College football’s unhinged Pop-Tarts Bowl inspired memes, religious imagery, and so much more

The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl featured some amazing football: an 18th-ranked Iowa St. knocked out No. 13 Miami in a high score, victory 42-41. However, when it came to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, hardly anyone was talking about actual football.

That’s because it’s one of the most wonderful events you’ll ever see. Last year, the game generated titles after “sacrificing” their strawberry mascot as a toasted trophy for the winning team. In 2024, the Pop-Tarts Bowl kicked things up a notch. They had a competition among the Pop Tart mascots to be sacrificed, they resurrected last year’s pastry, tore off the packaging, and overall it got super weird.

Only in this strange college football game can you see a humanoid Pop-Tart that has dropped to its “death” with a sign that reads “Follow Your Dreams”. Naturally, the internet loved it all.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

This BlueSky place by Anne T. Donahue really summed up the festivities—which all centered around a Pop Tart going to “mouth heaven”—basically calling a Mad Men fever dream

The festivities were truly something else – I, for one, can’t wait for the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl.