Cotton Bowl Classic

Cotton Bowl Classic History

The Cotton Bowl Classic, also known as the Cotton Bowl, started back on January 1, 1937, and happens every year in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Initially, it took place at the Dallas stadium named after it, but in 2010, it shifted to the Cowboys Stadium, now known as the AT&T Stadium, in Arlington. It's been sponsored by different companies over the years; currently, it's the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic since 2014.

In the old days, it used to feature the Southwest Conference champ against a team from somewhere else in the country, often from the Southeastern Conference. But when the Southwest Conference ended in 1996, it changed. From '99 to 2014, it pitted the Big 12 Conference runner-up against an SEC team. Since 2014, it's been part of the College Football Playoff, hosting some semifinal games.

The winning team gets the Field Scovell Trophy, a nice reward for their efforts. Its status as a "major" bowl game returned in 2014, and every three years, it hosts a national semifinal. In the other years, it has two other teams playing who didn't make it to the four-team playoff. ESPN airs these games as part of their deal with the playoff system.

One memorable game was in January 2015 when the No. 8 Michigan State Spartans clashed with the No. 5 Baylor Bears. Spartans won 42-41, claiming their first Cotton Bowl Classic title. Another noteworthy game was in 2017, where the No. 15 Western Michigan Broncos from the Mid-American Conference met the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers from the Big Ten Conference. The Badgers won 24-16, ending the Broncos' unbeaten streak. It was the first time a team from the MAC participated in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

So, while the teams might change, the Cotton Bowl Classic keeps the excitement alive in college football, giving both the players and fans something thrilling to look forward to each year.

Cotton Bowl Classic Game Schedule 2023

The Cotton Bowl Classic 2023, a college football spectacle, is all set to light up AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 29, 2023. In its 88th edition, this annual event will showcase Ohio State from the Big Ten Conference facing off against Missouri from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Cotton Bowl Classic schedule at 8:00 p.m. CST and will be broadcast live on ESPN for fans everywhere.

As one of the major Cotton Bowl Classic schedule the 2023 FBS football season, this showdown sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company promises top-notch action. Both Ohio State and Missouri have earned their spots, selected by the College Football Playoff selection committee, and anticipation runs high for this epic clash. With the spotlight on these two powerhouse teams, football enthusiasts eagerly await the excitement and drama this Cotton Bowl Classic is bound to deliver.

Cotton Bowl Classic Game Time

The Cotton Bowl Classic 2023, showcasing the No. 9 Missouri Tigers against the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes, is set to rock AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, December 29, 2023. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. CST and will be covered live on ESPN. While the game weather remains to be determined due to the stadium's retractable roof, fans can expect an electrifying showdown between these two powerhouse teams.

With a detailed game schedule listing the start time at 7:00 p.m. CST, viewers can tune in to witness this exciting clash between Missouri and Ohio State. The game promises to be a thrilling battle as both teams vie for victory in this highly anticipated Cotton Bowl Classic. Fans and football enthusiasts eagerly await this matchup, poised to unfold under the lights at AT&T Stadium, marking a significant event in the 2023 college football season.

Cotton Bowl Classic Teams Qualified for 2023

In the upcoming 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, two powerhouse college football teams will clash: Ohio State from the Big Ten Conference and Missouri from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This matchup marks the thirteenth face-off between these teams, with Ohio State dominating the series at 10-1-1. They last battled it out on October 19, 1998, resulting in Ohio State's 35–14 victory over Missouri in Columbus.

Team: Missouri

Missouri stormed into the season with a five-game winning streak, notably sealing a remarkable victory over No. 15 Kansas State, thanks to Harrison Mevis' incredible 61-yard field goal. Their impressive start earned them a spot in the AP poll. However, they faced setbacks with a 49–39 defeat against LSU at home and a 30–21 loss to top-ranked Georgia, which ended their hopes for the SEC title. Nevertheless, they finished the season strong with a commanding 36–7 win against Tennessee, ending with an impressive 10–2 record. This will be Missouri's fourth appearance in the Cotton Bowl Classic, having won in 2008 and 2014 but losing in 1946.

Opponent Team: Ohio State

Ohio State entered the season aiming to avenge their heartbreaking 42–41 loss to Georgia in the previous College Football Playoff. They secured notable wins against Notre Dame and Penn State by close margins of 17–14 and 20–12, respectively. However, their playoff hopes were dashed when they suffered a hard-fought 30–24 defeat against Michigan in a top-three rivalry clash. This led to an 11-1 season finish for Ohio State. Their participation in the Cotton Bowl Classic marks their third appearance, having emerged victorious in 1987 and 2017. Football enthusiasts eagerly await this clash between these football giants as they gear up for a thrilling showdown in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

Cotton Bowl Classic Game Tickets

Cotton Bowl Classic tickets are available now, with prices averaging around $28776. The cheapest ones start at $120, making it accessible for everyone to join in on this massive college football celebration in Texas. The game draws crowds of up to 90,000 fans, creating an electric atmosphere at the iconic AT&T Stadium, which has become the home of the Cotton Bowl Classic.

Cotton Bowl Classic tickets offer various seating options throughout the stadium, allowing fans to pick their preferred spot. Whether you want to be up close to the action or enjoy a skybox view, there's something for everyone. Even if you're on a budget, you can still find affordable Cotton Bowl tickets by exploring the seating chart and using filters to locate the perfect seats.

