Category: College Football

The Pop-Tarts Bowl was perfectly unserious and more bowl games should be exactly like it

We need more unseriousness during Bowl Season. The Pop-Tart Bowl was incredible.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Goooood morning, family! Happy Friday! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you.

We need to talk about this Pop-Tart bowl. Wasn’t that the greatest thing ever?

I didn’t care that much about the game, which Kansas State won 28-19, by the way. That wasn’t the story of the evening. Instead, it was the actual giant Pop-Tart just kind of…scampering around everywhere on the sideline. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Neither could the broadcast. The novelty of a giant pop tart that we knew would eventually be edible was too much.

RELATED: The 11 best moments from the Pop-Tart bowl that had nothing to do with the game

In all seriousness, wasn’t this perfect? It’s nice to see bowl games not taking themselves too seriously. We don’t. Why should they?

Since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, it’s been the only postseason thing that has mattered to most people. Bowl games are cool. Being there is good and reflective of a successful season for most programs. But they’re a bit of a cherry on top. They don’t matter as much as, say, conference championship weekend or even rivalry weekend before that.

There’s no better way to draw eyes to your bowl game than to just have some fun with it. Why not? Make it a meme. Yes, Pop-Tart Bowl. Please, give us a giant edible mascot. Give us something so completely ridiculous and outlandish that we have to talk about it. It’s so much fun and, by the way, great for content.

The other bowls need to step their game up. Looking at you, Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Give us a full jar of mayonnaise mascot or we riot.

Can’t spell elite without Joe Flacco

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

What’s gotten into Joe Flacco? One second this man was about to join the Inside the NFL broadcast team. The next, he’s starting at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Not only is he starting, folks, but he looks like he could potentially be *just fine* enough that the Browns might contend for a Super Bowl.

Now there’s a paragraph I never thought I’d write in my life.

But facts are facts. And Joe Flacco is 4-1 as the Cleveland Browns’ starter so far this season. He’s tossed 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions after tossing three more touchdowns against the Jets on Thursday night. In total, he’s got 1,616 yards on the season and has thrown for over 300 in four straight games so far.

The dude is playing like he’s in his prime. He’s been so comfortable that he’s falling asleep during games. Literally.

I don’t know where this road ends for Flacco and the Browns. It could take them to Las Vegas. Regardless, we’re going to have a ton of fun along the way with the bombs Flacco can still throw at 39 years old.

Buckle up.

Jalen Milroe gets the last laugh

Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe revealed that former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien suggested that he change positions at some point during his tenure with the team.

Yes, it’s as infuriating as it sounds. Cory Woodruff has more here.

“Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe could’ve had a completely different future with the Crimson Tide if he’d taken former Bama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien’s advice.

…

Obviously, O’Brien was very wrong to suggest Milroe play anywhere else but quarterback considering how well he has grown into being Alabama’s starter. Of course, Milroe shook off O’Brien’s incorrect suggestion and acclimated to his starting duties just fine.

“So who gets the last laugh?” Milroe quipped about O’Brien’s suggestion.“

Look, Milroe has never been a perfect quarterback. He’s been benched. He’s lost. He’s still got a lot to learn, as any college QB does.

But to suggest a position change? Come on, man. We’ve seen much worse from other QBs. This is typical when it comes to Black quarterbacks. It was suggested for Lamar Jackson. Same for Jalen Hurts. Now, here’s Milroe.  Let me know when Bo Nix gets the same advice.

Ultimately, Milroe didn’t take O’Brien’s advice to heart, which is a good thing. Because if he had we wouldn’t have gotten the special season from Alabama that we just did.

So, once again, Bill O’Brien, the joke’s on you.

Photo Friday: Of course, it’s the Pop-Tart. Again.

Look at how they’ve devoured our sweet, sweet friend. Poor Pop-Tart. We knew your swift end was coming. That doesn’t make it hurt any less.

