Three college football bowl games that are set to return in 2025-2026

Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz is entering his 27th year in 2025. Since 1999, when Ferentz took over the program from legendary Head Coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes have achieved 21 winning seasons.

The Iowa program has not had a losing record since 2012 (4-8) and has not had a losing conference record since 2017 (4-5).

Under Ferentz's leadership, the Hawkeyes have captured three Big Ten Division Titles (2015, 2021, 2023), been invited to 22 Bowl Games, and won 10. The 10 victories are tied for first all-time among Big Ten coaches.

After the 2024-2025 regular season, Iowa played in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Missouri, losing a close 27-24 game. This season, they hope to make it back to the postseason as three Bowl Games announced their return.

Pop-Tarts Bow (December 27)

After a high-scoring game in 2024, the Pop-Tarts Bowl returns in 2025. Pop-Tarts is sponsoring the bowl for its third season, and it will be the 36th edition of the bowl game overall. The game is set for December 27 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time in Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. ABC will air it.

The bowl will feature representatives from the ACC and Big 12 Conferences.

Last season, the Iowa State Cyclones beat the Miami Hurricanes 42-41 in a thrilling one-point game, securing the Cyclones' only 11-win season in school history. After guiding Iowa State to victory, quarterback Rooco Becht took home the Most Outstanding Player award.

Becht threw for 270 and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in the victory.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (December 30)

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is scheduled for December 30 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time from Shreveport, Louisiana. This will be the 49th edition of the bowl, and the third time it will be played on December 30 (2005, 2007, 2025).

The December 30 date is the latest the bowl game has been played since 2013, when it was played on December 31, and ESPN will air it.

The Indy Bowl has been extremely popular over the past seven years, averaging 2.7 million viewers and 30, 180 fans in attendance.

In the 2024 Indy Bowl, the No. 22 Army Black Knights dominated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 27-6, with Army Quarterback Bryson Daily taking home the Most Outstanding Player Award.

Daily rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries, and also threw for 65 yards in the victory.

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (December 31)

The 80th edition of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is scheduled for New Year's Eve at 2:00 p.m. Central Time at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The game features teams from the Big Ten and SEC conferences, and serves as a lead-in to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals. It will be the 30th time the Citrus Bowl will be played in December (third time on New Year's Eve).

During the 2024 matchup, The No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks 21-17 to secure Illinois' first 10-win season since 2001.

After rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in the final quarter, Illinois running back Josh McCray took home the Most Outstanding Player award.

The 2025 college football postseason will look different following changes to the College Football Playoff format, but the Iowa Hawkeyes aim to make the postseason for the 12th consecutive season.