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The main event is here at last. This is the way the system is supposed to work, with all the other bowls leading up to the College Football Playoff semifinal games on New Year’s Day.
We will naturally get to those in due course, but as any promoter will tell you, it’s important to have a good undercard as well. We’ll officially kick off 2024 with three early games running more or less concurrently, so hopefully at least one of them will hold our attention. Then the stage will be cleared for the four teams playing for the sport’s ultimate prize.
Here’s the full holiday Monday lineup.
The traditional Jan. 1 Sunshine State twosome of SEC vs. Big Ten contests begins with this meeting of the high-scoring Tigers and the defensive-minded Badgers. The game loses more than a little of its luster with LSU’s Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels expectedly but nevertheless unfortunately sitting out with the NFL draft looming. The Tigers’ offense should be in good hands, however, with Garrett Nussmeier at the controls. The better news for him is standout WR Malik Nabers will play, meaning the talented receiving corps will be largely intact. Nabers will likely have the attention of Wisconsin DB Ricardo Hallman, who has half of the Badgers’ 12 interceptions and a 95-yard pick-six against Rutgers to his credit. Things probably won’t be as interesting when Wisconsin has the ball. The LSU defense was far from reliable this season, but the Badgers might not be able to take advantage. Their main weapon, RB Braelon Allen, is also off to the draft. QB Tanner Mordecai will play, but he must beware of Tigers’ versatile LB Harold Perkins Jr.
Part two of the day’s unofficial Big Ten/SEC challenge has a similar vibe as the even more impressive defense of the Hawkeyes looks to take the air out of the Volunteers’ passing…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bowl-game-schedule-today-breaking-112132570.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-01 11:21:32
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