To help prime you for the New Year's Day Bowl Bonanza, we've compiled this handy list of fun factoids concerning the 2011 TicketCity Bowl.
Proper name: TicketCity Bowl sponsored by, you guessed it, TicketCity.
Setting: The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
Traditional conference pairing: Big Ten versus Big 12.
2010 matchup: Northwestern and Texas Tech meet for the first time, perhaps igniting a new, fierce rivalry.
Announcers: Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman and Quint Kessenich. Stand back and watch the Spielman show, ladies and gentlemen.
Neatest fact: Until TicketCity took the sponsorship rights, this bowl was to be named The Dallas Football Classic. Creative, I know.
Closest finish: Since it's the first time, the answer to this question will absolutely be the 2011 version of the bowl.
Most lopsided finish: See above.
Tidbits of interest: This is Northwestern's first time playing in Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas Tech has been here before and will be making its fifth trip to the stadium. The Wildcats have not won a bowl since 1949.
The 2011 TicketCity Bowl kicks off at noon EST, Saturday, Jan. 1. The game will be televised on ESPNU. For a complete list of bowls, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.