College football’s 2025 bowl season officially kicks off on Saturday, December 13, with two compelling matchups set to open what will be a month-long postseason stretch. Both games offer compelling storylines as teams look to cap off their seasons and prepare for the College Football Playoff that begins next week.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Bowl season begins Saturday, December 13, 2025 with two games
- South Carolina State faces Prairie View A&M at 12 p.m. ET in the Cricket Celebration Bowl
- Boise State takes on Washington at 8 p.m. ET in the LA Bowl
- The College Football Playoff begins six days later on December 19
Cricket Celebration Bowl: MEAC vs. SWAC Championship Clash
Cagliari faces Lecce tonight in Serie A showdown, Rossoblu seek top-half push
Girona faces Barcelona tonight in La Liga showdown, Barcelona chases lead
The Cricket Celebration Bowl pits the South Carolina State Bulldogs (9-3) against the Prairie View A&M Panthers in a battle between two historically significant conferences. This matchup represents the culmination of the MEAC and SWAC seasons, with both teams fighting for conference bragging rights and a signature bowl victory.
South Carolina State brings a 9-3 record to the contest, looking to finish strong after a competitive campaign. Prairie View A&M also enters with plenty of momentum, hoping to represent their conference well on the national stage at noon ET on ABC.
East Texas A&M faces Southeastern in Family Fun Day matchup today
Macclesfield faces Brentford tonight in FA Cup fourth-round showdown
The winner will carry that victory into the offseason, having made a statement in one of college football’s most storied and tradition-rich matchups between historically Black universities and their passionate fanbases.
Boise State vs. Washington LA Bowl: Mountain State Seeks Respectability
Boise State (9-4) takes on Washington in the marquee event of the day, the LA Bowl, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This matchup brings together two programs with distinct narratives heading into the postseason, with both teams seeking to build momentum and establish positioning for their respective futures.
The Broncos aim to prove their mettle against a Pacific Northwest powerhouse while Washington looks to end its season on a positive note. The Los Angeles setting provides a major stage for what figures to be an entertaining contest featuring two teams that have shown they can compete at high levels throughout the season.
Boise State’s explosive offense will be tested against Washington’s defensive schemes, promising a compelling matchup that could swing dramatically based on which team controls the line of scrimmage and minimizes costly turnovers.
Why These Saturday Games Matter Before the Playoff
| Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Teams |
| Cricket Celebration Bowl | 12:00 p.m. | ABC | S.C. State vs. Prairie View A&M |
| LA Bowl | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | Boise State vs. Washington |
These early bowl games serve as momentum builders before the College Football Playoff begins. While not involving the nation’s elite four teams, both contests showcase the quality of college football outside of the top tier and give fans plenty of reasons to tune in on a Saturday without overlapping commitments.
South Carolina State and Prairie View A&M represent the pride of their respective conferences and communities, making the Cricket Celebration Bowl essential viewing for fans of historically Black college athletics. Meanwhile, the LA Bowl carries significant implications for Boise State and Washington’s trajectory heading into next season and beyond.
A Prelude to Six-Team Playoff Glory
The 2025-26 postseason format features a new six-team College Football Playoff, which begins on December 19-20. December 13’s bowl games provide an excellent appetizer to that main course, allowing the nation’s most avid college football fans to continue their weekend gridiron marathon.
Both matchups promise competitive football, with coaching staffs looking to implement season-long plans and players fighting for their futures. Scouts, fans, and analysts will all be watching to see which programs execute down the stretch and which ones show they have what it takes to succeed under pressure in high-stakes environments.
The journey to the playoff championship begins now, and these two December 13 contests represent the opening chapter of what will be a historic postseason featuring new opportunities and expanded possibilities for teams across the country.
Will You Be Tuning In on Saturday for These Opening Bowl Contests?
College football today on TV offers dual viewing opportunities with compelling storylines at both kickoff times. The 12 p.m. ET Cricket Celebration Bowl launches bowl season with historic significance, while the 8 p.m. ET LA Bowl provides primetime entertainment on the West Coast.
Fans can expect competitive football, traditions of excellence, and programs seeking to end their seasons with victories that carry meaning. Whether you commit to the entire day or pick your favorite matchup, December 13 marks the moment when college football’s postseason truly comes alive and teams begin their march toward national glory.
Sources
- ESPN – College football bowl schedule and matchup information
- NCAA.com – Official bowl game times and television listings
- NBC Sports – Complete 2025-26 bowl season schedule
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.