There are nine games on the bowl schedule this week, at least one contest per day stretching from Tuesday through Sunday. All five of the non-Power conferences are represented plus one independent and a member of the Big 12.

ESPN has the call on every single game offered, so there’s absolutely no need for a remote. The three weeknight games are all in the evening each scheduled between 7 and 8pm EST. On Friday, plan to tune early as the first game is on air at 12:30pm EST and the second at 4pm EST.

The best matchups are reserved for Saturday when Texas Tech takes on USF in the Birmingham Bowl at noon EST and Army squares off with San Diego State in the Armed Forces Bowl at 3:30pm EST. The day ends with a rare battle of champions – Sun Belt co-champ App State taking on MAC title holder Toledo in the Dollar General Bowl at 7pm EST.

That leaves one game on Sunday night, Christmas Eve, at 8:30pm EST – Fresno State vs. Houston in the Hawaii Bowl.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Cheribundi Tart Cherry BOCA RATON BOWL

Akron (7-6) vs. Florida Atlantic (10-3) – MAC vs. C-USA – FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla. – 7PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2014

Last year: Western Kentucky 41 – Memphis 31

The Teams

Akron is 1-1 in bowl play. Its most recent appearance was a 23-21 win over Utah State in the 2015 Idaho Potato – also the only-ever bowl win in program history.

FAU is 2-0 in bowl play. It hasn’t gone bowling since the 2008 Motor City Bowl, a 24-21 win over Central Michigan.

The Matchup

This is the first ever meeting between Akron and FAU. The Zips are 17-32-2 vs. current members of C-USA while the Owls are 1-3 vs. the MAC.

Line: FAU -17

This is a mismatch for Akron on two counts. First, the Zips rushing defense ranks No. 100 nationally, not a good omen vs. an Owl rushing attack ranked No. 6 in the FBS. Next up, FAU is No. 9 in long plays from scrimmage, another unfortunate dilemma for Akron’s defense – ranked No. 125 in long plays allowed.

Players to Watch

Akron: Junior linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (#5) (No. 7 in the FBS in total tackles).

FAU: Sophomore running back Devin Singletary (#5) (No. 1 in the FBS in rushing TDs and No. 4 in rushing yards per game), junior linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (#2) (No. 4 in the FBS in total tackles), junior safety Jalen Young (#18) (tied for No. 1 in the FBS in interceptions).

Wednesday, Dec. 20

DXL FRISCO BOWL

Louisiana Tech (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5) – C-USA vs. American Athletic – Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas – 8PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2017

The Teams

Louisiana Tech is 5-3-1 in bowl play. It edged Navy 48-45 in last season’s Armed Forces Bowl, also its third- consecutive bowl win. Its last defeat came in the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl, a 31-24 loss to (16) TCU.

SMU is 7-7-1 in bowl play. It hasn’t gone bowling since thumping Fresno State 43-10 in the 2012 Hawaii Bowl. It’s most recent loss came in the 2010 Armed Forces Bowl, a narrow 16-14 defeat to Army.

The Matchup

The Bulldogs and Mustangs have met four times previously, but not since 2004. The entire series was played consecutively in the regular season from 2001-04. Louisiana Tech leads 3-1.

Line: SMU -5

SMU combines a high-powered passing attack with a questionable defense. The Mustangs’ rank No. 16 through the air nationally vs. No. 113 against the run and No. 121 against the pass. Louisiana Tech is decent against the pass (No. 56 in the FBS) and slightly more successful running the ball (No. 55) than passing (No. 64) on offense. Look for the Bulldogs to either get torched or have an all-world day in yards, or both.

Players to watch

Louisiana Tech: Senior running back Boston Scott (#6) (No. 5 in C-USA in rushing yards per game), sophomore quarterback J’Mar Smith (#8) (No. 5 in C-USA in passing yards per game).

SMU: Sophomore quarterback Ben Hicks (#8) (No. 9 in the FBS in TD passes), junior wide receiver Trey Quinn (#18) (No. 9 in the FBS in receiving yards per game and No. 6 in TDs), sophomore safety Mikial Onu (#4) (No. 8 in the FBS in solo tackles), senior defensive end Justin Lawler (#99) (No. 9 in the FBS in sacks).

