Kickoff: Bowl Season Official Newsletter – December 2023 by Bowl Season

BOWL SEASON OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2023

ASSEMBLING THE PIECES

The Process. The Picks. The Places of Bowl Season. By KEVIN McNAMARA

hile most college football fans hold

ranking in October, we start projecting how that

only a cursory interest in the first

filters down and effects the Alamo Bowl and the

few editions of the College Football

Liberty Bowl, all of our bowl partners, for example.

Playoff rankings in October, that’s not the case in

It really never stops until the Bowl Season lineup is

conference offices from coast-to-coast. That’s when

announced in December.’’

the fun begins. Take the Big 12’s Scott Draper, for example. He’s the Vice President of Football and responsible for most everything that moves regarding the sport at the conference’s 14 schools. Like his contemporaries around the country, Draper keeps an eye on potential bowl destinations for Big 12 schools on a year-

As the college

“When that first top 10

football season unfolds

comes out, from the first ranking

programs around the

in October, we start projecting how that filters down … It really never stops until the Bowl Season lineup is

and more and more country celebrate their post-season eligibility by pulling on their Bowl Bound T-shirts, the excitement for a bowl trip builds. But where will

announced in December.”

your favorite team and

– SCOTT DRAPER

each team clicks the six-

Big 12, Vice President of Football

round basis. “All of our scenarios change week-to-week and

its fans be headed? As win eligibility minimum,

conferences start checking their bowl affiliations and forecasting which schools might land where. As

revolve around the CFP rankings,” Draper said.

the wins mount, the puzzle pieces get shifted on a

“When that first top 10 comes out, from the first

weekly basis. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

The final shift doesn’t occur until conference

Now the bowls and conferences follow negotiated

Championship Weekend. This season, for example, no

tie-ins with bowl partners and work closely with TV

one knew who would be in the College Football Playoff

networks like ESPN to build as many competitive

until the Pac-12, Southeastern Conference, Big Ten,

matchups as possible.

Big 12 and ACC title games were contested. Once

“I’ve been around for a while and remember the

the CFP semifinalists are determined, “everything

bowl representatives racing around every weekend. It’s

else flows from there,” says Mark Womack, the SEC’s

different now,” said the SEC’s Womack. “Now the CFP

Executive Associate Commissioner & CFO.

gets picked and conferences have their affiliations in

Womack needed to find bowl destinations for nine of his SEC programs. The Big 12’s Draper juggled the

place and you move on down your list. It’s fun and very busy but this is a great time of year.’’

same number. The ACC (11) and the surprising Sun Belt

Each conference can create its own list of

(12) topped the race for the most Bowl Bound teams

procedures for assigning bowl destinations. We’ll

this season. The Sun Belt’s James Madison (11-1) and

stick with the Big 12 and SEC, for example. Both

Jacksonville State of Conference USA were added to

conferences have tie-ins to send their champion to

the mix following their move from FCS to FBS when

the Allstate Sugar Bowl but the annual bash in New

Bowl Season came up three teams shy of the 82 teams

Orleans is hosting one of the two CFP semifinals this

required to fill the 41 bowl games. The final spot was

year. So after selecting the semifinalists for the Sugar

filled by Minnesota who achieved the highest APR

and Rose Bowl, the CFP committee is responsible for

ranking amongst the pool of teams with a 5-7 record.

placing the champions from five conferences (ACC,

With those bowl eligible teams in place, just

Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) and the highest ranked

how are all of the matchups made in time for the

Group of Five team into the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, the

Bowl Season lineup to be unveiled on Sunday

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Capital One Orange

of Championship Weekend? While it may be a

Bowl and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

complicated process to follow for most fans and

That takes care of 12 teams. The SEC’s Womack

media, bowl executives and conference officials

points out that the above process often takes three of

say things unfold fairly cleanly. Gone are the days

his teams off the board. Then the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

of handshake agreements and backrooms deals.

gets its pick of the top SEC team in a matchup against

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

a Big Ten squad. The SEC then taps into its ‘Pool of Six’

Like other conferences, the Big 12 and SEC also

bowls where Womack says the conference office works

frequently rely on partnerships with the 17 ESPN

with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the ReliaQuest

Events-owned games to complete their bowl

Bowl, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the TaxAct Texas Bowl,

lineups. Every conference works to make sure all of

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and the TransPerfect Music

the bowls are set to welcome competitive teams and

City Bowl to find appropriate matchups.

their fans for a great experience.

