When you think about it, Friday is a penultimate day in more ways than one. Not only is it the second-to-last day of the 2022 calendar year, but is also the eve of the College Football Playoff Semifinals. What better way to kick off the big weekend ahead than with a loaded college football bowl game schedule? From mayo baths to an “orange out”, Friday’s slate offers up a little bit of everything. Fans looking to try their hand at making some college football bowl predictions for the games today should make sure to put the BetMGM promo code found in this article to good use!
Below is an all-inclusive look at the college football bowl game schedule for Friday, December 30th. Readers will find the matchups, start times, predictions, TV coverage and how to watch the college football bowl games today.
College Football Bowl Games Today: Schedule, Start Time, Predictions, TV Coverage
Duke’s Mayo Bowl Prediction and Preview
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Maryland Terrapins (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten) vs. NC State Wolfpack (8-4, 4-4 ACC)
Time: 12 p.m. EST
Venue: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, NC
Coverage: ESPN
The first of five college football bowl games today features a matchup between two former ACC rivals. Maryland and NC State are set to collide in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Anyone who has witnessed previous renditions of this bowl game is probably familiar with the rather unique postgame celebration that takes place.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a bath in mayonnaise? Well, the winning head coach of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl will get to experience that ridiculous scenario for themselves! Both Terrapins coach Mike Locksley and the Wolfpack’s Dave Doeren have agreed to be doused in mayonnaise if their team wins on Friday.
According to the numberFire college football bowl projections, Maryland has a 56.3% chance of winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
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Sun Bowl Prediction and Preview
Sun Bowl
Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4, 5-3 ACC) vs. UCLA Bruins (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)
Time: 2 p.m. EST
Venue: Sun Bowl Stadium — El Paso, TX
Coverage: CBS
One of the longest-standing college football bowl games is set to write its next chapter on Friday afternoon. The 86th edition of the Sun Bowl will feature a very compelling matchup between Pittsburgh of the ACC and UCLA out of the Pac-12. As if the long and prestigious history of the Sun Bowl isn’t enough reason to tune in, there will also be a handful of 2023 NFL Draft prospects playing in this game.
It was widely assumed that Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson would skip this contest. Instead, the senior has decided to suit up one final time at the collegiate level, as has star tailback, Zach Charbonnet. Both players could boost their draft stock in a big way with a quality showing in El Paso against a formidable Panthers defense.
According to the numberFire bowl game projections, UCLA has a 62.8% chance of winning the Sun Bowl.
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Gator Bowl Prediction and Preview
Gator Bowl
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (8-4, 4-4 SEC)
Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Venue: TIAA Bank Field — Jacksonville, FL
Coverage: ESPN
The Sun Bowl isn’t the only long-standing bowl game that will be taking place on Friday afternoon. In one of the most compelling matchups of the postseason, Notre Dame is set to take on South Carolina in the 76th installment of the Gator Bowl. Friday’s meeting will mark the first time since 1984 that the Fighting Irish have faced the Gamecocks on the gridiron.
It has also been a while since either school last played in the Gator Bowl. This will be the Irish’s first appearance in Jacksonville since 2003 and the Gamecocks’ first since 1987. Fans of quality special teams play will love this matchup. Carolina and Notre Dame ranked first and sixth in the country in adjusted efficiency on special teams this season.
According to the numberFire college football bowl game projections, Notre Dame has a 66.0% chance of winning the Gator Bowl.
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Arizona Bowl Prediction and Preview
Arizona Bowl
Ohio Bobcats (9-4, 7-1 MAC) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (7-5, 5-3 MWC)
Time: 4:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Arizona Stadium — Tucson, AZ
Coverage: Barstool Sports
For the first time ever, Barstool Sports is set to host and broadcast one of the college football bowl games today. After last year’s game was abruptly canceled, the digital media company will get its redemption on Friday afternoon when Ohio takes on Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl. Fans will want to make sure to tune in for what is bound to be a highly-entertaining broadcast.
The theme of redemption is certainly applicable to the Bobcats’ 2022 season as well. After winning just three games a year ago, Ohio made it all the way to the MAC Championship Game. Meanwhile, Wyoming overcame countless losses to somehow match last year’s seven wins during the regular season. The Cowboys have won three straight bowl games including the 2019 Arizona Bowl over Georgia State.
According to the numberFire bowl game projections, Ohio has a 65.3% chance of winning the Arizona Bowl.
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Orange Bowl Prediction and Preview
Orange Bowl
Tennessee Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. Clemson Tigers (11-2, 8-0 ACC)
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL
Coverage: ESPN
Friday’s college football bowl game schedule concludes with perhaps the most appropriate matchup of all time. Two teams that count orange among their primary colors will go head-to-head in the Orange Bowl as Tennessee takes on Clemson. We’ve all heard of the “white out” and the “blackout”, but has there ever been an “orange out”? Hard Rock Stadium will certainly be a sea of orange for this game!
It also shouldn’t be lost on anyone that this is one of the prestigious New Year’s Six bowl games. The Volunteers are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. Meanwhile, the Tigers didn’t lose a conference game all year on their way to winning the ACC Championship. Even with a handful of NFL Draft opt-outs on both sides, there will still be plenty of superb talent on the field in this matchup.
According to the numberFire college bowl game projections, Tennessee has a 54.0% chance of winning the Orange Bowl.
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