clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Armed Forces, Pinstripe, Music City, and Holiday Bowls Open Thread

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Use this thread to discuss today's slate of bowls.  Things kick off at 9am and continue until about 10pm, so it's a packed day. Schedule, reasons for caring, and winners below.

Thursday, December 30
TIME (ET) MATCHUP TV PPV MOBILE TICKETS
12:00 PM E Army at Southern Methodist
BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL
 ESPN3.com Tickets
3:20 PM ET Kansas State vs. Syracuse
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
 ESPN3.com Tickets
6:40 PM ET North Carolina vs. Tennessee
FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL
 ESPN3.com Tickets
10:00 PM E No. 18 Nebraska vs. Washington
BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL
 ESPN3.com Tickets
Why should you watch the Armed Forces Bowl?

Because you want to relive the memories of Kevin Riley's glorious performance in 2007.  SMU lost to Navy and its triple option earlier in the season.  With a month to prepare, they might be able to learn from their mistakes and shut down Army's option offense.  Last year SMU pulled off a very impressive rout of Nevada. Winner? SMU by a TD.

Why should you watch the Pinstripe Bowl?

Because you tuned in thinking this was a basketball game between #5 Syracuse and #17 Kansas State.   Other than that, it might be interesting to see how they configure Yankee Stadium for a football game.  Syracuse's tough defense will have to contain a strong rushing game from Kansas State while Kansas State's lowly defense may have success against Syracuse's lousy offense.  Winner? Kansas State by a hair.

Why should you watch the Music City Bowl?

Once again, you thought this was a matchup between two solid basketball teams.  Statistically, these teams are very similar.  Both struggled mightily at times, but Tennessee put things together to end the season with a four-game winning streak.  Winner? Tennessee by a field goal.

Why should you watch the Holiday Bowl?

Nebraska already destroyed Washington 56-21 in Seattle earlier this year, and it doesn't look like this rematch will be any closer.  Because the outcome has already been decided and because Pacific Life stopped running their triumphant whale commercials, there's really not much to look forward to here, except maybe Jake Locker's mom.  Winner? Nebraska wins the game in the first quarter.