Sports Illustrated has released its outlook for the 2026‑27 college football bowl season, mapping out a full slate of 35 games that will feature roughly 70 teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Projected bowl timeline
The schedule stretches from mid‑December through early January, offering a dense cluster of contests that will determine which programs earn postseason invitations and shape the narrative leading into the playoff era.
Key matchups include the Salute to Veterans Bowl on December 15, where Bowling Green will meet Marshall, and the Frisco Football Classic the same day, pitting Miami (Ohio) against USF. A few days later, the Boca Raton Bowl will showcase a clash between FAU and Louisiana Tech on December 18, while the Myrtle Beach Bowl is set for December 21 with Missouri facing Georgia Tech.
The centerpiece of the lineup arrives on January 2, when the Citrus Bowl is projected to feature Alabama against Penn State, a game that could have ripple effects on the final playoff rankings.
Beyond the games, the coverage extends to a podcast called “Others Receiving Votes,” hosted by Pat Forde, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and additional video commentary on SI’s college YouTube channel and SI TV.