December 12, 2023 |
Photo – Arizona Bowl Announcement – Courtesy gowyo.com
Here’s what they’re saying in Tucson about this year’s Arizona Bowl matchup.
Wyoming may have come down to a final decision, but Toledo was a lock. The outcome of the Mid-American Conference Championship Game, in which the Rockets were upset by Miami (Ohio). The way the sportswriters tell the story, and you know they love to hang out together and drink, Toledo had wanted to come to the Arizona Bowl for years — even before it was affiliated with the Mid-American Conference — so this was a perfect match.
In the conference title game, the RedHawks ran for two touchdowns and kicked three field goals to upset No. 23 Toledo 23-14 in the conference championship game. To believe Tucson sports writers, that’s exactly how the Rockets wanted it. “Toledo had wanted to come to the Arizona Bowl for years — even before it was affiliated with the MAC — so this was a perfect match.”
That’s the way Michael Lev, the Tucson sports writer tells the story. Toledo was a lock, and they were happy with the bid even though it was the result of losing the championship game.
Don’t believe it. The Rockets were attempting to become the first Toledo team to win 12 straight games for the first time since 1971. The bowl game loss had to hurt. The Arizona Bowl wasn’t their first pick.
Still, it’s always good to have a game on the schedule in December. This will be the Rockets’ third consecutive bowl trip and seventh under Head Coach Jason Candle.
This will be Toledo’s first appearance in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, which debuted in 2015. Wyoming is 1-1 in Arizona Bowl appearances, defeating Georgia State in 2019 and losing to Ohio in last year’s game.
This will be the third meeting between Toledo and Wyoming. The Cowboys won in Toledo in 2010 while the Rockets came out on top in Laramie in 2012.
Wyoming was something of a surprise Arizona Bowl selection to sports writers in Arizona because the Cowboys played in last year’s game, falling to Ohio in overtime. This will mark Wyoming’s third appearance in the Arizona Bowl in the past four years in which the game has been played.
Newspaper sports writers don’t think about the gate or other money matters associated with a game like this. Wyoming fans travel well, and they spend money before, during and after the game. Bee sales in Tucson are sure to zoom over the New Year’s weekend.
Wyoming and Toledo will kick off at Arizona Stadium is set for 2:30 Mountain Time on Saturday, December 30.
The Cowboys are a three-point favorite. The over/under is set at 44.5.
