College Football: Ranking All 35 Bowl Games in Order of Prestige

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The 2010-11 college football regular season has now ended, with the exciting postseason Bowl games just around the corner.  

The 35-Bowl extravaganza begins on Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. EST with the New Mexico Bowl, and ends Jan. 10 at 8:30 p.m. EST with the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game, featuring No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Oregon.

From the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl to "the Granddaddy of them all," the Rose Bowl, each game has its own unique meaning and story.

The following slides power rank each bowl game in order of prestige, giving you a closer look at the history of each spectacular event.

 

 

*Information compiled from the Web site of each bowl game.

35. R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec.18, 2010 at 9 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Louisiana Superdome/ New Orleans, La.

2010 Matchup

Troy Trojans (7-5, 6-2 Sun Belt) vs. Ohio Bobcats (8-4, 6-2 MAC)

 

Estimated Economic Impact

$15 million this year

Inaugural Game

Dec. 18, 2001

34. BBVA Compass Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 8, 2011 at 12 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Legion Field/ Birmingham, Ala.

2011 Matchup

Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5, 5-2 Big East) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (6-6, 2-6 Big East)

 

Estimated Economic Impact

Over $41 million total since 2006

Inaugural Game

Dec. 23, 2006

33. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 26, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Ford Field/ Detroit, Mich.

2010 Matchup

Toledo Rockets (8-4, 7-1 MAC) vs. Florida International University Golden Panthers (6-6, 6-2 Sun Belt)

Inaugural Game

Dec. 26, 1997

32. New Mexico Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec.18, 2010 at 2 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

University Stadium/ Albuquerque, N.M.

2010 Matchup

BYU Cougars (6-6, 5-3 MWC) vs. UTEP Miners (6-6, 3-5 C-USA)

 

Inaugural Game

Dec. 23, 2006

31. Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST 

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Tropicana Field/ St. Petersburg, Fla.

2010 Matchup

Louisville Cardinals (6-6, 3-4 Big East) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (8-4, 5-3 C-USA)

 

Inaugural Game

Dec. 20, 2008

30. Ticket City Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011 at 12 p.m. EST 

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Cotton Bowl/ Dallas, Texas

2011 Matchup

Northwestern Wildcats (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5, 3-5 Big 12)

According to the Tickey City Bowl Web site, "The TicketCity Bowl is destined to become a major national attraction and a fixture on the annual “must-see” events on the host city’s calendar of spectacular events!"

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 2011

29. New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 30, 2010 at 3:20 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Yankee Stadium/ Bronx, N.Y.

2010 Matchup

Kansas State Wildcats (7-5, 3-5 Big 12) vs. Syracuse Orangemen (7-5, 4-3 Big East)

The Pinestripe Bowl will run at Yankee Stadiium for at least four years.  This is the first time a Major League Baseball team has sponsored a College Football Bowl game.

Inaugural Game

Dec. 30, 2010

28. GoDaddy.com Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 6, 2011 at 8 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Ladd-Peebles Stadium/ Mobile, Ala.

2011 Matchup

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders(6-6 , 5-3 Sun Belt) vs. Miami(Ohio) Redhawks(9-4, 7-1 MAC)

 

The GoDaddy.com Bowl currently features teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, which will remain that way through 2013.  The GMAC Bowl was renamed to the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Oct. 18, 2010.

 

Inaugural Game

Dec. 22, 1999

27. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 30, 2010 at 12 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN  

Stadium/Location

Gerald J. Ford Stadium/ Dallas, Texas  

2010 Matchup

Army Black Knights (6-5) vs. SMU Mustangs (7-6, 6-2 C-USA)

 

The Armed Forces Bowl was previously played at the Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas from 2003-09.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 23, 2003

26. Texas Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 29, 2010 at 6 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

 Reliant Stadium/ Houston, Texas

2010 Matchup

Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Baylor Bears (7-5, 4-4 Big 12)

 

MVPs of the Texas Bowl have been Ray Rice (Rutgers, 2006), Andy Dalton (TCU, 2007), Chase Clement (Rice, 2008) and Ricky Dobbs (Navy, 2009).

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 28, 2006

25. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 24, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Aloha Stadium/ Honolulu, Hawaii  

2010 Matchup

Hawaii Warriors (10-3, 7-1 WAC) vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (9-3, 6-2 C-USA)

 

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 25, 2002

24. Meineke Car Care Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 31, 2010 at 12 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Bank of America Stadium/ Charlotte, N.C.

2010 Matchup

South Florida vs. Clemson

 

This year the Meineke Car Care Bowl features the number two selection from the Big East and No. 4 team from the ACC.  Over the last eight years the bowl game has averaged over 60,000 fans, selling out three times.  The payout to each school will be at least $1.6 million.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 28, 2002

23. Kraft Fight for Hunger Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 9, 2011 at 9 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

AT&T Park

2011 Matchup

Nevada Wolf Pack (12-1, 7-1 WAC) vs. Boston College Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC)

 

The Pac-10 team receives a $900,000 payout, while the WAC team receives $750,000.  The Pac-10 didn't have enough bowl-eligible teams to qualify for this bowl game so Boston College earned the bid.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 31, 2002

22. Military Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 29, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

RFK Stadium/ Washington D.C.