All they left was a single eye. It hurts. But it was worth it. Pop-Tart lived a brief, but great, life. Ultimately, they met their desired end. I can’t be mad at that.

We’ll miss you, Pop-Tart. We’ll miss you.

RELATED: CFB fans mourned the loss of their beloved Pop-Tart

Quick hits: Ja’Marr Chase wyd??? … Disneyland Rides ranked by Nick Saban hate … and more

— Ja’Marr Chase is, once again, ripping the Chiefs. Because, of course, that’s never backfired before. Meghan Hall has more.

— Matt Scalici ranked 12 Disneyland rides by how much Nick Saban would hate them. This is incredible content.

— Prince Grimes says the Broncos’ benching of Russell Wilson is shameful. I completely agree.

— Speaking of the Broncos, Christian D’Andrea has a playoff plan ready for them…for 2026.

— Here are the 18 college football programs with the most No. 1 picks in the NFL draft. Meghan Hall has us covered.

— Here’s Ben Fawkes on how historically bad the Atlanta Hawks are against the spread.

That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you. We’ll talk to you in the new year. Until then! Peace and love. We out.

-Sykes ✌️

18 college football programs with the most No. 1 NFL Draft picks, including a 4-way tie at the top

Breaking down the college football teams with the most No. 1 NFL Draft picks.

Every year when the college football season ends, all eyes turn to the NFL Draft, a place where players, and their respective college teams, etch their names in history.

For many high-profile college football players, their NFL Draft prep includes skipping bowl games to preserve health and having extreme intentionality about football in the days leading up to the NFL Draft.

With the draft comes a chance for a life to change, especially for the players that will be drafted No.1 overall. Going No. 1 is obviously a big deal for the players, but it’s also important for their college programs.

Here are the college football teams with the most No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks:

The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot menacingly creeping behind a referee became an instant meme

WATCH OUT FOR THE POP-TART!

Thursday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl turned into one of the most enjoyable nights on the sports calendar this year, thanks in large part to that wily Pop-Tart mascot.

There were just too many fun shenanigans that Pop-Tart mascot got into to mention them all there, from his hilarious entrance to his even funnier exit.

While the Pop-Tart Mascot had a great sense of humor about being turned into an edible mascot for the Kansas State Wildcats, he didn’t leave this world without giving us a fantastic meme.

The image in question featured the Pop-Tart mascot creeping up behind a smiling referee during the game. Check it out below.

I mean, c’mon, that is a fantastic meme.

The internet did its thing after this image began going around social media and brought forth some delightful memes featuring the absolute star of college bowl game season.

You’re going to love these gags, trust us.

The greatest mascot moments from the inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl

The inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl gave us a series of mascot moments that may be the greatest in the history of the game of football.

The Kansas State Wildcats beat the North Carolina State Wolfpack 28-19 in the inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl, but with all due respect to both teams, who cares? What everybody was concerned about was the fate of the bowl’s mascot, a human Pop-Tart named Strawberry.

Per ESPN:

The celebration included players taking a bite out of Pop-Tarts that were placed inside the hardware during the trophy presentation.

Then, amid chants of “toast that mascot,” Strawberry was lowered into a toaster prop before a large, edible toaster pastry was dispensed from the bottom of the machine.

Head coach Chris Klieman and quarterback Avery Johnson took the first bites of the treat.

Here are the most remarkable parts of this unprecedented celebration.

The non-edible Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot delivered a brutally funny message before getting toasted

RIP non-edible Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot lived through some of the most vicarious four quarters a mascot possibly can in a bowl game.

However, when the roll was called up yonder, the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot was there.

Indeed, when it came time for the Kansas State Wildcats to celebrate and eat the edible version of the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot, the non-edible version had to bid the world adieu before entering its toaster-y resting place.

As Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” played over the speakers, the non-edible Pop-Tart mascot danced over its heated grave in front of the team that would soon eat its toasted corpse. It was then lowered into the toaster to cook for a Wildcat feast.