“The New Year’s Six

“We all sweat it out

matchups effect the rest

“The New Year’s Six

to make sure there are

matchups effect the rest of the

Draper said, “and the

of the lineup,” Womack said, “but we look at data points, head-to-head results, how often a team has been to a particular location, really all of it comes into play but at the end of the day the conference office makes those decisions.’’ The Big 12’s process is fairly similar. After the New Year’s games are

lineup …but we look at data points, head-to-head results, how often a team has been to a

enough qualifying teams,’’ value of the ESPN events is critical. They make sure everyone has a great bowl experience.’’ In the end, after all

particular location, really all of it

the jockeying, that is the

comes into play…”

and fans all look for an enjoyable, competitive

– MARK WOMACK SEC, Executive Associate Commissioner & CFO

determined by the CFP committee, the remaining

key. The players, coaches

game in a fun and entertaining location.

“It is critical that everyone has an equal

conference teams get slotted in consultation with bowl

opportunity to have a great bowl experience,” said

partners. The Valero Alamo Bowl and the Pop-Tarts

Draper. “The big thing is everyone gets another

Bowl get first dibs but Draper points out that while the

opportunity to compete. Getting a chance to do that

Big 12 “works hand-in-glove’’ with the bowl partners,

in a great destination against a quality opponent is

the bowls break any ties in the selection process.

what we are all striving for.’’ BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS Myrtle Beach Bowl

Cricket Celebration Bowl

Georgia Southern (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-3)

Howard (6-5) vs. Florida A&M (11-1)

The Bobcats have won

The Rattlers have enjoyed

nine games for two seasons in a row, a first in

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 11 AM | ESPN

a superb season with

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 12 PM | ABC

their only loss coming to

program history. They’ll

South Florida in a 38-

look for a fifth straight Bowl Season victory, building

24 shootout. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa is at his

on last year’s overtime win in the Arizona Bowl.

fourth school in five years but has shined as the

The Eagles are loaded with experienced talent

SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. Howard won

including three-time All-Sun Belt Offensive Lineman

the MEAC with a 4-1 record behind a defense that

Khalil Crowder and WR Khaleb Hood, who holds the

allowed just 17.4 points per game.

school record for receptions (94). Eleven players were All-Sun Belt selections.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Jacksonville State (8-4) vs. Louisiana (6-6) The Gamecock's second season transitioning to FBS was a home run and

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 2:15 PM | ESPN

will end in a bowl game. Veteran coach Rich Rodriguez has a dual-threat QB to watch in Zion Webb who has passed and ran for 13 touchdowns. The Ragin’ Cajuns became bowl eligible with a 52-21 win over Louisiana-Monroe thanks to a deep stable of running backs and the arm of Chandler Fields.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl Miami (OH) (11-2) vs. Appalachian State (8-5) The Red Hawks upset

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Toledo to win the Mid-

3:30 PM | ABC

American championship and get to 11 victories for

the first time in 20 seasons. A top defense leads the way and watch out for Graham Nicholson who is a finalist for the Lou Groza award as the nation’s top placekicker. The Mountaineers lost to Troy in the Sun Belt championship game but own an explosive offense with QB Joey Aguilar (33 TDs) throwing to Kaedin Robinson and Kanye Roberts leading the rushing game.

