It’s New Year’s Day, and you know what that means … a full slate of college football bowl games!
Play began at noon ET, but check back for updates on each game as the day progresses.
Outback Bowl: No. 21 Arkansas 24, Penn State 10
KJ Jefferson picked up 104 of his 110 rushing yards in the second half and threw for 90 more to lead Arkansas past Penn State (7–6). Arkansas (9–4), coming off four consecutive seasons of four or fewer wins, got its first nine-win year since going 11–2 in 2011. The Razorbacks also played in their first bowl game since the 2016 Belk Bowl.
Arkansas’s secret weapon … John Daly, and pizza?
Regardless of the result, the Outback Bowl might be the best gift that keeps on giving:
Meanwhile, things got a little rough for Penn State late in the first half:
Fiesta Bowl: No. 9 Oklahoma State 37, No. 5 Notre Dame 35
Oklahoma State rallied from a 28–7 deficit to beat Notre Dame, the largest comeback in the program’s history. The Fighting Irish have now lost 11 straight bowl games (NY6, coalition, BCS and CFP) and are without a New Year’s Six bowl victory since 1994.
Marcus Freeman was making his debut as Irish coach after taking over for Brian Kelly, who left for LSU before the College Football Playoff field was even announced.
Earlier in the week, the Oklahoma State marching band also paid a small tribute to Notre Dame after the Irish’s band could not make the trip to Arizona:
Fiesta Bowl predictions? This rock star from the Phoenix Zoo picked the Irish:
Citrus Bowl: No. 22 Kentucky 20, No. 15 Iowa 17
Iowa QB Spencer Petras threw three interceptions as Iowa fell to Kentucky on Saturday, the last of which sealed a narrow UK win. Wildcats receiver Wan’Dale Robinson had a big day, catching 10 passes from quarterback Will Levis for 170 yards.
Rose Bowl: No. 6 Ohio State (10–2) versus No. 11 Utah (10–3)
- 5 p.m. on ESPN/Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
The Buckeyes will be missing a significant number of scholarship players. The Athletic‘s Bill Landis reported that 24 players will not appear in the game due to a combination of season-long injuries, transfers since the end of the regular season, recent injuries and opt-outs.
Meanwhile, Ohio State players who are in Pasadena might be available for your next hotel wake-up call:
Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Baylor (11–2) versus No. 8 Ole Miss (10–2)
- 8:45 p.m. on ESPN/Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
Baylor showed off its new uniform features for the big game:
And with many players opting out of their respective bowl games, Ole Miss QB Matt Corral explains why he will be participating in the Sugar Bowl:
The Final Word
It goes to the legendary Betty White, as it should:
More College Football Coverage:
• Michigan’s Dream Season Ends With a Whimper
• Bennett, UGA Make Statements in Michigan Drubbing
• Nick Saban’s Juggernaut Strikes Again in CFP