It's the most wonderful time of the year – yes, because of Christmas, but also because bowl game after bowl game is playing on TV. That said, it's important to take note of the most appropriate ways to watch a bowl game.
Yes, there are appropriate ways to watch a bowl game. Have you ever eaten Chick-fil-A while watching the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl? I have. It's a very fulfilling experience.
So, here's a nifty schedule of 10 bowl games and the best ways to watch them.
1. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl (Dec. 27)
Baylor vs. Boise State
TV Channel: ESPN, 9:15 p.m.
Where to Watch: Fort Worth is Horned Frog country, so we’re guessing you’re cheering for the blue and orange over the green and gold. In the spirit of blue, you must watch the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl at a place that serves – of course – blue cheese burgers. Fred's Texas Cafe's version has melted blue cheese and onions. Have fun cheering for Not-Baylor.
2. Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 28)
West Virginia vs. Miami
TV Channel: ESPN, 4:30 p.m.
Where to Watch: It’s most appropriate to watch the Russell Athletic Bowl while wearing Russell Athletic-branded gear, right? Then you can head out to the gym and burn off that Christmas turkey while watching West Virginia and Miami hit the gridiron. If you don’t own any Russell Athletic stuff, they’re doing a promotion right now in honor of the game, and you can get 15 percent off your online order using the code RABOWL.
3. AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Dec. 28)
Kansas State vs. Texas A&M
TV Channel: ESPN, 8 p.m.
Where to Watch: What could be more “Texas” than cowboys and barbecue? That’s why we recommend watching the Texas Bowl at Riscky's Barbecue, specifically the one in the Stockyards.
4. Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29)
Oklahoma State vs. Colorado
TV Channel: ESPN, 8 p.m.
Where to Watch: Remember the Alamo Bowl? TCU’s 31-point comeback win last season was one for the storybooks. Who knows if Oklahoma State and Colorado will be able to repeat the magic, but if you have a Horned Frog heart and just can’t help but reminisce in Alamo Bowl glory, go on – watch the game on the TCU campus. Dutch's Hamburgers or Buffalo Bros. are your best options.
5. AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Dec. 30)
TCU vs. Georgia
TV Channel: ESPN, 11 a.m.
Where to Watch: If you can’t make it to Memphis for the game, the recently-opened Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is perhaps the closest you can get. The Memphis-based franchise is now open in the Near Southside and has been getting some pretty great reviews so far.
6. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Bowl (Dec. 31)
LSU vs. Louisville
TV Channel: ABC, 10 a.m.
Where to Watch: Of course you need to watch the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at a Buffalo Wild Wings. BWW has two locations in Fort Worth – one at 5601 South Hulen St. and another at 5908 Quebec St. – so you can live the dream.
7. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Dec. 31)
Washington vs. Alabama
TV Channel: 2 p.m., ESPN
Where to Watch: Since Chick-fil-As don’t have TVs that play football, home is the best place to watch this one. Order yourself a tray of chicken nuggets and make it a party. Chick-fil-A's Instagram has some great entertaining ideas.
8. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31)
Ohio State vs. Clemson
TV Channel: 6 p.m., ESPN
Where to Watch: This is PlayStation’s first year sponsoring the Fiesta Bowl, so it’s best watching this one in a place with video games. Landmark Bar and Kitchen in the West Seventh area has plenty of vintage arcade games and TVs so you can watch and play at the same time.
9. Outback Bowl (Jan. 2)
Florida vs. Iowa
TV Channel: ABC, Noon
Where to Watch: An Outback Steakhouse. Duh.
10. Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2)
Oklahoma vs. Auburn
TV Channel: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Where to Watch: This one’s not really a matter of where you watch the game, but how. To watch the Sugar Bowl, you need something sweet, and arguably the sweetest place in town is IT'SUGAR in Sundance Square. Grab yourself a bucketload of candy, and take it to your favorite game-watching venue.