RELATED: The 11 best moments from the Pop-Tarts Bowl that had nothing to do with the game

The last message the non-edible toaster had for us before its sacrificial descent? “Dreams really do come true. [heart emoji]”

He held the message up on a sign like Wile E. Coyote before that Looney Tune went falling off a cliff in his failed attempt to capture the Roadrunner.

We will always remember the non-edible Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot, but like Frosty the Snowman, it’ll be back again some day… like, next year at the next Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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College football fans mourned the death of the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot after Kansas State’s victory

Long live Strawberry.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl is no doubt a college football fan favorite after Thursday night’s showing. Between the non-edible mascot’s iconic entrance and its other shenanigans throughout the game, college football fans were truly blessed with some good food during the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

However, all good things must come to an end, and after the Kansas State Wildcats bested the NC State Wolfpack 28-19, fans had to say goodbye to the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot. It’s been known for some time that this bowl game would feature an edible mascot and after an elaborate ritual that saw the (non-edible) Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot lowered into a toaster, we finally feasted our eyes on the sweet, edible treat itself.

Yes, really. It’s a ceremony you absolutely have to watch to believe.

Everything about this moment was perfect. From the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot’s bittersweet final moments to Kansas State finally digging into the edible creation, this was a moment college football fans will never forget.

And on social media, fans took to giving the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot a final farewell as it was eaten on national television for our enjoyment.

The 11 best moments from the Pop-Tarts Bowl that had nothing to do with the game

POP-TARTS EVERYWHERE.

Some college football bowl games massively disappoint. Some exceed your wildest expectations. And Thursday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando was definitely the latter.

Yes, Kansas State topped NC State, 28-19, and that’s great for the Wildcats.

But let’s face it: The real winners of the Pop-Tarts Bowl were fans who watched the game and got treated to an abundance of Pop-Tarts-themed fun and mayhem. And the sponsorship and product placement worked because if you watched any part of this game, chances are you ended up craving Pop-Tarts at some point.

RELATED: The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot menacingly creeping behind a referee became an instant meme

While the matchup itself was exciting, the scene around the Pop-Tarts Bowl was exceptional and seemingly shot this game up to one of the favorite bowls among college football fans (RIP Cheez-It Bowl).

So here are our favorite moments from the bowl that had absolutely nothing to do with the game.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

Bill O’Brien’s denigration of Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is an all-too-familiar refrain

Bill O’Brien telling Jalen Milroe that he wasn’t fit for his position is an all-too-common tale for Black quarterbacks, and O’Brien should be ashamed of himself.

Current New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Bill O’Brien held that same position for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021 and 2022. O’Brien helped Alabama to a 24-4 record in those two seasons, and an appearance in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, but he also said at least one very dumb thing that he might regret now, given the opportunity.

During media appearances this week for the upcoming College Football Playoff, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe told reporters that O’Brien told Milroe that he should not be a collegiate quarterback. The Katy, Texas native was a four-star prospect and one of the top dual-threat quarterback recruits in the nation, but that didn’t seem to matter to O’Brien.

Milroe’s first season as a starter was 2023 after Bryce Young departed to become the No. 1 selection in the NFL draft, He struggled in that role at first, was benched in Week 3, and then came back hard. From Week 4 through the SEC Championship game against Georgia, Milroe completed 130 of 192 passes for 2,079 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 122.7. Not that Milroe is a fully-developed starter yet — he’s still putting things together — but the growth he’s shown through his year should have put such ridiculous proclamations to rest.

The problem with what O’Brien said, if that’s the way he said it, is that it made Milroe the latest in a very long line of Black quarterbacks who have not been given the time to grow afforded to their white counterparts. Willie Thrower, George Taliaferro, Choo Choo Brackins, Sandy Stephens, Jimmy Raye, Marlin Briscoe, Eldridge Dickey, Warren Moon, and on and on… there was a series of decades in the transition from college football to the NFL in which Black quarterbacks were told to either find another position, or no opportunities would be open to them.

