After years of hosting BCS bowl games, the Capital One Orange Bowl is now part of the brand new College Football Playoff. While the Orange Bowl won’t host either of the national semifinals this year, it will routinely welcome in the ACC champions and a team from either the Big Ten, SEC, or Notre Dame. This year, the SEC happens to grab the spot.
2014 Orange Bowl, Georgia Tech vs. Mississippi State: Date, time, location and more
For just the second time in history, the Orange Bowl will be played before New Year’s Day.
The Orange Bowl is one of the more historic bowl games in college football, routinely hosting teams on New Year’s Day since 1935. The game will be played on New Year’s Eve in 2014 for just the second time. It has hosted four national championships, including USC’s drubbing of Oklahoma in 2005, when the Trojans marched on to a 55-19 victory.
Here is all you need to know about this year’s game:
Date and time, ET: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET
TV channel: ESPN
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.
Stadium: Sun Life Stadium, 76,100
Last year’s score: Clemson 40, Ohio State 35
Last year’s attendance: 72,080
Last year’s TV rating: 6.7
Last year’s payout for each school: $17 million
Team with the most all-time appearances: Oklahoma, 18
Team with the most all-time wins: Oklahoma; 12-6
Georgia Tech (10-2, 6-2 ACC)
Like so many teams before them, Georgia Tech came so close to ending Florida State’s perfect season before coming up just short. The Yellow Jackets lost 37-35 to the Seminoles in the ACC Championship Game, which can still be considered a strong end to what has been a surprisingly great season for the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech’s running game still ranks near the top of the country, but the play at quarterback has been part of the difference this season. Justin Thomas is the Yellow Jackets’ leading rusher, but he’s also turned into quite the capable passer in this system. Georgia Tech is among the nation’s leaders in yards per pass attempt, and can hurt you through the air as well as on the ground.
Last bowl game: 2013 Franklin Mortgage Music City Bowl vs. Ole Miss, 25-17 loss
All-time bowl record: 23-18
Head coach’s bowl record: Paul Johnson, 3-6
Mississippi State Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
There are two ways to look at Mississippi State’s 2014 season. On one hand, they squandered a sure College Football Playoff spot with two losses in the final three weeks, including a loss by two touchdowns in the Egg Bowl to hated Ole Miss. On the other hand, Dan Mullen finally got over the hump in Starkville, reaching the 10-win mark en route to one of the best seasons in program history.
Despite the bitter end to their regular season, there’s a lot to like about the Bulldogs. They have a dynamic quarterback in Dak Prescott, a physical running game, and a brutal front seven that can beat an opponent into submission. If they haven’t packed it in yet, they will be a miserable team to play against in their bowl game.
Last bowl game: 2013 Liberty Bowl vs. Rice, 44-7 win
All-time bowl record:11-7
Head coach’s bowl record:Dan Mullen, 3-1
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