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Under the Radar Bowl Games

You know about the playoffs and the big bowl games, but here are the five best under the radar bowl games for your viewing pleasure.

By Omar Noujoum, from LastWordOnCollegeFootball.com

Five Best Under The Radar Bowl Games

Everyone knows about the big bowls. Alabama and Washington, Ohio State and Clemson in the Playoffs. The likes of Michigan, Penn State, USC, and even upstart Western Michigan in the other New Year’s Six bowls.

But what about smaller bowl match-ups? If you can’t spend the time to watch every single bowl game this season, here are the five best lower-tier bowls for your viewing pleasure.

Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis (8-4) vs Western Kentucky (10-3)

 

Under the Radar Bowl Games
BOWLING GREEN, KY – DECEMBER 03: Taywan Taylor #2 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers signals for a first down during the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens-Smith Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Western Kentucky defeated Louisiana Tech 58-44. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Like Houston, Western Kentucky heads into bowl season with their head coach on the way out. Jeff Brohm will be moving on to Purdue, his resumé solidified by the Hilltoppers’ 10-3 season. Their offense will look to continue putting up the cheat code stats that they’ve made a weekly occurrence this season. Memphis won’t shy away from scoring on the other side. They too boast a quick strike offense that can put up points in a hurry. The two teams average close to 85 points per game combined, and this bowl game could eclipse that number before the final whistle blows.

Players to Watch-   MEM: Tony Pollard, WR/KR   WKU: Taywan Taylor, WR

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State (9-3) vs Toledo (9-3)

 

Under the Radar Bowl Games
STATESBORO, GA – OCTOBER 27: Outside linebacker Dezmin Reed #48 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers celebrates an interception against the Georgia Southern Eagles on October 27, 2016 at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)

What transition period? In just their third season as an FBS program, Appalachian State claimed their first Sun Belt title. They did it by locking down opposing offenses, allowing just 17 points per game, good for 7th in the FBS. However, that defense will be pitted against an explosive Toledo offense. With 38.8 points per game (19th in FBS), there have been few defenses able to slow down Toledo’s attack, which also put up over 500 yards per game during the regular season. Something has to give.

Players to Watch-   APP: Jalin Moore, RB   TOL: Michael Roberts, TE

National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota (8-4) vs Washington State (8-4)

 

Under the Radar Bowl Games
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Washington State Cougars Quarterback, Luke Falk (4) looks to pass during a Pac-12 conference match-up between the Colorado Buffaloes and the visiting Washington State Cougars on November 19, 2016, at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

For Minnesota and Washington State, their paths to the Holiday Bowl are eerily similar. For starters, Both programs managed to finish 8-4. Both schools play in the two deepest conferences in college football. Most importantly, neither team was expected to win eight games this season. Minnesota paired a smash-mouth defense with a fortuitous schedule (didn’t play Ohio State or Michigan) to get in. Meanwhile, Washington State used an eight game win streak and the arm of Luke Falk to get in. These two teams have no comparison on the field, however.

Players to Watch-   MINN: Emmit Carpenter, K   WSU: Luke Falk, QB

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Louisiana Tech (8-5) vs Navy (9-3)

 

Under the Radar Bowl Games
ANNAPOLIS, MD – DECEMBER 03: Navy Midshipmen quarterback Zach Abey (9) takes the snap in the third quarter against the Temple Owls on December 3, 2016, at Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. The Temple Owls defeated the Navy Midshipmen, 34-10 to win the AAC championship. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

You can expect offensive diversity in this bowl matchup. Louisiana comes in reeling after back-to-back losses, but still boasting the FBS’ 3rd best passing offense. On the other side, Navy has been gashed by the injury bug, but they’ve been gashing defenses all year with their option running attack. They’re currently 3rd in the FBS in rushing. Whichever teams controls the tempo of this game will win.

Players to Watch-   LTU: Ryan Higgins, QB   NAVY: DJ Palmore, LB

Las Vegas Bowl: Houston (9-3) vs San Diego St (10-3)

 

Under the Radar Bowl Games
MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 25: Greg Ward Jr. #1 of the Houston Cougars passes the football against the Memphis Tigers on November 25, 2016 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Houston 48-44. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

The star power alone put this years’ Las Vegas Bowl at the top of the heap. On the Houston side, a season that began with College Football Playoff hopes hasn’t met its full potential. They’re season did include a thrashing of Lamar Jackson and Louisville, however. As for San Diego State, they’ve established themselves as a serious threat to Boise State’s reign in the Mountain West. Star RB Donnel Pumphrey has put the team in the national spotlight this year, putting up absurd numbers.

Players to Watch-   UH: Ed Oliver, DT   SDSU: Donnel Pumphrey, RB

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