The excitement of the college football postseason is fully underway with the 2024-2025 College Football Bowl Season. This year's bowl season is particularly historic as it features the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP). With teams battling it out for glory, December 26 had three thrilling matchups on the schedule, kicking off the post-Christmas action.
This football season commenced with the GameAbove Sports Bowl, held at Ford Field in Detroit, where the Pittsburgh Panthers faced off against the Toledo Rockets at 2 p.m. ET. After a strong start to the season, Pittsburgh has suffered recent setbacks, including five straight losses after beginning the year 7-0. Meanwhile, Toledo, ending the season equally with a 7-5 record, faced challenges too, losing momentum with several defeats down the stretch.
"We aim to rewrite our story this bowl season, turning around from the recent disappointments," stated Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi. The Panthers have captured one bowl victory in Detroit back in 2019, and this matchup against Toledo marks their opportunity to regain some glory.
Next up was the Rate Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix, scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. ET, featuring Rutgers against Kansas State. Rutgers boasts a solid 7-5 record, having bounced back with three wins out of their last four games after suffering losses early on. On the other side, Kansas State, also ending at 8-4, experienced turbulence at the finish line, with consecutive losses to Houston, Arizona State, and Iowa State.
"This game is pivotal for our program, and we are ready to make our mark on postseason play," said Kansas State's coach Chris Klieman.
The day wrapped up with the 68 Ventures Bowl featuring Arkansas State against Bowling Green at 9 p.m. ET at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Both teams concluded their seasons with records of 7-5, and each is hungry for bowl success—Bowling Green aiming to capture their first bowl win since 2014.
"These players have fought hard, and now it's time to seize this moment," remarked Arkansas State coach Butch Jones, emphasizing the determination his team carries.
Overall, the 2024-25 college football bowl season has started with vibrant contests and compelling narratives. Following the initial three games, the bowl season continues with more matchups leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, Georgia.
This year's bowl games also feature venue changes. The Guaranteed Rate Bowl has been rebranded as simply the Rate Bowl, and the Holiday Bowl has moved from Petco Park to Snapdragon Stadium. These shifts reflect the dynamic nature of college sports.
One of the most exciting aspects of this bowl season is certainly the CFP's evolution. With the addition of the 12-team format, fans are eager to see how the playoff will reshape future postseason narratives. The teams are revamped, eager to flex their power and rooting for glory.
After the first round of the CFP earlier this week, top seeds are preparing for intense quarterfinals set to occur across renowned traditional bowl venues. Notable matches include No. 4 seeds Arizona State against No. 5 Texas, as well as No. 1 Oregon hosting No. 8 Ohio State.
"This playoff structure has brought new energy to the competition, and we can't wait to see how it will play out," commented Oregon's coach, Dan Lanning.
With no shortage of storylines, the bowl season serves as both conclusion and celebration of football excellence, where teams strive for highs amid the backdrop of thrilling collegiate rivalries.
Fans and analysts alike are already speculating on which teams will shine and which will flop as bowl coverage ramps up on networks like ESPN and CBS. From game results to standout player performances, this year's bowl season continues to showcase the depth and talent within college football.
Whether it’s the spirited underdogs rising up or the powerhouses asserting dominance, the stage is set for unforgettable moments as the 2024-25 college football season progresses.
