Five reasons to watch the Dollar General Bowl

Okay, listen, we get it. Most likely, you think bowl season starts on New Year's Eve. Maybe slightly earlier depending on when your team is playing. But regardless of whether or not you're aware of them, the bowls have already started, and there's plenty of college football action to get you through to the main event around New Year's.

You may not know much about Ohio and Troy, but they're the type of teams that are usually worth the price of admission. And seeing as this is the Dollar General Bowl, the price is pretty cheap.

Dollar General Bowl
Ohio (8-6, Mid-American Conference) vs. Troy (9-3, Sun Belt Conference)
Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile
Time: Friday, Dec. 23,  8:00 P.M. ET/5:00 P.M. PT
Channel: ESPN

• Okay, let's get this out of the way early. You'll get college football hipster cred just by watching this game for one minute. When it's New Year's Eve, and everyone else is watching the marquee games, sigh loudly and say that you preferred the quality of play of the Dollar General Bowl. You'll instantly become the coolest person at the party.
• Do you like defensive football? Watch this game, and follow Ohio. Their last win over Akron came without a single touchdown for either team, and the Bobcats held their opposition to three points.
• This season saw Troy become ranked for the first time in school history – it also became the first team ever from the Sun Belt conference to be ranked. A win against Ohio could propel them back into the rankings again.
• Tarell Basham is fun to watch, even if you're like me and love high-scoring games. The lineman has already notched himself 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss so far this season. Oh, and Basham was also the MAC's defensive player of the year. Keep an eye on him.
• Did we mention that Troy might be able to work its way into the rankings again with a win? For the second time in school history? For the second time in Sun Belt history? Go Troy!

Mascot edge: Sorry little Bobcats (Ohio), you're feisty, but no match for the Trojans (of Troy - but you knew that already from Latin class).