College Football Bowl Ties, Affiliations For Each Conference 2022-2023

Bowl affiliations and ties for every conference this 2022 college football season

College football bowl tie-ins and bowl affiliations for every conference going into the 2022 season.


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College Football Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations 2023-2023

– The College Football Playoff hasn’t expanded yet, so just as before, the top four teams according to the final College Football Playoff rankings will make the mini-tournament. This year, the two CFP semifinal bowls are the Fiesta and Peach on Saturday, December 31st.

– The two CFP semifinal winners will play in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles on Monday, January 9th, 2023.

– The highest-ranked conference champion from the American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, and Sun Belt will automatically get one spot in Cotton Bowl if it’s not in the College Football Playoff.

– The Rose Bowl will be the Big Ten and Pac-12, the Orange Bowl will be ACC vs a team from the Big Ten or SEC – Notre Dame could go to the Orange, but not as an ACC team – and the Sugar Bowl will be Big 12 vs SEC.

Again, the Fiesta and Peach are College Football Playoff games, leaving one spot open in the Cotton for a team to likely play a Group of Five team.

ACC Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Notre Dame is eligible for any ACC bowl tie-in as long as it’s within one game of the team eligible for the slot. However, it’s not eligible to go to the Orange Bowl as an ACC team.

The ACC Champion will automatically go to the Orange Bowl if it’s not selected for the College Football Playoff. If the top ACC team is in the CFP, the highest-ranked available team is in the Orange.

Like last year, the ACC bowl slots will mostly be based on the matchups that make the most sense and will potentially generate the most interest.

1. College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

Capital One Orange Bowl
Highest-ranked available ACC team, if it’s not the ACC Champion.

First Tier

Cheez-It Bowl vs Big 12
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs Big Ten
Fenway Bowl vs American Athletic
– Military Bowl Presented by Peraton vs American Athletic
– New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs Big Ten
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs Army
– San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs Pac-12
– TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs SEC
– Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs Pac-12

Second Tier

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs AAC, Pac-12 or SEC
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs SEC or AAC
– SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs SEC or AAC or Pac-12

2022-2023 Bowl Affiliations, Conference Tie-Ins
ACC | American Athletic | Big Ten | Big 12
Conference USA | Independents | MAC
Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt

NEXT: American Athletic Conference Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

College Football Bowl Schedule, Conference Matchups 2021-2022

The 2021-2022 schedule for the bowls and College Football Playoff games along with the conference matchups and tie-ins.

The 2021-2022 schedule for the bowls and College Football Playoff games along with the conference matchups and tie-ins.


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Bowl Schedule 2021-2022

All Times Eastern

Bahamas Bowl

Friday, December 17
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas
Bowl Tie-Ins: Conference USA vs. MAC

Cure Bowl

Friday, December 17
ESPN2, 6:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Group of Five vs. Group of Five (or Army)

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ESPN, 11:00 am
FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Group of Five vs. Group of Five (or Army)

Cricket Celebration Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ABC, 12:00 pm
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Bowl Tie-Ins: MEAC vs. SWAC

New Mexico Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ESPN, 2:15 pm
Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Bowl Tie-Ins: Conference USA vs. Mountain West

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ABC, 3:30 pm
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Conference USA vs. BYU

LendingTree Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ESPN, 5:45 pm
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Sun Belt

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ABC, 7:30 pm
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. Pac-12

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Saturday, December 18
ESPN, 9:15 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Bowl Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. Sun Belt

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Monday, December 20
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
Bowl Tie-Ins: Sun Belt vs. AAC or MAC

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Tuesday, December 21
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Mountain West

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl

Tuesday, December 21
ESPN, 7:30 pm
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Group of Five vs. Group of Five (or Army)

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Wednesday, December 22
ESPN, 7:30 pm
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 or C-USA or Pac-12 or Army

Union Home Mortgage Bowl

Thursday, December 23
ESPN, 7:00 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or ACC or Pac-12 or SEC

