Key Highlights
- The ReliaQuest Bowl features No. 12 Vanderbilt against Iowa.
- The Sun Bowl pits Arizona State against Duke in west Texas.
- The Citrus Bowl matches No. 14 Texas with No. 17 Michigan.
- The Las Vegas Bowl sees Utah face Nebraska, marking Morgan Scalley’s coaching debut for the Utes.
- The Cotton Bowl hosts Ohio State and Miami (Fla.) in Arlington, Texas.
New Year’s Day Bowl Games: A Preview of Five Key Matchups
As 2025 draws to a close, college football fans are set for an action-packed final day of the year. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, five bowl games will take center stage, providing thrilling fare before the ball drops at midnight. Here’s a breakdown of each matchup:
ReliaQuest Bowl: Vanderbilt vs. Iowa
No. 12 Vanderbilt takes on Iowa in Tampa, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for noon Eastern Time on New Year’s Eve. This bowl game features two teams that were close to the playoff conversation during parts of the season. Vandy’s quarterback and Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia will be playing, though his top receiver, Eli Stowers, is opting out due to NFL draft preparations.
Iowa’s defense remains fundamentally sound, with linebacker Karson Sharar leading the effort.
Iowa’s quarterback Mark Gronowski has 15 rushing touchdowns and eight scoring throws. Vanderbilt’s defensive end Miles Capers will be tasked with containing him.
Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke
In El Paso, Texas, Arizona State faces off against Duke. While the ACC champions take on an ASU squad that was responsible for Texas Tech’s lone regular-season loss, the Sun Devils will be without most key contributors due to injury or transfer. Despite this, veteran quarterback Jeff Sims saw considerable playing time when Sam Leavitt was sidelined.
The Blue Devils are in better personnel shape with quarterback Darian Mensah expected to play and return next season.
Top running back Nate Sheppard and wide receiver Cooper Barkate should also be available. This matchup could disappoint if ASU struggles to field a viable team, but Duke’s more experienced lineup may take charge.
Citrus Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan
The Citrus Bowl brings together No. 14 Texas and No. 17 Michigan. While this is a high-profile matchup in terms of name recognition, both teams have numerous players out with injuries even beyond opt-outs and transfers. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning and Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood will be around, but the Wolverines are navigating a messy coaching transition.
Despite several key defenders not being available—such as Texas’s Michael Taaffe and Michigan’s Jayshaun Barham—the game could still produce its share of drama. The Utes’ Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker are expected to play, giving them the ability to control the clock by keeping the ball on the ground.
Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Nebraska
The Las Vegas Bowl sees No. 15 Utah face Nebraska. Both teams have had promising seasons but were derailed by injuries and second-half meltdowns. Utah’s only losses came against the Big 12 finalists, while Nebraska’s season was hindered by a series of injuries that forced them to opt out several key players.
Morgan Scalley, Utah’s long-time defensive coordinator, makes his head coaching debut in this game.
The Utes’ quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker are expected to play, while Nebraska’s quarterback Dylan Raiola is sidelined for the remainder of the season. This matchup could disappoint if Nebraska cannot put a viable team on the field.
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Miami (Fla.)
The first of the four quarterfinal bowls features No. 2 Ohio State against No. 10 Miami (Fla.). Ohio State’s defense, which surrenders just 84.5 yards per game, will be a challenge for Miami’s quarterback Carson Beck and his run blockers. Beck has a constant big-play threat in wide receiver Malachi Toney, but the deep middle of the field is patrolled by safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin might need to stretch the field more with receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate as Miami’s defensive ends Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor apply pressure.
A strong performance from Ohio State could see them securing a spot in the College Football Playoff, while Miami will be looking for their first win of the season.
The game promises to be a battle between two powerhouse programs, with both teams bringing their best players to the field. While there might not be many points scored, the drama and excitement are guaranteed as these teams renew acquaintances after nearly a quarter-century apart in college football history.