It’s official: Gophers headed to Houston for Meineke Car Care Bowl

Nov 24, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: A view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet on the bench during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at TCF Bank Stadium. Michigan State won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

The University of Minnesota accepted a bid to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston on Dec. 28.

The game will air on ESPN with kickoff scheduled for a little after 8 p.m. that Friday.

The Gophers will represent the Big Ten Conference against a Big 12 opponent, likely to be Texas Tech.

“The Minnesota Golden Gophers are a team on the rise with an exciting offense and we look forward to hosting their fans here in Houston for the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas,” said Heather Houston, Meineke Car Care Bowl executive director, in a press release from Sunday.

Minnesota hasn’t won a bowl game since 2004, when it defeated Alabama, 20-16, in the Music City Bowl.