Because of many of these issues that have been brought up, Nashville's sports bureau is already seriously thinking about replacing LP Field when it is obsolete in about 15 years with a roofed structure similar to what will soon be built in Atlanta and what has recently been built in Indy and Houston. The Rose, Fiesta, Cotton, Peach, Sugar, and Orange Bowls should definitely keep their places at the top of the food chain.

LP Field's location would be good for a major bowl vacation because it is within a stone's throw of the arena, symphony, performing arts center, and convention center, which all provide first rate shows and performances. Of course, Broadway and 2/3's of the best restaurants and hotels are within walking distance, too. New Year's Eve is a huge deal downtown, too, and the Grand Ole Opry moves to the Ryman downtown during winter because the Rockettes take over the Opry House. All in all, you can do about the same things in Nashville during the winter as summer, which is why we are always in those top lists of winter/off-season vacation spots.

From a pure football perspective, Nashville would be a good central location for the Big 10 verses either the SEC or Big 12 (or whatever form we have in the next 15 years). The Music City Bowl currently pits the SEC vs. ACC, which works fine, but I would love to see one of the many SEC vs. Big 10 Florida bowls move up to Nashville to give Big 10 fans a chance to drive and be closer to home, which should give a more neutral feel (well, unless you play Vanderbilt here, which is actually a road team advantage).

(12-19-2013 01:54 PM)curtis0620 Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 01:49 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  Teams having been flying coast to coast all year to play each other.One more bowl game is no big deal. The Fiesta Bowl payout makes it more than worth the trip...

Not for Fans that are expected to buy tickets. Not for teams from smaller conferences that are burdened with 15,000 ticket commitment and Hotel room commitment. ...

The big schools have wide flung fan bases, made up of large numbers of alumni and those who grew up in the regions that they dominate, so as long as they are not in the same state year after year, it works. That's why the Big Ten doesn't want too damn many Florida bowls in the Big Bowl system, and prefers them to be spread around.

If the smaller conferences don't like it, they can turn down the invite and the money. NIU lost money in the Orange Bowl last year, but the MAC dipped into its share of the big bowl money and made NIU right for it. There's enough money in the new version of the system in the share for the best of Go5 champion for any Go5 conference to do the same.

I guess I may be the only one who saw the original post as being a parody of all of the "WVU is a geographic outlier in the Big 12" posts on this board.

(12-19-2013 01:54 PM)curtis0620 Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 01:49 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 01:21 PM)curtis0620 Wrote:  It should be for Mid-West and Western teams only. Travel now days is too expensive from the east coast.

Teams having been flying coast to coast all year to play each other.One more bowl game is no big deal. The Fiesta Bowl payout makes it more than worth the trip...

Not for Fans that are expected to buy tickets. Not for teams from smaller conferences that are burdened with 15,000 ticket commitment and Hotel room commitment. UCF is expected to lose millions for this bowl.

How is that worth it?

They are free to stay home...


And, other than the Orange Bowl, you are looking at flights anyways.

Phoenix is usually one of the cheaper places to fly too.


Oh, and the Fiesta Bowl would rather have a better name than UCF. NIU or Fresno even would have been better.

(12-18-2013 07:49 PM)Tallgrass Wrote:  The Orange, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls are located within a geography that is friendly to AAC, SEC, and B12. The BiG has many alumni in the south and travel is not difficult. So, it appears that eastern/southern based BCS bowls are more workable and that also applies for the majority of the NonBCS conferences.

The Rose features the PAC and BiG and they are happy. So good for them! It is a great bowl with a great matchup!

But Fiesta Bowl? It seems to be a geographic outlier. Its justification was a matter of unusual circumstances. The old Cotton Bowl was not measuring up to the new stadium standards and was passed over as a BCS bowl. The B12 felt locked out of a BCS bowl since ACC did a deal with orange Orange, SEC had Sugar, and BiG and PAC had Rose Bowl. And so B12 did a deal with the Fiesta. Basically, Fiesta backed up into a situation where it was mostly a B12 vs PAC bowl.

My vote goes for removing Fiesta Bowl from the BCS bowl line-up and replacing it with a BCS bowl based in Florida. Make a situation more travel friendly.

I agree SEC schools should never leave the Southeast . The only chance of that happening now is these non Southeast bowls .

(12-19-2013 03:21 PM)BewareThePhog Wrote:  I guess I may be the only one who saw the original post as being a parody of all of the "WVU is a geographic outlier in the Big 12" posts on this board.

Its Tallgrass. He's hoping to start a flame war.

(12-19-2013 04:19 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 03:21 PM)BewareThePhog Wrote:  I guess I may be the only one who saw the original post as being a parody of all of the "WVU is a geographic outlier in the Big 12" posts on this board.