Thursday, Dec. 21

Bad Boy Mowers GASPARILLA BOWL

Temple (6-6) vs. FIU (8-4) – American Athletic vs. C-USA – Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. – 8PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2008

Previous names: St. Petersburg Bowl (2008-09, 2014-16), Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl (2010-13)

Most appearances: UCF (1-2)

Last year: Mississippi State 17 – Miami (Ohio) 16

The Teams

Temple is 2-4 in bowl play. It lost to Wake Forest 34-26 in last season’s Military Bowl. Its most recent bowl victory was in the 2011 New Mexico Bowl, a 37-15 win over Wyoming.

FIU is 1-1 in bowl play. This is its first bowl appearance since losing to Marshall (20-10) in the 2011 St. Petersburg Bowl. The only bowl win in program history came the year before, in 2010, a 34-32 win over Toledo in the Little Caesars Bowl.

The Matchup

This is the first-ever football meeting between Temple and FIU. The Owls are 4-1 all-time against current C-USA members, while the Panthers are 3-7 vs. the American.

Line: Temple -8

Temple averaged 251.6 passing yards per game this season, earning a No. 46 rank in the FBS. Compared to a No. 99 rank in rushing, it was the Owls bread and butter offensively, posting a 5-2 record in games where they eclipsed the average. Usher in FIU, ranked No. 95 nationally vs. the pass (and No. 13 of the 14 teams in C-USA) and the stars could align for Temple.

Players to Watch

Temple: Senior wide receiver Adonis Jennings (#17) (No. 36 in the FBS/No. 7 in the AAC in yards per catch).

FIU: Junior defensive end Fermin Silva (#7) (No. 4 in C-USA in both sacks and tackles for a loss).

Friday, Dec. 22

BAHAMAS BOWL

UAB (8-4) vs. Ohio (8-4) – C-USA vs. MAC – Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas – 12:30PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2014

Last year: Old Dominion 24 – Eastern Michigan 20

The Teams

UAB is 0-1 in bowl play. Its only ever bowl appearance came in the 2004 Hawaii Bowl, a 59-40 loss to the hometown Warriors.

Ohio is 2-8 in bowl play. It fell 28-23 to Troy in last season’s Dollar General Bowl, also its third-consecutive bowl loss. It hasn’t won since the 2012 Independence Bowl, a 45-14 beatdown of ULM.

The Matchup

Ohio and UAB have never met in football. The Bobcats are 36-22-6 all-time against current members of C-USA, the bulk of that a 33-20-6 mark vs. Marshall. UAB is 0-1 against the MAC, its only-ever action a loss at Ball State earlier this season.

Line: Ohio -7

Both Ohio and UAB have been successful running the ball this season – the Bobcats are No. 17 in the FBS in rushing yards per game while the Blazers are No. 37. The mismatch comes in the ability to stop the run – Ohio’s rushing D is No. 10 nationally while UAB’s is No. 72.

Players to watch

Ohio: Sophomore quarterback Nathan Rourke (#12) (No. 2 in the FBS in rushing TDs, the most of any QB nationally), senior linebacker Quentin Poling (#32) (No. 3 in the MAC in tackles).

UAB: Freshman running back Spencer Brown (#28) (No. 24 in the FBS in rushing yards per game).

Famous Idaho POTATO BOWL

Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Wyoming (7-5) – MAC vs. Mountain West – Albertson’s Stadium, Boise, Idaho – 4PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 1997

Previous names: Humanitarian (1997-2003, 2007-2010), MPC Computers (2004-06)

Most appearances: Boise State (3-1) and Utah State (1-3)

Last year: Idaho 61 – Colorado State 50

The Teams

Central Michigan is 3-7 in bowl play. It’s lost four straight bowl appearances, including getting thumped 55-10 by Tulsa in last season’s Miami Beach Bowl. Its most recent win came in the 2009 GMAC Bowl, a 44-41 double-overtime thriller over Troy.

Wyoming is 6-8 in bowl play. It lost 24-21 to BYU in last season’s Poinsettia Bowl. Its most recent bowl win was also a double-overtime affair, a 35-28 decision over Fresno State in the 2009 New Mexico Bowl.

The Matchup

CMU and Wyoming met in a home-and-home series in 2000 and 2002. The two split the games, the home team winning on each occasion. This is their first-ever postseason meeting.

Line: Even

The compelling matchup in this one is CMU’s pass offense – ranked No. 4 in the MAC – taking on a Wyoming D ranked a lofty No. 5 in the FBS vs. the pass. The Cowboys’ defense has held opponents to, on average, 160.7 air yards per game this season. That puts them on par with Alabama (163.7) and Clemson (165.1). The downside is Wyoming’s sluggish offense – ranked No. 119 nationally in rushing and No. 102 in passing.

Players to Watch

CMU: Senior quarterback Shane Morris (#11) (No. 16 in the FBS in TD passes), senior defensive end Joe Ostman (#45) (No. 3 in the FBS in sacks and No. 9 in tackles for a loss), senior safety Josh Cox (#14) (tied for No. 2 in the FBS in interceptions).

Wyoming: Junior free safety Andrew Wingard (#28) (No. 6 in the MWC in tackles and tied for No. 2 in interceptions), junior defensive end Carl Granderson (#91) (No. 1 in the MWC in tackles for a loss and No. 3 in sacks).

Saturday, Dec. 23

BIRMINGHAM BOWL

Texas Tech (6-6) vs. USF (9-2) – Big 12 vs. American Athletic – Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala. – Noon EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2006

Previous names: PapaJohns.com (2006-10), BBVA Compass (2011-14)

Most appearances: Pittsburgh (1-2)

Last year: USF 46 – South Carolina 39 (OT)

The Teams

Texas Tech is 14-22-1 in bowl play. It last went bowling in 2015, getting smashed 56-27 by (22) LSU in the Texas Bowl. Its most recent bowl win came in the 2013 Holiday Bowl, a 37-23 triumph over (16) Arizona State.

USF is 5-3 in bowl play. It edged South Carolina 46-39 in last season’s Birmingham Bowl. Its most recent bowl loss came the year before, in 2015, when it fell 45-35 to (25) Western Kentucky in the Miami Beach Bowl.

The Matchup

This is the first-ever meeting between Texas Tech and USF. The Red Raiders are 59-50-2 vs. the current membership of the American (the bulk coming against old Southwest Conference foes Houston and SMU). The Bulls are 5-8 vs. the Big 12 (3-4 vs. West Virginia).

Line: USF -2.5

This one pits a great passing team (Texas Tech, No. 11) against a decent pass defense (USF, No. 58) and a great rushing team (the Bulls, No. 9) vs. a decent rushing D (the Red Raiders, No. 53). It will come down to which defense can do a better job containing the opposing offenses’ super power. If you’re looking for a clean, mistake-free contest this isn’t it. Texas Tech ranks No. 125 nationally in penalties while USF is No. 129.

Players to watch

Texas Tech: Junior wide receiver Keke Coutee (#2) (No. 7 in the FBS in receiving yards per game).

USF: The Bulls have three primary backs – senior quarterback Quinton Flowers (#9) (972 yards rushing and 10 TDs on 182 carries), senior running back Darius Tice (#6) (878 yards and 11 TDs on 162 carries) and senior running back D’Ernest Johnson (#2) (745 yards and seven TDs on 177 carries).

Lockheed Martin ARMED FORCES BOWL

San Diego State (10-2) vs. Army (8-3) – Mountain West vs. Independent – Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas – 3:30PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2003

Previous names: Fort Worth (2003-05)

Most appearances: Air Force (1-4)

Last year: Louisiana Tech 48 – Navy 45

The Teams

San Diego State is 5-7 in bowl play. It beat Houston 34-10 in last season’s Las Vegas Bowl. It hasn’t lost a bowl game since the 2014 Poinsettia Bowl, a narrow 17-16 defeat to Navy.

Army is 4-2 in bowl play. It beat North Texas 38-31 in overtime in last season’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Its most recent loss came in the 1996 Independence Bowl, a 32-29 defeat to Auburn. This is Army’s first back-to-back bowl appearance since 1984-85.

The Matchup

San Diego State and Army have met twice previously, a home-and-home series in 2011-12. The Aztecs won both games.

Line: San Diego State -6

This is a fascinating battle between two of the best rushing offenses in the country – SDSU is No. 12 in the FBS and Army is No. 1. The gap comes on defense – the Aztecs are No. 8 nationally vs. the run while the Black Knights’ are No. 54. SDSU also has the distinction of being the best in the nation in defending long plays. On the flip side, Army held its best rushing opponent – Air Force (No. 4 in the FBS) – to a paltry 95 yards in November. The Falcons averaged 307.42 rushing yards per game this season.