Hawaii Bowl

Friday, December 24
ESPN, 8:00 pm
Clarence TC Ching Complex, Honolulu, HI
Bowl Tie-Ins: American Athletic vs. Mountain West

Camellia Bowl

Saturday, December 25
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Sun Belt (or C-USA)

Quick Lane Bowl

Monday, December 27
ESPN, 11:00 am
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. MAC

Military Bowl presented by Peraton

Monday, December 27
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Pac-12

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

Tuesday, December 28
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: American Athletic vs. SEC

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Tuesday, December 28
ESPN, 3:15 pm
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or ACC or Big 12 or Pac-12

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Tuesday, December 28
ESPN, 6:45 pm
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. SEC

San Diego State Credit Union Holiday Bowl

Tuesday, December 28
FOX, 8:00 pm
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Pac-12

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Tuesday, December 28
FOX, 10:15 pm
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. Big 12

Fenway Bowl

Wednesday, December 29
ESPN, 11:00 am
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC vs. ACC (or C-USA)

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Wednesday, December 29
ESPN, 2:15 pm
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big Ten

Cheez-It Bowl

Wednesday, December 29
ESPN, 5:45 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big 12

Valero Alamo Bowl

Wednesday, December 29
ESPN, 9:15 pm
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. Pac-12

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Thursday, December 30
ESPN, 11:30 am
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC

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TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Thursday, December 30
ESPN, 3:00 pm
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Thursday, December 30
ESPN, 10:30 pm
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. Pac-12

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Friday, December 31
ESPN, 11:00 am
TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Friday, December 31
CBS, 12:30 pm
Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Pac-12

Outback Bowl

Saturday, January 1
ESPN2, 12:00 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

Vrbo Citrus Bowl

Saturday, January 1
ESPN2, 1:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

Mercari Texas Bowl

Tuesday, January 4
ESPN, Time TBA
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

Two bowl games expected to be back, but still up in the air …

Offered Bowl

Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Mountain West

Redbox Bowl

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. Pac-12

New Year’s Six Bowls Schedule

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Thursday, December 30
ESPN, 7:00 pm
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Bowl Tie-Ins: At-Large vs. At-Large

Playstation Fiesta Bowl

Saturday, January 1
ESPN, 1:00 pm
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Bowl Tie-Ins: At-Large vs. At-Large

Rose Bowl Game

Saturday, January 1
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. Pac-12

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Saturday, January 1
ESPN, 8:45 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. SEC

2021-2021 College Football Playoff Schedule

Capital One Orange Bowl

Friday, December 30
ESPN,  Time TBA
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: CFP vs. CFP

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Friday, December 30
ESPN,  Time TBA
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: CFP vs. CFP

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 10
ESPN, 8:00 pm
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Bowl Tie-Ins: CFP vs. CFP

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College Football Bowl Ties, Affiliations For Each Conference 2021-2022

College football bowl tie-ins and bowl affiliations for every conference going into the 2021 season.

College football bowl tie-ins and bowl affiliations for every conference going into the 2021 season.


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College Football Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations 2020-2021

– The top four teams ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee will be slotted in the semifinals: Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl, both on Friday, December 31st, 2021.

– The two winners to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Indianapolis on Monday, January 10th, 2022.

– The highest-ranked conference champion from the American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt will automatically get one spot in either the College Football Playoff, Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl.

– The Rose Bowl will be the Big Ten and Pac-12, the Sugar Bowl will be Big 12 vs. SEC.


ACC Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Notre Dame is eligible for any ACC bowl tie-in as long as it’s within one game of the team eligible for the slot.

The ACC Champion normally goes to the Orange Bowl – unless it makes the College Football Playoff – in which case the next-highest ranked ACC team in the final College Football Playoff rankings will get in. That’s off for this year with the Orange Bowl a CFP semifinal.

1. College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

First Tier

Cheez-It Bowl vs. Big 12
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. SEC
Fenway Bowl vs. American Athletic
– Military Bowl Presented by Peraton vs. American Athletic
– New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs Big Ten
– San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs Pac-12
– TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. SEC
– Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs. Pac-12

Second Tier

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. AAC, Pac-12 or SEC
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. SEC or AAC
– SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. SEC or AAC or Pac-12


American Athletic Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – either a College Football Playoff semifinal, Peach Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl.

