It's often been said by college football purists that there are way too many bowl games. By the time all the scores go final this season, there will have been 43 different contests spanning mid-December into early January. Some of those will have been played in the middle of the work week at times that prevent most people from even watching.

To those complaining, though, I offer this counter: The Pop-Tarts Bowl exists. 

On Thursday evening, the Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack squared off in an epic battle of mediocrity, with the former coming out victorious, but when the game was over, no one was talking about the results on the field. Instead, they were mesmerized by a mascot who managed to capture the hearts and minds of America...for a brief time at least. 

ain’t no way the Pop-Tart just smacked the ref’s butt

pic.twitter.com/9WTdnPXNbd

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 29, 2023

Live every day like the pop-tart lived its last one: pic.twitter.com/eTD1HUdF5D

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 29, 2023

Just when you thought America had peaked and doom was imminent, something happened to restore hope in humanity. Amidst the desolate division that plagues our society, the Pop-Tarts mascot arose, showing that there are still some things that can bring us together. 

Of course, he then cooked himself and was devoured by the winning team. 

Here we are... the edible mascot in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.. pic.twitter.com/0XgKGoXseS

— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) December 29, 2023

New Years Eve vs New Years Day pic.twitter.com/z0mWdnYV2j

— Ingenuous Firebrand 🐆 (@ING2Firebrand) December 29, 2023

And just like that, it was over. For a few brief hours, the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot brought us all together. He showed us that we could live again and that there was reason to believe a better future awaited. Unfortunately, he was wrong and ended up brutalized on national television, lying face-up on a cold metal table. There's an analogy in there somewhere.