What makes a die-hard Detroit Lions fan? Devoted fans share their stories
We asked Detroit Lions fans to share their stories. Hear what they think of the team’s current run and how their devotion grew through the years.
The 2025-26 college football bowl game schedule has been released, with bowl games stretching more than a full month, from Dec. 13, 2025, to Jan. 19, 2026.
For Detroiters, the key date is Friday, Dec. 26, when the GameAbove Sports Bowl returns to Ford Field. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
The 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl was one of the most high-flying games of the 2024 bowl season, with the Toledo Rockets beating the Pitt Panthers 48-46 in six overtimes. It was the longest bowl game in college football history and the highest-scoring bowl game of the season.
For college football fans in the state of Michigan, however, other key dates may be of more interest.
When is the College Football Playoff?
The first College Football Playoff quarterfinal will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The next three quarterfinal matchups will all take place on Thursday, Jan. 1—the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida (noon ET on ESPN), the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (4 p.m. ET on ESPN), and the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans (8 p.m. ET on ESPN).
The first semifinal will take place with the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 8, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). The second will take place on Friday, Jan. 9, with the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).
And lastly, the 2026 CFP National Championship Game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, Jan. 19, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Last bowl games for Michigan teams
Only two FBS teams from the state of Michigan appeared in bowl games last year: Michigan and Western Michigan.
After coming off a national championship season in 2023, the Wolverines went 7-5 in the 2024 regular season before beating Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 31.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, lost 30-23 to South Alabama in the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl on Dec. 14.
When were Michigan FBS schools last in a bowl?
Central Michigan: The Chippewas beat Washington State 24-21 at the 2021 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, earning the program’s first bowl victory since beating Western Kentucky at the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field.
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles lost 59-10 to South Alabama in the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Michigan: The Wolverines beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 19-13 in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, becoming the first team to ever beat Alabama twice in the same calendar year (after an overtime win at the 2024 Rose Bowl to clinch a national title berth).
Michigan State: The Spartans beat Pitt 31-21 at the 2021 Peach Bowl, marking the team’s seventh win in their previous nine bowl games dating back to a 33-30 win over Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl.
Western Michigan: The Broncos, who have won just two bowl games in their history, lost 30-23 to South Alabama in the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl.
You can reach Christian at [email protected]
#Detroit #bowl #game #bowl #game #schedule #released
