The 2019-20 bowl schedule starts a little bit earlier and ends a little bit later.
Although the number of bowl games is the same as last season, they are spread out more, which means more days with at least a little bit of college football, ending with the national championship game Jan. 13 in New Orleans.
Let's save the playoff picks for another time. Do you really need a reason to watch the games that determine the national championship? For 38 other bowls, though, you might need a little convincing - and we're here to help.
Here are the picks for every bowl game, as well as a reason to watch. All times listed are EST.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Bahamas Bowl at Nassau
Buffalo (7-5) vs. Charlotte (7-5), 2 p.m (ESPN)
Line: Buffalo minus 6.5
Why watch? Chattanooga native Will Healy, a former Boyd Buchanan all-state quarterback and former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant, has Charlotte in a bowl for the first time in program history in his first season as head coach of the 49ers.
Pick: Charlotte, 24-21.
Frisco (Texas) Bowl
Utah State (7-5) vs. Kent State (6-6), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Utah State minus 6.5.
Why watch? Impress your friends when you inform them Kent State coach Sean Lewis is both the youngest (33) and tallest (6-foot-7) coach currently in the Football Bowl Subdivision. (Healy is the second-youngest coach.)
Pick: Utah State, 35-24.
Georgia Southern offensive lineman Drew Wilson (61) prepares to block Louisiana-Monroe defensive end Donald Louis Jr. during a Sun Belt Conference football game on Nov. 16 in Statesboro, Ga. Georgia Southern faces Liberty on Saturday as two 7-5 teams meet in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla. / Photo by Georgia Southern Athletics
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Celebration Bowl at Atlanta
North Carolina A&T (8-3) vs. Alcorn State (9-3), noon (ABC)
Line: N.C. A&T minus 2.5.
Why watch? The teams may be from the second-tier Football Championship Subdivision, but the halftime show will feature marching bands that are second to none.
Pick: N.C. A&T 24-21.
New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque
Central Michigan (8-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3), 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: San Diego State minus 3.5.
Why watch? You are that rare Florida fan who thought Jim McElwain, now coaching at Central Michigan, really got a raw deal in Gainesville, so now you want to root him on to a bowl victory.
Pick: San Diego State, 20-16.
Cure Bowl at Orlando, Florida
Liberty (7-5) vs. Georgia Southern (7-5), 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Line: Georgia Southern minus 4.
Why watch? Remember when Liberty coach Hugh Freeze began the season coaching from a hospital bed? Tune in to find out how he's doing.
Pick: Georgia Southern, 21-19.
Boca Raton (Florida) Bowl
SMU (10-2) vs. FAU (10-3), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: SMU minus 3.5.
Why watch? It's Southern Methodist, the program that survived the NCAA death penalty, versus Florida Atlantic, the program that survived Lane Kiffin as coach.
Pick: SMU, 35-30.
Camellia Bowl at Montgomery, Alabama
FIU (6-6) vs. Arkansas State (7-5), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Arkansas State minus 2.5.
Why watch? Florida International gave up 50 points to Middle Tennessee State - and then beat Miami for the biggest victory in program history. How does that happen?
Pick: Arkansas State, 31-27.
Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State (12-1) vs. Washington (7-5), 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Washington minus 3.5.
Why watch? Chris Petersen's final game before stepping down as Washington's coach comes against his former team. It should be a quality sendoff for one of the most successful coaches of the past two decades.
Pick: Washington, 27-21.
New Orleans Bowl
UAB (9-4) vs. Appalachian State (12-1), 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Appalachian State minus 17.
Why watch? Appalachian State, the Sun Belt Conference champion, beat two Power Five teams during the regular season - North Carolina, 34-31, and South Carolina, 20-15 - and probably deserves better than the New Orleans Bowl and a matchup with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Conference USA runner-up. The least you could do is watch the Mountaineers try to wrap up a 13-win season.
Pick: Appalachian State, 35-14.
MONDAY, DEC. 23
Gasparilla Bowl at Tampa, Florida
UCF (9-3) vs. Marshall (8-4), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Central Florida minus 17.
Why watch? Remember when UCF was a big deal? Ahh, those were the days.
Pick: UCF, 38-17.
TUESDAY, DEC. 24
Hawaii Bowl at Honolulu
BYU (7-5) vs. Hawaii (9-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: BYU minus 1.5.
