Armed Forces Bowl: Rice Eyes a Bit of Meme History-and a Bowl Win
If you've spent the holiday season surrounded by kids-or just scrolling through TikTok-you've probably heard the numbers “6-7” tossed around more than a football on game day. What started as a quirky line from a rap song has turned into a full-blown internet meme, one that’s somehow found its way into the college football postseason.
And now, thanks to a unique set of circumstances, the Armed Forces Bowl is giving us a very real shot at a meme becoming a final scoreline.
The Setup: Rice (5-7) vs. Texas State (6-6)
Friday's noon kickoff at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium pits Rice against Texas State in a matchup that, on the surface, might not scream "must-watch."
But dig a little deeper, and this one has some serious meme potential. If Rice pulls off the upset, both teams would finish the season 6-7-fueling the internet’s favorite numerical joke and giving middle schoolers everywhere something to cheer about.
Even the bowl organizers are leaning into the moment. In their game notes, they wrote:
“A Rice win would likely be popular among school children, as it would give both teams final records of 6-7. A Texas State win would likely be popular among their parents and teachers.”
It’s a tongue-in-cheek nod to the cultural moment, but the football side of this matchup carries its own intrigue.
Why Rice Is Even Here
The Owls are one of three 5-7 teams playing in bowls this year, thanks to a shortage of six-win teams. When programs like Iowa State, Kansas State, and Notre Dame declined postseason invites, it opened the door for Rice-and two other 5-7 squads-to extend their seasons.
The dream of a double 6-7 showdown nearly came true earlier this week, but 6-6 Georgia Southern spoiled it by beating 5-7 Appalachian State in the Birmingham Bowl. Mississippi State, the third 5-7 team, plays 8-4 Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday. Even if the Bulldogs lose, we won’t get a double 6-7 out of that one.
So it’s all on Rice now. A win means both teams finish 6-7. A loss, and Texas State moves to a respectable 7-6 while Rice ends at 5-8-and the meme dies on the field.
A Familiar Foe
This isn’t the first meeting between these two programs in bowl season.
Just last year, Texas State rolled past Rice 45-21 in the First Responder Bowl. That game was played at SMU’s Gerald J.
Ford Stadium in Dallas, and it marked a statement win for the Bobcats.
Texas State comes into this one with a perfect 2-0 record in bowl games. Rice, meanwhile, is 7-7 all-time in the postseason. Their last bowl win came back in 2014 in the Hawaii Bowl, and they also claimed the Armed Forces Bowl back in 2012 with a convincing 33-14 win over Air Force.
Key Players and Absences
Rice will be without starting quarterback Chase Jenkins, who’s entered the transfer portal and won’t suit up Friday. That’s a big absence, and it’s one of the reasons oddsmakers have Texas State as 14.5-point favorites, with the total set at 57.5.
In Jenkins’ absence, Rice will need to lean heavily on junior running back Quinton Jackson. The North Crowley product has been a bright spot this season, racking up 811 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry and finding the end zone six times. He’ll be the engine of the offense-and likely their best chance at keeping this one competitive.
The Bottom Line
There’s more than just a trophy on the line in Fort Worth.
There’s a shot at internet immortality. If Rice pulls off the upset, it won’t just be a win for the program-it’ll be a victory for meme culture, for chaos, and for every kid who’s ever shouted “6-7!”
across a crowded room.
But standing in their way is a Texas State team that’s already beaten them once and is looking to cap off a solid season with a bowl win and a winning record.
So whether you're watching for the football or the folklore, the Armed Forces Bowl has something for everyone. And if Rice gets it done, well... the internet might never let us forget it.