Isleta New Mexico Bowl New Mexico State (10-4) vs. Fresno State (8-4) The Aggies were tied with unbeaten Liberty heading into the fourth quarter

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 5:45 PM | ESPN

Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk UCLA (7-5) vs. Boise State (8-5) The Broncos needed to win two of their last three games just to qualify for

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 7:30 PM | ABC

before falling, 49-35, in

a bowl, but a four-game

the Conference USA championship game. Diego

winning streak and a Mountain West title victory

Pavia threw for three TD’s and ran for another. The

over UNLV locked in Spencer Danielson as the new

Bulldogs will play without head coach Jeff Tedford

head coach. An up-and-down UCLA team gets to

(health concerns), but Tim Skipper leads a hungry

stay home and play at SoFi Stadium and will look to

team looking to snap a three-game losing streak.

running backs Carson Steele and TJ Harden to help slow down Boise State. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Famous Toastery Bowl

California (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (6-6) The Golden Bears come in riding a three-game win

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 9:15 PM | ESPN

streak that cashed a bowl

Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. Old Dominion (6-6) If you haven’t seen Austin Reed pass the ball the last two seasons you’ve missed

MONDAY, DEC. 18 2:30 PM | ESPN

quite a show. He’s thrown

ticket for the first time in

for 71 touchdowns and went for 497 yards in a

four years. Watch out for Jaydn Ott who is fresh off

New Orleans Bowl win last season. ODU scratched

a 100-yard kickoff return. The Red Raiders may have

out five wins in the deep Sun Belt including its final

the game’s most explosive player in running back

two games to become bowl eligible.

Tahj Brooks (1,443 yards, 9 TD’s).

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl UTSA (8-4) vs. Marshall (6-6) Former partners in Conference USA will square off in Texas. The

TUESDAY, DEC. 19 9 PM | ESPN

Roadrunners are one of the nation’s hottest teams with wins in seven of their last eight games. Marshall needed a win over Arkansas State in the last game of the season to join 11 other Sun Belt teams in Bowl Season.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl South Florida (6-6) vs. Syracuse (6-6) Syracuse is in back-to-back bowls for the first time in a decade with interim

THURSDAY, DEC. 21 8 PM | ESPN

coach Nunzio Campanile in charge. The Orange face a former Big East partner in the Bulls who enjoyed the second-best turnaround (1-11 to 6-6) in college football. Watch out for Byrum Brown who threw for 23 TD’s and ran for 11 this season.

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

76 Birmingham Bowl

Georgia Tech (6-6) vs. UCF (6-6)

Troy (11-2) vs. Duke (7-5)

Tech coach Brent Key’s

The Trojans come in as

team rallied late and secured big wins over

FRIDAY, DEC. 22 6:30 PM | ESPN

one of the nation’s hottest teams. They look to build

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 12 PM | ABC

Miami and North Carolina

on their 10-game winning

to get to six wins. Watch out for quarterback Haynes

streak with a bowl victory. The Sun Belt champs are led

King. He’ll face a UCF defense that came together

by QB Gunnar Watson, RB Kimani Vidal, and a stout

late to secure wins in three of the last four games and

defense with sack leader (16 sacks) Javon Solomon

become bowl eligible for the eighth straight season.

and Reddy Stewart. Duke sprinted out to a 5-1 start but faltered late. The Devils won’t have star QB Riley Leonard but interim coach Trooper Taylor could look to redshirt Henry Belin step in. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS Camellia Bowl

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Arkansas State (6-6) vs. Northern Illinois (6-6)

James Madison (11-1) vs. Air Force (8-4)

The last time the Huskies

JMU’s second season

won a bowl game they beat the Red Wolves

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 12 PM | ESPN

transitioning to FBS was a great success with

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 3:30 PM | ABC

in the 2011 GoDaddy.

the only loss coming to

com Bowl. The Huskies became bowl eligible with

Appalachian State. Quarterback Jordan McCloud threw

a defensive TD on the last play of their final game,

for 3,400 yards and 32 touchdowns and he’s expected

a victory over Kent State. The Wolves boast true

to play for the Dukes and then jump in the transfer

freshman quarterback and Sun Belt Freshman of

portal. Coach Curt Cignetti is headed to Indiana so

the Year Jaylen Raynor.

