Unique College Football Bowl Games: Trophies and Traditions

College football fans are familiar with prestigious bowl games like the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. However, there are other lesser-known games that offer unique traditions, creative trophies, and interesting names. This article highlights some of the most intriguing college football bowl games, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl, featuring Kansas State and North Carolina State, is held in Orlando, Florida. Originally known as the Blockbuster Bowl, the game has undergone several name changes but will feature Pop-Tarts as the title sponsor for the first time this season. The trophy for this game has gained popularity due to its unique design, featuring two Pop-Tart slots on top of the hardware.

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, featuring Iowa and Tennessee, is held in Orlando as well. This bowl game, which began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947, is the seventh-oldest collegiate bowl game in history. The game’s trophy is notorious for featuring a giant bowl of Cheez-It crackers, and the winner will also receive an MVP belt.

The Duke’s Mayo Bowl, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, features North Carolina and West Virginia. This bowl game, which began in 2002, is managed by the Charlotte Sports Foundation. True to its name, the winner of this game is traditionally awarded a mayo bath.

The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, featuring Oregon State and Notre Dame, is held in El Paso, Texas. This is the 90th edition of the contest, which began on January 1, 1935. Since 2019, Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, has been the face of the game. The Sun Bowl has become the No. 1 national tourist attraction in El Paso due to Tony the Tiger’s presence.

These unique bowl games offer fans a chance to witness creative trophies and interesting traditions. As college football continues to evolve, these games provide a refreshing twist on the traditional bowl game experience.