The 2008 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Turner Gill, the Bulls compiled an overall record of 8âÂÂ6 with a mark of 5âÂÂ3 in conference play, winning the MAC's East Division title. Buffalo advanced to the MAC Championship Game, where the Bulls defeated Ball State to win the conference crown. Buffalo closed out the season with a loss to Connecticut in the International Bowl. The team played home games at the University at Buffalo Stadium in Amherst, New York.
With a 40âÂÂ34 double overtime win over Bowling Green on November 21, the Bulls won the MAC East division and gained a berth to the MAC Championship Game for the first time. The win over Ball State in the conference title game was Buffalo's first against a ranked opponent, and ensured a winning season for the first time since Buffalo returned to the top-level of college football in 1999. The International Bowl was the program's first appearance in a bowl game, coming 50 years after the Bulls turned down their only previous bowl bid, to the Tangerine Bowl, when they were told by the bowl's organizers that their two African American players would not be allowed to play. About two dozen members of the 1958 Buffalo Bulls football team, which declined the Tangerine Bowl, served as honorary captains for the International Bowl. The Bulls received their first votes in the Coaches Poll after winning the MAC Championship Game, when UTEP coach Mike Price voted the Bulls No. 23 on his ballot.
On December 16, Buffalo announced that Gill had agreed to a contract extension and a raise.