Damian Wroblewski will lead the way in Fort Worth. The Falcons started 8-0 yet lost their final four games and will look for a fifth straight win in Bowl Season.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Georgia State (6-6) vs. Utah State (6-6) The 27th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will include Utah State, marking

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 3:30 PM | ESPN

their 5th appearance in the game, the most of any school in that bowl’s history. The Aggies are 6-10 all-time in bowl games and are making their third consecutive postseason appearance. The Aggies and Panthers have never met on the gridiron. Watch out for Georgia States’ Marcus Carroll, a first-team All-Sun Belt selection. With 1,350 yards rushing, the senior running back leads the conference and is ranked seventh in the country. With 112.5 yards per game and 13 rushing touchdowns, he is ranked eighth in the nation.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

68 Ventures Bowl South Alabama (6-6) vs. Eastern Michigan (6-6) The Jaguars will make their fourth bowl game appearance in school history

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 7 PM | ABC

when they play in the 25th 68 Ventures Bowl. They were also bowl bound in 2014, 2016 and 2022. Eastern Michigan is participating in the postseason for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. This will be their second time playing in Mobile in the last three seasons. Head coach Chris Creighton and his Eagles had to bear down and win the last two games of the season to get themselves to a bowl. They look to carry that same “must-win” energy into this matchup.

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Utah (8-4) vs. Northwestern (7-5) The Big Ten Conference's Wildcats will make their firstever trip to Las Vegas. while

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 7:30 PM | ABC

EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl Coastal Carolina (7-5) vs. San Jose State (7-5) San Jose State will battle Coastal Carolina in the 20th Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu.

SATURDAY, DEC. 23 10:30 PM | ESPN

the Pac-12 Conference's Utes,

The Spartans, who have

will be making their record-tying sixth appearance in

won six straight games, are among the hottest teams

the Bowl. Northwestern holds the all-time advantage,

in the country and tied for first place in the Mountain

2-1. Their six-win improvement from 2022 to 2023

West. The Chanticleers went on a five-game winning

is the largest improvement by any FBS team this

streak to tie for third place in the Sun Belt's East

season. Since 2000, the Wildcats are one of five teams

Division after a rocky 2-3 start to the season.

to win six or more games after finishing 1-11. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS

Quick Lane Bowl

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7)

Texas State (7-5) vs. Rice (6-6)

The Falcons finished the

Texas State and Rice will

regular season 7-5 to boost their first winning season

TUESDAY, DEC. 26 2 PM | ESPN

both be participating in the

TUESDAY, DEC. 26 5:30 PM | ESPN

First Responder Bowl for

since 2015. Prepare for

the first time. The meeting

Bowling Green defense to be aggressive, they lead

marks the fifth all time and the first since 1987, a long

the nation in take aways with 27. Minnesota sports

drought considering only 167 miles separates the

a perfect 5-0 bowl record under coach PJ Fleck. The

campuses. First-year head coach G.J. Kinnel brings

brotherly bond runs deep in the maroon and gold,

seven All-Sun Belt Bobcats into the match up. The

Jordan and Tyler Nubin lead the team in the running

Owls are riding a two-game winning streak into the

back and safety positions.

bowl supported by five players who claimed American Athletic Conference honors.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl Kansas (8-4) vs. UNLV (9-4) The third-ever meeting between Kansas and UNLV finds the Jayhawks

TUESDAY, DEC. 26 9 PM | ESPN

making its second trip to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, while UNLV is slated to make their debut. Kansas RB Devon Neal leads the team with 1,209 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. UNLV will lean on the duo of QB Jayden Maiava and WR Ricky White III to drive the offense.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Tulane (11-2) Virginia Tech is making a return to Bowl Season after missing out in 2022.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27 2 PM | ESPN

