College football matchup set for 2024 Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon

Context: Snapdragon is a new venue, but the former site of Qualcomm Stadium hosted the bowl for most of its 45-year history.

• The game moved to the Padres' field in 2021 while the SDSU Mission Valley campus was being developed. It's returning to the Aztecs' football stadium for good, which is a more natural fit and will also cut costs.

Driving the news: The ACC vs. Pac-12 matchup featuring two aggressive offenses kicks off Friday, Dec. 27, at 5pm and will be broadcast on Fox.

• The game will be followed by a fireworks display synchronized to classic rock on 101.5 FM and 101KGB.com.
• Tickets start at $66.

State of play: No. 21 Syracuse went 9-3 this year, finishing fourth in the ACC with three straight wins to finish off the regular season.

• Last week, the Orange upset No. 6 Miami winning 42-38 — the largest comeback win in program history.
• The 8-4 Washington State Cougars enter the postseason coming off three losses to end the season. SDSU's new conference competitor edged the Aztecs 29-26 at Snapdragon in October.

Fun facts: This will be the Orange's first Holiday Bowl appearance and the Cougars' fifth. WSU has gone 1-3 in the San Diego bowl games over the years, most recently in a blowout loss to Michigan State in 2018.

• These two teams haven't played each other since 1979, when Syracuse won 52-25.

The intrigue: There are a few events leading up to the big game for local and traveling football fans and for those who couldn't care less about the two teams.

🎉 Party at the Snapdragon Bowl Bash in the Gaslamp Quarter with food, live music, street performers and battle of the bands between the two universities on Dec. 26 from 5-7pm.

🎈 See America's largest balloon parade with marching bands, floats and giant balloons along Harbor Drive downtown. The free, family-friendly event is from 10am-1pm on Dec. 27.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Run or walk along the harbor in the annual 5K race at 9:45am on game day morning.

🍻 Tailgate at the fan fest and beer garden before the big game.