CFB Bowl 2025: Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Played for more than twenty years, the Armed Forces Bowl has become a staple part of the college football postseason calendar. A game that usually finds two of the remaining eligible teams to invite, there is no particular conference affiliation, although it does enjoy scheduling one of the three service academies where possible.

For the past decade the game has been sponsored by Lockheed Martin, an American defense and aerospace manufacturer – a fitting partner for the aptly named Armed Forces Bowl. Further celebrating service, the game issues ‘The Great American Patriot Award’, recognising individuals for exemplary service, dedication to country and upholding American ideals. Last year’s recipient was Admiral Lisa Franchetti, celebrating her moral character and going ‘beyond the call of duty’ for the U.S.

Competing this years are two fairly local teams. At 5-7, the Rice Owls have the ignonimous distinction of owning the worst record of any bowl participant this year. But that doesn’t fairly paint a picture of what Scott Abell has achieved in his first year at the helm, with the Owls winning four or less games in seven of their last nine seasons. Abell has installed the option offense at Rice (more on that later), a further quirky coincidence for this game considering the academies’ penchant for similar schemes.

They go up against the Texas State Bobcats, a fairly young FBS program that has been busy building the foundations under head coach GJ Kinne. After winning eight games in both his first two seasons in San Marcos, Kinne will be frustrated with a 6-6 record in 2025. But he’s a coach with a growing reputation, and has won both bowl games he has been to with the Bobcats. They will be intent on making sure their head coach has a third winning season in a row to help keep momentum as they look to future success in the Sun Belt.