The American Athletic Conference doesn’t have a true pecking order – the bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

Also, these tie-ins are a bit loose – ESPN might make changes if there’s a better opportunity and stronger matchup in one of its owned and operated bowls.

The American Athletic will get teams in these bowl slots …

Fenway Bowl vs. ACC
– Military Bowl vs. ACC (2021, 2023, 2025)
– SoFi Hawaii Bowl vs. Mountain West

The AAC will get a chance at putting four teams in these bowls …

Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. MAC or Sun Belt
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. ACC, Big 12, or Pac-12
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. SEC
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. ACC, Pac-12, or SEC

Also in the affiliation mix going forward …
– Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (2020, 2022, 2024)


Big Ten Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

1. Rose Bowl vs. Pac-12
Big Ten Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff, or highest-ranked Big Ten team

2. Vrbo Citrus Bowl vs. SEC

3. Outback Bowl vs. SEC

3. SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Pac-12

4. TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. SEC

6. New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC

7. Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big 12

8. Redbox Bowl vs. Pac-12*
Logistics on the Redbox Bowl TBD

9. Quick Lane Bowl vs. MAC

Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Pac-12
Note: Big Ten alternates with the SEC between the Las Vegas and Duke’s Mayo (formerly the Belk) bowls over six seasons. Las Vegas is 2021, 2023, 2025, Duke’s Mayo is 2020, 2022, 2024 


Big 12 Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

1. Sugar Bowl vs. SEC
Big 12 Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff, or highest-ranked Big 12 team

2. Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Pac-12
3. Cheez-It Bowl vs. ACC
4. Mercari Texas Bowl vs. SEC
5. AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. SEC
6. Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big Ten

Potential other matchups
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. C-USA, Pac-12, or Army
SERVPRO First Responders Bowl vs. ACC, American Athletic, or Pac-12


Conference USA Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – either a College Football Playoff semifinal, Peach Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl.

Conference USA doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography

Bahamas Bowl vs. MAC
Hawaii Bowl (in 2020, 2022, 2024 NOT 2021)
New Mexico Bowl vs. Mountain West
– Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. BYU (2021 & 2025)
– R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. Sun Belt

To be determined among the Group of Five conferences …

Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Big 12, Pac-12 or Army
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army

Conference USA has an affiliation to fill-in if needed …

Camellia Bowl vs. MAC or Sun Belt
Fenway Bowl vs. ACC or American
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. American or SEC
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. ACC, American, SEC
Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. American, MAC or Sun Belt


Independent Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn and UMass don’t have direct bowl ties or affiliations.

– Army doesn’t have a direct bowl tie-in, but it’ll have a slot in an ESPN owned and operated game – likely the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

BYU has a tie-in with the Independence Bowl vs. Conference USA. The Cougars will be in an ESPN owned and operated bowl in 2020, 2022 and 2024, and in the Independence Bowl in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Notre Dame can take one of the ACC’s bowl spots – if it’s not in the College Football Playoff – but it must be within one overall win over another available ACC team.


MAC Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – either a College Football Playoff semifinal, Peach Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl.

The MAC doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

Bahamas Bowl vs. Conference USA
Camellia Bowl vs. American Athletic or Sun Belt
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Mountain West
LendingTree Bowl vs. Sun Belt
– Offerpad Arizona Bowl vs. Mountain West
– Quick Lane Bowl vs. Big Ten

To be determined among the Group of Five conferences. MAC will get spots in two of these bowls …

Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. American Athletic or Sun Belt
New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army


Mountain West Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – either a College Football Playoff semifinal, Peach Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl.

