Assigned? Didn’t the ACC negotiate to lock in these specific bowls? From the ACC,
“The ACC and its bowl partners will make team selections based on several factors, including geographic proximity, avoiding repeat appearances and matchups, and regular-season won-loss records.
- Cheez-It Bowl (Orlando, Florida) vs. Big 12
- Duke's Mayo Bowl (Charlotte, North Carolina) vs. SEC (2021, 2023, 2025) or Big Ten (2020, 2022, 2024)
- Fenway Bowl (Boston, Massachusetts) vs. American
- Military Bowl (Annapolis, Maryland) vs. American
- New Era Pinstripe Bowl (New York City) vs. Big Ten
- Outback Bowl (Tampa, Florida) – if the ACC’s opponent in a non-semifinal Capital One Orange Bowl is from the Big Ten
- San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (San Diego, California) vs. Pac-12
- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, Florida) vs. SEC
- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas) vs. Pac-12
ESPN Events and the following bowls will collaborate on the selection of one ACC team.
- Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa, Florida)
- SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Dallas, Texas)
- TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl (Birmingham, Alabama)”