College football’s postseason lineup will feature a new entry this winter as the Xbox Bowl makes its debut, filling a vacancy left by the departing Bahamas Bowl.
The inaugural game will be played Dec. 18 at the Ford Center at The Star, pairing Missouri State against Arkansas State in a matchup between Conference USA and the Sun Belt. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, with ESPN2 carrying the broadcast.
The Xbox Bowl was announced early in the 2025 bowl cycle, joining the Hawaii Bowl as one of the first matchups set for the season. Its debut places Frisco among a short list of cities to host multiple bowl games in the same year. The Ford Center — a 12,000-seat indoor venue primarily used as the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility — will also host the Frisco Bowl five days later. Once renovations at Toyota Stadium are completed, the Frisco Bowl is expected to return to its traditional outdoor home, while the long-term future of the Xbox Bowl remains undecided beyond its initial one-year agreement.
Missouri State’s appearance adds a layer of novelty to the game. The Bears are in their first season at the Football Bowl Subdivision level and were originally considered ineligible for postseason play during the transition. A shortage of bowl-eligible teams opened the door, however, allowing Missouri State and fellow newcomer Delaware to claim the final available spots.
The Bears finished 7-5 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA, highlighted by a five-game conference winning streak midway through the season. Coached by Ryan Beard, Missouri State will be making its first bowl appearance as a program. The Bears already own a Sun Belt win in their debut FBS season, having defeated Marshall on the road in Week 2.
Arkansas State arrives with more postseason experience. The Red Wolves are bowling for the third consecutive year under coach Butch Jones and are seeking a second straight bowl victory after winning the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl. Their path to eligibility was uneven, beginning with four losses to FBS opponents before rallying behind a four-game winning streak.
Despite falling short in the Sun Belt West race after narrow losses to Southern Miss and Louisiana, Arkansas State kept its season alive in the regular-season finale. Kenyon Clay’s late rushing touchdown lifted the Red Wolves to a 30-29 win over Appalachian State, securing bowl eligibility. Arkansas State enters the game 6-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
The Xbox Bowl will be the fifth bowl game on the 2025 postseason calendar, marking a new chapter for both the event and one of its participants when Missouri State and Arkansas State take the field in Frisco.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
