Is Cam Ward playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl game? Exploring Heisman Finalist's availability for Miami's big finale
Cam Ward has to face that concept that college football fans truly dread: opt-out season. On the one hand, the concept makes sense. Top college football stars who are on the cusp of eight-figure NFL contracts might be finishing their college careers in lower-tier bowls with minimal importance. It's one thing for a future first-round draft pick to put it all on the line for the CFP or a conference title.
But it's another thing for the Poulan Weedeater Bowl (which isn't an actual bowl anymore, but was once) to be the end of what might be a disappointing season. Increasing numbers of college stars are opting out of bowl appearances. For instance, Michigan's Donovan Edwards, Louisville's Tyler Shough and San Jose State's Nick Nash have all opted out of bowls.
All of which brings us to Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward. Ward was a Heisman Trophy finalist and had an impressive season. But it does end in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. With a high NFL draft selection projected in his near future, there's certainly reason for Ward to opt out if he wishes to do so.
Is Cam Ward playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl?
Ultimately, yes, Ward is ready to roll in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. The veteran QB has chosen NOT to opt-out and will finish his college career with his Miami teammates.
"The plan is to still play in the bowl game," Ward said via 247Sports.com. "The whole team is still here right now and so we are preparing for them, relax our body a little bit and try to win our last game of the year."
Ward's season (and draft prospects)
Ward was brilliant in his fifth collegiate season. The talented passer who came to Miami after two years at FCS Incarnate Word and two more at Washington State was dominant in 2024. Ward has passed for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
In his college career, Ward has thrown for 17,997 yards and 155 touchdowns. Because his two years at Incarnate Word were FCS seasons, Ward won't dominate the FBS record book, but his brilliance has been impressive.
Ward is consistently projected to be among the handful of top picks in the 2025 NFL draft. He and Colorado Buffaloes' Shedeur Sanders are the only two quarterbacks more or less universally projected to be first-round picks. Ward is possibly the more highly valued player of the two.
Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup
The 10-2 Hurricanes fell out of the ACC title game and thus missed out on the College Football Playoff. Ward had only two sub-300-yard passing performances all season, and each was an easy win in which Miami didn't need to throw much. Other than an easy win over Florida State which fit in that group, Ward threw at least two touchdowns in every other game of the season.
10-3 Iowa State will be Miami's opponents. The Cyclones lost the Big 12 title game to Arizona State and thus also missed the CFP. Iowa State opened the year 7-0 before losing consecutive games to Texas Tech and Kansas.
The Hurricanes are 3.5-point favorites in the game. ESPN's matchup predictor is even more bullish on Miami's chances, giving the 'Canes a 68.9% shot at the victory. The game will be played on Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ABC.
What do you think of Ward's decision to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.