Its Tallgrass. He's hoping to start a flame war.

Or perhaps, "It's Tallgrass. He's hoping to start a brush fire"?

Good catch, Phog! He got me.

(12-19-2013 04:00 PM)MJG Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 07:49 PM)Tallgrass Wrote:  The Orange, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls are located within a geography that is friendly to AAC, SEC, and B12. The BiG has many alumni in the south and travel is not difficult. So, it appears that eastern/southern based BCS bowls are more workable and that also applies for the majority of the NonBCS conferences.

The Rose features the PAC and BiG and they are happy. So good for them! It is a great bowl with a great matchup!

But Fiesta Bowl? It seems to be a geographic outlier. Its justification was a matter of unusual circumstances. The old Cotton Bowl was not measuring up to the new stadium standards and was passed over as a BCS bowl. The B12 felt locked out of a BCS bowl since ACC did a deal with orange Orange, SEC had Sugar, and BiG and PAC had Rose Bowl. And so B12 did a deal with the Fiesta. Basically, Fiesta backed up into a situation where it was mostly a B12 vs PAC bowl.

My vote goes for removing Fiesta Bowl from the BCS bowl line-up and replacing it with a BCS bowl based in Florida. Make a situation more travel friendly.

I agree SEC schools should never leave the Southeast . The only chance of that happening now is these non Southeast bowls .

Can't have pesky away games threatening perceived superiority

(12-19-2013 02:28 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Because of many of these issues that have been brought up, Nashville's sports bureau is already seriously thinking about replacing LP Field when it is obsolete in about 15 years with a roofed structure similar to what will soon be built in Atlanta and what has recently been built in Indy and Houston. The Rose, Fiesta, Cotton, Peach, Sugar, and Orange Bowls should definitely keep their places at the top of the food chain.

Where would the stadium go? I guess a facility with a similar footprint to LP Field could literally be built next door to LP Field in the parking lot, but it would be a tight fit. A flood like the 2010 flood would also do much more problematic to an enclosed structure.

It would also be a shame to replace a stadium that opened in 1999.

(12-18-2013 09:19 PM)westwolf Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 07:49 PM)Tallgrass Wrote:  The Orange, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls are located within a geography that is friendly to AAC, SEC, and B12.

I assume you meant ACC, The AAC is of course irrelevant to major bowls now.

Very true but their fans can't grasp that. The Big East got up and left like a fart in the wind and the hopeful poor souls left behind thought it would be different.

Pine box said he was done with major college football when he went to cincy.

(12-19-2013 02:17 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 01:54 PM)curtis0620 Wrote:  Not for Fans that are expected to buy tickets. Not for teams from smaller conferences that are burdened with 15,000 ticket commitment and Hotel room commitment. UCF is expected to lose millions for this bowl.

How is that worth it?

Obviously the powers-that-be at UCF think it's worth it. They didn't decline the Fiesta Bowl invitation.

I'm sure UCF has aspirations to be a major player in CFB someday, and understandably they don't want to be known as a program that will only play bowl games in Florida because they can't afford to go anyplace else.

This is why once again I support D4 as long as it's actually based on something and not what conference your in.

If your going to say only schools with large fan bases then teams like Duke, Oregon State, Washington State, TCU, etc do not need to be in the same division as teams like Alabama, Texas, etc.

If they make rules like if you have less than 40k average attendance in a year you have two years to meet it before going on probation. If you fail to meet it in the probationary period your booted.

First of all, I don't mix my travel plans and trips with football trips. Like most of my friends, the selection of my travel destinations and plans are made in advance, often a year in advance to insure bookings and take advantage of discounts. If there is a good football game out there, then, yes, I will travel to it. When the football game is over, then I will probably go home.

The college football world has seen bowls established/moved to a friendlier geography, the Charlotte Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, and Military Bowl are examples. I would throw in the Music City Bowl, making it easier for ACC, BiG, and SEC teams to travel to. (And, if one is determined to turn that football trip into a travel trip, those destinations are not bad at all.

Florida is a warm weather site and has most of the college alums there when you consider BiG, ACC, and SEC as a threesome and a whole. No wonder Florida hosts so many bowls: Orange, Gator, Outback, Champs, St. Pete, Miami Beach, and Boca Raton. For example, it was the BiG that got together with its Buddy SEC to take over the Gator Bowl. Obviously, BiG likes Florida. A second BCS example. The SEC has all its bowls this year, excluding the national championship game, in its own geography.

