During the most recent cycle of NCAA bowl games (Dec. 28–29), one thing stood above the rest: the life-size Pop-Tart on display at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The media sensation from TikTok to X made it clear that if one thing is for certain, college football fans will likely never complain about too many absurd bowl games.
Pop-Tarts Bowl – Kansas State vs NC State
At the end of the game, the human-inhabited life-size Pop-Tart mascot lowered itself into a giant toaster and out came an edible version for the winning team of the Pop-Tart Bowl to enjoy. If that does not sell you for the idea of this bowl, there is no point.
Before being essentially toasted alive, the Pop-Tart held up a sign that read “Dreams really do come true,” as the life of a Pop-Tart serves only a purpose if consumed.
For both Kansas State and NC State, the football did not matter, at least for getting views on their game, because people were tuning in to see what kind of antics the life-sized food would get up to in this beautiful marketing display.
The Wildcats were the victors, taking down the Wolfpack 28-19 and DJ Giddens had a beautiful game as he rushed the ball 28 times for 151 yards and a TD, but the thing that mattered most was that they got the eat a Pop-Tart on the field to celebrate.
Valero Alamo Bowl – Arizona vs Oklahoma
To cap off their incredible underdog season, Arizona took down Oklahoma 38-24 in the Alamo Bowl. Noah Fifita kept his strong season going and his momentum into the 2024 campaign might just lead the Wildcats to newfound heights. He finished the game with 354 yards and two TDs to one interception, notably leading a 26-point second-half effort for the team to secure the win.
The Arizona defense forced a lot of turnovers, recovering three fumbles and intercepting Jackson Arnold three times to set up easy drives for their offense, proving to be the more dominant side of the ball for the Wildcats. Arizona relied heavily on Fifita as they only managed 29 total rushing yards as a team, but he proved to be more than capable of carrying an entire offense on his back.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl – Rutgers vs Miami
In a rather shocking outcome, Rutgers defeated the higher-regarded Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl behind dominating time of possession and pounding the rock.
Controlling the ball for 34 minutes, Rutgers averaged 4.9 yards per play and finished the game with 208 total rushing yards and only 84 total passing yards. Led by Kyle Monangai’s 163 yards and one touchdown, the Scarlet Knights proved that an old-school style of offense can still be dominant enough to put up 30 points.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – Oregon State vs Notre Dame
If one thing perfectly encapsulates this game, it is Oregon State football’s post of the final score.
It was never that close. The Fighting Irish had a 14-0 lead at the half, a 24-0 lead after three and they won the game 40-8. Like many teams, the Beavers were not playing at full strength, but neither was Notre Dame. However, OSU had a lot of different circumstances surrounding them.
It was their last bowl game in the Pac-12 as we know it. Their coach up and left for Michigan State, their starting QB opted out, their backup had transferred elsewhere already and several other key starters opted out.
A perfect recipe for a blowout came to fruition, the Beavers had two total rushing yards and only averaged 4.5 yards a play on offense and their defense gave up 468 total yards and at least 200 yards in both the passing and rushing attack.
Nearly doubling the time of possession, Notre Dame did not feel the absence of Sam Hartman too heavily as Steve Angeli went 15-of-19 for 232 yards and three TDs.
