Birmingham, Alabama, United States
News Desk | College Football
Georgia Southern and Appalachian State are scheduled to meet Monday, Dec. 29, in the Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium, renewing one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most established rivalries on a postseason stage. The matchup brings together two long-time conference foes with a history of close contests, according to game officials and bowl organizers.
The game, officially titled the Birmingham Bowl, is set for a national television audience and marks another chapter in the “Deeper Than Hate” rivalry, which dates back decades and has continued annually since Georgia Southern joined the Sun Belt. Bowl representatives said the pairing was selected based on competitive balance, regional interest, and the programs’ strong traveling fan bases.
Georgia Southern enters the bowl seeking to cap its season with a signature win after navigating a demanding Sun Belt schedule. Team officials said the Eagles emphasized preparation and discipline during bowl practices, pointing to the importance of finishing the season with momentum heading into the offseason.
Appalachian State arrives with postseason experience and a recent history of bowl success. Program officials said the Mountaineers viewed the Birmingham Bowl as an opportunity to reinforce the team’s identity against a familiar opponent while rewarding players for their regular-season performance.
The Birmingham Bowl is hosted at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, and is part of a full slate of late-December college football postseason games. According to organizers, ticket demand has been driven by the proximity of both fan bases and the rivalry’s reputation for competitive, physical play.
Kickoff time and broadcast details were confirmed by bowl officials earlier this month, with both teams completing final travel and practice schedules ahead of game day. Coaches from both programs said player availability and health were monitored closely during preparations, with no major changes announced as of Monday morning.
The winner will claim both a bowl victory and bragging rights in a rivalry that remains one of the most consistent matchups in the Sun Belt Conference era. The story is developing.
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