2018 College Football Bowl Schedule: Complete Printable Guide

Overview and How to Use This Guide

The 2018–19 college football bowl season extended the year on the field from early December through early January, featuring marquee New Year’s Six contests and beloved end-of-season traditions. This evergreen reference explains the structure of the 2018 bowl schedule, how bowl selections and tie-ins work, and how to read kickoff times and venue information. Whether you are printing a copy for a game-day checklist or studying alignment for fantasy planning, this guide provides accurate dates, teams, and key details that remain useful for recap, discussion, and historical reference.

What Is a Bowl Schedule and Why It Matters

A bowl schedule organizes postseason games that conclude the regular season, distribute at-large selections, and fulfill conference tie-ins. The 2018 schedule reflects alignment rules from the College Football Playoff (CFP) and legacy bowls such as the Rose, Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta (New Year’s Six), as well as major bowls like the Peach, Cotton, and Citrus. Understanding selection procedures, at-large pools, and tie-in hierarchies explains why certain matchups occur and helps viewers anticipate competitive balance, rivalry context, and broader postseason narratives.

Structure of the 2018 Bowl Season

Selection Procedures and Eligibility

Teams became bowl-eligible after a 6–6 regular-season record. From there, bowls selected teams based on conference tie-ins, at-large rankings (typically using the College Football Playoff rankings and associated metrics), and competitive balance considerations. The top six conferences—ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, and Notre Dame’s independent contract—supplied automatic tie-ins to specific bowls, while at-large bowls filled remaining slots from across the Power 5 and Group of Five.

Game Dates, Times, and Time Zones

Kickoff times for 2018 bowls spanned from early afternoon to late evening, with most marquee games in the evening ET window. Time zones are listed in ET, CT, MT, and PT to accommodate local planning. Scheduling can shift due to weather or television adjustments, so confirming local listings remains recommended even when using a printable schedule.

How to Read This Schedule for Planning

• Kickoff windows: Early (12:00–3:00 PM), afternoon (3:30–6:00 PM), and evening (7:00–11:00 PM) ET groupings help you plan viewing windows.
• Venue and region: Host city and state are listed so you can align travel plans or local broadcast rules.
• Selection notes: Not all bowls are included in every conference’s primary tie-ins; some at-large bowls accept teams from across the Power 5 after conference partners are filled.

Notable Matchups and Storylines

The 2018 bowl slate featured traditional rivalry games and high-profile at-large matchups. The CFP National Championship on January 7 matched the AAC champion against the SEC champion in a winner-take-all context, while New Year’s Six bowls paired conference champions and at-large teams based on rankings and geographic considerations. Rivalry bowls—such as the Redbox Bowl (formerly the Foster Farms Bowl) and the TaxSlayer Bowl—often highlighted head-to-head history and regional fan interest, adding narrative depth beyond the standings.

Printable Format Tips

For a printable version, set your page orientation to landscape if your schedule is wide, use a monospaced font for alignment and time columns, and include headers for Date, Bowl Game, Kickoff (ET), Venue, and Notes. If you plan to mark wins and upsets in real time, add a simple results column. Consider saving a PDF to retain formatting across devices; this ensures the layout remains consistent whether you are printing at home or using a mobile view.