Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Barstool Arizona Bowl feature 4 FBS conferences
Dec 5, 2021, 4:52 PM | Updated: Dec 6, 2021, 7:41 am
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Besides the marquee Fiesta Bowl, the state of Arizona will also host the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix and Barstool Arizona Bowl in Tucson.
The Guaranteed Rate Bowl features a matchup between teams from the Big Ten (Minnesota) and Big 12 (West Virginia).
π΅π ππ π πππππ: The 2021 @GuaranteedRate Bowl will feature its new @Big12Conference vs. @BigTenNetwork matchup when @WVUfootball and @GopherFootball hit the field in Downtown Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, live on @ESPN (8:15 pm MST).
ποΈΒ https://t.co/c6Am6jeb2K pic.twitter.com/n8LxdNwjnt
— Guaranteed Rate Bowl (@RateBowl) December 5, 2021
West Virginia earned its bowl eligibility by winning its last two games of the regular season over Texas and Kansas.
The win over Texas knocked the Longhorns out of bowl eligibility.
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West Virginia had three two-game win streaks on the season. The Mountaineers finished 6-6 on the season but fifth place in the Big 12.
Minnesota will represent the Big Ten in the match up.
The Golden Gophers come into the matchup at 8-4 and are fresh off a win over Wisconsin that knocked the Badgers out of the Big Ten Championship game.
Minnesota is led by quarterback Tanner Morgan, who finished the year just shy of 2,000 yards passing and completed six of his 10 touchdown passes on the year to top receiver Chris Autman-Bell.
The Gophers defense ranks fourth in the nation, allowing 284.8 yards per game to opposing offenses.
The Guaranteed Rate Bowl will be played at Chase Field on Dec. 28 with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
The Barstool Arizona Bowl in Tucson features Central Michigan of the MAC and Boise State of the Mountain West.
Itβs official. Your 2021 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl Matchup is @CMU_Football vs @BroncoSportsFB.
Tickets on sale now: https://t.co/p9gVOpV0ae pic.twitter.com/cxxueAeM5K
— The Barstool Arizona Bowl (@BarstoolBowlAZ) December 5, 2021
The Chippewas earned an invite after an 8-4 season, including a 6-2 record in conference play. Led by head coach Jim McElwain, Central Michigan closed the season on a four-game winning streak.
During the win-streak, the Chippewas have averaged 41 points per game and will look to take their high-scoring offense to Arizona.
As for Boise State, the Broncos earned bowl eligibility after a 7-5 season.
In an up-and-down year, Boise State picked up two wins on the road against ranked opponents in BYU and Fresno State.
However, the Broncos lost in their last game, falling to San Diego State, 27-16.
The game will be played on New Years Eve, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
