What could be more patriotic than an upended bronze bell filled with reasonably-priced auto parts?

The 2012 Liberty Bowl is just hours away. Were sure you have so many questions. Were here to help. (For an Xs and Os breakdown, click through to Zac Ellis game preview.)

Whats all this, then?This heres the Liberty Bowl. Its logo is the Liberty Bell. The game is played in Memphis. Why is the logo not a pyramid? The Liberty Bowl originated in Philadelphia, and continues to honor its roots with a bell-shaped trophy and the Spirit of 1776 Award.

Where will this game be played? Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, also home to the Memphis Tigers and, for one glorious season, the XFLs Memphis Maniax. And some other teams. None with a name like Maniax.

When is it on television? Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN, with Mark Jones and Brock Huard in the booth and Jessica Mendoza on the sidelines.

Whom does it feature? Current tie-ins are Conference USA and SEC.

What about this year?In the interest of cozying up to the Big 12, bowl organizers selected 6-6 Iowa State to face 10-3 Tulsa. THAT IS A PRETTY DIFFERENT RECORD THIS IS GONNA BE A BLOWOUT. Check the regular-season schedule, dear reader: The Cyclones and Golden Hurricane met in Ames in Week 1, and Tulsa pulled the upset. ALL WEATHER MASCOTS BOWL WOOOOOOO. Thats probably a better sentiment.

Does the bowl have a social media presence? There is a Twitter account that seems to prefer Facebook:

What wacky activities will be on offer during bowl week? This being Memphis, there is naturally a rib-eating contest to be endured.

Whats the pick? Stewart Mandel: Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Richardson took over the Cyclones job in their 11th game, and he has been impressive to date (187 rushing yards, 62.1 completion percentage, seven touchdowns, no interceptions). Iowa State will need him to be sharp to make up for an injury-depleted defense that is unlikely to hold Tulsas attack (35 points per game) to the 23 points it did in their Sept. 1 clash.

More here:

Tulsa vs. Iowa State: 2012 Liberty Bowl facts