Ranking the SEC Football Bowl Games from Best to Worst
By Ronald Evans
No. 8 – Tennessee vs. Purdue – Dec. 30 – Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN
This is a game to excite both sets of fans. Josh Heupel’s team will draw plenty of Vols fans to the NFL stadium. The two offenses are exciting and the Boilermakers will play with an abundance of confidence after eight wins, including victories over Iowa and Michigan State. There should be plenty of sizzle to excite television viewers.
No. 7 – Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest – Dec. 31 – Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, FL
Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies should take care of business in this game. Though, the Aggies’ offense will be led by a walk-on freshman quarterback. A possibly, healthy enough Haynes King might be available as well. The walk-on, Blake Bost has thrown seven passes in his college career. Coming off the week’s recruiting bonanza, the Aggies should be loose and physically superior to Wake.
No. 6 – Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech – Dec. 28 – Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN
Mike Leach was once the Red Raiders head coach. They fired him. He will be primed to pay the program back. Little else is needed for great TV.
No. 5 – Kentucky vs. Iowa – Jan. 1 – Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL
For fans of old-school football, this is your game. A legitimately tough Iowa, run defense will challenge the Wildcats. Mark Stoops and his team will look to push around a Big Ten team. It should be great fun to watch.
No. 4 – Arkansas vs. Penn State – Jan. 1 – Outback Bowl, Tampa FL
Another SEC Football vs. Big Ten matchup makes this game interesting. Sam Pittman and his team are fun to support. A good PSU defense will be aided by the Hogs’ sensational wideout, Treylon Burks opting-out to not risk harming his NFL Draft status with a potential injury. Similar to the Citrus Bowl matchup, viewers seeking an offensive explosion might ‘opt’ for a different game.
No. 3 – Ole Miss vs. Baylor – Jan. 1 – Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, LA
The Superdome will be rocking. Both programs hope this game will catapult them into next season. Dave Aranda and Lane Kiffin have excelled in building these teams. What the two coaches have done with their programs in two seasons is amazing. Whatever the outcome, this one will be fun.
How well will SEC Football do in the 11 games listed above? A 7-4 record might be a good guess.
dark. Next. Tide defense vs. Desmond Ridder
We’ll keep this simple for the Playoff semi-final games. As an Alabama Football fan, the Cotton Bowl is obviously No. 1. Another reason for the top ranking is the Alabama Crimson Tide is college football’s best team. At No. 2, the Georgia vs. Michigan should also be interesting.