CFB fans will be paying keen interest to the remaining games in the inaugural 12-team playoff over the course of the next week or so. Indeed, such contests will also be the subject of much of your discussion. However, the 70 Football Bowl Subdivision teams will play a bowl game at the end of the 2024 season that has nothing to do with the 12-team CFB Playoff. Despite the fact that the 35 games receive less attention, many players, colleges, fans, and towns still see them as a major culmination of a season that does not conclude with a championship.

Safe to say, other games are still on the 2024 college football calendar, though. These are non-CFP bowl games which you can’t miss this season. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter’s final collegiate football game will be the Valero Alamo Bowl between BYU and Colorado, one of the most well-known athlete events. A thrilling battle is the Tiger Sun Bowl between Washington and Louisville. Last but not least, the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl includes games with odd names and a clever, fun matchup, such as Colorado State vs. Miami (OH), two teams with eight wins between them.

In addition, there are bowl games such as the Las Vegas, Pop-Tarts, and Cheez-it Citrus. What will entice spectators to watch this bowl game, however, is the crucial consideration. Here, we’ll talk about the five essential non-CFP bowl game X variables. It might be the players, the name itself, the game location, or the atmosphere on game day. Let’s explore it in more detail.

The non-CFP Bowl game: What to watch?

Alamo Bowl (Colorado vs BYU)

The Alamodome will host the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 28. A highly anticipated contest between two ranked teams. Two highly regarded teams, BYU (10-2) and Colorado (9-3), square off in a thrilling matchup for the first time since 1988. This historical background heightens the anticipation of the occasion.

The game’s appeal is increased by the presence of well-known coaches like Deion Sanders for CU and Kalani Sitake for BYU, as well as exceptional players like Travis Hunter and Shedeur. This will be their last CFB game. What more could you ask for to draw in a Buffs fan for this game?

Pop-tarts bowl (Miami vs Iowa State)

The Pop-Tarts Bowl will take place at Camping World Stadium on December 28. It’s an intriguing battle between two ranked teams this year, with Miami (10-2) playing Iowa State (10-3). This game boasts two of CFB’s more daring offenses, but we’re also watching to see what kind of antics the Pop-Tart mascot will pull.

While Iowa State has two All-Americans in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Miami’s wideouts are led by Cam Ward, ACC Player of the Year. Spectators will now be watching to see who can steal the win.

Cheez-it Citrus Bowl (Illinois vs South Carolina)

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is scheduled to happen at Camping World Stadium on December 31. The Gamecocks (9-3) and Illinois (8-4) will play each other for the first time in this clash. The most popular and possibly the best CFB team that missed the 12-team playoffs is South Carolina.

With wins over Clemson, Missouri, and A&M, the Gamecocks ended their regular season on a 6 game victory string. For the sixth time in the program’s history, Illinois, perhaps the finest Big 10 team that missed the playoffs, has the chance to win 10 games. This game looks to be the best of the non-CFP bowls, in large part because both starting QBs, Luke Altmyer and LaNorris Sellers, are expected to play.

Go Bowling Military Bowl (East Carolina vs. N.C. State)

The Go Bowling Military Bowl, which will pit NC State (6-6) against East Carolina (7-5), will take place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28. The Pirates, who lost their coach in the middle of the season and then won 4 of their last five contests under then-interim Blake Harrell to qualify for this game, will be playing in a sort of Super Bowl.

The Pirates won 37-34 in the 1992 Peach Bowl, which was the inaugural. On the other hand, the Wolfpack has won the last 3 encounters between N.C. State and the Pirates. And the school is 19-13 overall. As of now, they are meeting for the 2nd time in a bowl game. This game is important because it rekindles a long-standing rivalry between two North Carolina groups.

ReliaQuest Bowl (Michigan vs Alabama)

Bama and Michigan will square off in the ReliaQuest Bowl, which will take place at Raymond James Stadium on Tuesday, Dec 31. This game will be the second straight bowl meeting between two legendary programs; Michigan won the Rose Bowl the last time they faced each other. Alabama (9-3) and Michigan (7-5) both had successful regular season final games, with Alabama getting one over their arch-rival, Auburn, and Michigan achieving a noteworthy upset over OSU.

Kalen DeBoer is in his first season at Bama, so it will be intriguing to watch how his tactics compare against Michigan’s well-established defense. The coaching fight may significantly influence the game’s outcome. Even though these five games aren’t CFP bowl games, they will give you the impression that they are. So, don’t miss!