Everything you need to know about the Camping World Bowl

Sure, the Camping World Bowl doesn’t sound like a major bowl game, but it’s actually pretty high up on the list of importance. And it’s also not even that new. The game’s been around since 1990, under various names. The Syracuse Orange have even played in the game before!

Before we jump into what will be WEEKS of bowl preview info, let’s get the basics out of the way...

Bowl game: Camping World Bowl

Stadium: Camping World Stadium (#BRAND), Orlando, Fla.

Date, time: December 28 at 5:15 p.m. ET

TV/streaming: ESPN/WatchESPN

This year’s matchup: Your Syracuse Orange (9-3, 6-2 in ACC) vs. the rival West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3, 6-3 in Big 12). The Orange and West Virginia have two of the highest-scoring offenses in the country, and WVU’s defense is not great (Syracuse’s, meanwhile, is better than the raw numbers reveal).

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Trophy?: The Camping World Bowl may have their own trophy, but it would be better if we just brought the Schwartzwalder Trophy along, too. As you may recall, the Schwartzwalder Trophy was awarded to the winner of the annual game between the Orange and Mountaineers from 1993 to 2011. But since the ‘Eers left the Big East (and SU headed to the ACC the next year), it’s effectively been retired. Syracuse didn’t bring the trophy to the 2012 Pinstripe Bowl, and won’t bring it here either. Still, the Orange lead this series, 33-27 all-time, and have won three straight.

What’s the history of this game?

This game’s had every name under the sun, and was actually located in Miami first. The rundown of the previous names:

• Blockbuster Bowl (1990-93)
• Carquest Bowl (1994-97)
• MicronPC Bowl (1998-2000)
• Florida Tourism Bowl (2001)
• Mazda Bowl (2002-03)
• Champs Sports Bowl (2004-11)
• Russell Athletic Bowl (2012-16)

Of those companies, one (MicronPC) no longer exists and another (Blockbuster) might as well be out of business. It left Miami for Orlando starting with the 2001 game.

Since 1990, 32 different programs have appeared in the Camping World Bowl, with NC State and Miami currently holding the most appearances at five apiece. West Virginia will play in its fifth Camping World Bowl this year. They’re 0-4 in the previous four instances.

NC State, Miami and Florida State have all won this game three times. WVU, Virginia, Colorado and Penn State are the only schools to go 0-2 or worse.

Syracuse has one appearance in the game: a 51-14 loss to Georgia Tech in 2004. Should they lose to the ‘Eers, they’d join the unfortunate list above (while West Virginia would leave the list).

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

What happened last year?

Oklahoma State defeated Virginia Tech, 30-21 as Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph won the MVP award, throwing for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Both offenses showed up big, each collecting over 480 total yards. OK State led 3-0, then Tech took a lead late in the first quarter. The Cowboys took a 13-7 lead with under a minute left in the second quarter and never looked back.

Syracuse’s last (and only) time here?

The 6-5 Orange filled a spot for the Big 12 which didn’t have enough bowl-eligible teams in 2004. But Reggie Ball and Georgia Tech rolled up on them from the start, with a 21-6 lead after a quarter. Let’s just move on...

West Virginia’s last time here?

Just two years ago, when they lost 31-14 to fellow former Big East team Miami.