While there are legitimate arguments to be made that expanding the College Football Playoff will take away from the non-CFP bowl games, those people are grossly underestimating a brand’s capacity for meme-worthy weirdness.
Bowl season will be fine when you have mascots being sacrificed (and eaten) and others fearing for its life.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl made for amazing television, and it had almost nothing to do with Kansas State’s win. It was weird, and the game’s mascot was lowered into a toaster and eaten as part of K-State’s celebration. So, on Monday, the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl mascot was not taking any chances.
The Cheez-It mascot does not want to be eaten pic.twitter.com/qWeOKE822X
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 1, 2024
The mascot held up a sign to let everyone know that it was not an edible mascot.
I mean, after the Pop-Tarts Bowl’s display, the Cheez-It mascot’s days are probably numbered. I’d fully expect it to be edible next season.
But until then, college football fans had jokes about the sign.
This was how Twitter reacted
IT'S NOT HIS CHOICE https://t.co/SyoGXXpouW
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) January 1, 2024
That's not for it to decide tbh https://t.co/kguw4pOmP0
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) January 1, 2024
Sorry pal, once you break that taboo, there's no going back to the way things were before. Toothpaste is out of the tube. https://t.co/BdkEQiha6J
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) January 1, 2024
He must die for us https://t.co/9xlYTXL7Af
— Jane Coaston (@janecoaston) January 1, 2024
Well, he's not extra toasty, I think we can let him go https://t.co/LHKRECClOe
— AK Lingus (@aklingus) January 1, 2024
False, you too shall be consumed for the bowl season. https://t.co/Fyaf6XdXwP
— Still Punished Charlie Lightning (@cvlwolf) January 1, 2024
https://t.co/6GcbxPWuy3 pic.twitter.com/PsY12MQVau
— Nathan, Chiefs Enjoyer (@NathanGerdts) January 1, 2024
His fate has already been decided. The Cheez-It mascot can plead all he wants. He will be consumed today. https://t.co/JfYi91l9yo
— AJ Spurr (@SpurrFM) January 1, 2024
It was never the mascot’s choice https://t.co/fZHwKK37jL
— Cargoshortasaurus (@leptopterygius) January 1, 2024
Every mascot is edible with the right tools, seasoning and motivation. https://t.co/Yg5fnUM14n
— Joedy McCreary (@joedymccreary.bsky.social) (@JoedyMcCreary) January 1, 2024
The people demand sacrifice https://t.co/dMjDP3gWGk
— Dan Lucero (@danluceroshow) January 1, 2024
Now mascot sacrifice is a part of bowl games? 😂 https://t.co/FlzWEkfBdt
— Randy Bryce (@IronStache) January 1, 2024