How the infamous ‘6-7’ meme ties into the Armed Forces Bowl at TCU
How do you feel about the “6-7” meme? Have you spent the holidays hearing your kids or grandkids snicker or even yell out every time those two numbers are mentioned in succession?
Well, that could give you a rooting interest in the Armed Forces Bowl between Rice and Texas State at noon Friday at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium.
You see, Rice has a record of 5-7, and Texas State has a record of 6-6. If the Owls win, that would mean both teams finish the season ... 6-7.
Armed Forces Bowl organizers saw fit to acknowledge the possibility in their notes on the game:
“A Rice win would likely be popular among school children, as it would give both teams final records of 6-7. A Texas State win would likely be popular among their parents and teachers.”
The 6-7 meme originated from a rap song, but went through a variety of social media permutations until the phrase, as Wikipedia explains, now “has no fixed meaning.”
The entry continues:
“The meme, described as ‘annoying’ and ‘like a plague,’ has been linked by multiple news outlets to the wider ‘brain rot’ phenomenon — digital media deemed to be of poor quality.”
The chance of a double 6-7 in the bowl is only possible because Iowa State, Kansas State and Notre Dame decided against accepting bowl bids, opening the door for three 5-7 teams to play in the postseason.
A chance for 6-7 glory (or infamy) was missed Monday when 6-6 Georgia Southern defeated 5-7 Appalachian State 29-10 in the Birmingham Bowl.
The other 5-7 team, Mississippi State, is playing 8-4 Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday. The Bulldogs can finish 6-7, but it won’t be a double.
So, it’s all up to Rice. For better or worse.
Here are some other things to know about the Armed Forces Bowl:
Armed Forces Bowl notes
— This is a rematch of Texas State’s 45-21 victory over Rice in the 2023 First Responder Bowl at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
— The Bobcats are 2-0 all-time in bowl games. The Owls are 7-7 in bowls, with their last win coming in the 2014 Hawaii Bowl. Rice also won the Armed Forces Bowl in 2012, defeating Air Force 33-14.
— Rice’s leading rusher is junior Quinton Jackson from North Crowley, with 811 yards (4.9 per carry) and six touchdowns.
— Rice starting quarterback Chase Jenkins has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal and will not play Friday.
— The Bobcats are 14.5-point favorites at DraftKings, and the total is 57.5. Jenkins’ absence helps explain the high point spread.
