Ranking the 10 best non-New Year鈥檚 Six bowl matchups
10. Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas vs. UNLV
Kansas and UNLV will battle on Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix in an underrated matchup that has the potential to be one of the most thrilling games of the bowl season. The two programs have matched up just two times before, which came during a home-and-home series in the early 2000s as each team earned one victory. Both programs have generally struggled in the 20 years following those two matchups, but things have turned around in 2023.
Kansas continues its ascension under Lance Leipold, going 8-4 this season with an upset win over Oklahoma in October. The Jayhawks should be close to full strength on both sides of the ball in this game and will continue to feature 1,200-yard rusher Devin Neal. UNLV will also have its full complement of stars that led the Rebels to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Mountain West title game. The Rebels could make this game a shootout with quarterback Jayden Maiava and star wideout Ricky White who has nearly 1,400 yards this season.