Prior to that the Hokies had not missed a bowl game from 1993-2020. They will be matched up against the Tulane Green Wave, who played in last year's Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, which was their first New Year’s Six bowl appearance since 1940. This will be the first matchup between these two programs since 1989, and their tenth clash overall.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl North Carolina (8-4) vs. West Virginia (8-4) North Carolina will take on West Virginia in a rematch from their classic clash in

DIRECTV Holiday Bowl Louisville (10-3) vs. USC (7-5)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27

USC will match up with

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27

5:30 PM | ESPN

Louisville for the first time

8 PM | FOX

ever in San Diego. The

the 2008 Meineke Car Care

Trojans have previously

Bowl, when Hakeem Nicks recorded 217 receiving yards

appeared in the Holiday Bowl three times and

and three touchdowns for the Tar Heels. This go-around

look to win its first Bowl Game under Head Coach

will be a competitive Bowl Game between two eight-

Lincoln Riley. Louisville appeared in this year's ACC

win teams with high-scoring offenses with particularly

Championship game after completing a 10-win

strong aerial attacks. Each team’s top receiver has more

regular season.

than ten-plus touchdowns this year. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS

TaxAct Texas Bowl Texas A&M (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (9-4) Texas A&M and Oklahoma State will meet in Houston,

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27 9 PM | ESPN

where they will match up for the 29th time. The Cowboys

recently appeared in the Big 12 Championship game, while the Aggies look to continue their winning ways against Big 12 teams in Bowl Games, where they currently have a 3-1 record. The Cowboys have extended their Bowl appearance streak to 18 games, which is the sixth longest in the FBS.

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Wasabi Fenway Bowl SMU (11-2) vs. Boston College (6-6)

Rutgers (6-6) vs. Miami (7-5)

SMU will face-off against

Rutgers makes their second

Boston College, who will be their new conference

THURSDAY, DEC. 28 11 AM | ESPN

Bowl appearance in the last three seasons under Head

THURSDAY, DEC. 28 2:15 PM | ESPN

counterpart in the ACC

Coach Greg Schiano, who

next season. The Mustangs most recently won the

returned to the program in 2020. This will be Miami’s

American Athletic Conference Championship over

second appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, where they

Tulane, while Boston College is playing its first Bowl

previously played Wisconsin at Yankee Stadium in

Game since 2020. The Eagles will look to win their first

2018. Rutgers boasts a dynamic quarterback in Gavin

Bowl Game since 2016, when they defeated Maryland

Wimsatt who has 9 passing and 9 rushing touchdowns

in the Quick Lane Bowl.

on the year, while the Hurricanes look to extend its 11-0 record against the Scarlet Knights.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

Pop-Tarts Bowl NC State (9-3) vs. Kansas State (8-4) In its first year as the Pop-Tarts Bowl, NC State has its sights set on a 10-

THURSDAY, DEC. 28 5:45 PM | ESPN

win season, while Kansas State aims to end the year with a strong nine-win campaign. This is a matchup between two highpowered offenses with the Wolfpack finding success in the air and Wildcats on the ground.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Valero Alamo Bowl Arizona (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (10-2)

Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)

These programs have wins

Kentucky is looking

against each other in their home stadium, where they

THURSDAY, DEC. 28 9:15 PM | ESPN

to build off their win against Louisville for the

FRIDAY, DEC. 29 12 PM | ESPN

played in the 1988 and 1989

Governor’s Cup against

seasons. This is the Wildcats first Bowl appearance

former two-time CFP national champion, Clemson,

since 2017, where they will look to defeat an Oklahoma

coached by Dabo Swinney. This will be Kentucky’s third

team who most notably upset Texas in the Red River

appearance in the Gator Bowl under Head Coach

Rivalry earlier in the year.

