(03-20-2013 07:26 AM)indianasniff Wrote: What is the status of the contracts for MAC Bowl Games and what will realignment do for the opportunities in the future
From what I've been able to ascertain this is what the bowl picture looks like for the five non-contract conferences.
Underline signifies a "lock" of a tie-in.
1. GoDaddy: MAC vs SBC
I expect the MAC to keep this bowl as the defacto anchor conference. The SBC likely keeps it too with South Alabama now being FBS and in the SBC, but neither is a lock.
EDIT: There's still nothing "official" but a lot of mentions that this will continue to be a MAC vs SBC bowl, so we'll just go ahead and call it.
2. Little Caesars: MAC vs ?
If the Bowl committee can keep this bowl alive and in Detroit, I expect the MAC to keep the tie-in but the other side is open. A respected poster from an SBC team has stated here that he doesn't think that the SBC would sign on permanently to a bowl in Detroit, but as I'll try to show here the pickings will be very slim and they may have to try to secure it just to stay at two tie-ins. If this moves to Little Rock, I expect the SBC to have a tie-in. Early reports speculated that the CUSA would get a tie-in but if the bowl ends up "using" the LCPB's certification I expect the MAC to keep it, but nothing is written in stone.
3. Boise: MWC vs MAC
This bowl is back under the MWC's control after being in the WAC despite Boise State being in the MWC. If this bowl sticks around it stays a MWC bowl with the MAC probably keeping the the tie-in. The SBC could make a play for it since Idaho will join the conference in 2014, but I expect that if the MAC wants it (and they are in no position to not want it) they will end up keeping it.
EDIT: There's still nothing "official" but a lot of mentions that this will continue to be a MAC vs MWC bowl, so we'll just go ahead and call it.
4. BBVA Compass: AAC vs SEC
This looks like a former Big East bowl that nobody wants so the new AAC will end up keeping. It also looks like the SEC will keep a very low pick in here, probably 8/9/10.
5. St. Pete: AAC vs CUSA/ACC
This is another former Big East bowl that nobody wants and that wil likely stay with the new AAC. CUSA likely stays on the other side.
Edit: Report that this will be AAC vs 3 years CUSA/3years ACC.
6. Military: ACC vs AAC
CUSA signed on for this year but not expected to keep it after that. The ACC looks to be keeping this and sending their #8. Rumors are that the Big Ten could end up here but a very strong possibility is the AAC, especially with the game moving to Annapolis and Navy scheduled to join the AAC in 2015.
Edit: Despite rumors of the Big Ten landing here, reports now confirm that I was correct in thinking that the AAC would end up here.
7. New Orleans: AAC vs CUSA
Bowl is currently CUSA vs SBC and I expect it to stay that way, sort of. Old "CUSA" is the new AAC and the half of the old "SBC" is the new CUSA. There are rumors that the AAC is looking to nab this bowl, and I think they get it since the people with the money behind the bowl have New Orleans ties and Tulane will be in the AAC. I think CUSA gets the other side over the SBC because of Southern Miss, LA Tech, and previous working relationship with the CUSA office.
The MAC could - and SHOULD - angle to try to make this a AAC vs MAC game.
8. Liberty: Big 12 vs SEC
Edit: The Big 12 seems to have locked this bowl up, probably due to Iowa State's documented good experience last year. Rumors are that this could be a low SEC vs a low Big 12. There are also rumors that the AAC gets it vs Big12.
EDIT: It been "confirmed" that this will be a B12 vs SEC game, as I've said all along. Sorry Attackcoog/AAC guys, don't kill the messenger. The writing was on the wall.
9. Heart of Dallas: Big 12 vs ?
It's being reported that this could stay a Big 12 vs Big Ten bowl but with the CUSA owning part of the bowl, they look to keep some sort of tie to it.
Edit: AttackCoog from here posted below that some rumors have this as a CUSA bowl with the other tie-in rotating between the Big 12 and Big Ten. I'm not sure if this will fly with the Big 12 or Big Ten.
Edit2: The same report that confirmed the Liberty Bowl for the Big 12 confirmed the HOD but didn't mention if that tie-in would be shared with the Big Ten. I still think this will end up B12 vs Big Ten.
Edit3: Something less than official is reporting that it is a rotating B12 tie-in. I just can't see the Big Ten having an official tie-in (even a rotating one) with CUSA. I could see CUSA serving as a backup to the Big Ten to play the Big12. The Big Ten has made it clear (and maybe it slipped publicly) that they only want to contract to play other "contract conferences" in bowl play. If the Big Ten backs out of the LCB only to end up contracted to play CUSA some years in Dallas, the MAC should boycott the Big Ten. MAC teams travel to OOC games anyway, might as well play ACC or Big12 teams. SCREW the big ten.
10. Armed Forces: MWC vs ?Big Ten/CUSA?
It's possible that the MWC keeps this bowl but nothing has been confirmed. This could be MWC vs AAC, CUSA, MAC, or SBC. It could be MWC vs BYU and/or Army. It could be open.
EDIT: Reports that this will be a MWC vs CUSA bowl but there are rumors that the Big Ten will have a shared tie to this is some fashion.
11. Vegas: MWC vs Pac-12
This will be a MWC game. It looks like the MWC #1 will face the Pac-12 #6 here (down from #5 previously).
EDIT: Reports that the MWC doesn't have to send its Champ here.
12. Poinsettia: MWC vs Navy (2014) - BYU/Army
This will be the MWC #2 game. I could see this keeping a "rotation" between BYU, Army, and maybe Navy alone or as part of a rotating tie-in with the AAC to give Navy access.
EDIT: Reports that Navy in 2014 and BYU and Army have ties to this bowl for 2015-19, no further details.
13. Hawaii: MWC vs AAC/CUSA
This will be a MWC game, Hawaii when its eligible vs either AAC or CUSA. It could be open for the MAC to bid on it but I only see that if things get really desperate. BYU could rotate in here, maybe Army.
EDIT: Report that this will be MWC vs AAC/CUSA. It's unclear whether it is one or the other or a shared tie.
14. New Mexico: MWC vs CUSA
This will be a MWC game. Right now, it looks like the Pac-12 #8 (down from #7 previously) will be the other tie-in but that could change. It's being reported that the PAC's #8 bowl is not definite yet and it could end up not being the NM bowl. Could be open.
EDIT: Latest reports are that the Pac-12 will likely be leaving the NM Bowl. EDIT2: Reports are that this will have a CUSA team.
15. AdvoCare Bowl: ? vs ?
Reports have this bowl as a possible bowl for the ACC, Big 12, and SEC. It's possible that two of the three or all three in some rotating agreement play in this but it is almost listed as an afterthought on all of the reported potential lists that it wouldn't surprise me if none sign on and it is completely open.
Edit: The report that announced the complete B12 bowl lineup did not list this bowl. I think the chances that this game is open and available got better. Edit2: The "final" ACC bowl lineup didn't list this bowl either. I think chances of landing this bowl just increased some more. The MAC should work this bowl very hard to secure a primary spot.