Football, tailgating, awesome destinations and . . . oh yeah,
no snow. No wonder six college bowl games have made their
winter home in Florida.
Photo Credit: St. Petersburg’s Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl
Florida College Bowl Games
For many devoted fans across the country, attending a college football bowl game means bundling up and hunkering down for four quarters of chilly, but exciting, head-to-head action. While the competition in Florida is no less intense, our seasonably warmer temperatures and typically blue skies serve up a sunnier venue to spectators otherwise shivering their way through the postseason. This year, die-hard fans and curious spectators alike can get in on the action with six bowl games that have made their winter homes in the Sunshine State.
The action starts in St. Petersburg on Dec. 20 with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, followed by Orlando’s Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29. Jan. 2 offers three gridiron battles: Jacksonville’s TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, Tampa’s Outback Bowl and Orlando’s Capital One Bowl. Finally, on Jan. 4, Miami will once again be home to the big-time BCS classic, the Discover Orange Bowl.
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Beef’O’Brady’s Bowl
Marshall vs. FIU
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Dec. 20, 8 p.m. on ESPN
At the newest bowl on the block, a Conference USA team competes against a Big East opponent at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Hit the sand for the free Beach Bash at the Tradewinds Island Resort on St. Pete Beach. Laid-back activities such as a belly flop contest, a Hula-hoop contest and an inflatable boxing ring give you a chance to take in a bit of the famous Florida Gulf coast. The night before the game, each team's marching band, mascots and coaches participate in a block party across from Tropicana Field.
 Champs Sports Bowl
Florida State vs. Notre Dame
Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Orlando
Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
The bowl game bonanza continues with the Champs Sports Bowl, matching the ACC against the Big East in downtown Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Fans love a good pre-game rally and this agenda doesn't disappoint. Join the Champs Sports Bowl team pep rallies on the eve of the big event. On game day, perpetuate the pomp and circumstance at Best Buy FanZone, the official pre-game party with live music and inflatable games and face painting for the kids.
 Capital One Bowl
Nebraska vs. South Carolina
Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Orlando
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. on ESPN
Capital One pits the second seeds from the Big Ten and the SEC against each other. The bowl celebrates its 66th anniversary in 2012 and pre-game grandstanding won't let you forget it. The celebration starts with the annual Fresh From Florida Parade, when floats fashioned of fresh citrus and other Florida agriculture products make their way through downtown Orlando and into the homes of millions of television viewers nationally. The Capital One FanFest starts early, turning the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium into a "virtual college football midway" with interactive games.
 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl
Ohio State vs. Florida
EverBank Field, Jacksonville
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. on ESPN2
The TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl Classic is an NCAA Division I post-season college football game normally played on New Year's Day; however, this year the game will be played on Jan. 2. The 2012 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl marks the 67th game for the Gator Bowl Classic. This year’s match-up will showcase a team from the Southeastern Conference against a team from the Big Ten Conference.
Outback Bowl
Michigan State vs. Georgia
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. on ABC
The Outback Bowl is a major college football bowl game featuring teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference. Celebrating its 26th year, the game is a culmination of a week-long schedule of events throughout the Tampa Bay region such as Team Day at Busch Gardens, Clearwater Beach Day and our famous New Year’s Eve Parade and Pep Rally in historic Ybor City.
 Discover Orange Bowl
Clemson vs. West Virginia
SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens
Jan. 4, 8 p.m. on ESPN
Florida’s oldest bowl and the only bowl game in the state that is part of the Bowl Championship Series, the Discover Orange Bowl always guarantees fun in the sun. From the moment the teams, cheerleaders, mascots and fans arrive for events such as the AvMed Coaches Luncheon presented by Deloitte and the Bud Light Orange Bowl Game Day Fan Zone, the action is as hot as the climate. The game brings together two of the nation’s finest teams at South Florida’s Sun Life Stadium, where a headlining halftime show is sure to keep you in your seat.
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