The college bowl season continues Friday with a pair of matinee offerings from the Sunshine State before the weekend’s main event, the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff, kicks off in prime time.
The non-playoff slate features a couple of league champs squaring off, as well as another squad that came up just a game short of a title. The fourth participant is a big-name school whose fans have a much sunnier outlook than they did a couple of months ago.
The playoff features two teams from the Hoosier State in one of the traditional homes of college football. Add in some cold weather, and it will be quite the spectacle.
Here’s a quick look at the matchups that should help get you started for the big weekend.
Cure Bowl – Jacksonville State vs. Ohio
Time/TV/location: noon ET, ESPN, Orlando, Fla.
Why watch: This clash of conference champions is among the more attractive pairings on the non-playoff bowl calendar. Unfortunately, as often happens in the land of mid-majors, both teams will be in experiencing staff transitions. Jacksonville State had to bid farewell to coach Rich Rodriguez as he returned to West Virginia, and the Bobcats lost coach Tim Albin, who is off to Charlotte. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith will lead the Gamecocks in this contest, while offensive coordinator Brian Smith has been promoted to the head position at Ohio. The good news is both teams should have most of their key playmakers available. Bobcats QB Parker Navarro has accounted for 3,112 yards of offense, including 935 yards by land, with plenty of support from RB Anthony Tyus. Jax State will counter with the one-two punch of QB Tyler Huff and RB Tre Stewart, who have combined for 2,947 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground.
Why it could disappoint: There are more players in the portal on the defensive side for the Gamecocks, so the Bobcats’ potent running game might encounter less resistance. Hopefully, Jax State will also be able to move the ball and keep things competitive.
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Gasparilla Bowl – Florida vs. Tulane
Time/TV/location: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Tampa, Fla.
Why watch: A nine-win campaign is cause for celebration at Tulane, but there’s nevertheless an air of disappointment around the Green Wave after the season concluded with a two-game skid, neither of which results were particularly close. They’ll need to get off the deck for this clash with the Gators, whose outlook for the future and the outlook for coach Billy Napier changed considerably over the last month of the season with wins against LSU and Mississippi. Another reason for optimism in Gainesville is QB DJ Lagway, whose breakout freshman year helped spur the turnaround. Tulane will unfortunately be without its freshman sensation QB Darian Mensah, who is bound for Duke. Ty Thompson should still be on hand, and he figures to be handing off to RB Makhi Hughes often.
Why it could disappoint: The silver lining for Tulane is coach Jon Sumrall agreed to a contract extension so there could be more successful seasons ahead. This game, though, might be a mismatch with the Gators maintaining more key pieces and playing closer to home.
No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame
Time/TV/location: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC, South Bend, Ind.
Why watch: We begin the playoff with a doozy, matching teams from the same state with surprisingly little history on the gridiron. In fact, the Fighting Irish and Hoosiers have met just once since 1958, a 49-27 Notre Dame victory in 1991. This one, of course, will be somewhat more meaningful. The Hoosiers’ turnaround under first-year coach Curt Cignetti from a 3-9 campaign in 2023 is well-documented, though it is worth noting they own just one victory in Big Ten play against a team with a winning record. Notre Dame for its part found its stride after a bad loss in Week 2 to Northern Illinois, and its average scoring margin of plus 26.2 is quite close to Indiana’s plus 28.6. Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke is a drop-back passer with 27 scoring throws and just four picks on the season, with WR Elijah Sarratt serving as his primary target. The Notre Dame pass defense, featuring DB Xavier Watts, has snared 17 interceptions, so Rourke will need ground help from his RB tandem of Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton. Fighting Irish QB Riley Leonard will take off a lot more, but when he does throw it, WR Beaux Collins is his most frequent recipient. His backfield mate, RB Jeremiyah Love, will also require attention from Hoosiers LBs Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker.
Why it could disappoint: Sorry to bring this up, Indiana fans, but the Hoosiers’ only other road encounter with a playoff caliber team went well for about a quarter-and-a-half before Ohio State took charge. Yes, the Fighting Irish are not constructed the same way, so the matchups might be more favorable to the Hoosiers. But Indiana is the less-proven team on the big stage.