Why watch? When you're putting together that bicycle you got your kid for Christmas, the Hawaii Bowl can distract you from worrying about all those "extra" parts.
Pick: BYU 24-21.
Miami defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau celebrates by wearing the turnover chain during the first half of a home game against Central Michigan in September. / AP photo by Brynn Anderson
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
Independence Bowl at Shreveport, Louisiana
Miami (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (9-3), 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Miami minus 6.5.
Why watch? At some point, the Atlantic Coast Conference's Hurricanes will break out their famed "turnover chain" in Shreveport . against a C-USA team without a shred of irony or self-awareness.
Pick: Miami, 28-20.
Quick Lane Bowl at Detroit
Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Eastern Michigan (6-6), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Pitt minus 11.5.
Why watch? Feeling bloated and weary the day after Christmas? Have we got a bowl game for you.
Pick: Pitt, 35-17.
FRIDAY, DEC. 27
Military Bowl at Annapolis, Maryland
North Carolina (6-6) vs. Temple (8-4), noon (ESPN)
Line: North Carolina minus 4.
Why watch? Catch the best freshman quarterback in the country: North Carolina's Sam Howell threw for 3,347 yards and 35 touchdowns during the regular season.
Pick: North Carolina, 28-24.
Pinstripe Bowl at New York
Wake Forest (8-4) vs. Michigan State (6-6), 3:20 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Michigan State minus 3.5.
Why watch? For a decade, the Pinstripe Bowl has been the only opportunity to see a trophy ceremony at Yankee Stadium.
Pick: Wake Forest, 24-21.
Texas Bowl at Houston
Oklahoma State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 6:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Texas A&M minus 7.
Why watch? Same reason to watch most Oklahoma State bowl games in recent years: You miss the original Big 12. Since the conference splintered in 2011, this will be the fourth time the Cowboys have played a former Big 12 member in the postseason. The Aggies defected to the Southeastern Conference in 2012.
Pick: Texas A&M, 31-27.
Holiday Bowl at San Diego
Iowa (9-3) vs. Southern California (8-4), 8 p.m. (FS1)
Line: Iowa minus 2.
Why watch? Did you know that Clay Helton is still Southern Cal's coach? Really!
Pick: Southern Cal, 26-23.
Cheez-It Bowl at Phoenix
Air Force (10-2) vs. Washington State (6-6), 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Air Force minus 3.
Why watch? Last year's Cheez-It Bowl was a glorious 10-7 overtime debacle between California and TCU, a game so bad it was great. This year features the yin and yang of college football. Air Force's triple-option-based offense averages 57 rushes per game. Mike Leach's Air Raid attack averages 56 passes per game.
Pick: Air Force 31-27.
Stanford's Cameron Scarlett, right, is stopped near the goal line by Notre Dame defenders including Khalid Kareem (53) in the first half on Nov. 30 in Stanford, Calif. / AP photo by Ben Margot
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
Camping World Bowl; Orlando
No. 14 Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5), noon (ABC)
Line: Notre Dame minus 3.5.
Why watch? Iowa State's presence almost guarantees a close contest. Nine of the Cyclone's 12 games this season were decided by 10 or fewer points.
Pick: Notre Dame, 28-23.
Cotton Bowl at Arlington, Texas
Penn State (10-2) vs. Memphis (12-1), noon (ESPN)
Line: Penn State minus 6.5.
Why watch? Memphis has fun playmakers on offense such as running back Kenneth Gainwell and wide receiver Antonio Gibson. Penn State has its next great linebacker, All-American Micah Parsons, to chase them down.
Pick: Memphis, 33-30.
MONDAY, DEC. 30
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Dallas
Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Western Michigan (7-5), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Western Kentucky minus 4.
Why watch? Find out which team is the Best Western. (Rim shot!)
Pick: Western Kentucky, 31-21.
Music City Bowl at Nashville
Mississippi State (6-6) vs. Louisville (7-5), 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Mississippi State minus 4.
Why watch? Louisville ended the season getting whipped by rival Kentucky, yet its fans are feeling optimistic about the future. The Bulldogs ended their season by beating rival Ole Miss, yet their fans are feeling pessimistic. Expectations are everything in college football.
Pick: Mississippi State, 28-22.
