The new 12-team College Football Playoff has forced some reshuffling of some of the bowl games, including the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl which moves to New Year’s Eve this season.
It’s only the second time since 1986 that the game, which features the top teams from the SEC and Big Ten conferences next featured in the playoff, has been played before New Year’s Day. The last time was in 2016.
“For some time now, the whole industry knew that New Year’s Day was not going to be an available bowl game date but for the quarterfinals. That’s always been the plan for the new expanded playoffs,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports. “We wanted to have a new spot for it in and around the playoff, one that was reflective of the history of almost 80 years of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl’s history.”
The game will also kick off at 3 p.m. and air on ABC before the quarterfinal matchup at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.).
Pictures: Prepping for Pop-Tarts and Cheez-It Citrus bowl games
“We’re excited about New Year’s Eve and essentially being the entree to the playoff quarters. That was the idea. That was the goal,” Hogan said. “In a [time] window where all over the country you’re going to turn on [the TV] and see the sunshine, something you’re accustomed to seeing with the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and it’s cool.”
Last year’s Cheez-It Bowl featured No. 25 Tennessee and No. 20 Iowa, with the Volunteers winning 35-0 at Camping World Stadium. The game averaged 6.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched bowl game outside the New Year’s Six playoff games.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl, which features teams from the ACC and Big 12, will again be held Dec. 28. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and will air on ABC.
The game will be featured on a Saturday, which Hogan sees as an opportunity to connect with…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/orlando-bowls-set-dates-tv-183700529.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-06-06 18:37:00
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