Toledo and Middle Tennessee will play in the Bahamas Bowl, sources told The Action Network.
The bowl is the first of the bowl season, kicking off Dec. 17 at noon and will be televised on ESPN.
Middle Tennessee (6-6) finished fourth in Conference USA’s East Division. The Blue Raiders started the season 2-4 and needed a come-from-behind victory Saturday at FAU to reach bowl eligibility. Middle Tennessee trailed, 17-10, in the fourth quarter but outscored the Owls, 17-0, in the final 13 minutes for the 27-17 victory.
Toledo (7-5) finished third in the MAC’s West Division. The Rockets closed on a season-high three-game winning streak. Of the Rockets’ five losses this season, four were by three points or less.
This is Middle Tennessee’s ninth bowl trip in 17 years under head coach Rick Stockstill and first since 2018. Toledo is making its fourth bowl appearance in six years under coach Jason Candle — its first since playing in the 2018 Bahamas Bowl.
East Carolina Receives First Bowl Bid of Season; Will Play ACC Team in Military Bowl
On Saturday, East Carolina, of the AAC, officially accepted a bid to the Military Bowl, where the Pirates will play an ACC team to be determined.
In all, there are 83 bowl-eligible teams this season to fill 82 bowl spots, meaning one six-win Group of Five team will not go bowling this year.
The entire bowl lineup will be revealed on Dec. 5.
On Monday, The Action Network will provide its updated College Football Playoff and bowl projections entering this weekend’s conference championship games.
