As we close out 2025, college football fans are getting one more treat before New Year’s Eve: a tripleheader of bowl action on Tuesday, Dec. 30. From Shreveport to San Antonio, three matchups will take center stage, offering everything from coaching transitions to high-powered offenses and programs looking to end their seasons on a high note.
Here’s a full breakdown of what’s on tap today and what to watch for in each game.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
**Coastal Carolina (6-6) vs.
Louisiana Tech (7-5)**
📺 *2 p.m.
ET on ESPN* | Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana
Coastal Carolina is no stranger to the postseason these days. This marks the Chanticleers’ sixth straight bowl appearance since their 2020 debut, but it’s their first trip to the Independence Bowl-and they’re arriving in transition.
After a 6-3 start turned into a three-game skid, head coach Tim Beck was let go in late November. Defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson is stepping in as interim, with new head coach Ryan Beard set to take over next season.
It’s a team that’s trying to steady the ship and finish .500, and how they respond to the coaching change will be a key storyline.
Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is back in a bowl for the first time since 2019 and doing it in familiar territory. This is the Bulldogs' seventh appearance in the Independence Bowl-and they earned it the hard way.
A 4-1 start under Sonny Cumbie gave way to some turbulence, but they clinched bowl eligibility in dramatic fashion with a 21-point comeback win over Liberty in overtime. That kind of resilience has defined their season, and they’ll look to cap it off with a statement win.
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
**Tennessee (8-4) vs.
Illinois (8-4)**
📺 *5:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN* | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee gets a de facto home game in Nashville, and the Volunteers are looking to make it count. This is bowl appearance No. 57 for the program, and their fourth trip to the Music City Bowl.
Under Josh Heupel, the Vols have been one of the most explosive offenses in the country, ranking fourth nationally with 482 yards per game. A win here would give them their fourth straight season with at least nine victories-a level of consistency that’s been elusive in recent decades.
Illinois, on the other hand, is chasing a bit of history. The Illini have matched a school record with 18 wins over the last two seasons and are looking to notch back-to-back nine-win campaigns for the first time ever.
This is their first appearance in the Music City Bowl, and they’re bringing a full-strength roster-including quarterback Luke Altmyer, who’s opted to play rather than sit out. That’s a big boost for a team that’s been building something solid under Bret Bielema.
Valero Alamo Bowl
**No.
16 USC (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4)**
📺 9 p.m. ET on ESPN | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
The nightcap features two high-profile programs with different recent trajectories but plenty of firepower.
For USC, this is their first trip to the Alamodome, though head coach Lincoln Riley is no stranger to the venue-he was the interim offensive coordinator for Texas Tech when they beat Michigan State in the 2009 Alamo Bowl. The Trojans are making their 59th bowl appearance, and few programs can match their postseason pedigree. With a .643 bowl winning percentage, they’ve made a habit of showing up in December and January.
TCU, meanwhile, is riding into this one with momentum. The Horned Frogs closed the regular season with back-to-back wins, including a road victory over ranked Houston.
This is their second-ever Alamo Bowl appearance, and the first one was unforgettable: a 31-point halftime comeback to beat Oregon in triple overtime back in 2016. Head coach Sonny Dykes has led four different programs to bowl games, and he’s got a chance to add another signature win to his postseason résumé.
Looking Ahead: College Football Playoff Update
The first round of the expanded College Football Playoff wrapped up earlier this month, with Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon advancing. Now, the quarterfinals are set to kick off on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:
- Indiana (1) vs. Alabama (8)
- Ohio State (2) vs. Miami (10)
- Georgia (3) vs. Ole Miss (6)
- Texas Tech (4) vs. Oregon (5)
Semifinals are scheduled for Jan. 8-9, and the national title game will go down on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Today’s bowl slate offers a little bit of everything-coaching intrigue, offensive fireworks, and postseason tradition. Whether you're tuning in for a team on the rise or a program trying to reclaim its footing, there's no shortage of storylines as we wrap up 2025 with a full day of college football.