The first bowl shakeup of the 2011 season was the Virginia Tech Hokies' surprise reported selection to the Sugar Bowl. Here's another sign it might be true: the Missouri Tigers and North Carolina Tar Heels will reportedly play, which would send UNC to a bowl one bid higher than the game to which it had been projected.
@BlumbergOTB Confirmed
#Mizzou vs. North Carolina in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26th.
The Independence Bowl started in 1976 (hence the name) is played annually in Shreveport, Louisiana and usually features a school from the Mountain West Conference versus a school from the ACC with the Sun Belt waiting in the wings just in case.
This year's game will take place Monday, December 26 at 8:00 p.m. and be televised on ESPN where Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & Allison Williams will broadcast.
Ole Miss is the current leader in game appearances with five while Louisiana Tech has appeared in four. Last year, Air Force topped Georgia Tech 14-7.
Game date, time: 8:00 pm ET, Monday, December 26
Location: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana
TV channel: ESPN
2010 winner and loser: Air Force 14 - Georgia Tech 7
For more on each bowl game as it’s announced, stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.