VAVEL USA Daily Sports World Preview: New Year's Day 2016

After a fantastic end to 2015, from the World Series win of the Kansas City Royals to the rookie seasons of Jameis Winston and Todd Gurley in the NFL, the sports world is seemingly shaping up to have an even better 2016. Today includes three different Bowl games, nine college basketball games, two marquee NHL games and five NBA games.

College Football

Oklahoma State Cowboys v Mississippi Rebels - Sugar Bowl (ESPN; 8:30 EST)

With the suspension of Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss is missing four defensive linemen, including defensive tackles Herbert Moore and Issac Gross, along with defensive end Fadol Brown. As the Rebels go up against the fast-paced OSU, will the Ole Miss secondary get creamed by the Cowboys? Playing poorly against Memphis, Florida and Arkansas, MSU allowed 13 touchdowns through the air in the absence of Tony Conner, who won't be playing today either. The weakened Ole Miss defense may allow for a wild, high-scoring matchup in one of the most underrated Bowl games of the day.

Other Bowl Games:

Iowa v Stanford - Rose Bowl (ESPN; 5 PM EST)

Notre Dame v Ohio State - Fiesta Bowl (ESPN; 1 PM EST)

Northwestern - Tennessee - Outback Bowl (ESPN 2; 12 PM EST)

Michigan - Florida - Citrus Bowl (ABC; 1 PM EST)

NHL

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins (NBC, 1 PM EST)

For the non-college football fans and die-hard hockey fans, the alternative to the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Notre Dame is a marquee hockey game, as Montreal, who are 10-9-1 on the road, take on the Boston Bruins, who at home are 9-9-2. This is another edition of the Winter Classic, and it will be held at Gillette Stadium outdoors. Boston's fresh off of a seven goal game against the Ottawa Senators on the 29th of December and have momentum on their side. However, if Montreal is able to shut down Zdeno Chara, it will be an evenly matched game. If not, the Bruins are looking at yet another dominant victory.

Other NHL Game:

Anaheim Ducks v Vancouver Canucks (RSNP, PT25, FSSD; 10 PM EST)

NBA

Dallas Mavericks v Miami Heat (Sun Sports; 7:30 PM EST)

Despite having quite a few things fall into place to favor the Mavericks, including the absence of Stephen Curry, Dallas is fresh off of their biggest game of the season, defeating the now 30-2 defending NBA Finals Champion Golden State Warriors. They not only handed them their second loss of the season, but also moved into second in their division, although eight games behind the division leader, the San Antonio Spurs. Following a 99-93 Miami loss, the Mavericks seem to have momentum on their side. However, this is a quality matchup that will be very competitive.