The Mountain West doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowl matchups are based on best possible games and geography. The conference is guaranteed to have six bowl slots during each bowl season until 2025-2026.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. MAC
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl vs. Pac-12
New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA
– Offerpad Arizona Bowl vs. MAC
SoFi Hawai’i Bowl vs. American Athletic

Mountain West has an affiliation to fill-in if needed …

– Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big Ten or Big 12

To be determined among the Group of Five conferences …

Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army


Pac-12 Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

1. Rose Bowl vs. Big Ten
Pac-12 Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff, or highest-ranked Pac-12 team

The Pac-12 doesn’t have a true pecking order – the bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl vs. Mountain West
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs. ACC
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Big Ten
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs. ACC
Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Big 12
– Redbox Bowl vs. Big Ten*
*Logistics on the Redbox Bowl TBD

From the ESPN owned and operated bowl games, the Pac-12 will likely fill one of these three slots …

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Big 12, C-USA, or Army
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. ACC, American Athletic, or Big 12
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. Big 12, ACC or SEC


SEC Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

1. Sugar Bowl vs. Big 12
SEC Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff, or highest-ranked SEC team

2. Vrbo Citrus Bowl vs. Big Ten
The Citrus Bowl gets its pick of the top SEC team available after the CFP and Sugar Bowl are in place

The SEC will assign teams to the respective bowls in this pool.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Big 12
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. ACC
Mercari Texas Bowl vs. Big 12
Outback Bowl vs. Big Ten or ACC
– TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. ACC
– TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. Big Ten

Second Tier

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. American Athletic
 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. AAC, ACC, or Pac-12

Las Vegas Bowl vs. Pac-12
Note: SEC alternates with the Big Ten between the Las Vegas and Duke’s Mayo (formerly the Belk) bowls over six seasons. Duke’s Mayo is 2021, 2023, 2025, Las Vegas is 2020, 2022, 2024


Sun Belt Bowl Tie-Ins, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – either a College Football Playoff semifinal, Peach Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl.

The Sun Belt will get five bowl slots available to eligible teams.

ESPN owned and operated bowls get the first pick of Sun Belt teams, and it gets third and fourth picks. The New Orleans gets the second pick of the bunch, and the LendingTree has the fifth selection.

2.  R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. Conference USA
5.  LendingTree Bowl vs. MAC

To be determined among the Group of Five conferences. The Sun Belt will get spots in at least three of these bowls …

Camellia Bowl vs. C-USA or Sun Belt
Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. American Athletic or MAC

The Sun Belt has an affiliation to fill-in if needed …

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. MAC or Mountain West
New Mexico Bowl vs. C-USA or Mountain West

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2020-2021 College Football Playoff, Bowl Schedule

The 2020-2021 College Football Playoff and bowl schedule, along with the New Year’s Six bowl games.

The 2020-2021 College Football Playoff and bowl schedule, along with the New Year’s Six bowl games.


The 2020-2021 college football bowl season and College Football Playoff marches on. The schedule has been announced with gametimes, dates, and networks, all below.

As a note, the Bahamas, Celebration, Fenway, Hawaii, Holiday, Quick Lane, and Redbox bowls won’t be played this year, and the Montgomery Bowl will take the place of the Fenway.

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2020-2021 Bowl Schedule

All times Eastern

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl

Saturday, December 19
ESPN, 7:00 pm
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or C-USA or MAC or MWC
Last Season: Kent State 51, Utah State 41

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Monday, December 21
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
Bowl Tie-Ins: Conference USA or MAC or Sun Belt
Last Season: No Game

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Tuesday, December 22
ESPN, 3:30
Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Mountain West
Last Season: Ohio 30, Nevada 21

Boca Raton Bowl

Tuesday, December 22
ESPN, 7:00 pm
FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or C-USA or MAC
Last Season: Arkansas State 34, FIU 26

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Wednesday, December 23
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Bowl Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. Sun Belt Champion (if available)
Last Season: San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11

Montgomery Bowl

Wednesday, December 23
ESPN or ESPN2, 7:00 pm
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. AAC
Last Season: No Bowl
Note: This is the Fenway Bowl for this year only

New Mexico Bowl

Thursday, December 24
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or C-USA or MAC
Last Season: Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16

Camellia Bowl

Friday, December 25
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Sun Belt
Last Season: Arkansas State 34, FIU 26