2010 Matchup

East Carolina Pirates (6-6, 5-3 C-USA) vs. Maryland Terrapins (8-4, 5-3 ACC)

 

According to the Military Bowl Web site, "The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman’s focus is to recognize and pay respect to the dedication and sacrifices made by all those who serve our country, at both the U.S. military academies and in the U.S. Armed Forces."

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 20, 2008

21. UDrove Humanitarian Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 18, 2010 at 2 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

University Stadium/ Albuquerque, N.M.

2010 Matchup

Northern Illinois Huskies (10-3, 8-0 MAC) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (8-4, 5-3 WAC)

 

The 14th annual Humanitarian Bowl will be played on Boise State's blue turf field, with the conference pairing of the MAC vs. WAC.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 29, 1997

20. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 23, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Qualcomm Stadium/ San Diego, Calif.

2010 Matchup

Navy Midshipmen (9-3) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (8-4, 5-3 MWC)

 

Estimated Economic Impact

 Over $11 million annually 

Inaugural Game

Dec. 22, 2005

19. Maaco Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 22, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Sam Boyd Stadium/ Las Vegas, Nev.

2010 Matchup

Utah Utes (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State Broncos (11-1, 7-1 WAC)

 

This will be the 19th annual Maaco Bowl Las Vegas, formally known as the EA Sports Las Vegas Bowl for one year in 1999.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 28, 1992

18. Franklin American Mortgage Company Music City Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 30, 2010 at 6:40 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

LP Field/ Nashville, Tenn.

2010 Matchup

UNC Tar Heels (7-5, 4-4 ACC) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (6-6, 3-5 SEC)

 

Their mission statement reads, "The Music City Bowl and the events around it deliver an exceptional entertainment experience for visitors, local fans, student-athletes, conference partners, sponsors, volunteers and the Nashville community. This postseason collegiate football game was created in 1998 to stimulate a positive impact on the Nashville economy, national image and community pride while showcasing the city as a premier destination with audiences throughout the country."

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 29, 1998

17. Insight Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 28, 2010 at 10 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Sun Devil Stadium/ Tempe, Ariz.

2010 Matchup

Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Big 12) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten)

 

The 22nd annual Insight Bowl says that their event "is an electrifying experience in college football that you won't want to miss! The Insight Bowl is bigger and better this year with the third pick from the Big 12 Conference and the third or fourth pick from the Big Ten Conference, after the BCS selections. These two conferences face-off with hard-hitting action and rambunctious fans in attendance to support their teams."

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 31, 1989

16. AdvoCare 100 Independence Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 27, 2010 at 5 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN 2

Stadium/Location

Independence Stadium/ Shreveport, La.

2010 Matchup

Air Force Falcons (8-4, 5-3 MWC) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-6, 4-4 ACC)

 

The Independence Bowl was named so because it was created and introduced in 1976, the United States bicentennial year.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 13, 1976

15. Gator Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN 2

Stadium/Location

EverBank Field/ Jacksonville, Fla.

2011 Matchup

Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. Michigan Wolverines (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten)

 

The Gator Bowl is the sixth oldest bowl in college football, held every year since 1946.

  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1946

14. Champs Sports Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Florida Citrus Bowl/ Orlando, Fla.

2010 Matchup

West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3, 5-2 Big East) vs. NC State Wolfpack (8-4, 5-3 ACC)

 

The Champs Sports Bowl use to be played at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Fla. from 1990-2000, until they made the move Orlando in 2001.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 28, 1990

13. Autozone Liberty Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 31, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Liberty Bowl/ Memphis, Tenn.

2010 Matchup

Georgia Bulldogs (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. UCF Knights (10-3, 7-1 C-USA)

 

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl returns to it's December date, after being played on Jan. 2 for the last two years.  Those were the only two times the bowl game was played on a non-December date, since the bowls inception.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 19, 1959

12. Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 30, 2010 at 10 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Qualcomm Stadium/ San Diego, Calif.

2010 Matchup

Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-3, 6-2 Big 12) vs. Washington Huskies (6-6, 5-4 Pac-10)

 

Last year's Holiday Bowl, featuring Nebraska and Arizona, contributed $40.7 million to San Diego's local economy.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 22, 1978

11. Valero Alamo Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 29, 2010 at 9:15 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Alamodome/ San Antonio, Texas

2010 Matchup

Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2, 6-2 Big 12) vs. Arizona Wildcats (7-5, 4-5 Pac-10)

 

There is a combined $6 million payout to both teams for participating in the 18th annual Alamo Bowl.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 22, 1978

10. Outback Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011 at 1 p.m.EST

TV Network

ABC

Stadium/Location

Raymond James Stadium/ Tampa, Fla.

2011 Matchup

Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4 SEC) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten)

 

Each school will be receiving a minimum of $3.4 million per team for playing in the Outback Bowl.  The Outback Bowl was previously played at Legion Field from 1977-85 and Tampa Stadium from 1986-98.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 23, 1986

9. Capitol One Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011 at 1 p.m.

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Florida Citrus Bowl/ Orlando, Fla.

