What would you all think about a bowl game between MAC #3 school versus Sun Belt #2 school with rotating host between the two schools? You could call it the Freedom Bowl.

No need for a huge TV deal, or big sponsor payout, just an opportunity for these kids to play more football that had a good year while the BCS-holes keep holding us down!!

I would think costs would be kept at a minimum with the bolw game being hosted by one of the schools in the game. I am sure the kids would love to play another game as a reward for their efforts no matter if it is snowing at a stadium like DeKalb, or Akron, or in Idaho.

SBC #2 is rarely eligible.

Bowls have regulations before the NCAA will sanction them. This model wouldn't fly.

I'd rather see the xBCS conferences form a playoff. That would show the NCAA. Especially as they add a 12th game, which will get played during the school term, but can't figure out how to add playoff games that won't be played while school is in session.

DrTorch Wrote:SBC #2 is rarely eligible.

If no SBC team was elibible, what about a non-BCS at large then?

With the bad publicity of the BCS stronghold on football, I think a game like this could quickly be approved, just for the sake of "saving" college football.

North Texas has played as the #1 seed from the Sun Belt with a losing record at times.

There is no way a #2 seed will be agreed upon by bowl officials.

I do think that the Liberty should drop the MWC and play #1 CUSA vs. MAC.

It'd be more Eastern based and be a better bowl, IMO.

A MAC team in the Liberty Bowl would be very appealing to me! The Liberty bowl would seem easier for MAC fans to travel to then the MWC fans.

Maybe someday, plus we need a bowl where the top MAC and top C-USA teams can match up.

I don't agree.
Both conferences should try to get their #1 teams to put a dent in the BCS conference teams. Playing other non-BCS teams with our best seems a waste. The BCS would love it though if their mid-pack teams only have to play CUSA/MAC/MWC etc. #2's or #3's, if at all.

axeme Wrote:I don't agree.
Both conferences should try to get their #1 teams to put a dent in the BCS conference teams. Playing other non-BCS teams with our best seems a waste. The BCS would love it though if their mid-pack teams only have to play CUSA/MAC/MWC etc. #2's or #3's, if at all.

I agree. We ought to be trying to get a better Big Ten seed in the Motor City Bowl. George Perles seems to think that can happen eventually.

I have to side with Axe and Schad. The argument of taking on higher ranked BcS schools- and beating them - is most weighty in my mind.

I personally love the idea of the Liberty Bowl with CUSA vs MAC Champ. I don't think we could get a better bowl and the rivalry between the two conferences would only intensify. I would also like to see the Motor City bowl get the #5 Big Ten team vs. MAC #2. Plus with the GMAC Bowl and hopefully eventually the Indianapolis Bowl we would be set.

2001 (Year 1 SBC) UNT tied for the conference with 5-1 league record 5-6 overall. Middle Tennessee tied at 5-1 8-3 but the tiebreaker unfortunately didn't account for that scenario.

2002 (Year 2 SBC) UNT won it at 6-0 7-5. New Mexico State 7-5 was bowl eligible. Arkansas State would have been bowl eligible if not for an unfortunate pre-season classic visit to Va.Tech.

Both those years the Belt played a six game slate.

2003 (Year 3 SBC) UNT won it at 7-0, 9-3, no one else was bowl eligible though Arkansas State potentially could have been if not for a "designated" conference game at Tulsa that was a loss. If we had played ULL at home as the rotation would have required and defeated them we would have been eligible.

This year the Sun Belt has a mess of "designated" league games that will likely goof things up (for example Ark St plays bowl winner Memphis in a "league" game, UL Lafayette plays at La.Tech, Utah State plays three designated games etc)

Starting in 2005 though the league will likely begin playing a normal 8 game league slate and it would take a very bizarre set of circumstances for there to not be at least two schools to have six league wins and therefore be bowl eligible without regard to what happened in non-conference play.

I had heard rumors of either a ACC or BE team for the liberty.. prob could get #2 or 3 from BE depending on what happens with gator bowl.... or possibly #3 or 4 from ACC.

axeme Wrote:I don't agree.
Both conferences should try to get their #1 teams to put a dent in the BCS conference teams. Playing other non-BCS teams with our best seems a waste. The BCS would love it though if their mid-pack teams only have to play CUSA/MAC/MWC etc. #2's or #3's, if at all.

Bingo!