Krocker Krapp Wrote:Why would West Virginia lobby to play in the Liberty Bowl? I doubt West Virginia, or its fans, give a rat's rear about the Liberty Bowl or Conference USA. The Big East is the Big East. Conference USA is Conference USA.
1) Because it's a lot easier for 15k WVU fans to get to Memphis than to Phoenix, and arguably a lot cheaper for the team, as well.
2) Because the CUSA champion might (and I'm saying
might) carry more appeal than the Pac 10's 4-6th rated team.
3) Typically there's more appeal to playing on New Year's Eve then in the middle of the week when many fans are still tied to family vacations
4) I can't recall the payouts but I can't fathom the Insight being that much more than the Liberty's, if the Liberty doesn't already surpass it.
I agree there's a gulf of difference between CUSA and the BE, but let's not pretend it's the same as the B10 and the Sun Belt. Should Memphis, So Miss or UTEP have a 9+ win season in claiming the CUSA title then the Liberty Bowl could have a very attractive made for TV match-up, a la last year, and that hype would do both the BE and a side like WVU a lot of good. Especially if the BE side wins!
Plus there's the added incentive of the rumors concerning the BE looking to secure another solid bowl bid. With the Liberty now having one spot rated as "at large," this might be the chance to change that to BE and add to the conference coffers.