How to watch college football bowl games on today, including Pitt vs. Toledo, Rutgers vs. Kansas State
While there are no college football bowl games on Christmas Day, Thursday features three college football games to enjoy. The NFL and NBA dominated Christmas Day programming, so the rest of the week is in the hearts of collegiate fans. Here's a rundown of college football games today and Thursday, December 26. College Football Games […]
While there are no college football bowl games on Christmas Day, Thursday features three college football games to enjoy. The NFL and NBA dominated Christmas Day programming, so the rest of the week is in the hearts of collegiate fans.
Here's a rundown of college football games today and Thursday, December 26.
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The NFL is debuting on Netflix on Christmas Day, including the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans. If you're a Netflix subscriber, you can easily access the app and click on the matchup you want to watch. But if you're unfamiliar with Netflix, we're here to help you watch the NFL […]
College Football Games on Christmas Day
There are no college football games on Christmas Day. However, there are three games on December 26. Here's each matchup and how you can watch them.
Pittsburgh vs. Toledo
Where: GameAbove Sports Bowl, Detroit, Michigan
When: 2 p.m. ET, December 26, 2024
Channel: ESPN
Pittsburgh kicked off the season with an impressive seven straight wins but unfortunately faltered in the final five games due to a wave of injuries that hindered their promising start. The Panthers might be without quarterback Eli Holstein (leg) for this upcoming matchup.
Nonetheless, Pitt heads into Thursday's game averaging 32.2 points per game, having scored a total of 48 touchdowns in 2024.
This season, the Panthers have excelled in their rushing attack, accumulating 1,542 yards as a team. Leading the charge is running back Desmond Reid, who has contributed nine total touchdowns.
Reid has been an offensive powerhouse, averaging 150.9 all-purpose yards per game, the sixth-best in college football, and boasting an ACC-best average of 12.3 yards per punt return, ranking ninth nationally.
On the defensive side, the Rockets have been formidable lately, limiting their opponents to an average of 18.3 points per game over their last three outings. Safety Maxen Hook is a standout player on the team, with 108 total tackles, including 62 solo efforts.
He has also notched two interceptions, four passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Additionally, defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. has been a significant presence on the front line, leading the team with four sacks.
Offensively, the Rockets are guided by quarterback Tucker Gleason, who has amassed 2,457 passing yards, along with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He has also made a mark on the ground, recording 330 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Moreover, Toledo has performed well against the spread, going 6-1 in their last seven games as underdogs.
Rutgers vs. Kansas State
Where: Rate Bowl, Phoenix, Arizona
When: 5:30 p.m. ET, December 26, 2024
Channel: ESPN
The Wildcats kicked off the season as one of the most impressive teams in the nation, achieving a 7-1 record in their first eight games, averaging 32.8 points per game and reaching a rank as high as No. 13.
However, Kansas State stumbled towards the end, losing three out of their last four games. They will still have most of their key players available on Thursday, including sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson and a robust rushing attack.
Johnson recorded 2,517 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also gaining 548 yards on the ground with six rushing touchdowns.
Kansas State ranked fifth nationally in yards per carry (5.6) and 19th in rushing yards per game (197.4), but they will be missing starting running back DJ Giddens, who has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Giddens finished the season with 1,343 rushing yards and seven touchdowns at an impressive 6.6 yards per carry.
Backup running back Dylan Edwards has been effective in his role, rushing for 350 yards at 6.3 yards per carry. Kansas State also boasts a strong rushing defense, allowing just 3.7 yards per rush (29th nationally) and 122.1 yards per game (27th).
In contrast, Rutgers is entering the 2024 Rate Bowl on a high note, having won three of their last four games. Two of those victories were on the road, including a 31-17 triumph at Maryland and a 41-14 win at Michigan State, indicating that they should be comfortable in the Rate Bowl setting in Arizona.
Starting running back Kyle Monangai made the journey to Arizona, and his presence will be crucial for Rutgers if he participates. The senior amassed 1,279 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on an average of 5.0 yards per carry, becoming a key component of their offense, especially after exceeding 120 rushing yards in the last two games.
On the defensive side, Rutgers has limited their opponents to under 20 points in three of the last four contests. With Kansas State missing its standout running back, the Scarlet Knights' defense could deliver a solid performance.
Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green
Where: 68 Ventures Bowl, Mobile, Alabama
When: 9 p.m. ET, December 26, 2024
Channel: ESPN
Both teams enter in well-rested, as neither has played since late November, but having extra time off has been a thorn in the side of Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler since he took over in 2019.
His team is 1-9 against the spread following a bye since then, including losses both ATS and straight-up in their bowl appearances over the last two years. While Arkansas State is coming off a defeat in its last game, it is 3-1 ATS following a loss this season, while Bowling Green has covered in just three of its last nine contests.
The Red Wolves also do things exceptionally well on both sides of the ball, which can allow them to cover. The offense ranks in the top 20 in college football in red-zone scoring.
On defense, just four teams in FBS picked off passes at a higher rate than Arkansas State. Defensive back Trevian Thomas is a ballhawk whose five interceptions lead the Sun Belt, and he was named a Group of Five All-American.
Amongst all of the units in this game, Bowling Green's defense is the best, as it ranks in the top 20, nationally in both points allowed and yards allowed per game. It has allowed just seven passing touchdowns over its last eight games, and the Falcons have a knack for shortening opposing drives, as they rank 16th in the country in third-down defense.
Bowling Green could very well overwhelm an Arkansas State offense that has no true strength to rely on, as ASU ranks outside the top 60 in FBS in scoring offense, yards per rush, and yards per pass attempt.
On offense, the Falcons revolve around sixth-year senior, Connor Bazelak, who will be playing in his final college game. He ranks fourth amongst active quarterbacks in career passing yards, and he led the MAC in both completion percentage (67.1) and adjusted yards per attempt (7.73) this season.
He has a 10:1 TD:INT over his last seven games and should pick apart a Red Wolves' defense which doesn't generate much pressure, averaging just 1.5 sacks per game.