Players to Watch

San Diego State: Senior running back Rashaad Penny (#20) (No. 1 in the FBS in rushing yards per game and total yards – the only back in the FBS with 2000-plus rushing yards).

Army: Senior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw (#17) (No. 10 in the FBS in rushing yards per game and No. 1 among quarterbacks).

DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL

Appalachian State (8-4, Sun Belt co-champions) vs. Toledo (11-2, MAC champions) – Sun Belt vs. MAC – Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala. – 7PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 1999

Previous names: Alabama (1999-2000), GMAC (2001-10), GoDaddy.com (2011-15)

Most appearances: Arkansas State (2-2)

Last year: Troy 28 – Ohio 23

The Teams

Appalachian State is 2-0 in bowl play. It moved up to the FBS in 2014 and then promptly won back-to-back Camellia Bowl games, beating Ohio 31-29 in 2015 and Toledo 31-28 in 2016.

Toledo is 10-6 in bowl play. It lost to Appalachian State in last season’s Camellia Bowl. Its most recent win came the year before, in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl, a 32-17 win over (24) Temple.

The Matchup

This is a rematch of last season’s Camellia Bowl, also the only-ever meeting between Appalachian State and Toledo. The Mountaineers are 3-2 all-time vs. current MAC members while Rockets are 6-1 vs. the Sun Belt.

Line: Toledo -7

Toledo’s offense has been effective both running and through the air this season – ranked No. 26 nationally in rushing yards per game and No. 20 in passing. It’s a balanced attack that’s earned the Rockets a No. 11 ranking in scoring. It will be a serious test for App State’s defense – a unit that ranks No. 33 nationally in scoring allowing a paltry 21.9 points per game. On the other side of the ball, Toledo’s No. 68 ranked rushing D will have to contain the Mountaineer’s No. 28 ranked ground attack.

Players to Watch

Appalachian State: Senior quarterback Taylor Lamb (#11) (No. 12 in the FBS in rushing yards per carry), sophomore defensive back Clifton Duck (#4) (tied for the third-most interceptions in the FBS).

Toledo: Senior quarterback Logan Woodside (#11) (No. 5 in the FBS in QB rating), sophomore wide receiver Diontae Johnson (#3) (tied for No. 4 in the FBS in receiving TDs), junior defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (#9) (tied for the sixth most tackles for a loss in the FBS).

Sunday, Dec. 24

HAWAII BOWL

Fresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4) – Mountain West vs. American Athletic – Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii – 8:30PM EST – ESPN

The Bowl

First year: 2002

Most appearances: Hawaii (7-3)

Last year: Hawaii 52 – Middle Tennessee 35

The Teams

Fresno State is 10-13 in bowl play. It hasn’t been bowling since the 2014 Hawaii, a 30-6 defeat to Rice, also it’s sixth-consecutive bowl loss. The most recent win dates to the 2007 Humanitarian, a 40-28 win over Georgia Tech.

Houston is 11-13-1 in bowl play. It lost to San Diego State in last season’s Las Vegas. Its most recent win came the year before, in 2015, when the then (14) Cougars upset (9) Florida State 38-24 in the Peach.

The Matchup

This is the first-ever meeting between Fresno State and Houston. The Bulldogs are 10-6 all-time against current members of the AAC while the Cougars are 19-6 vs. the Mountain West.

Line: Houston -1.5

Fresno State has quietly earned a No. 9 national rank in scoring defense this season, holding opponents to a mere 17.2 points per game. This doesn’t bode well for a Houston offense that’s struggled to find a consistent rhythm, ranked No. 67 in the FBS in scoring and averaging 28.4 points per game. What may make the difference is on the other side of the ball, where the Bulldogs’ passing attack, ranked No. 5 in the MWC, could have an all-world day vs. Houston’s pass D, ranked No. 118 nationally.

Players to Watch

Fresno State: Junior quarterback Marcus McMaryion (#6) (tied for No. 34 in the FBS in yards per attempt), sophomore linebacker Jeffrey Allison (#9) (tied for No. 11 in the FBS in solo tackles).

Houston: Senior wide receiver Linell Bonner (#15) (No. 24 in the FBS in receiving yards per game), sophomore defensive tackle Ed Oliver (#10) (tied for No. 30 in the FBS in tackles for a loss).

Historical data courtesy of Sports Reference/College Football. Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Lines courtesy of OddsShark.com.