There are a handful of new bowl games this year, but none are as exciting or interesting as the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
2014 Bahamas Bowl, Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky: Date, time, location and more
Christmas Eve football in the Bahamas? What more could you ask for?
Set aside the fact that the game will call for a Conference USA and MAC team to meet up -- lots of points! -- but the game is being played in the Bahamas on Christmas Eve. There’s already the Hawaii Bowl, and the best part of that game is usually all of the scenery they show around the island during timeouts. The Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and with it being a new destination for college football fans to travel to this winter, there should be a solid crowd turnout. Who doesn’t love a little football with their milk and cookies?
Date and time, ET: Wednesday, Dec. 24, Noon ET
TV channel: ESPN
Location: Nassau, Bahamas
Stadium: Thomas Robinson Stadium, 15,000
Central Michigan (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
Central Michigan hasn’t done a lot since the Dan LeFevour era to break from mediocrity. The Chippewas have hovered around .500 for quite some time, and this year was no different, as they finished 7-5. There were some impressive games, but also some missed opportunities. While CMU came up big in its demolition of Purdue and its solid win over MAC power Northern Illinois, it also came up short against weak power five teams Kansas and Syracuse.
While winning a bowl game won’t do a lot to change anyone’s minds about CMU’s place in the MAC, it’s better than not going to a bowl game at all, which happened to the 6-6 Chippewas last year. If the offense shows some consistency and puts together an impressive performance, then CMU can get some momentum heading into 2015.
Last bowl game: 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl vs. Western Kentucky, 24-21 win
All-time bowl record: 3-4
Head coach’s bowl record: Dan Enos, 1-0
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5, 4-4 C-USA)
Western Kentucky is bowl-eligible for the fourth straight season, but this will be only their second postseason appearance in that stretch. The Hilltoppers secured quality victories over Bowling Green, Navy and Old Dominion before a stunning overtime defeat of previously undefeated Marshall in the regular season finale.
The Hilltoppers have one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the country, led by quarterback Brandon Doughty. The senior threw for 4,344 yards with 44 touchdowns against 10 interceptions this season.
Last bowl game: 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, vs. Central Michigan, 24-21 loss
All-time bowl record: 0-1
Head coach’s bowl record: Jeff Brohm, 0-0
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