2024 WEEK 1
SEASON PREVIEW
HEADLINES & RECOMMENDED READING
Current or former Pac-12 team to play in 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl – Erik Evenson, Independence Bowl
What every former Pac-12 football team will do in 2024 – Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire
Army Makes AAC Debut Friday as Black Knights Host Lehigh –American Athletic Conference
'He was made of the right stuff': Inside John Mateer's winding path to becoming WSU's QB1 – Greg Woods, The Spokesman-Review
The toughest game for each Pac-12 team as they enter new leagues – Christian Caple, Seattle Sports
MEDIA BOWL PROJECTIONS
PRE-SEASON CONFERENCE MEDIA POLLS
PRE-SEASON AP TOP 25
Georgia
Ohio State
Oregon+
Texas
Alabama
Ole Miss
Notre Dame
Penn State
Michigan
Florida State
Missouri
Oklahoma State
Kansas State
Texas A&M
Arizona+
Kansas
USC+
NC State
Iowa
* Eligible for I-Bowl due to Pac-12 tie-in (Current Pac-12 schools
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
THURSDAY // 7 PM CT // ESPN
• Colorado, now in the Big 12, faces an FCS team that no one wants to see on the schedule – including Coach Prime
The Buffs return stars QB Shedeur Sanders and two-way stud Travis Hunter. They also went to the portal to beef up on the line of scrimmage and brought in experienced play-caller Pat Shurmur.
• North Dakota State remains an elite FCS program, but continued success has taken its toll on the program. HC Matt Entz is now the LB Coach at USC after losing four games in 2023. Will the Bison be back at their normal level to compete with CU?
SATURDAY // 6:30 PM CT // CBS
• A lot of change at UCLA, as they bring in a new coaching staff and are entering the Big Ten. They head out to the island to take on a Hawai'i team that already has a win under its belt.
• Bruins new HC DeShaun Foster looks to start his HC career with a victory.
• UCLA QB Ethan Garbers passed for 1136 yards last year, and his 7.78 yards per attempt would have ranked 3rd in the Big Ten last year. Hawai'i opened up with 35-14 win over Delaware State. QB Brayden Schager passed for 203 yards and scored 4 total TDs.
SATURDAY // 9:30 PM CT // FS1
After going 3-9 under first year HC Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State looks to take a step forward in its first year in the Big 12.
• Wyoming is ushering in a new era after HC Craig Bohl retired after last season.
• The Sun Devils only scored 17.8 points per game last year and averaged just 322 yards, but former UNLV HC Marcus Arroyo takes over as the OC. He will look to take the offense to the next level.
• Wyoming went 9-4 last year, including an opening week win over the Independence Bowl champions, Texas Tech. Can they get another P4 win this week?
FRIDAY // 9:30 PM
CT // ESPN
• Stanford, in its first year in the ACC, looks for a good start under second-year head coach Troy Taylor.
The Cardinal return QB Ashton Daniels (2247 yds, 14 total TDs) and top targets WR Elic Ayamanor (1013 yds), WR Tiger Bachmeier (409 yds) and TE Sam Roush (288 yds)from a passing attack that was pretty good in 2023.
• TCU revamped its defense this offseason, bringing in former Boise State HC Andy Avalos as defensive coordinator. They will move from a 3-3-5 defense to 4-2-5 and brought in a lot of transfers on defense.
SATURDAY // 9:30 PM CT // ESPN
• Arizona, now in the Big 12, enters this contest as heavy favorites over the Lobos, who fell to FCS Montana State in Week Zero.
• This is our first opportunity to see the Wildcats under new HC Brent Brennan.
• Arizona returns QB Noah Fifita (2869 yds, 25 TDs, 6 INTs) and one of the best receivers in the country – preseason All-American Tetairoa McMillan (1402 yds and 10 TDs).
The Arizona offense will be explosive, and they will sport one of the best secondaries in the country –featuring CB Tacario Davis and S Dalton Johnson.
SUNDAY // 6:30 PM CT
// ABC
These two teams are replacing the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and last two Heisman winners at QB, as well as revamping their defenses with new coordinators after disappointing 2023 performances.
• The matchup of the LSU offensive line vs. USC's defensive line could be a major factor in the game, as LSU's OL should be one of the best in the nation.
• The last time we saw USC QB Miller Moss, he threw for 372 yds and 6 TDs in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. Is he ready to lead the Trojans' program? USC brought in Mississippi St. RB Woody Marks to help.
Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 pm on ESPN
INSIDE THE I-BOWL
INSIDE THE I-BOWL RADIO SHOW IS BACK!
Tune into 1130 The Tiger every Wednesday during football season from 6-7 p.m. for Inside the I-Bowl, the official radio show of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl!
Director of Communications Erik Evenson and Lou Groza Award-winning kicker and former I-Bowl Chairman Art Carmody IV get you set for each weekend of college football. They'll update you on all the best games of the weekend, conference games, and everything you need to know about the 48th Independence Bowl!
INSIDE THE I-BOWL
TUNE INTO THE INSIDE THE I-BOWL PODCAST!
The Inside the I-Bowl Podcast, presented by The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate, is the official podcast of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and Independence Bowl Foundation. We keep you updated on all the I-Bowl news throughout the year, as well as college football news. We also talk to former players and coaches of the bowl, featuring their stories on their I-Bowl and college football experiences. Finally, it highlights our proud Independence Bowl Foundation volunteers and sponsors who work hard to make the bowl and our events as great as they are. Click the buttons to subscribe and listen!
WATCH THE INSIDE THE I-BOWL PODCAST ON YOUTUBE!
Full episodes of the Inside the I-Bowl Podcast, presented by The Shreveport Bossier City Advocate, are now on YouTube!
Watch the full episodes of the podcast on the official YouTube Channel of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl!
TICKETS! GET YOUR TICKETS!
PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Public tickets to the 48th playing of Shreveport's annual bowl game are on sale now! Individual tickets are available throughout Independence Stadium and create great options for everyone – ranging from $20 to $70 Along with individual tickets, a bevy of ticket packages are also available for families, small businesses and other groups. These options include the Family Four-Packs, Small Business Fan-Pack and group ticket packages.
PURCHASE TICKETS!
HAVEN'T RENEWED YOUR TICKETS? THERE'S STILL TIME!
The deadline to renew was Wednesday, July 31st. To guarantee your seats, you can pay for your tickets via phone, by mail, email, or in person at our main office before the ticket reservation deadline, Wednesday, November 27, to guarantee your same seats for the 2024 game. After the ticket reservation deadline, all seats will be released for public sale.
