OK, so that first bowl game was a gutter ball. They won’t all be that way, right?
Well, we’ll try again Tuesday. College football bowl season rolls on with an all-Alabama matchup, fittingly taking place in the state capital. It’s a bit of a consolation prize for both participants, each of whom came up short in its respective conference championship game, but it should be a competitive contest between two schools with a lengthy, if not particularly recent, history.
There was even a trophy associated with it for a time, though there’s no word on whether it will be on hand. Here are the particulars.
Salute to Veterans Bowl
Matchup: Jacksonville State vs. Troy in Montgomery, Ala.
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: These conference runners-up get a chance to close on a high note, and thankfully don’t have to travel far for this in-state postseason meeting. Jacksonville State fell 19-15 to Kennesaw State on its home field in the Conference USA final, while Troy was outscored 31-14 in the Sun Belt title game at playoff-bound James Madison. As a result, both teams arrive here with 8-5 records. This is the 64th meeting all-time between the schools, though they haven’t met since 2001 when Troy made the first move to the Bowl Subdivision level. In a nod to their origins as teachers’ colleges, the programs used to compete for the ‘Ol’ School Bell trophy, which Troy claimed for the last seven meetings before the series was discontinued. The Gamecocks, much more recently elevated to FBS, will look to get their high-powered ground attack with RB Cam Cook and QB Caden Creel back on track. Trojans QB Goose Crowder looks to shake off a rough passing night in the team’s loss to James Madison, but his status is uncertain after an injury in the game.
Why it could disappoint: Troy has been at this level a bit longer, so there might still be a bit of a talent gap. But hopefully the effort will be there on both sides as these programs renew acquaintances.