This Poinsettia Bowl for 2009 is scheduled to kick off on December 23. Created in 1995 by the organizers of the Holiday Bowl, it is expected to feature a team from the Pac-10 and a team from the Mountain West Conference, although the Pac-10 slot is technically considered an at-large bid. In the event that the Pac-10 does not have enough bowl-eligible teams, another team may be extended the invitation. The bowl game, officially named the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, is played in San Diego and strongly considers military academies for invitation due to the bowl's proximity to several military installations.
TCU has won the bowl twice, and in the short history of the bowl, TCU and Navy are the teams with the most Poinsettia Bowl appearances. Although the first two bowl games were relative blowouts, the two since then have been extremely close games. In 2007, Utah defeated Navy by a mere three points, 35-32. However, the next year, TCU defeated Boise State by an even slimmer margin, winning by a single point, 17-16. TCU had trailed the first three quarters of the game before managing to score a fourth quarter touchdown which put them in the lead for good.
The setting of San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl makes it natural for fans to want to not only enjoy the game, but the city's great weather and attractions. On December 20, the festivities get under way with two team days, where the at-large team will spend their Team Day at the San Diego Zoo, while the MWC team will enjoy their own team day at Sea World. The next day, coaches and players will race karts at the Mirimar Speed Circuit.
The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will be the center of attention on December 21, when the marching bands meet for the Poinsettia Bowl March Through the Gaslamp. Both bands will start at either end of Fifth Avenue, and parade until they meet at Market Street and have a battle of the Bands. The AT...T Team Luncheon takes place on December 22, giving fans a chance to join their favorite players in a meal at the USS Midway Museum.
Game day will be alive with pre-game festivities, including the VIP Tailgate Party and Qualcomm Stadium and the Viejas Pre-Game Show. The pre-game show will include bands playing and a balloon parade. Then, the big game kicks off and will be televised nationally on ESPN. However, taking in a college bowl game in San Diego will be a lot of fun for many fans.
The college bowl system has both fans and detractors, with some saying the bowl system doesn't really provide a way to crown a legitimate college football champion. Still others like the fact that so many teams can end their seasons on a winning note. The sponsors and alumni for schools and bowls are divided as well. However, the atmosphere surrounding a college football bowl game is so great that no one can deny it's a great time for the teams and the attending fans. - 30559
TCU has won the bowl twice, and in the short history of the bowl, TCU and Navy are the teams with the most Poinsettia Bowl appearances. Although the first two bowl games were relative blowouts, the two since then have been extremely close games. In 2007, Utah defeated Navy by a mere three points, 35-32. However, the next year, TCU defeated Boise State by an even slimmer margin, winning by a single point, 17-16. TCU had trailed the first three quarters of the game before managing to score a fourth quarter touchdown which put them in the lead for good.
The setting of San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl makes it natural for fans to want to not only enjoy the game, but the city's great weather and attractions. On December 20, the festivities get under way with two team days, where the at-large team will spend their Team Day at the San Diego Zoo, while the MWC team will enjoy their own team day at Sea World. The next day, coaches and players will race karts at the Mirimar Speed Circuit.
The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will be the center of attention on December 21, when the marching bands meet for the Poinsettia Bowl March Through the Gaslamp. Both bands will start at either end of Fifth Avenue, and parade until they meet at Market Street and have a battle of the Bands. The AT...T Team Luncheon takes place on December 22, giving fans a chance to join their favorite players in a meal at the USS Midway Museum.
Game day will be alive with pre-game festivities, including the VIP Tailgate Party and Qualcomm Stadium and the Viejas Pre-Game Show. The pre-game show will include bands playing and a balloon parade. Then, the big game kicks off and will be televised nationally on ESPN. However, taking in a college bowl game in San Diego will be a lot of fun for many fans.
The college bowl system has both fans and detractors, with some saying the bowl system doesn't really provide a way to crown a legitimate college football champion. Still others like the fact that so many teams can end their seasons on a winning note. The sponsors and alumni for schools and bowls are divided as well. However, the atmosphere surrounding a college football bowl game is so great that no one can deny it's a great time for the teams and the attending fans. - 30559