Mark Stoops, where they won in 2020 and lost in 2016. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Oregon State (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (9-3)

Memphis (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5)

Oregon State’s new Head

This is a Liberty Bowl

Coach, Trent Bray, was the MVP of the Insight Bowl in

FRIDAY, DEC. 29 2 PM | CBS

rematch from 2017, where the Cyclones won

FRIDAY, DEC. 29 3:30 PM | ESPN

2004, where the Beavers

21-20. The Tigers will be

defeated the Irish. This will be a game between two

playing in their home stadium this Bowl Season,

teams in the top 20, where Notre Dame QB Sam

where they will hope to defend their turf against a

Hartman will play his last college football game.

high-octane Iowa State offense that has only been held to under 30 points once this season.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Missouri (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1) Coming off a 10-win regular season, Missouri will be face off against

FRIDAY, DEC. 29 8 PM | ESPN

Ohio State for the 12th time in history, with the most recent being a Buckeyes win 35-14. Ohio State has an elite wide receiver in Heisman Trophy, Marvin Harrison Jr., who finished with 14 touchdowns. The Tigers also have a high-powered offense that averages just over 34 points per game, making this a potentially high scoring affair.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Ole Miss (10-2) vs. Penn State (10-2) This will be a duel between two 20+ passing touchdown quarterbacks, with Ole

SATURDAY, DEC. 30 12 PM | ESPN

Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Penn State’s Drew Allar. Each of these programs also boast great head coaches, with Lane Kiffin leading Ole Miss to its fourth Bowl appearance in his first four seasons as their head coach, and James Franklin leading Penn State to its tenth Bowl in ten years at State College. This looks to be an exciting matchup between two teams entering Bowl Season ranking in the Top 15.

TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Capital One Orange Bowl

Auburn (6-6) vs. Maryland (7-5)

Georgia (12-1) vs. Florida State (13-0)

This will be the first time

Florida State, Trey Benson

Auburn and Maryland will face off in a bowl game

SATURDAY, DEC. 30 2 PM | ABC

has been a key contributor to the Seminoles offensive

SATURDAY, DEC. 30 4 PM | ESPN

and just their fourth

arsenal with 14 rushing

meeting in history, with their previous meeting

touchdowns while Georgia quarterback Carson Beck

being 40 years ago when the Terps had Boomer

had a spectacular first campaign with the Bulldogs,

Esiason at quarterback. This will be the Terrapins

throwing for 3738 yards and 22 touchdowns. This will

third consecutive Bowl appearance, coming off

also be a meeting between two of college football’s

wins in both the Pinstripe & Duke’s Mayo Bowls,

best head coaches in Kirby Smart and Mike Norvell,

while Auburn is back in Bowl Season after missing

each of whom have led their team into the Top 10

out in 2022.

entering Bowl Season. BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON MATCHUPS Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

ReliaQuest Bowl

Toledo (11-2) vs. Wyoming (8-4)

Wisconsin (7-5) vs. LSU (9-3)

The Rockets are coming

The Tigers are led by

off an appearance in the MAC Championship

SATURDAY, DEC. 30 4:30 PM | CW NETWORK

Heisman-nominated QB Jayden Daniels, while the

MONDAY, JAN. 1 12 PM | ESPN2

at Ford Field in Detroit.

Badgers have a dominant

Toledo’s offense also features RB Peny Boone, who

running attack led by All-Big Ten RB Braelon Allen.

boasts 1400 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns heading

This will be the fifth ever matchup between the

into Bowl Season. This is the second appearance in a

Badgers and Tigers. The most recent game between

row in the Arizona Bowl for the Wyoming Cowboys,

the two teams occurred in the 2016 season opener

with a chance to redeem themselves after a tough

at Lambeau Field, where Wisconsin won 16-14. This is

OT loss to Ohio last year. Wyoming QB Andrew

each coach’s second bowl game as well.

