In the ever-expanding world of college bowl games, the Miami Beach Bowl is one of the new kids on the block. It also joins the relatively short list of postseason games to be played in a Major League Baseball park. BYU is a participant thanks to a one-off tie-in. With the American managing the game, future contests will also feature teams from Conference USA, the MAC and Sun Belt. This year, it will be Memphis vs. BYU, according to ESPN.
2014 Miami Beach Bowl, Memphis vs. BYU: Date, time, location and more
Hey look, another bowl game in Florida!
Date and time, ET: Monday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. ET
TV channel: ESPN
Location: Miami, Fla.
Stadium: Marlins Park; 36,742
BYU (8-4)
Oh, what could have been for BYU. Early in the season, the Cougars were the trendy pick to go to a New Year’s Six bowl and possibly even go undefeated. Then Taysom Hill got hurt against Utah State, and the Cougars proceeded to lose their next four games. It looked to be a lost season, and in a way it was, since BYU would no longer make a top bowl game, but the team rebounded nicely and won its last four, including a win over Cal.
Now can the Cougars build off the Cal win with a bowl win? They have the offense to do it, as quarterback Christian Stewart has looked very good while filling in for Hill. The defense could make things interesting for BYU, but if Bronco Mendenhall’s team can get a bowl win, it will be a nice end to a season that could have been a lot more were it not for that bad stretch in the middle of the year.
Last bowl game: 2013 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, 31-16 loss vs. Washington
All-time bowl record: 13-18-1
Head coach’s bowl record: Bronco Mendenhall, 5-2
Memphis Tigers (9-3, 7-1)
After six years in the wilderness, the Memphis Tigers return to the college football postseason after a surprising nine-win season and American Conference championship. Third-year coach Justin Fuente brought the Tigers their first conference title since 1969 and a six-game winning streak to end the season.
Fuente, who had worked as offensive coordinator under Gary Patterson at TCU, has employed his mentor’s defense-heavy method in bringing the Tigers back. Memphis is seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 17 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch has been effective when necessary, throwing for nine touchdowns and no interceptions during Memphis’ season-closing winning streak.
Last bowl game: 2008 St. Petersburg Bowl, 41-14 loss vs. South Florida
All-time bowl record: 2-3
Head coach’s bowl record: Justin Fuente, first bowl
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