BCS bowl bound: Baylor headed to 2014 Fiesta Bowl

In July, Baylor football was picked to finish fifth in the Big 12. In August, the Bears were unranked nationally.

In January, Big 12 champion Baylor will be playing in a BCS bowl, as the No. 6-ranked Bears head to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. (just outside Phoenix), for a New Year’s Day match-up against No. 15-ranked Central Florida (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).

As 2014 opens, the Bears will be playing in their fourth straight bowl under head coach Art Briles — a first for the program. The Fiesta Bowl will pit Baylor against the Central Florida Knights, champions of the American Athletic Conference (made up of former members of the Big East).

[Get your Baylor Fiesta Bowl and Big 12 Champs gear here from the Baylor Bookstore.]

Both the Bears and Knights were unranked in the preseason, but now meet in a BCS bowl. UCF went 11-1 on the year (their only loss a three-point defeat to a 10-win South Carolina team) and 8-0 in conference, led by a defense that ranks among the nation’s top 20 in points and yards allowed per game. Baylor, of course, features the nation’s top scoring offense (as well as a top-20 defense).

Baylor is allotted 17,500 tickets for the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, and current Baylor Bear Foundation members and football season ticket holders were required to make their requests by the Dec. 4 priority deadline. The remaining tickets in the Baylor allotment, which are priced at $230 (lower level), $194 (Ring of Honor) and $144 (upper level), are on sale now to all Baylor fans — online at BaylorBears.com/tickets, by calling the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at 254-710-1000, or in person at the Ferrell Center box office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Baylor students may purchase tickets later this week at the Bill Daniel Student Center Ticket Office. Student tickets, which cost $105 each, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Plans are also being made for a Baylor student bus trip, similar to last year’s Holiday Bowl experience, and details will be forthcoming.

Official “Baylor Bowl Tour” travel packages are available through Anthony Travel; packages include hotel accommodations for three nights, a charter flight option, pre-game tailgate ticket, pep rally admission, game day transportation, souvenir, credential and more. To order, visit anthonytravel.com/baylor/bears-bowl/ or call 800-736-6377.

The Baylor Alumni Network will also be coordinating a pep rally, tailgating and other events in Phoenix; we’ll share that and more as details get nailed down between now and the big game. Stay tuned to Baylor Proud and BaylorBears.com.

Sic ’em, BCS bowl-bound Bears!