We’re deep into college football bowl game season, and that means it’s officially Pop-Tarts Bowl time. Formerly the Cheez-It Bowl (RIP), the Pop-Tarts Bowl debuted last season and quickly captured the attention and hearts of college football fans everywhere.
Supremely apt for a ridiculously weird sport, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is fun and quirky, especially with an edible-ish Pop-Tarts mascot, which last season had a wild time at the game before sacrificing itself into a giant toaster for the winning team to devour. The mascot was celebrated and then mourned, delivering a quintessential college football moment that would make zero sense to anyone who doesn’t follow the sport.
POP-TARTS BOWL: The Pop-Tarts Bowl picked the worst flavor possible for its new creepy mascot
In honor of the Pop-Tarts Bowl’s return and ahead of Saturday’s game between No. 13 Miami (Fla.) and No. 18 Iowa State, we here at For The Win had a unique Pop-Tarts draft where everyone named their No. 1 overall first-round flavor pick and the flavor that shall forever remain an undrafted free agent.
No. 1 pick: S’mores
Undrafted free agent: Confetti cupcake
I have many bittersweet memories of eating the S’mores flavor as little treats untoasted before school when I woke up late. Not a balanced breakfast but so good! As for confetti cupcake, I’ve never had this but somebody else can hold that one for me, no thanks. — Bryan Kalbrosky
No. 1 pick: Frosted strawberry
Undrafted free agent: Unfrosted brown sugar cinnamon
Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; the Pop-Tarts bowl mascot Strawberry emerges for fans before the start of a game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Kansas State Wildcats at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t know if it’s nostalgia from likely being the first Pop-Tart I ever had, but frosted strawberry is my idea of what a Pop-Tart is supposed to taste like. The further we deviate from that, the less I want it. Unfrosted brown sugar cinnamon is my definition of deviation. Unfrosted anything is a no-good. — Prince J. Grimes
No. 1 pick: Frosted strawberry
Undrafted free agent: Brown sugar cinnamon
Strawberry Pop-Tarts are really the only way to eat Pop-Tarts. Every other flavor comes in second place. Except brown sugar cinnamon, which deserves to be thrown off the face of the earth. — Mike D. Sykes, II
No. 1 pick: Frosted blueberry
Undrafted free agent: Chocolate chip cookie dough
“You’ll be visited by three spirits.”
The three spirits: pic.twitter.com/SLAAX76w3k
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 25, 2024
It’s close, but I like the blueberry Pop-Tarts slightly more than the strawberry ones. Perfect for a snack or a meal, anytime, any place. Of the super-sweet, desert variety of Pop-Tarts, these are the best. — Mitchell Northam
No. 1 pick: Brown cinnamon sugar
Undrafted free agent: Froot Loops
It’s the GOAT flavor. Perfect for breakfast or dessert. Consistent every time. When I think of Pop-Tarts, this is the flavor that pops in my head. I’m not wasting a draft pick on the defunct Froot Loops crossover, but I certainly see the potential here. An invite to training camp to see what its got costs nothing but has a very high ceiling. — Blake Schuster
No. 1 pick: Unfrosted strawberry
Undrafted free agent: Snickerdoodle
I am secretly 95 years old. — Christian D’Andrea
No. 1 pick: Frosted wild berry
Undrafted free agent: Chocolate fudge
Happy Selection Sundae to all who celebrate! #PopTartsBowl #BowlSeason pic.twitter.com/aMRDkS65fP
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 8, 2024
Nothing quite soothes the soul like frosted wild berry. Every other flavor is a peasant in comparison. Your favorite flavors could never. Speaking of never, chocolate fudge should never see the light of day again. It tastes like cardboard and literal sandpaper. It disgusts me and makes me want to vomit. — Meghan L. Hall
No. 1 pick: Frosted cherry
Undrafted free agent: Anything chocolate or cinnamon
Frosted cherry is so underrated and edges out frosted strawberry for No. 1 in my mind. Of course, there’s a nostalgia factor to consider, but this flavor has to be one of the best and isn’t too sweet. I love chocolate, love cinnamon, but when it comes those flavors in Pop-Tarts, that’s a hard pass. — Michelle Martinelli
