College Football: Ranking All 35 Bowl Games in Order of Prestige
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
1 of 35
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
2 of 35
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
3 of 35
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
4 of 35
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
5 of 35
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
6 of 35
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
7 of 35
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
8 of 35
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
9 of 35
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
10 of 35
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
11 of 35
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
12 of 35
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
13 of 35
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
14 of 35
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
15 of 35
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
16 of 35
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
17 of 35
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
18 of 35
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
19 of 35
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
20 of 35
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
21 of 35
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
22 of 35
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
23 of 35
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
24 of 35
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
25 of 35
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
26 of 35
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
27 of 35
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
28 of 35
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
29 of 35
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
30 of 35
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
31 of 35
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
32 of 35
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
33 of 35
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
34 of 35
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
35 of 35
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
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