The Liberty Bowl will be played in Memphis on Friday, December 29 at 2:30 PM, with a television broadcast on ESPN. The Liberty Bowl’s contractual affiliation is<\/p>\n
Big 12 vs. SEC<\/em><\/p>\n It has some latitude and can pick (I think I have this approximately right) anywhere from the 3rd- to 8th-place finisher in those conferences. That allows the bowl to select a good matchup that will intrigue traveling fans of the two invited schools as well as local football fans.<\/p>\n Given who was available, the Big 12 pick was pretty obvious:<\/p>\n Iowa State Cyclones vs. SEC<\/em><\/p>\n The Iowa State Cyclones are 7-5 (6-3 in conference) with a recent win over ranked Kansas State. Iowa State fans have traveled very well to previous Liberty Bowls and are known to love Memphis as a travel destination.<\/p>\n The “SEC” side of the equation was a bit murkier. Mississippi State, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt failed to win the requisite 6 games to be invited to a bowl game. That left the SEC unable to fulfill all of its contractual obligations, including its obligation to the Liberty Bowl.<\/p>\n So the Liberty Bowl became<\/p>\n Iowa State Cyclones vs. At-large<\/em><\/p>\n Now it was up to the folks at the Liberty Bowl to find a team that would match up well with I-State and which would appeal to the local audience and sell plenty of tickets. Presenting the lineup for the 2023 Liberty Bowl:<\/p>\n Iowa State Cyclones vs. Memphis Tigers<\/em><\/p>\n This is fantastic news for Memphis… and yet not the best news for the Downtown Memphis economy. This year we’ll have one<\/strong> team’s fans staying in Downtown hotels, eating in Downtown restaurants, rather than two<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Let’s embrace the Iowa State fans who will be coming to Memphis – show them a good time, point out our favorite spots that they might otherwise miss. Maybe we can convince some of them to extend their stay until New Year’s.<\/p>\n Other bowl games of interest:<\/p>\n It’s National Cookie Day<\/a>. You can celebrate with a visit to Makeda’s at 301 Jefferson. Or you could visit Butterific Bakery & Cafe at 488 S. Second. Or the pastry shop inside the Peabody. Or Insomnia Cookies on Beale.<\/p>\n Travel South International Showcase<\/a> comes to the Renasant Convention Center today through Thursday.<\/p>\n Trans-Siberian Orchestra<\/a> comes to FedExForum Thursday, December 14.<\/p>\n Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel will be closed for a private event Wednesday, December 6.<\/p>\n Westy’s celebrates its 40th anniversary<\/a> this coming weekend.<\/p>\n The annual Memphis holiday parade<\/a> rolls down Beale Street from 2:00 to 3:30 PM Saturday.<\/p>\n Streetdog Foundation hosts Sippin’ with Santa Paws<\/a> this Saturday at Loflin Yard. Silent auction, drink specials, dog costume contest, adoptable dogs, photos with Santa Paws. This event will be held in the heated Carriage House.<\/p>\n On Sunday there will be a gingerbread decorating party<\/a> at Loflin Yard.<\/p>\n Old Dominick Distillery will hold a Speakeasy Soiree<\/a> Tuesday evening to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal.<\/p>\n\n