MN V. West Virginia In Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Tickets, Kickoff

The 8-4 Minnesota Golden Gophers will take on the Big 12's West Virginia in Downtown Phoenix later this month for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. The Mountaineers are 6-6.

The game is set for Tuesday, Dec. 28. The kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. central.

"It's a tremendous honor to compete in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against West Virginia," said Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck in a news release.

"Our team is excited to head to Phoenix, which is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and we look forward to facing a very talented West Virginia team. They are extremely well-coached and this game will be a terrific challenge for us."

The Gophers have won four straight bowl games under Fleck. Minnesota — who started playing football in the late 1800s — has never played the Mountaineers before.

"One of the best parts of Bowl Season is having matchups that don't regularly happen, and we have that in this first-time meeting, plus a new conference pairing," said Patrick Barkley, chairman of the bowl, in a statement.

"There are so many firsts in this game, including our first with our amazing title partner, Guaranteed Rate. We are lucky to have a partner that aligns with our vision for this Bowl and we know the team and fan experience will reflect that."

Here's what you need to know for the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl:

• Tickets: Tickets start at $35 and are available at guaranteedratebowl.com
• Radio: KFAN 100.3 FM
• TV: ESPN
• Odds: Minnesota is favored by 6.5 points, according to Vegas Insider.