http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4074632

Saturday, December 26th at 4:30pm on ESPN.

What a horrible date. The bowl sponsors must have really pissed off ESPN.

If they have another game - and crowd - like last year, they will have to start paying attention. Last year's Meineke Bowl was a big success - both at the gate, and on TV...

(04-16-2009 04:03 PM)WacoBearcat Wrote:  What a horrible date. The bowl sponsors must have really pissed off ESPN.

With limited post-Christmas travel time, the bowl will really have to push on getting regional teams: specifically, WVU or Rutgers from the Big East.

In one respect, however, the time's nice: late-afternoon bowl games on Saturday (before Christmas the New Mexico Bowl ........ after Christmas, the Alamo Bowl in 2006, Liberty Bowl in 2007, and Tangerine Bowl in 2008) have tended to draw among the best bowl-ratings of the season.

I think the bowl prefers Sat afternoon games

(04-16-2009 09:05 PM)templefootballfan Wrote:  I think the bowl prefers Sat afternoon games

I agree outdoors in NC around Christmas...wouldn't want an 8pm kickoff. brrrrrr

Wow...that is a horrible date. I wonder why the change was made? The mienke bowl seemed to have been on of the more successful third tier bowls in the country in terms of attendance and TV ratings. Bowl officials have to be hoping for two "local teams" like last yr

Jackson

Not much of a change...last year it was played December 27th, the Saturday after Christmas.

(04-16-2009 09:32 PM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  Bowl officials have to be hoping for two "local teams" like last yr

No doubt. They've got a pretty good chance too, considering all the ACC teams nearby. But if BC lands in this game, they're screwed...

(04-17-2009 06:28 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  Not much of a change...last year it was played December 27th, the Saturday after Christmas.

This is a huge change in my opinion. At least last year fans had a travel day between Christmas and the game. This bowl better hope for a local team and not Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State, or Miami(FLA) as the ACC representative.

(04-16-2009 05:59 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  If they have another game - and crowd - like last year, they will have to start paying attention. Last year's Meineke Bowl was a big success - both at the gate, and on TV...

If this particular bowl can keep a WF, NCSU, or UNC in it - then it will remain successful. WVU was icing on the cake last year.

BTW - hell of a game. I was cheering for you guys!

(04-17-2009 09:53 AM)WacoBearcat Wrote:  

(04-17-2009 06:28 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  Not much of a change...last year it was played December 27th, the Saturday after Christmas.

This is a huge change in my opinion. At least last year fans had a travel day between Christmas and the game. This bowl better hope for a local team and not Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State, or Miami(FLA) as the ACC representative.

They are determined to keep the Saturday slot, which seems like a good idea. It just happens that it falls on the day after Christmas this year.

With so many ACC teams in driving distance and the flexibility now built in to the ACC's lower bowl selection requirements, they'll get a local ACC team. BC would be going somewhere else as would Maryland, FSU, Miami, GT.

Now as for the BE team, they hope WV has a down year and comes back to Charlotte. I worked bar at a local hotel the first few years. No one else in the BE really shows up for this one but WVU.

HORRID! Bands, players, Cheer, Dance would all have ttravel on Christmas or Christmas Eve NO way this can work unless you a re a very local school. What a step back. The game neds to be anight regardless to allow more time. 4:00 does not help when it gets dark at 5:00 or 5:30 play it late ...if at all.........

(04-17-2009 02:28 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  With so many ACC teams in driving distance and the flexibility now built in to the ACC's lower bowl selection requirements, they'll get a local ACC team. BC would be going somewhere else as would Maryland, FSU, Miami, GT.

Now as for the BE team, they hope WV has a down year and comes back to Charlotte. I worked bar at a local hotel the first few years. No one else in the BE really shows up for this one but WVU.

The folks in Charlotte can forget about the Mountaineers. WVU has bigger plans...