It appears the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will have a 2026 matchup worthy of the bowl’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The organization announced Wednesday, Oct. 14, the bowl game will feature a team from the Big 12 against a team from the Pac-12 Legacy team at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 in Shreveport’s Independence Stadium.
Available Big 12 teams include Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF and West Virginia. The Pac-12 Legacy teams include Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington and Washington State.
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“We are beyond excited to announce the Big 12 vs. Pac-12 Legacy primary tie-ins for the I-Bowl,” said Keith Burton, 2026 bowl chairman in a release. “These conferences create an intriguing matchup for local and regional I-Bowl fans and national college football fans to enjoy the bowl wherever they are. We cannot wait to provide local and traveling fans with the southern hospitality we are known for and celebrate 50 years of our bowl game.”
Louisiana Tech, in its seventh I-Bowl appearance, won the 2025 I-Bowl by getting past Coastal Carolina 23-14 after falling behind 14-0.
The Big 12 is making a case for quality football with the most teams ranked in the Top 25 polls in over a decade and has its best non-conference record since becoming a 16-team league.
“We look forward to seeing the Big 12 competing in the 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in December as part of an exciting postseason to cap our football season,” said Big 12 Chief Football and Competition Officer Scott Draper.
Although the Big 12 has appeared 13 times in the I-Bowl, the last team to come to Shreveport was Texas Tech in 2023.
“The Pac-12 Legacy teams provide great options that help raise the profile of the I-Bowl to college football fans throughout the country and bring exciting brands for our local and regional fans to enjoy,” said Burton. “Some of their teams have been a part of great I-Bowl games and moments since 1976, and we are excited for another memorable game in December.”
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY N2etwork. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Radiance Technologies I-Bowl slated for Big 12/Pac-12 Legacy Matchup