As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona. The state of Arizona could continue to host their two bowls, and which ever conference wanted to attend, then go there. And, given the greed of BCS, it might be that BCS world could make more revenue with a second BCS bowl in Florida....plus the Fiesta Bowl sort of akin of what bowls like Outback or Cotton were prior to this year.

Not trying to upset the apple cart; this is not an issue to develop heartburn. But in today's college football world, tradition and "what is right" went out the window a long, long time ago.

Never underestimate greed and BCS world is willing to do.
http://csnbbs.com/thread-668200.html

(12-19-2013 09:24 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 02:28 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Because of many of these issues that have been brought up, Nashville's sports bureau is already seriously thinking about replacing LP Field when it is obsolete in about 15 years with a roofed structure similar to what will soon be built in Atlanta and what has recently been built in Indy and Houston. The Rose, Fiesta, Cotton, Peach, Sugar, and Orange Bowls should definitely keep their places at the top of the food chain.

Where would the stadium go? I guess a facility with a similar footprint to LP Field could literally be built next door to LP Field in the parking lot, but it would be a tight fit. A flood like the 2010 flood would also do much more problematic to an enclosed structure.

It would also be a shame to replace a stadium that opened in 1999.

The stadium would go in the existing footprint of LP or creep toward some neighboring industrial sites that the city already owns the rights to. There is plenty of room on the East Bank; they actually just decided to build the new baseball stadium in north downtown instead of on the East Bank, so there is more than enough room.

We have beefed up the flood bank situation, so that should not be a problem moving forward. Boy, it was a doozy, though. People who know such things agree that it is our 500 year flood, so we should be good for a while.

In 15 years, the stadium will be about 30 years old, which is a decent lifespan for a stadium and is the point where the return on repairs outweighs building new. It is definitely not a knee jerk reaction to get a bowl... it is as much for concerts as sports. Kenny Chesney, U2, and similar large outdoor stage stadium shows use LP and Vandy's stadium, but many shows that are not set up for outdoor staging come in and play Bridgestone Arena and charge a ton because demand is so high. The arena can hold about 18,500 for a concert, which means the nosebleeds are really expensive. For example, a George Strait show coming in the spring is charging $131 for the cheapest tickets. If he could play at a 60,000 seat enclosed stadium, they could charge $50 for nosebleed and make out like bandits, and people that wouldn't go for $131 will still go and buy beer, merch, etc., at the same rate as the more expensive ticket goers. More importantly, the city will get more traffic for hotels, restaurants, cabs, etc. It is a dollars and cents argument for Nashville because of the demand to see live music.

Anyway, the weather is good enough in Nashville during the winter to still wander about town, but it is not a guaranteed 65 degrees and sunny like San Diego, Tampa, or Miami. A roofed structure would give bowl folks a bit more peace of mind, just like is felt in Dallas and Atlanta. I would not be surprised if Charlotte follows suit when it is time to replace the Panther's stadium.

The name of this board is the "Realignment Board." As I have looked at the past and the humongous and surprising changes, it appears everything is on the table....if it will generate extra bucks.

(12-20-2013 10:19 AM)Tallgrass Wrote:  As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona. The state of Arizona could continue to host their two bowls, and which ever conference wanted to attend, then go there. And, given the greed of BCS, it might be that BCS world could make more revenue with a second BCS bowl in Florida....plus the Fiesta Bowl sort of akin of what bowls like Outback or Cotton were prior to this year.

But you're not a B1G fan. And the actual B1G fans who post on this board appear to be favoring sending a team to the Southwest instead of adding yet another bowl in Florida. Not sure why you would try to speak on behalf of B1G fans when plenty of them have spoken for themselves in this very thread.

(12-20-2013 10:19 AM)Tallgrass Wrote:  As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona.

It's been said before, but I'll say it again.

There are five power conferences. The Fiesta Bowl is very convenient for two of them, the PAC and the Big XII. As other people have told you, there are a LOT of Big Ten alums in Arizona. So, even though people in Minnesota and Central PA and Ohio and Michigan would prefer Florida to Arizona, the Big Ten is perfectly OK with a BCS bowl in AZ.

So we're talking about years when the Fiesta Bowl has an SEC team, an ACC team, or a G5 team. SEC fans would prefer an SEC Country CFP bowl, but I think they'll make the trip. The ACC has a lot of schools who would be a concern, but that just means the Fiesta Bowl will pass over an ACC team for a B1G/PAC/XII team. And roughly every 6 years, the Fiesta Bowl will be stuck with a lower-FBS team. If it's not an MWC team, or maybe even if it is, ticket sales will be a problem. But that's a problem for every BCS bowl.

(12-20-2013 12:39 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 10:19 AM)Tallgrass Wrote:  As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona.