Union Home Mortgage Gasparillia Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ABC, 12:00 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or ACC or SEC
Last Season: UCF 48, Marshall 25

Cure Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC, MAC, Sun Belt
Last Season: Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC or ACC or Big 12
Last Season: WKU 23, Western Michigan 20

LendingTree Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Sun Belt
Last Season: Louisiana 27, Miami University 17

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 7:00 pm
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Army vs. Pac-12 
Last Season: Louisiana Tech 14, Miami 0

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Saturday, December 26
ESPN, 10:15 pm
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. Big Ten
Last Season: Air Force 31, Washington State 21
Note: Was Cheez-It Bowl last season

Military Bowl presented by Perspecta

Monday, December 28
ESPN, 2:30 pm
Navy-Marine Corps. Stadium, Annapolis, MD
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. AAC
Last Season: North Carolina 55, Temple 13

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 2:00 pm
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big Ten
Last Season: Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21

Cheez-It Bowl

Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 5:30 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big 12
Last Season: Notre Dame 33, Iowa State 9
Note: Was Camping World Bowl last season

Valero Alamo Bowl

Tuesday, December 29
ESPN, 9:00 pm
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. Pac-12
Last Season: Texas 38, Utah 10

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big Ten
Last Season: Kentucky 37, Virginia Tech 30

TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 3:30 pm
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC
Last Season: Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28

LA Bowl

Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 10:45 pm
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Bowl Tie-Ins: Pac-12 vs. MWC
Last Season: No Bowl

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs Group of 5
Last Season: Tulane 30, Southern Miss 13

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Thursday, December 31
CBS, 2:00 pm
Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Pac-12
Last Season: Arizona State 20, Florida State 14

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. SEC
Last Season: Navy 20, Kansas State 17

Arizona Bowl

Thursday, December 31
CBS Sports Network, 4:00 pm
Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Bowl Tie-Ins: MAC vs. MW
Last Season: Wyoming 38, Georgia State 17

Texas Bowl

Thursday, December 31
ESPN, 8:00 pm
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. SEC
Last Season: Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

Friday, January 1
ESPN, 12:00 pm
Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
Bowl Tie-Ins: AAC, ACC vs. SEC
Last Season: Cincinnati 38, Boston College 6

Vrbo Citrus Bowl

Friday, January 1
ABC, 1:00 pm
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC
Last Season: Alabama 35, Michigan 16

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 12:00 pm
TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC
Last Season: Tennessee 23, Indiana 22

Outback Bowl

Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 12:30 pm
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC
Last Season: Minnesota 31, Auburn 24

Still waiting to decide whether or not it’s going to go …

Mistubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl

ESPN
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Bowl Tie-Ins: Pac-12 vs. SEC
Last Season: Washington 38, Boise State 7

New Year’s Six Bowls Schedule

New Year’s Six Games
Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta are all based on the best possible matchups. An ACC team has to play in the Orange against a Big Ten or SEC team.

All Power Five conference champions will be in either the College Football Playoff or a New Year’s Six game along with the top-ranked Group of Five champion.

GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic

Wednesday, December 30
ESPN, 7:15 pm
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
At-Large vs. At-Large
Last Season: Penn State 53, Memphis 39

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Friday, January 1
ESPN, 12:30 pm
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
At-Large vs. At-Large
Last Season: LSU 63, Oklahoma 28

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 4:00
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
At-Large vs. At-Large
Last Season: Clemson 29, Ohio State 23

Capital One Orange Bowl

Saturday, January 2
ESPN, 8:00 pm
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
ACC vs. Big Ten or SEC
Last Season: Florida 36, Virginia 28

2020-2021 College Football Playoff Schedule

Rose Bowl

Friday, January 1
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
CFP vs. CFP
Last Season: Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Friday, January 1
ESPN, 8:45 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
CFP vs. CFP
Last Season: Georgia 26, Baylor 14

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 11, 8:00 ET
ESPN, 8:00 pm
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
CFP vs. CFP
Last Season: LSU 42, Clemson 25

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2020-2021 College Football Bowl Ties, Affiliations For Each Conference

All the 2020-2021 college football bowl ties, tie-ins and affiliations by conference.