Redbox Bowl at Santa Clara, California
Illinois (6-6) vs. California (7-5), 4 p.m. (FOX)
Line: Cal minus 6.5.
Why watch? Tired of all those pesky points in college football? The RedBox bowl produced 13 last year and probably won't do much more than that this year.
Pick: Cal, 17-14.
Orange Bowl at Miami Gardens, Florida
Florida (10-2) vs. Virginia (9-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Florida minus 14.5.
Why watch? Virginia has not played in a bowl this big since losing to Tennessee in the 1991 Sugar Bowl. And, hey, that game was close.
Pick: Florida, 38-23.
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
Belk Bowl at Charlotte, North Carolina
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4), noon (ESPN)
Line: Virginia Tech minus 2.5.
Why watch? Longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster's last assignment: Stop Kentucky receiver-turned-quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr., an All-American who has run for 1,245 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.
Pick: Kentucky, 23-21.
Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas
Florida State (6-6) vs. Arizona State (7-5), 2 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Arizona State minus 4.5.
Why watch? Four words: Early happy hour margaritas.
Pick: Arizona State, 21-14.
Liberty Bowl at Memphis
Kansas State (8-4) vs. Navy (10-2), 3:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Navy minus 2.5.
Why watch? Long for the days when games took less then 3 1/2 hours to play? Both the Wildcats and the Midshipmen like to keep that clock rolling and keep the number of possessions down.
Pick: Navy, 24-20.
Arizona Bowl at Tucson
Wyoming (7-5) vs. Georgia State (7-5), 4:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Line: Wyoming minus 7.
Why watch? SEC haters special. Both teams beat SEC East opponents in September.
Pick: Wyoming, 26-21.
Alamo Bowl at San Antonio
Texas (7-5) vs. Utah (11-2), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Utah minus 7.
Why watch? How back will Texas be heading into this offseason?
Pick: Utah, 31-21.
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart yells at his defense during the SEC title game against LSU on Dec. 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. / Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
Citrus Bowl at Orlando
Michigan (9-3) vs. Alabama (10-2), 1 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Alabama minus 7.
Pick: Alabama, 35-17.
Outback Bowl at Tampa
Minnesota (10-2) vs. Auburn (9-3), 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Auburn minus 7.
Why watch? Defensive linemen wearing single-digit jersey numbers is one of the best things about college football. That makes Auburn stars Derrick Brown (No. 5) and Marlon Davidson (No. 3) even more fun to watch.
Pick: Auburn, 24-18.
Rose Bowl at Pasadena, California
Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (10-3), 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Wisconsin minus 3.
Why watch? Over the next year, you'll hear a lot about Oregon tackle Penei Sewell. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound sophomore is already the best offensive lineman in the country.
Pick: Wisconsin, 28-23.
Sugar Bowl at New Orleans
Georgia (11-2) vs. Baylor (11-2), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Georgia minus 5.5.
Why watch? At least one of these teams is going to be really into this game.
Pick: Georgia, 26-20.
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
Birmingham (Alabama) Bowl
Cincinnati (10-3) vs. Boston College (6-6), 3 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Cincinnati minus 7.
Why watch? There's no way you're putting in a productive work day this close to the weekend - might as well cut out early.
Pick: Cincinnati, 27-16.
Gator Bowl at Jacksonville, Florida
Indiana (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Tennessee minus 1.5
Why watch? The Hoosiers could win nine games in a season for the first time since 1967.
Pick: Indiana, 24-20.
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise
Ohio (6-6) vs. Nevada (7-5), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Ohio minus 7.5.
Why watch? Two words: blue field.
Pick: Ohio, 34-21.
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
Armed Forces Bowl at Fort Worth, Texas
Southern Miss vs. Tulane, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Line: Tulane minus 7.
Why watch? C-USA nostalgia. Southern Miss and the Green Wave played every year from 1979 to 2010, with the Golden Eagles going 23-7.
Pick: Tulane, 27-17.
MONDAY, JAN. 6
Lendingtree Bowl at Mobile, Alabama
Miami (Ohio) (8-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (10-3), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Louisiana-Lafayette minus 14.
Why watch? If you like smashmouth football, the Ragin' Cajuns - coached by Billy Napier from Murray County, Georgia - are for you, averaging 6.39 yards per carry (second only to Clemson) behind All-America guard Kevin Dotson.
Pick: Louisiana, 38-10.