College football bowl season is among the most exciting stretches in sports, and the 2014-15 schedule features 39 intriguing matchups that should have fans interested for weeks.

Much of the focus is on the inaugural College Football Playoff for good reason, but there are other potentially thrilling games worth watching as well. They won’t all be classics, but each and every contest will be of interest for one reason or another.

Here is a full rundown of where and when you can catch every bowl game, along with winning predictions and a closer look at some of the marquee bowls that will impact the college football landscape.

Breaking Down Top Matchups

Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State

In what is unquestionably one of the most highly anticipated college football matchups this season, the No. 2 Oregon Ducks and No. 3 Florida State Seminoles will meet in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals.

On paper, there is more to love about this game than perhaps any other on the schedule. FSU is undefeated as well as the defending national champion, while Oregon is a perennial contender that is hoping to finally have a shot at playing for the title.

Despite being in the midst of a 29-game winning streak, the Seminoles are heavy underdogs. That breaks a long string of games in which Florida State has been favored, according to Evan Abrams of ESPN Stats & Info:

“I think Florida State will play with a chip on its shoulder.” – @DesmondHoward on FSU vs. Oregon. #CFBLive pic.twitter.com/HBEZD3OoUT

— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) December 12, 2014

Truth be told, the Noles have gotten very little respect this season. Many of their victories have come by the skin of their teeth, but they have a certain intangible factor that other teams don’t. Not to mention, they have the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner in quarterback Jameis Winston.

With so many people doubting Florida State’s ability to repeat as the national champion, former Heisman winner Desmond Howard believes it will be extra motivated, per ESPN College Football:

The streak has ended…@FSU_Football had been listed as a favorite in 50 straight games, 2nd-longest streak to Alabama (67), +8.5 to Oregon.

— Evan Abrams (@ESPNAbrams) December 7, 2014

That may be the case, but the Seminoles will still have to deal with Oregon and its No. 3-ranked scoring offense. The Ducks have a Heisman winner in their own right in the form of signal-caller Marcus Mariota, which could make this one of the greatest quarterback matchups in college football history.

This game undoubtedly has the potential to be an all-time great, and the fact that there is so much riding on it will make it that much better.

Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State

It may not quite measure up to Oregon vs. Florida State, but the other CFP semifinal isn’t too shabby in its own right. No. 1 Alabama will face No. 4 Ohio State in a Sugar Bowl clash between two of the most storied programs in college football.

The Crimson Tide have been viewed as the best team in the nation for much of the season, so it comes as no surprise that most expect them to win. The Buckeyes have only one loss just like Bama, but they barely squeaked in as the last CFP team just ahead of Baylor and TCU.

Also, history isn’t in Ohio State’s favor. According to SportsCenter, the Buckeyes have never managed to beat Alabama:

This will be the 4th time Alabama and Ohio State have played. Crimson Tide have won each of the previous three matchups.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 7, 2014

If that weren’t enough, the Buckeyes have some question marks at the most vital position. Sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones stepped in and played remarkably well for OSU in a Big Ten Championship Game thrashing of Wisconsin, but he is a relative unknown compared to J.T. Barrett, who went down for the season.

Even so, it wouldn’t be wise to totally discount Ohio State’s chances. The Buckeyes are playing with house money to some degree, and the pressure is clearly on Alabama’s shoulders. Because of that, Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer plans to be aggressive, per Bill Rabinowitz of The Columbus Dispatch:

Meyer said Alabama is arguably the best team in the country over the last several years. Promised to take as big a swing as OSU can.

— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) December 11, 2014

That won’t be easy against the Crimson Tide’s No. 4 scoring defense. Also, Alabama has a dynamic offense in its own right with quarterback Blake Sims, running back T.J. Yeldon and Heisman Trophy candidate wide receiver Amari Cooper.

It isn’t often that two programs with the pedigrees of Alabama and Ohio State meet up, so there is every reason for college football fans to be giddy.

Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 8 Michigan State

Baylor and its fans may feel slighted after being left out of the College Football Playoff, but the consolation prize is a good one as the Bears will battle the Michigan State Spartans in the Cotton Bowl.

This is arguably the top matchup outside the CFP, and there is no question that both teams want to make a statement. In addition to that, this game will feature a clash of styles that has Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports among those who are excited about it:

Love the Cotton Bowl match-up: Briles’ O vs Narduzzi’s D. Connor Cook & Bryce Petty. Should be fun.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 7, 2014

Some may believe that Baylor will enter the game flat and without motivation after missing out on its ultimate goal. Perhaps that will ultimately be the case, but head coach Art Briles has been nothing but positive about his team’s situation, according to the Cotton Bowl Classic on Twitter:

.@BUFootball Briles: “Growing up in Texas, Cotton Bowl is the game you wanted to go to. It’s always held a place in my heart.” #CottonBowl

— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) December 7, 2014

In many ways, the Bears have something to prove. If they lose to the Spartans, then everyone will assume that the CFP selection committee made the right decision. If Baylor wins, though, it will help build credibility that will help when it comes to reaching the CFP in future seasons.

The Bears boast the best offense in college football with quarterback Bryce Petty and running back Shock Linwood leading the way. Although the Spartans don’t receive as much hype as Baylor in that regard, they are seventh in scoring thanks to the play of quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford.

Michigan State is also 12th in scoring defense, which is why this will be such a big challenge for Baylor. If it can overcome the Spartans, though, this could be a landmark win for the program.

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