College football bowl rankings: No. 13 to No. 6
College football bowl season gets underway Saturday and this year we're treated to a total of 39 games, including the the national championship.
Every day this week, we're counting down the bowl games ranked by watchability. We recommend you watch every game – because it's you know, college football – but let this be your unofficial guide to the postseason.
PREVIOUSLY: No. 38 – No. 30 | No. 29 – No. 22 | No. 21 – No. 14
Today's edition takes us into the top 10. This batch features matchups between highly-ranked teams, one of the New Year's Six games and the last collegiate game for some of the nation's top players.
13. Hyundai Sun Bowl
— Matchup: Arizona State (9-3) vs. Duke (9-3)
— Time, TV: Dec. 27, 2 p.m., CBS
— Reason to watch: Both teams were 8-1 and in good position to win their respective divisions late in the season, but were doomed by several disappointing results. Arizona State boasts an electric offense, namely receiver Jalen Strong who scored in eight of the 11 games he played. This is the first time in the history of Duke football that the team has reached three consecutive bowl games.
12. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
— Matchup: Missouri (10-3) vs. Minnesota (8-4)
— Time, TV: Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC
— Reason to watch: The Tigers overcame the odds to go 7-1 in conference play and reach the SEC title game for the second year in a row. Jerry Kill has taken the Golden Gophers to three consecutive bowl games and a victory would give the team its first nine-win season since 2003. Keep an eye on Missouri defensive lends Shane Ray and Markus Golden who have combined for 22.5 sacks.
11. National University Holiday Bowl
— Matchup: Nebraska (9-3) vs. USC (8-4)
— Time, TV: Dec. 27, 8 p.m.
— Matchup: Interim coach Barney Cotton will lead the Cornhuskers in their first game after the firing of Bo Pelini, which was met with plenty of anger from Nebraska players. It's a good opportunity for returning players to show new coach Mike Riley what they can do. Star running back Ameer Abdullah tailed off down the stretch, averaging just 68.5 over the final four games. Were it not for a loss on a Hail Mary against Arizona State, USC would have won the Pac-12 South. Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler quietly had one of the best seasons in program history, throwing 36 touchdown passes with just four interceptions.
10. Belk Bowl
— Matchup: Georgia (9-3) vs. Louisville (9-3)
— Time, TV: Dec. 30, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
— Reason to watch: Heisman candidate Todd Gurley played only six games due to suspension and then injury for Georgia, but the Bulldogs didn't skip a beat with freshman Nick Chubb stepping in. This team should have won the SEC East, but was doomed by the loss to Florida. A stunning overtime loss at home against Georgia Tech left a sour taste in their mouth to close the regular season. Louisville had a solid first season in the ACC, with two of the team's three losses coming to Clemson and Florida State. Watch out for Cardinals receiver DeVante Parker who missed the first seven games with a broken foot, but still finished with 735 yards and five touchdowns.
9. Russell Athletic Bowl
— Matchup: Clemson (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (8-4)
— Time, TV: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
— Reason to watch: Considered a Playoff contender entering the season, Oklahoma endured a roller-coaster year. In an otherwise forgettable season, the emergence of Samaje Perine stands out. The true freshman set the single-game rushing record and topped 200 yards three times. Clemson hopes to reach 10 wins for the fourth consecutive season and despite injuries, freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson's strong campaign provides hope moving forward.
8. Fiesta Bowl
Matchup: Boise State (11-2) vs. Arizona (10-3)
Time, TV: Dec. 31, 4 p.m., ESPN
Reason to watch: The Broncos make their third appearance in the Fiesta Bowl since 2006, up against a Wildcats team playing less than two hours from their campus in Tucson. Boise State's balanced offense leans on running back Jay Ajayi who finished the season fourth in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns. After the disappointing loss in the Pac-12 title game, Arizona and its young offensive stars – including freshmen quarterback Anu Solomon and running back Nick Wilson – look to build momentum heading into the 2015 campaign.
7. Outback Bowl
— Matchup: Wisconsin (10-3) vs. Auburn (8-4)
— Time, TV: Jan. 1, noon, ESPN2
— Reason to watch: In Melvin Gordon's final game as a Badger, Wisconsin faces an Auburn team that lost three of four to end the season. It's going to be interesting to see how Wisconsin responds following the departure of coach Gary Andersen, as well as the 59-0 loss in the Big Ten title game. For the Tigers, it's a send-off for Nick Marshall and Sammie Coates, who were so integral to last season's run to the national championship game.
6. Valero Alamo Bowl
— Matchup: Kansas State (9-3) vs. UCLA (9-3)
— Time, TV: Jan. 2, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
— Reason to watch: Both ranked in the top 20 for large chunks of the season, these two teams have to settle for a lesser bowl after losing the final game of the season. This could be your last chance to see UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley as a college player. Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett, a Paste BN Sports All-American, was fourth in the country with 1,351 yards and added two punt return touchdowns.
PHOTOS: 2014 Paste BN Sports All-America team