Numerous online ticket marketplaces provide access to these tickets, making it convenient for fans to secure their spot at this historic and exciting event.

Cotton Bowl Classic Location: AT&T Stadium

The Cotton Bowl Classic Stadium, previously known as Cowboys Stadium, stands proudly in Arlington, Texas. This domed stadium, funded at $1.15 billion by Jerry Jones and Arlington, Texas, emerged after attempts to bring the Cowboys back to the Cotton Bowl fell through. Completed on May 29, 2009, it initially hosts 80,000 spectators but can stretch to welcome up to 100,000, earning its title as the world's largest domed stadium.

One standout at the Cotton Bowl Classic Stadium is its colossal center-hung high-definition television screen, ranked as the world's second-largest. The 11,520-square-foot scoreboard, spanning 160 by 72 feet, surpasses the screen at the renovated Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, by a significant margin. The technological marvel and grandeur of AT&T Stadium, now Cotton Bowl Classic Stadium, shine through this impressive feature.

Cotton Bowl Classic Records

The Cotton Bowl Classic records boast an array of remarkable records etched into its history. Teams set astounding marks like the highest single-team score at 55 points, achieved by USC against Texas Tech in 1995 and Oklahoma versus Florida in 2020. In 2019, Penn State and Memphis combined for the highest-scoring game, tallying 92 points. Individual feats include Johnny Manziel's 516 total offensive yards in 2013 and Bryce Petty's 550 passing yards in 2015. These Cotton Bowl Classic records illuminate the incredible performances and unforgettable moments that have graced the prestigious Cotton Bowl Classic over the years.

Cotton Bowl Classic Winner List

The Cotton Bowl Classic Winner List showcases the victorious teams across decades in college football history. This comprehensive roster features champions dating back to 1937. Teams like TCU, Rice, and Texas have claimed victory, etching their names in this celebrated tradition. Notable schools such as Alabama, Notre Dame, and LSU have left their mark among the winners. From thrilling contests to iconic matchups, this list reflects the rich tapestry of triumphs in the Cotton Bowl Classic, illustrating the sheer diversity of successful teams over the years.

Here's the Cotton Bowl Classic Winner List with respective years:

• 1937: No. 16 TCU

• 1938: Rice

• 1939: Saint Mary's (CA)

• 1940: Clemson

• 1941: No. 6 Texas A&M

• 1942: No. 20 Alabama

• 1943: No. 11 Texas

• 1944: No. 14 Texas

• 1945: Oklahoma A&M

• 1946: No. 10 Texas

• 1947: No. 8 LSU

• 1948: No. 10 SMU

• 1949: No. 10 SMU

• 1950: No. 5 Rice

• 1951: No. 4 Tennessee

• 1952: No. 15 Kentucky

• 1953: No. 10 Texas

• 1954: No. 6 Rice

• 1955: Georgia Tech

• 1956: No. 10 Ole Miss

• 1957: No. 14 TCU

• 1958: No. 5 Navy

• 1959: No. 10 TCU

• 1960: No. 1 Syracuse

• 1961: No. 10 Duke

• 1962: No. 3 Texas

• 1963: No. 7 LSU

• 1964: No. 1 Texas

• 1965: No. 2 Arkansas

• 1966: LSU

• 1967: No. 4 Georgia

• 1968: Texas A&M

• 1969: No. 5 Texas

• 1970: No. 1 Texas

• 1971: No. 6 Notre Dame

• 1972: No. 10 Penn State

• 1973: No. 7 Texas

• 1974: No. 12 Nebraska

• 1975: No. 7 Penn State

• 1976: No. 18 Arkansas

• 1977: No. 6 Houston

• 1978: No. 5 Notre Dame

• 1979: No. 10 Notre Dame

• 1980: No. 8 Houston

• 1981: No. 9 Alabama

• 1982: No. 6 Texas

• 1983: No. 4 SMU

• 1984: No. 7 Georgia

• 1985: No. 8 Boston College

• 1986: No. 11 Texas A&M

• 1987: No. 11 Ohio State

• 1988: No. 13 Texas A&M

• 1989: No. 9 UCLA

• 1990: No. 8 Tennessee

• 1991: No. 4 Miami (FL)

• 1992: No. 5 Florida State

• 1993: No. 5 Notre Dame

• 1994: No. 4 Notre Dame

• 1995: No. 21 USC

• 1996: No. 7 Colorado

• 1997: No. 5 BYU

• 1998: No. 5 UCLA

• 1999: No. 20 Texas

• 2000: No. 24 Arkansas

• 2001: No. 11 Kansas State

• 2002: No. 10 Oklahoma

• 2003: No. 9 Texas

• 2004: No. 16 Ole Miss

• 2005: No. 15 Tennessee

• 2006: No. 8 Alabama

• 2007: No. 10 Auburn

• 2008: No. 7 Missouri

• 2009: No. 20 Ole Miss

• 2010: Ole Miss

• 2011: No. 11 LSU

• 2012: No. 7 Arkansas

• 2013: No. 9 Texas A&M

• 2014: No. 9 Missouri

• 2015: No. 7 Michigan State

• 2016: CFP - No. 2 Alabama

• 2017: No. 8 Wisconsin

• 2018: CFP - No. 2 Clemson

• 2019: No. 13 Penn State

• 2020: No. 8 Oklahoma

• 2021: CFP - No. 1 Alabama

2023: No. 14 Tulane