Some did. Warren Moon spent five years blowing up the Canadian Football League before his greatness was too much for even the NFL to deny.

Some couldn’t. Briscoe, who set a Denver Broncos rookie record in 1968 for touchdown passes that still stands today, was excluded from quarterback meetings by head coach Lou Saban in 1969, and had to play receiver for the rest of his NFL career.

Even now, you have six-time NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian insisting that Lamar Jackson would have been better off switching to receiver when he came out of Louisville — something Polian has had to apologize for in retrospect if he ever wanted any more credibility as an analyst. There were those who questioned Justin Fields’ processing speed at Ohio State, ignoring the fact that the Buckeyes’ playbook, laden with option routes, demanded that its quarterback take time for those routes to develop.

To Milroe’s credit, he’s not accepting a bit of it.

Milroe is with the right team, and with the right head coach, as Nick Saban has fully embraced styles of offensive play he used to rail against. Moreover, Saban struck the right balance between letting Milroe know what he needed to do if he wanted that job, and helping him acquire it.

“Seems like a dream, not always a good dream, but a dream that I never quit believing would become a reality,” Milroe told ESPN’s Chris Low in November. “From where I was, the way I was doubted — and even some people in this building [Alabama’s football complex] doubted me — it truly blows my mind to where it’s all led to, and the best part, where it’s led to for our team.

“I was told I would never be the starting quarterback at Alabama. I’ve been told I was not smart enough to play the position. I’ve been told everything. Even when I was named the starter at the beginning of the season, I don’t think a lot of people thought I would keep it, and if I did, that we were going to have a bad season. So, yes, I’ve faced a lot of obstacles. The main thing is the right people believed in me, here at Alabama and within my family, and I remained grounded in believing in who I am.

“That takes you a long way.”

Milroe deserved the chance he got, and nothing more. His coaches and the people who supported him were there to help, and that’s all anybody can ask for.

That’s the good news, The bad news is that there are still people like Bill O’Brien at high decision-making levels in college and pro football cutting off the supply of opportunities before they can mature.

“How would you feel if I told you that you sucked?” is what Milroe said.

Well, there should be no issue with the idea that Bill O’Brien’s handling of his young quarterback sucked, and is an embarrassment to football at any level.

ESPN’s Drew Carter paid homage to John Sterling in Rutgers’ Pinstripe Bowl victory at Yankee Stadium

Start spreading the news, Rutgers is back!

If Rutgers football isn’t back, it’s about as close as it can get without crossing the threshold.

On Thursday the Scarlet Knights capped off their first winning season since 2014 with a 31-24 victory over Miami (FL) in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. And seeing as how the game was at Yankee Stadium, which meant Rutgers was basically playing in home territory, it only felt right that ESPN’s play-by-play man Drew Carter ended the broadcast with a Bronx victory tradition.

Carter channeled his inner John Sterling and sent Rutgers into the offseason by paying homage to the longtime Yankees broadcaster’s famous call.

Start spreading the news, Greg Schiano has something worth watching at Rutgers.

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Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos scored 2 TDs in the Fenway Bowl and fans all made the same joke

The Eagles’ QB led plenty of deep drives on Thursday

Boston College had a tough task on Thursday when it entered a bowl matchup against No. 24 SMU.

For starters, the 11-win Mustangs boasted am offense that averaged the sixth-most points in the nation during the regular season and a defense that gave up the 12th fewest. But the Eagles had much more working in their favor: a homefield advantage playing at Fenway Park, continuous rain pouring down and, maybe most importantly a quarterback with the same last name as a famous slugger leading them on a baseball field.

Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos did everything in the Eagles’ 23-14 upset, passing for 102 yards, rushing for another 156 and scoring two touchdowns on the ground.

And it was that type of performance that led to baseball fans and college fans joining forces to make the most obvious — and necessary — joke possible.