Exciting Matchups Await: Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl Teams Revealed for Glendale and Phoenix!

The Valley is set to host two exciting bowl games this month: the Rate Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix and the iconic Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. These matchups promise competitive action for local football fans.

Arizona State may have bypassed the Valley for their inaugural College Football Playoff game, but the focus shifts to the upcoming Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl. Beginning with the Fiesta Bowl, it will serve as a quarterfinal in the 12-team College Football Playoff system.

The 2024 Fiesta Bowl marks its 54th iteration, featuring the No. 3 seed, Boise State Broncos, against either No. 6 seed Penn State or No. 11 seed SMU. Boise State wrapped the season with a notable 12-1 record, clinching the Mountain West Conference title after a victory over UNLV.

Headlining Boise State’s campaign is Heisman Trophy contender Ashton Jeanty, who leads the nation in rushing yards with an impressive 2,497. Jeanty’s relentless performance has made him a finalist for several prestigious awards, including the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards. This Fiesta Bowl appearance will be Boise State’s fourth, with memorable victories in previous years, including their unforgettable win against Oklahoma in 2007.

Boise State will discover their opponent on December 21, when Penn State faces SMU in a first-round playoff game. Both teams entered their respective conference championships with 11-2 records, looking to advance in the postseason.

Penn State brings a rich history to the Fiesta Bowl, holding the most wins (seven) in its history. Conversely, SMU seeks its first appearance in this celebrated bowl.

Scheduled for December 31 at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time, the Fiesta Bowl winner will advance to the national semifinals, competing in either the Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Rate Bowl will occur just days earlier, featuring a matchup between Kansas State Wildcats and Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Set for December 26 at 3:30 p.m., this contest showcases an exciting face-off between the Big 12 and Big Ten.

This bowl will mark the second encounter between Kansas State and Rutgers, the first occurring in the 2006 Texas Bowl. Kansas State has participated in the Rate Bowl more than any other team, boasting a 3-1 record in the event. They made notable appearances in various iterations of the bowl under previous names.

Rutgers will look for redemption in this year’s game, having lost their only appearance in the 2005 Insight Bowl.

Kansas State concluded the regular season with an 8-4 record, while Rutgers finished at 7-5, having won three of their last four games. The excitement builds in the Valley as both bowl games approach.