Peasley is coming off a strong 2023 campaign throwing for 1,823 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Liberty (13-0) vs. Oregon (11-2)

Iowa (10-3) vs. Tennessee (8-4)

The Liberty Flames are the

Iowa, fresh off an

only group of five team who are playing in a New

MONDAY, JAN. 1 1 PM | ESPN

appearance in their conference championship

MONDAY, JAN. 1 1 PM | ABC

Year’s Six Bowl Game after an undefeated season

game, and the Tennessee Volunteers both finished

and being crowned Conference USA Champions.

the season in The Top 25, with the Hawkeyes at No. 17

They are facing an Oregon Ducks team, who also

and the Volunteers ranked No. 21. The Hawkeyes have

appeared in their conference championship game.

boasted an impressive defense all season, averaging

The Ducks are led by Heisman Trophy candidate,

slightly over 13 points per game, while the Volunteers

Bo Nix at quarterback, who has played in 60 college

have a high-powered offense that has only been held

football games.

to single digit points in a game once this season.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential No. 4 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 1 Michigan (13-0)

This will be a duel between

MONDAY, JAN. 1

two prolific college football

5 PM | ESPN

programs and head

coaches. Nick Saban has won seven national titles, while Jim Harbaugh leads an undefeated Michigan team to its third appearance in the College Football Playoff. Despite a home loss to Texas early in the season, the Crimson Tide went on an 11-game winning streak, while Michigan ran the gauntlet in the Big Ten, to make its way back to the CFP semifinals.

Allstate Sugar Bowl No. 3 Texas (12-1) vs. No. 2 Washington (13-0)

Both Washington and Texas won their respective conference

MONDAY, JAN. 1 8:45 PM | ESPN

championships, cementing their place in the Top Four. This will be a matchup between two high-powered offenses led by the Longhorns’ QB Quinn Ewers and Heismannominated Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. This will also be a rematch of last year’s Alamo Bowl, which Washington won 27-20.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

EXCLUSIVE LIVE NATIONAL RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY COVERAGE Tune in for 18 College Bowl Games This Season

owl Season Radio will air on terrestrial radio stations throughout the country, as well as SiriusXM satellite radio. In addition, the games will stream live on In-Tune, Audacy and The Varsity Network apps. The total reach for bowl season radio last season was 34 million. The 2023-24 Bowl Season Radio schedule

Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, 76 Birmingham

begins Saturday December 16th with the Cricket

Bowl, Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, SRS

Celebration Bowl.

Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl,

Other games on the Bowl Season Radio schedule

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, Military Bowl

include the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl,

presented by gobowling.com, Wasabi Fenway

Isleta New Mexico Bowl, Radiance Technologies

Bowl, Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, TransPerfect Music

Independence Bowl, Famous Toastery Bowl,

City Bowl, ReliaQuest Bowl, and East-West Shrine

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, Union Home

Bowl all-star game.

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

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WHO WE ARE PytchBlack is a creative marketing agency in DFW that specializes in college athletics. Our team has over 20 years of experience executing campaigns for bowl games, basketball tournaments, and college athletic programs. We are Champions of Big IdeasSM, and our ideas have led us to work with clients like the Armed Forces Bowl, Cotton Bowl Classic, Las Vegas Bowl, First Responder Bowl, and Frisco Bowl… to name a few. Our small team has the ability to work with you on a personal level no matter the size and scale of your event.

TALK TO PYTCHBLACK If you’re looking for a big idea to propel your game to the next level, visit pytchblack.com/bowl-season.

Featured Guests

Steve Shaw • Matt Rhule Bruce Feldman • Brian Kelly Gloria Nevarez • Joshua Perry Joe Tessitore • Mike Perrin Nick Ferroni • Virginia Tech O-Line Jon Steinbrecher • Qadry Ismail Matt Barrie • Roman Oben Jim Phillips • Chris Zorich Mike Tirico • Keith Gill Danny Wuerffel • Shannon Spake Greg Schiano • Chris Carlin Matt Cassel • Rob Gronkowski Judy MacLeod • Dorian Williams A.J. Edds • Merton Hanks