It's been said before, but I'll say it again.

There are five power conferences. The Fiesta Bowl is very convenient for two of them, the PAC and the Big XII. As other people have told you, there are a LOT of Big Ten alums in Arizona. So, even though people in Minnesota and Central PA and Ohio and Michigan would prefer Florida to Arizona, the Big Ten is perfectly OK with a BCS bowl in AZ.

So we're talking about years when the Fiesta Bowl has an SEC team, an ACC team, or a G5 team. SEC fans would prefer an SEC Country CFP bowl, but I think they'll make the trip. The ACC has a lot of schools who would be a concern, but that just means the Fiesta Bowl will pass over an ACC team for a B1G/PAC/XII team. And roughly every 6 years, the Fiesta Bowl will be stuck with a lower-FBS team. If it's not an MWC team, or maybe even if it is, ticket sales will be a problem. But that's a problem for every BCS bowl.

You know how many Minnesota grads live in Phoenix? Michigan? Ohio State? Seems like half of Michigan moved to Arizona.

Hell, just in my gay softball league in Phoenix (about 400 people in the league), I could name 40-50 Michigan or MSU grads. And most of the MSU grads are going to the Rose Bowl.

(12-20-2013 03:58 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 12:39 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 10:19 AM)Tallgrass Wrote:  As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona.

It's been said before, but I'll say it again.

There are five power conferences. The Fiesta Bowl is very convenient for two of them, the PAC and the Big XII. As other people have told you, there are a LOT of Big Ten alums in Arizona. So, even though people in Minnesota and Central PA and Ohio and Michigan would prefer Florida to Arizona, the Big Ten is perfectly OK with a BCS bowl in AZ.

So we're talking about years when the Fiesta Bowl has an SEC team, an ACC team, or a G5 team. SEC fans would prefer an SEC Country CFP bowl, but I think they'll make the trip. The ACC has a lot of schools who would be a concern, but that just means the Fiesta Bowl will pass over an ACC team for a B1G/PAC/XII team. And roughly every 6 years, the Fiesta Bowl will be stuck with a lower-FBS team. If it's not an MWC team, or maybe even if it is, ticket sales will be a problem. But that's a problem for every BCS bowl.

You know how many Minnesota grads live in Phoenix? Michigan? Ohio State? Seems like half of Michigan moved to Arizona.

Hell, just in my gay softball league in Phoenix (about 400 people in the league), I could name 40-50 Michigan or MSU grads. And most of the MSU grads are going to the Rose Bowl.

I thought half of Ohio and Michigan were living in Nashville and Atlanta. Can anyone confirm that there are currently residents in those states? If not, I am calling dibs on a summer place in northern Michigan.

Well, all these BiG grads in southwest makes statistical sense. The thrust of BiG expansion is that their states are experiencing declining population so BiG is reaching out in its expansion to states that don't have declining population. So it is a valid point and I concede the point.

(12-20-2013 04:04 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 03:58 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 12:39 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 10:19 AM)Tallgrass Wrote:  As a B12 fan, I don't really have a problem with Fiesta Bowl, its travel distance is no more than Florida, probably shorter. But if I were a SEC/ACC/BiG fan, I would rather have that BCS bowl in Florida rather than Arizona.

It's been said before, but I'll say it again.

There are five power conferences. The Fiesta Bowl is very convenient for two of them, the PAC and the Big XII. As other people have told you, there are a LOT of Big Ten alums in Arizona. So, even though people in Minnesota and Central PA and Ohio and Michigan would prefer Florida to Arizona, the Big Ten is perfectly OK with a BCS bowl in AZ.

So we're talking about years when the Fiesta Bowl has an SEC team, an ACC team, or a G5 team. SEC fans would prefer an SEC Country CFP bowl, but I think they'll make the trip. The ACC has a lot of schools who would be a concern, but that just means the Fiesta Bowl will pass over an ACC team for a B1G/PAC/XII team. And roughly every 6 years, the Fiesta Bowl will be stuck with a lower-FBS team. If it's not an MWC team, or maybe even if it is, ticket sales will be a problem. But that's a problem for every BCS bowl.

You know how many Minnesota grads live in Phoenix? Michigan? Ohio State? Seems like half of Michigan moved to Arizona.

Hell, just in my gay softball league in Phoenix (about 400 people in the league), I could name 40-50 Michigan or MSU grads. And most of the MSU grads are going to the Rose Bowl.

I thought half of Ohio and Michigan were living in Nashville and Atlanta. Can anyone confirm that there are currently residents in those states? If not, I am calling dibs on a summer place in northern Michigan.

You can get places in Flint for 5K.