2011 Matchup

Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3, 5-3 SEC) vs. Michigan State Spartans (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten)

 

The Capital One Bowl is one of the oldest non-BCS bowls, along with the Cotton Bowl Classic, Sun Bowl and Gator Bowl.

  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1947

8. Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 31, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Georgia Dome/ Atlanta, Ga.

2010 Matchup

South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4, 5-3 SEC) vs. Florida State Seminoles (9-4, 6-2 ACC)

 

The average margin of victory is 8.6 points in the last 20 years, which means it has been a fairly competitive and exciting bowl game to watch throughout the years.  The Chick-Fil-A bowl has sold 13 straight sellouts, being the highest-attended non-BCS bowl game.  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 30, 1968

7. Hyundai Sun Bowl

Date & Time 

Dec. 31, 2010 at 2 p.m. EST

TV Network

CBS

Stadium/Location

Sun Bowl/ El Paso, Texas

2010 Matchup

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-5) vs. Miami Hurricanes (7-5, 5-3 ACC)

 

In the 77th edition of the Sun Bowl, Hyundai is now the sponsor of the nation's second oldest bowl game.  Both Notre Dame and Miami have never played in the Sun Bowl.  The following NFL players were Sun Bowl MVP's in the past: Jonathan Stewart (Oregon, 2007), Kyle Orton (Purdue, 2002) and Priest Holmes (Texas, 1994).

  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1935

6. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN / ESPN3D

Stadium/Location

University of Phoenix Stadium/ Glendale, Ariz.

2011 Matchup

Connecticut Huskies (8-4, 5-2 Big East) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (11-2, 6-2 Big 12)

 

Oklahoma has gone 1-3, while Uconn has never participated in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.  As of 2009, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl makes a payout of $17 million to its participants.

  

Inaugural Game

Dec. 27, 1971

5. Cotton Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 7, 2011 at 8 p.m. EST

TV Network

FOX

Stadium/Location

Cowboys Stadium/ Arlington, Texas

2011 Matchup

LSU Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Big 12)

 

The Cotton Bowl is one of the most prestigious in all of college football.  This historic bowl game has seen some of the NFL's best player's before they developed into the superstars they are known as or for today.  The following players earned MVP throughout the 75-year history of the Cotton Bowl: WR Roy Williams (Texas, 2003), S Roy Williams (Oklahoma, 2002), Eli Manning (Mississippi, 2004), DeMeco Ryans (Alabama, 2006), Keyshawn Johnson (USC, 1995) and Troy Aikman (UCLA, 1989).

 

2011 Total Projected Team Payout

$7.15 million 

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1937

4. Sugar Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 4, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Louisiana Superdome/ New Orleans, La.

2011 Matchup

Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2, 6-2 SEC)

 

The Sugar Bowl has seen some of college football's most talented and productive players.  The following Heisman winners participated in the Sugar Bowl the same year the won the trophy: Tim Tebow( Florida, 2010), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1995, 1997) and Bo Jackson (Auburn, 1984).

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1935

3. Discover Orange Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 3, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Sun Life Stadium/ Miami, Fla.

2011 Matchup

Stanford Cardinal (11-1, 8-1 Pac-10) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2, 8-0 ACC)

 

Stanford has never made it to an Orange Bowl, with Virginia Tech having an 0-1 record in the prestigious event after losing on Dec. 31, 1997 to Nebraska, 41-21.  

  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1935

2. Rose Bowl

Date & Time 

Jan. 1, 2011

TV Network

ESPN  

Stadium/Location

Rose Bowl/ Pasadena, Calif.

2011 Matchup

Wisconsin Badgers (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC)

 

Wisconsin has a record of 3-3 in the Rose Bowl, while 2011 will be TCU's first appearance.  The Rose Bowl is the oldest of all bowl games, earning the nickname, "The Grandaddy of Them All."  The tournament of Roses has been the home of 18 Heisman Trophy winners and has produced 28 national champions during its 97-game existence.  The following college superstars have been inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame: Archie Griffin (Ohio State, 1990), Bob Griese (Purdue, 1992), O.J. Simpson (USC, 1993), Dick Butkus (Illinois, 1995) and Warren Moon (Washington, 1997).

  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 1, 1902

1. Tostitos BCS National Championship

Date & Time 

Jan. 10, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN / ESPN3D

Stadium/Location

University of Phoenix Stadium/ Glendale, Ariz.

2011 Matchup

Oregon Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Pac-10) vs. Auburn Tigers (13-0, 8-0 SEC)

 

In the only bowl game that really matters, this game determines the best team in college football every year, crowning them national champions.  The BCS National Championship use to be played at the Rose Bowl, along with other elite bowl games, but has since earned it's own individual game in the attempt to make even more money.

All of the Bowl games combined make about $260 million in annual payouts to the participating NCAA Division-I schools.  Over $1.8 billion has been paid out in the past 10 years, with over $2.6 billion expected to be dispersed during the next decade.  On top of that, the bowl games generate an estimated $1.28 billion economic impact each year for communities hosting these events.  

Inaugural Game

Jan. 4, 1999