2017 Birmingham Bowl: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – For the second straight year, the USF football team will end its season in Alabama when it faces of with Texas Tech in the 2017 Birmingham Bowl.

It wasn’t that long ago that a chance to have a second straight double-digit win season wasn’t considered a disappointment for the Bulls. However, in a year many pundits predicted USF to reach a New Year’s Day bowl, the Bulls one again will head to Birmingham to play a mid-level team in the post season. The Bulls beat South Carolina 46-39 in overtime in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl.

The Red Raiders needed a win in its last game just to reach bowl eligibility and avoid a losing record. However, since the 27-23 win came against longtime rival Texas, Texas Tech is riding high heading into the bowl game despite their record.

For fans interested in travelling to the game, here’s everything you need to know before you go to the 2017 Birmingham Bowl.

Date and Time

The 2017 Birmingham Bowl is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.

Location

The Birmingham Bowl takes place at historic Legion Field. The stadium, which opened in 1926, currently is home to the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers and was the host of the Iron Bowl (the annual Alabama vs. Auburn game) from 1948 to 1988.

Parking and Shuttles

Legion Field is located at 400 Graymont Ave. W. in Birmingham. Stadium parking lots are accessible from both Eighth Avenue and Graymont Avenue via Interstate 65 and Interstate 20/59.

As stadium parking is limited, three different shuttles will help fans get to Legion Field. For gameday travel, the Red Shuttle will pick up passengers in Uptown (outside the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame), the Sheraton and the Weston. The White Shuttle will pick up passengers at the Hyatt Regency. The Blue Shuttle will pick up passengers at the Hilton and the Marriott.

All gameday shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with routes expected to maintain 30-minute intervals.

2017 Birmingham Bowl Teams

The USF Bulls will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2017 Birmingham Bowl.

USF is looking to reach 10 wins for the second straight year. Due to schedule changes after Hurricane Irma swept through Florida, USF dropped its game with UMass and therefore comes in with a 9-2 record. While USF lost its last game to rival UCF 49-42, many analysts called the game one of the best they saw in the 2017 season. The Bulls finished in second place in the American Athletic Conference East Division with a 6-2 record.

Texas Tech finished the year with a disappointing 6-6 record (3-6 in the Big XII). While their overall defensive numbers, the Red Raiders finished the year tied for first with Iowa State in the Big XII for turnover margin at +11.

Tickets

Individual tickets for the 2017 Birmingham Bowl are $30 for General Admission and $50 for Reserved Seating, and are available by visiting https://birminghambowl.com/tickets.php. The Birmingham Bowl provides up to four complimentary tickets to anyone showing valid military ID (Active, Reserves, National Guard, Veterans and Retired) on the day of the game. A limited number of tickets will be available and will be distributed on a first-come basis. The complimentary military tickets can be picked up on game day at Legion Field Gate 6A starting two hours prior to kickoff.

Corporate ticket packages, the Corporate Hospitality Village, group tickets, tickets for nonprofit groups and Primesport VIP packages also are available at https://birminghambowl.com/tickets.php.

2017 Birmingham Bowl Events

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 19, the Birmingham Bowl will host several public events, including pep rallies for both teams.

Click here for more information on the 2017 Birmingham Bowl events.

For more information on the 2017 Birmingham Bowl, visit www.BirminghamBowl.com.

Image and video via USF Athletics YouTube channel