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BOWL SEASON | December 2023

DEC. 16

Georgia Southern vs. Ohio

Myrtle Beach, SC

Howard vs. Florida A&M Atlanta, GA

Jax St. vs. Louisiana New Orleans, LA

Miami (OH) vs. App St. Orlando, FL

NM St. vs. Fresno St. Albuquerque, NM

11 AM | ESPN

12 PM | ABC

2:15 PM | ESPN

3:30 PM | ABC

5:45 PM | ESPN

DEC. 16

DEC. 18

DEC. 19

DEC. 21

UCLA vs. Boise St. Inglewood, CA

Cal vs. Texas Tech Shreveport, LA

WKU vs. Old Dominion Charlotte, NC

UTSA vs. Marshall Frisco, TX

USF vs. Syracuse Boca Raton, FL

7:30 PM | ABC

9:15 PM | ESPN

2:30 PM | ESPN

9 PM | ESPN

8 PM | ESPN

DEC. 22

DEC. 23

Georgia Tech vs. UCF Tampa, FL

Troy vs. Duke Birmingham, AL

Arkansas St. vs. N. Illinois Montgomery, AL

JMU vs. Air Force Fort Worth, TX

Georgia St. vs. Utah St. Boise, ID

6:30 PM | ESPN

12 PM | ABC

12 PM | ESPN

3:30 PM | ABC

3:30 PM | ESPN

DEC. 23

DEC. 26

S. Alabama vs. E. Michigan Mobile, AL

Utah vs. Northwestern Las Vegas, NV

CCU vs. San Jose St. Honolulu, HI

BGSU vs. Minnesota Detroit, MI

Texas St. vs. Rice University Park, TX

7 PM | ESPN

7:30 PM | ABC

10:30 PM | ESPN

2 PM | ESPN

5:30 PM | ESPN

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

DEC. 27

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane Annapolis, MD

UNC vs. West Virginia Charlotte, NC

Louisville vs. USC San Diego, CA

Texas A&M vs. Ok. St. Houston, TX

9 PM | ESPN

2 PM | ESPN

5:30 PM | ESPN

8 PM | FOX

9 PM | ESPN

DEC. 28

DEC. 29

SMU vs. Boston College Boston, MA

Rutgers vs. Miami Bronx, NY

NC St. vs. Kansas St. Orlando, FL

Arizona vs. Oklahoma San Antonio, TX

Clemson vs. Kentucky Jacksonville, FL

11 AM | ESPN

2:15 PM | ESPN

5:45 PM | ESPN

9:15 PM | ESPN

12 PM | ESPN

DEC. 29

DEC. 30

Oregon St. vs. Notre Dame El Paso, TX

Memphis vs. Iowa St. Memphis, TN

Missouri vs. Ohio St. Arlington, TX

Ole Miss vs. Penn St. Atlanta, GA

Auburn vs. Maryland Nashville, TN

2 PM | CBS

3:30 PM | ESPN

8 PM | ESPN

12 PM | ESPN

2 PM | ABC

DEC. 30

JAN. 1

Georgia vs. Florida St. Miami, FL

Toledo vs. Wyoming Tucson, AZ

Wisconsin vs. LSU Tampa, FL

Liberty vs. Oregon Glendale, AZ

Iowa vs. Tennessee Orlando, FL

4 PM | ESPN

4:30 PM | CW NETWORK

12 PM | ESPN2

1 PM | ESPN

1 PM | ABC

JAN. 1

JAN. 8

Alabama vs. Michigan Pasadena, CA

Texas vs. Washington New Orleans, LA

5 PM | ESPN

8:45 PM | ESPN

7:30 PM | ESPN

CFP Semif inal

CFP Championship

*All times ET and all Bowls subject to change.

TBD vs. TBD Houston, TX

BOWL SEASON | December 2023

2023-24 BOWL SEASON SCHEDULE

DEC. 26

Kansas vs. UNLV Phoenix, AZ

BOWLSEASON.COM #BOWLSEASON