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All the 2020-2021 college football bowl ties, tie-ins and affiliations by conference.


2020-2021 College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Of course, everything is up in the air when it comes to college football, any bowl schedules and games, and far more important things overall. For now, hoping all is okay and the season goes off as planned, these are the expected conference bowl tie-ins and affiliations for the 2020-2021 bowl season.

The Power Five conferences are close to set, but the Group of Five conferences are still going to need time to lock in exactly what their official tie-ins will be. Please note that there likely will be several changes over the next several months.

– The top four teams ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee will be slotted in the semifinals: Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, both on Friday, January 1st, 2021.

– The two winners to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami, Florida on Monday, January 11th, 2021.

– The highest-ranked conference champion from the American Athletic, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt will automatically get one spot in either the College Football Playoff, GoodYear Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl or Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

– The Rose Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal, so the Big Ten and Pac-12 tie-ins aren’t a factor this season.

– The Capital One Orange Bowl will be the ACC vs. SEC no matter what. The champion of each league goes here if not in the College Football Playoff.

American Athletic Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange.

The American Athletic Conference doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. SEC
– Fenway Park Bowl vs. ACC
Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman vs. ACC
FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl vs. Sun Belt or MAC
– Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Conference USA
– Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. MAC or Sun Belt

Still to be determined among the Group of Five conferences
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl vs. Conference USA or MAC
– New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA or Mountain West
– SoFi Hawaii Bowl or Conference USA vs. Mountain West
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Conference USA or MAC or Mountain West

Alternates if the one of the other conferences can’t fill the spots
– SERVPRO First Responder Bowl vs. ACC or Big 12
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl vs. SEC or ACC


ACC Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Notre Dame is eligible for any ACC bowl tie-in as long as it’s within one game of the team eligible for the slot.

The ACC Champion goes to the Orange Bowl unless it makes the College Football Playoff, in which case the next-highest ranked ACC team in the final College Football Playoff rankings will get in.

1. College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected
2. Capital One Orange Bowl vs. SEC or Big Ten

First Tier

Camping World Bowl vs. Big 12
Belk Bowl vs. SEC
– San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs. Pac-12
– Fenway Park Bowl vs. American Athletic Conference
New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Big Ten
 Sun Bowl vs. Pac-12
– TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. SEC
Walk-On’s Independence Bowl vs. Pac-12

– ACC and Big Ten combine in the Music City and TaxSlayer, with each getting three appearances in six years. The ACC played in the Music City in 2015 and the TaxSlayer in 2016, 2017 & 2018. It’s almost certainly going to be in the Music City, but can still play in the TaxSlayer.

Second Tier

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl vs. SEC (or American Athletic)
Conditional if American Athletic or Conference USA can’t fill the spot.

OR

Birmingham Bowl vs. SEC
Conditional if American Athletic or SEC can’t fill the spot.

OR

– SERVPRO First Responders Bowl vs. Big 12


Big Ten Bowl Ties, Affiliations

The Rose Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Big Ten isn’t locked into the Rose if it gets a team into the CFP.

College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

1. New Year’s Six (Chick-Fil-A Peach, Fiesta, Cotton or Orange Bowl) vs. New Year’s Six. Big Ten Champion gets a New Year’s Six spot if it’s not in the  College Football Playoff.

2. Citrus Bowl vs. SEC

3. Outback Bowl vs. SEC

4. Las Vegas Bowl vs. Pac-12
Note: Big Ten alternates with the SEC between Las Vegas and Belk bowls over the next six seasons

5. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl vs. SEC

6. New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC

7. Cheez-It Bowl vs. Big 12

8. Redbox Bowl vs. Pac-12

9. Quick Lane Bowl vs. MAC


Big 12 Bowl Ties, Affiliations

The Sugar Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Big 12 isn’t locked into the Sugar if it gets a team in.

