This is an intense week for college football conferences nationwide. Through the ups and downs of this year’s unpredictable sports schedule, in all categories they are still navigating the course. With some traditional bowls cancelled, new college football bowls have been spawned in 2020 to accommodate the current climate.
Here are this week’s bowl games with a little history about each.
Dec 21 – 2:30pm est - PLAYED Myrtle Beach Bowl – Appalachian State 56 vs North Texas 28
The first game of its kind in the state of South Carolina, the inaugural Myrtle Beach Bowl kicked off yesterday at Brooks Stadium on Coastal Carolina University’s campus. Appalachian State won against North Texas – 56 – 28. Congratulations Appalachian State!
Dec 22 – 3:30pm est Idaho Potato Bowl – Tulane Green Waves vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Initially organized as the Humanitarian Bowl in 1997, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl became the official bowl for the Big West in 2011. The Idaho Potato Commission rose to the occasion and committed as a long-term sponsor, giving the bowl its new identity. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is the longest-running cold weather bowl game in college football.
Dec 22 – 7pm est Boca Raton Bowl – UCF vs BYU
The Boca Raton Bowl has been played at the FAU Stadium on the Florida Atlantic university since 2014. In 2016, Kenneth Langone was named "Lifetime Commissioner" of the Boca Raton Bowl. Langone is known to walk around the stands selling LEOs (Lox, Eggs, and Onions) during the game.
Dec 23 – 3:30pm est New Orleans Bowl – Louisiana Tech vs Georgia Southern
The New Orleans Bowl has been going since 2001, played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and damaged the Superdome in 2005, the bowl was still on. The location for the bowl game that year was Lafayette, Louisiana, at Cajun Field home of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Dec 23 – 7pm est Montgomery Bowl – Memphis vs. FAU
The Montgomery Bowl, being held at the Cramton Bowl stadium, is making its debut this year as a substitute for the Fenway Bowl. The Fenway Bowl was scheduled to debut this year in Boston, MA.
Dec 25 – 2:30pm est Camellia Bowl – Buffalo vs Marshall
The inaugural Camellia Bowl kicked off in 2014, at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL. The Cramton Bowl has hosted Major League Baseball, minor league baseball and plenty of football. The stadium has the designation of being the first in the South to feature a football game under the lights (1927), between Cloverdale High and Pike High School. Drawing a crowd of more than 7,200. The Alabama Crimson Tide played home games in the capital city at Cramton Bowl from 1922 to 1932 and in various years through 1954.
Dec 26 – 3:30pm est LendingTree Bowl – Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State
Stan Tiner, former editor of the Mobile Register and a supporter of sports in Mobile, initiated the idea of this bowl. Tiner discussed the idea with Mobile Mayor Mike Dow for the first time in 1998. Dow recognized the possibilities and pursued organizing. They first college football bowl in Mobile, AL held in 1999.
Dec 26 - 3:30pm est First Responder Bowl – Louisiana State vs UTSA
This game physically replaced the Cotton Bowl Classic that moved from its longtime home to AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2010. In the inaugural game, Texas Tech of the Big 12 Conference defeated Northwestern of the Big Ten Conference. The First Responder Bowl adopted its new name in 2018.
Dec 26 – 12pm est Gasparilla Bowl – South Carolina vs UAB
The Tampa Bay Community has proudly hosted bowl week for ten years. FL climate will be a 180 from that of the Idaho Potato Bowl. The Gasparilla Bowl will be held at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
Dec 26 – Time TBA Cure Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs Liberty
The Cure Bowl was organized with a philanthropic goal in mind. Ticket sales go toward the fight against breast cancer. Following the 5th Cure Bowl in 2019, the Orlando Sports Foundation has donated over $3.8 million towards the cause. The Breast Cancer Research Fund (BCRF) has also awarded local researcher of the UCF College of Medicine, Dr. Khaled, over $1.1 million in funding grants.