College football bowl games: Who plays today Friday Jan. 3? Times and matchups
Bowl season continues with two games on Friday, in Texas and North Carolina, with two programs meeting for the first time.
After Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 on Thursday to clinch the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, the college football action continues today, Friday 3 January, with two matchups - neither feature as part of the 2025 College Football playoffs.
First up is the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas which is celebrating 15th edition. The action heads over to Charlotte later this evening, where the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Virginia Tech will contest the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Full bowl game schedule, Friday Jan. 3:
First Responder Bowl: North Texas Mean Green vs Texas State Bobcats
Texas State (7-5) return to Dallas after beating the Rice Owls 45-21 last year in their first ever bowl game appearance. The Bobcats have been bowl eligible just twice since moving to Division I-FBS in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) in 2013.
They face regional opponents the North Texas Mean Green who finished ninth (6-6) in the American Athletic Conference and head into their 15th bowl game - the first since their Frisco Bowl defeat to Boise State in 2022. North Texas' bowl record is 3–11 - their last win was in 2014, precisely in this one, then known as the Heart of Dallas bowl.
When? 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT
Where? Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Dallas, Texas
How to watch? ESPN
Stream the First Responder Bowl live on fubo (free trial available).
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Minnesota make their Duke’s Mayo Bowl debut in the first meeting between these two programs. The Gophers finished the regular season 7-5 in the Big Ten but have several players who could opt out of this game. The program’s bowl record is 12-12 - in fact Minnesota will be aiming for their eight consecutive bowl game win in Charlotte.
Virginia Tech ended the 2024 campaign eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (6-6). Brent Pry enjoyed a promising start but faded towards the end with just two wins in their last five games. This will be the program’s 35th bowl game appearance - the Hokies have a record of 13-21 and beat Tulane in last year’s Military Bowl.
When? 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Where? Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte, North Carolina
How to watch? ESPN
Stream the Duke’s Mayo Bowl live on fubo (free trial available).
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