The college football bowl season includes 42 games this year, with three taking place within the state of Arizona.
This is the first bowl season to kick off since new Arizona sports betting apps launched in September, giving fans another reason to tune in.
From the opening kick of the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 17 through the final whistle of the College Football Playoff Championship on Jan. 10, there are sure to be countless moments to remember.
Here’s a guide to Arizona’s bowl games, plus the Las Vegas Bowl, which is the destination for Arizona State.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
West Virginia vs. Minnesota, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m. Chase Field, ESPN
The first bowl game to kick off in the Grand Canyon State is the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, which takes place each December at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.
This year’s contest pits the Mountaineers against the Golden Gophers in a Big 12-Big Ten showdown.
Arizona sportsbooks are already giving fans a chance to put money down on the game. BetMGM Arizona lists Minnesota at -4.5 (-110), while DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona has the Golden Gophers at -5 (-110).
For those looking to put down a moneyline wager, BetMGM Arizona and DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona have Minnesota at -200.
As far as over/unders are concerned, BetMGM Arizona has the contest at 44.5 total points (-110), while DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona has it at 45 (-110).
The 8-4 Golden Gophers and 6-6 Mountaineers bring vastly different, yet equally entertaining offenses to the Valley. Minnesota features a balanced attack that’s averaging 193.8 yards per game rushing and 166.4 yards per game passing. West Virginia averages 256.9 yards per game through the air and 127.9 on the ground.
Both teams enter the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on a two-game winning streak, with WVU beating Texas (31-23) and Kansas (34-28) to get bowl eligible, while Minnesota beat Indiana (35-14) and Wisconsin (23-13) to close out the year.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona State vs. Wisconsin, Dec. 30, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
The Sun Devils return to a bowl game for the fourth time in five seasons (missing out during 2020’s COVID-19 shortened campaign), facing off against the Badgers in Las Vegas.
BetMGM Arizona has the line at -7.5 (-105) in favor of the Badgers to beat Herm Edwards’ team.
The moneyline is Wisconsin -280 to +230 for ASU, while the over/under is listed at 43.5 total points (-105).
The Sun Devils (8-4) won three of their last four games, including a 38-15 blowout of rival Arizona in the season finale. The Badgers (8-4) had their seven-game winning streak and a chance to play for a Big Ten title erased in a 23-13 loss at Minnesota to end the regular season.
Keep an eye on ASU running back Rachaad White, as the senior has rushed for 1,006 yards and features prominently into offensive coordinator Zak Hill’s attack.
The Badgers will lean heavily on freshman running back Braelon Allen, who ran for 1,109 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Barstool Arizona Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Boise State, Dec. 31, noon, Arizona Stadium, No TV (Streaming at BarstoolSports.com)
Tucson’s lone bowl game returns to Arizona Stadium on New Year’s Eve, this time with a sports betting naming rights partnership attached.
The bowl game is teaming up with Barstool Sports to brand the contest, in addition to having Barstool stream the game live on its website and mobile app.
The seventh annual Arizona Bowl pits the Broncos (7-5) against the Chippewas (8-4), in a Mountain West Conference vs. Mid American Conference battle.
Caesars Sportsbook has Boise State at -10, with a -400 moneyline. The over/under on the contest is listed at 52.5.
Keep an eye on Boise State junior quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who threw for 3,079 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
For the Chippewas, the show starts with redshirt freshman back Lew Nichols III, who ran for 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns during the regular season.
Nichols and CMU coach Jim McElwain will look to guide the Chippewas to their first bowl win since 2012.
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame, Jan. 1, 11 a.m., State Farm Stadium, ESPN
This year’s Fiesta Bowl finds itself outside of the College Football Playoff lineup, but with a matchup pitting teams just outside the top four.
The 11-2 Cowboys and 11-1 Fighting Irish enter New Year’s Day on different notes — OSU lost the Big 12 title game to Baylor, while Notre Dame has won seven straight.
Notre Dame is a 2.5-point favorite (-115) at BetMGM Arizona, and -2 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona.
The Fighting Irish are listed at -133 on BetMGM Arizona and -135 on DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona in their first game under new coach Marcus Freeman. He replaces outgoing coach Brian Kelly, who left for LSU.
Freeman was promoted to the job after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish. He also served stints as defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Purdue, then moved to Notre Dame before the 2021 season.
Oklahoma State won with defense this season, allowing 20 points or less eight times. Notre Dame's offense averaged 35.3 points per game.
