Interview by Paul Salfen
Hosted by Peyton Manning and Cooper Manning, NBC’s “Capital One College Bowl” returns for its sophomore season as the nation’s greatest colleges and universities face off in the ultimate battle of brains. Capital One will award $1 million in life-changing scholarships, providing all the student competitors with tuition assistance for their participation.
More schools than ever before are competing as 16 elite teams representing some of the nation’s top schools will go head-to-head in a five-round bracketed tournament covering a wide variety of subjects. The top two schools advance to the final where they compete for the coveted “Capital One College Bowl” trophy and life-changing scholarship money.
This season will feature bigger rivalries, impressive celebrity alumni shoutouts and new rounds of competition. More schools than ever before are competing and bringing along their school spirit – from marching bands to mascots to a live audience cheering them on. Plus, NBC Data Analyst Steve Kornacki joins on the sidelines to break down the numbers behind the match-ups
Cooper Manning is host and executive producer of the NBC gameshow “Capital One College Bowl.” Manning, the oldest of three brothers, has earned national recognition for his humor and wit as host of “The Manning Hour” on “Fox NFL Sunday.” Manning’s experience in high school, college and professional sports has made him a natural fit for the broadcast booth and he has hosted and/or co-hosted numerous projects over the years, including both television and radio shows during football season on WWL in New Orleans.
Manning was heavily recruited by Division I schools out of high school, including the University of Texas and University of Virginia, before deciding to attend his father’s alma mater at Ole Miss on a football scholarship. A career-ending injury forced the Rebel wide receiver to the sidelines, but his love for the game has never diminished. Manning was a two-time all-state wide receiver at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and played in the Louisiana High School All-Star Game as well as on two state championship basketball teams