College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

1. New Year’s Six (Chick-fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta) vs. New Year’s Six
Big 12 Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff. 

2. Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Pac-12
3. Camping World Bowl vs. ACC
4. Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl vs. SEC
5. Liberty Bowl vs. SEC
6. Cheez-It Bowl vs. Big Ten
7. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Group of Five Program


Conference USA Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange.

The Conference USA doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography

– Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. American Athletic or Army
– Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl vs. MAC
– R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. Sun Belt

Still to be determined among the Group of Five conferences
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl vs. American Athletic or MAC
– New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA or Mountain West
– SoFi Hawaii Bowl or American Athletic vs. Mountain West
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Conference USA or MAC or Mountain West


Independent Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn and UMass don’t have direct bowl ties or affiliations.

– Army will be in an ESPN owned and operated bowl.

BYU will be in an ESPN owned and operated bowl in 2020, 2022 and 2024, and in the Independence Bowl in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Notre Dame can take one of the ACC’s bowl spots – if it’s not in the College Football Playoff – but it must be within one overall win over the available ACC team with the best overall record.


MAC Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange.

The MAC doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

Camellia Bowl vs. Sun Belt
LendingTree Bowl vs. Sun Belt
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl vs. Conference USA
– Nova Homes Loans Arizona Bowl vs. Mountain West
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Mountain West
Quick Lane Bowl vs. Big Ten

Still to be determined among the Group of Five conferences. MAC will get spots in two of them.
FBS Mortgage Cure Bowl or American Athletic or Sun Belt 
Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl or American Athletic, Conference USA or Mountain West
Myrtle Beach Bowl or American Athletic or Sun Belt
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl or American Athletic or Conference USA


Mountain West Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange.

The Mountain West doesn’t have a true pecking order. The bowl matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. MAC
SoFi Hawai’i Bowl vs. American Athletic or Conference USA
– LA Bowl vs. Pac-12
– Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Big Ten
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl vs. MAC

Still to be determined among the Group of Five conferences. 
Gildan New Mexico Bowl or American Athletic or Conference USA
Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl or American Athletic, Conference USA or MAC


Pac-12 Bowl Ties, Affiliations

The Rose Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Pac-12 isn’t locked into the Rose if it gets a team into the CFP.

Note: Pac-12 will have one more bowl tie-in to be named later.

College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

1. New Year’s Six (Chick-fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta) vs. New Year’s Six
Pac-12 Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff. 

Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Big 12
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs. Big Ten
Las Vegas Bowl vs. Big Ten
Redbox Bowl vs. Big Ten
Sun Bowl vs. ACC
Walk-On’s Independence Bowl vs. ACC
LA Bowl vs. Mountain West


SEC Bowl Ties, Affiliations

The Sugar Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal. The SEC isn’t locked into the Sugar if it gets a team in.

College Football Playoff Semifinal: If Selected

1. New Year’s Six (Chick-fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange) vs. New Year’s Six
SEC Champion goes here if not in the College Football Playoff. 

2. VRBO Citrus Bowl vs. Big Ten
The Citrus Bowl gets its pick of the top SEC team available after the CFP shakes

The SEC will assign teams to the respective bowls in this pool.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl vs. Big 12
AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Big 12
– Belk Bowl vs. ACC
Note: SEC alternates with the Big Ten between Las Vegas and Belk bowls over the next six seasons
– Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl vs. Big Ten
Outback Bowl vs. Big Ten
– TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. ACC

Second Tier

Birmingham Bowl vs. American Athletic or ACC
 Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl vs. ACC (or American Athletic)


Sun Belt Bowl Ties, Affiliations

Highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, MW & Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl – Chick-Fil-A Peach, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange.

The Sun Belt doesn’t have a true pecking order after the New Orleans. The bowls matchups are based on best possible games and geography.

1.  R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. Conference USA

Camellia Bowl vs. MAC
LendingTree Bowl vs. MAC

Still to be determined among the Group of Five conferences.
FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl or American Athletic or MAC
Myrtle Beach Bowl or American Athletic or MAC

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