Report: Replacement for Miami Hurricanes in Sun Bowl revealed

It took some time to get here, but it is nearly official, and the Washington State Cougars have their opponent for the Sun Bowl. According to Colin Deaver, a local El Paso reporter for KTSMtv, the Central Michigan Chippewas will replace the Miami Hurricanes and face off against Washington State on New Year’s Eve at noon ET in the Sun Bowl, in El Paso, Tx.

News broke on Monday that Central Michigan’s opponent, the Boise State Broncos, elected to opt-out of their bowl game in light of complications with the COVID-19 virus. In a similar fashion, the Hurricanes did the same thing over the weekend and withdrew from the Sun Bowl. That prompted the Washington State program to lay down an open challenge via social media to any team willing to play them in their bowl game. For college football fans it appears that instead of canceling the two games, we will get one between the two remaining schools.

The hold-up for scheduling Central Michigan to take on Washington State was a series of red tape that had to be cut through. The Chippewa first needed to be relieved of their obligation to The Arizona bowl by the MAC conference, according to Ross Dellenger. Once that hurdle was cleared, the Arizona Bowl itself had to do the same and come to an agreement with the Sun Bowl committee. Sources close to the situation believe that agreement is likely one based on financial obligations. But now that all of that has been resolved, we are all set to see a matchup between the Cougars and the Chippewas.

Sun Bowl looked for other opponents first

“The process for Central Michigan to take part in the Sun Bowl starts with first brokering an agreement with the MAC,” detailed Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel. “Then an invitation will go to Central Michigan. Discussions between Sun Bowl officials and MAC officials have begun.”

Sun Bowl officials feared it may be too short of notice to find a new opponent for the Cougars. Just hours before Miami announced their decision to opt out, Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas said he thinks they would not be able to find a replacement in time for the Dec. 31 matchup.

“I personally think it’s too late in the game unless it happened right now,” Olivas said of Miami potentially opting out. “Those teams that got canceled, they might be available right now. Any later than this, it would probably be impossible to get anybody but, to be honest with you, we’re counting on Miami and Washington State. As far as a backup plan — since where we are, we don’t have one because I think it’s too late to start looking for somebody and be a replacement team.”

Olivas mentioned teams whose games have been canceled, presumably meaning East Carolina, Memphis, and SMU. According to Brett McMurphy, none of those three teams would accept an invite to the Sun Bowl. Once their individual bowl games were called off, their seasons were as well.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.