be lethal if the pass game is effective. The extra bowl practices should be beneficial for freshman Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason, who has shown flashes of the five-star recruit talent he showed in high school.

Boise State QB Brett Rypien could have a big day vs. Baylor. (Getty)
Boise State QB Brett Rypien could have a big day vs. Baylor. (Getty)

27. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl (Dec. 27, Phoenix): Baylor (6-6) vs. Boise State (10-2)
Oh man, this could really be ugly. After a 6-0 start, Baylor has fallen over on its way to the finish with an 0-6 second half of the season. Just how focused will the Bears be with a coaching staff that’s likely all leaving after the season? Boise State has won six of its last seven bowl games and that lone loss came with an interim coach at the end of the 2013 season when Chris Petersen went to Washington.

28. Foster Farms Bowl (Dec. 28, Santa Clara, California) Utah (8-4) vs. Indiana (6-6)
Utah lost three of its final four to fall out of the race for the Pac-12 South Division. Utah is led by running back Joe Williams, who missed four games due to retirement, but came back to rush for more than 100 yards in five of his final six games. He’s averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Indiana will be without coach Kevin Wilson, who abruptly resigned amid allegations of player abuse. The Hoosiers lost two of their final three, but beat Purdue in the final game of the season for bowl eligibility.

29. San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 21, San Diego): BYU (8-4) vs. Wyoming (8-5)
BYU had a pretty solid season in year one under Kalani Sitake. We won’t see the collegiate finale of Taysom Hill (elbow injury), but Tanner Mangum has proven he can make plays for the Cougars. Wyoming is back in a bowl for the first time since 2011, its first under Craig Bohl. The Cowboys were 6-18 in Bohl’s first two seasons, but Bohl just earned a shiny new extension with eight wins in 2016.

Temple quarterback P.J. Walker helped lead the Owls to an AAC title. (AP)
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker helped lead the Owls to an AAC title. (AP)

30. Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman (Dec. 27, Annapolis, Maryland): Temple (10-3) vs. Wake Forest (6-6)
This isn’t a great matchup, especially since Temple has won seven straight, including the AAC title game against Navy. Temple’s scoring defense ranks eighth nationally at 17.2 points per game. Wake Forest is heading to its first bowl game since 2011, but it’s coming into the game having lost five of its last six. The only win during that streak was against a 2-10 Virginia team. Wake Forest ranks 121st in scoring offense.

31. Dollar General Bowl (Dec. 23, Mobile, Alabama): Ohio (8-5) vs. Troy (9-3)
Troy had a seven-game winning streak this year, but couldn’t capture a Sun Belt title, finishing the season losing two of its last three games. Ohio won the MAC East and gave unbeaten Western Michigan a scare in the conference title game. That should give the Bobcats some confidence headed into this one.

32. Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Dec. 23, Nassau, Bahamas): Eastern Michigan (7-5) vs. Old Dominion (9-3)
Eastern Michigan won a combined seven games in its previous four seasons before going 7-5 this year. This is EMU’s first bowl berth since 1987, so the Eagles will be dialed in for this trip to the Bahamas. Old Dominion, playing in its first-ever bowl, will be fired up, too. ODU is in just its third year at the FBS level and reeled off a nine-win season.

33. AutoNation Cure Bowl (Dec. 17, Orlando): UCF (6-6) vs. Arkansas State (7-5)
A year after going winless, UCF is back in a bowl game in the first year under Scott Frost. The Knights will have a nice homefield advantage playing in Orlando against Arkansas State, which shares the Sun Belt title with Appalachian State. The Red Wolves won seven of their final eight games after an 0-4 start.

34. Camping World Independence Bowl (Dec. 26, Shreveport, Louisiana): NC State (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)
Vanderbilt’s third season under coach Derek Mason finally netted a bowl game, the first since 2013. The Commodores had surprising wins against Tennessee and Georgia thanks to a decent scoring defense that’s only allowing 22.6 points per game. NC State saw a promising upset bid against Clemson fall short and that started a four-game losing streak, which derailed the Wolf Pack’s season. NC State beat UNC in the final game to earn bowl eligibility.

35. New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 17, Albuquerque, New Mexico): Texas-San Antonio (6-6) vs. New Mexico (8-4)
New Mexico, which boasts the nation’s top rushing offense at 360 yards per game, will play at home in a bowl for the second year in a row. This time first-time bowl participant UTSA will come to Albuquerque to try to corral the Lobos’ stable of backs and speedy QB Lamar Jordan.

36. Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26, Detroit): Boston College (6-6) vs. Maryland (6-6)
This is a rematch of old ACC foes. Boston College has won three straight against the Terps, including a 29-26 victory in their last meeting in 2013. Neither one of these teams is really that good. Maryland lost four of its final five, but that one win against Rutgers gave the Terps bowl eligibility. Similarly, Boston College won its final two games against UConn and Wake Forest to become bowl eligible. Expect this to be a defensive game; Boston College ranks eighth nationally in total defense.

37. St. Petersburg Bowl (Dec. 26, St. Petersburg, Florida): Mississippi State (5-7) vs. Miami-Ohio (6-6)
Normally this might be a bit of a skewed matchup, but this isn’t Dak Prescott’s Mississippi State team; the Bulldogs were lucky to squeak in because of APR. Miami-Ohio started the season 0-6 and then rattled off six straight to earn its first bowl eligibility since 2010.

38. Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24, Honolulu): Hawaii (6-7) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-4)
MTSU was one of the hotter teams in C-USA, but struggled after QB Brent Stockstill was injured. The Blue Raiders have bad losses to UTSA and Marshall, but they won their final two games. Hawaii won its final two games of the regular season to earn its first bowl appearance since losing to Tulsa in the Hawaii Bowl in 2010. The last time Hawaii won a bowl game was 2006.

39. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 17, New Orleans): Southern Miss (6-6) vs. Louisiana Lafayette (6-6)
The Ragin’ Cajuns had to win their final two games just reach six wins and a bowl game. ULL will stay in its home state to face another 6-6 team, Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles lost five of their last seven games, but have a pretty impressive offense led by quarterback Nick Mullens. LSU transfer Anthony Jennings will be under center for ULL.

40. Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec. 27, Dallas): Army (6-5) vs. North Texas (5-7)
North Texas lost four of its last five, but a good APR score secured the Mean Green a rematch with Army. The Mean Green defeated Army 35-18 on Oct. 22, the first win over Army in five tries. UNT is going to its first bowl since 2013. Army has lost two of its last three with a game against Navy remaining. The Black Knights have not appeared in a bowl since 2010.