Bowl season never fails to be just a little bit weird, and that is certainly the case when it comes to sponsor names and mascot choices.
Among the most intriguing of those is the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which is set to feature a mascot that can be ... eaten.
Here's a look into everything to known about the mascot and circumstances surrounding the postseason matchup between Kansas State and NC State.
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Edible Pop-Tarts mascot, explained
We've never seen an edible mascot but this one will take the cake on that. It will be one that can be eaten at the end of the game by the winning team.
The Pop-Tars Bowl announced in November that its mascot will be an edible, giant Pop Tart, so the postgame celebration here will be one to keep any eye on.
Please note that this will indeed be a live mascot still, running around and doing the same thing that all live mascots do, though this will obviously not be without a twist.
But, at the same time, a bowl official told The Athletic that during the game, a person will wear a "traditional" mascot costume composed of materials that are not edible. Nothing like this has ever been seen before.
"The edible mascot will only be revealed after the game ends. … No humans will be harmed in the enjoyment of the Pop-Tarts edible mascot," the official said.
Pop-Tarts Bowl edible mascot flavor
The edible mascot revelation sparked an immediate question among fans: What flavor would it be?
While the world may not know for sure until the first bite, Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle got the scoop the day before the game, saying it would be frosted strawberry.
Big news here: I’m told the flavor of the edible mascot at tomorrow’s Pop-Tarts Bowl is expected to be frosted strawberry.
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) December 27, 2023
Saw the thing briefly from a distance here at the stadium. It’s going to be something.
Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy
And it is not just the mascot that has committed to the bit. The trophy itself also includes real Pop-Tarts in toaster slots, as was unveiled ahead of the bowl game.
In all its glory!
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 26, 2023
(Yes, those Pop-Tarts are real!) pic.twitter.com/QXK5aIfR1h
Pop-Tarts Bowl history
This is the first time the bowl game has been formally called the Pop-Tarts Bowl hosted by the brand, but the game itself existed before 2023.
The contest has been played since 1990, getting its start in Miami before it moved on to Orlando in 2001. It has formerly been dubbed as the Champs Sports Bowl, the Camping World Bowl and the Cheez-It Bowl.
