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No, the big guy in the red suit hasn’t arrived yet with any SEC bowl games. He’s not due for another few days.
But there are six bowl games on tap for Saturday, including some interesting matchups involving three of the Power 5 conferences.
Here’s five things to watch Saturday followed by details of the matchups:
1. Frank Beamer: The Virginia Tech legend coaches his final game in the Independence Bowl. It’s sure to be an emotional game for the Hokies. How far has Beamer taken his alma mater? When he took over in 1987, the Hokies were an independent playing in obscurity with only six minor bowl appearances in its history. Beamer took them to spectacular heights, winning conference titles and contending for national championships. Under Beamer, the Hokies have gone to 22 bowl games — the nation’s longest streak — including four Sugar and four Orange bowls.
2. Tulsa WR Keyarris Garrett: Coming back from a compound fracture on his lower leg two seasons ago, Garrett caught 88 passes for 1,451 yards and seven TDs for the Hurricanes.
3. Washington RB Myles Gaskin: The 5-foot-9 freshman ran for 1,121 yards and 10 TDs for the Huskies, setting a school freshman record. Surprisingly tougher than his 192 pounds might indicate, Gaskin averaged 132 yards in three straight games against Southern Cal, Oregon and Stanford.
4. WR Max McCaffrey and Duke: The older brother of Heisman runner-up Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, Max McCaffrey was the leading receiver for Duke, which collapsed during the regular season after a controversial, final-play loss to Miami.
5. Miami: How will the Hurricanes perform with Mark Richt watching intently? Richt’s performance at his alma mater should be interesting. His clean conservative image seems like a contrast to the swashbuckling style many Miami fans, including several former Hurricanes stars, hope returns to the program.
Here’s a look at Saturday’s games in chronological order:
St. Petersburg Bowl, 11 AM ET, Tampa, Florida, ESPN
UConn 7-5 vs. Marshall 9-3
OK, sleep in if you want. What can you say about UConn? The Huskies beat Houston to cap a three-game winning streak late in the season. And they gave us an early indications of problems at Mizzou when they lost 9-6 in Columbia. The Huskies score fewer than 18 points per game but allowed under 20. Though it wasn’t a vintage season for the Thundering Hurd, the team from West Virginia always shows up at bowl games. Prediction: Marshall 28, UConn 17.
Sun Bowl, 2 PM ET, El Paso, Texas, CBS
Miami 8-4 vs. Washington State 8-4
Note the network — it’s not on ESPN or other Disney networks. This should be interesting. Miami, which won four of its last five games triggered by stealing a game from Duke, takes on Mike Leach and the up-and-down Cougars. Richt looks like he’s inheriting a solid quarterback in Brad Kaaya, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Joseph Yearby needs 61 yards to reach 1,000 on the season. The Cougars were flying high with three consecutive wins before crashing in a 45-10 loss to in-state rival Washington. Sophomore Luke Falk threw for 4,266 yards and 36 TDs. Gabe Marks and Dom Williams combined for more than 2,100 receiving yards and 25 TD catches. Prediction: Washington State 43, Miami 38.
Heart of Dallas Bowl, 2:20 PM ET, Dallas, ESPN
Washington 6-6 vs. Southern Miss 9-4
The Huskies must be excited to be here, judging by their rousing victory in the Apple Cup. Gaskin set a school freshman record for yardage. Eagles QB Nick Mullens threw for 4,145 yards and 36 TDs. Mike Thomas racked up 1,201 yards in receptions and 12 TDs. Prediction: Washington 38, Southern Miss 34.
Pinstripe Bowl, 3:30 PM ET, New York, ABC
Indiana 6-6 vs. Duke 7-5
Duke’s promising season tanked after the game-ending debacle at Miami with the Blue Devils losing four straight then scraping past Wake Forest in the regular-season finale. Thomas Sirk offers a running and passing threat at quarterback. The Hoosiers are led by QB Nate Sudfeld, an excellent passer, and RB Jordan Howard, who rushed for 1,213 yards. Indiana played to its level of competition during a season that included a six-game losing streak. The Hoosiers beat Western Kentucky and hung tough in losses to Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan. Prediction: Indiana 41, Duke 38.
Independence Bowl, 5:45 PM ET, Shreveport, Louisiana, ESPN
Tulsa 6-6 vs. Virginia Tech 6-6
Dane Evans threw for 3,958 yards and 22 TDs for the Hurricanes. Garrett rolled up a school-record 268 receiving yards and three TDs in a loss to nationally ranked Memphis. Virginia Tech freshman Travon McMillian rushed for 960 yards and five TDs during the regular season. Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Tulsa 20.
Foster Farms Bowl, 9:15 PM ET, Santa Clara, California, ESPN
Nebraska 5-7 vs. UCLA 8-4
The Huskers showed improvement late in the season, beating Michigan State on a controversial touchdown in the final seconds and giving Iowa a battle in the regular-season finale. Tommy Armstrong Jr. is a dual threat at quarterback, but threw 16 interceptions. Josh Rosen had a strong freshman season for the Bruins, throwing for 3,350 yards and 20 TDs. Paul Perkins rushed for 1,275 yards and 13 TDs. Prediction: UCLA 44, Nebraska 28.
