The key change here is the Big East now has a shot at going to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis to play either an SEC or a Big East champion.
Here's the release from the Big East:
Papajohns.com Bowl
The BIG EAST Conference has extended its agreement with the Papajohns.com Bowl. The BIG EAST will face a team from the Southeastern Conference in the game. The new agreement will run through the 2013 season.
For the upcoming season, the Papajohns.com Bowl will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. The game, in its fifth year, will be televised at noon ET on ESPN.
The Papajohns.com Bowl attracted a record crowd of 45,254 on Jan. 2 when Connecticut defeated South Carolina 20-7. BIG EAST teams have compiled a 4-0 record in the game.
“We’re very excited to extend our relationship with the Papajohns.com Bowl,” said Marinatto. “Our teams have had wonderful experiences in Birmingham and the bowl continues to grow each year. With the support of ESPN, a great local organizing committee in Birmingham and the ability to play an opponent from the Southeastern Conference, the BIG EAST is proud to be a part of the game.”
The Papajohns.com Bowl is operated by ESPN Regional Television, the nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
The BIG EAST is pleased to have the opportunity to play in college football’s seventh-oldest bowl game, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In an effort to provide the best opportunities for its student-athletes, the BIG EAST could send its representative to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to play the champion from Conference USA or an opponent from the Southeastern Conference.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has a well established history with BIG EAST teams dating back to 1961, when Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis led Syracuse to a win over Miami. The Bowl has also hosted BIG EAST teams Louisville, Pittsburgh and West Virginia over the past 52 years.
“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is one of college football’s great traditions,” said Marinatto. “I know any of our teams would enjoy the opportunity to go to Memphis and play in the game.”
The 52nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl
The BIG EAST will continue its relationship with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl which is played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The game is in its third year. The BIG EAST has won each of the first two games. Last season, Rutgers defeated Central Florida 45-24. The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl also is operated by ESPN Regional Television.
“The growth of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in only two years has been extremely impressive,” Marinatto said. “St. Petersburg is a very attractive destination for BIG EAST teams and BIG EAST fans. We’re happy that we’re able to continue our agreement with the bowl.”
The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ESPN will carry the game.
In addition to its success in the Papajohns.com Bowl and the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl, BIG EAST teams have recorded a 16-6 bowl mark over the past four seasons.
So how does a Big east team end up in the Liberty Bowl? The details are simple. The Liberty Bowl and Papajohns.com kind of share the No. 7 and No. 8 at large from the SEC. In most years that means the No. 8 and No. 9 team out of the SEC with the league likely to have two BCS teams.
In years where the Papajohns.com can't field an SEC team, the Big East will go to the Liberty Bowl to play potentially an SEC team or the C-USA champion. Mostly, the deal for the Liberty Bowl on the Big East's end is to protect the Big East team in the Papajohns.com Bowl. They don't want to have to play a MAC school in Birmingham if they don't have to.
Chances are at least once in the cycle the Big East will end up in the Liberty Bowl. That's a good arrangement for the Big East. It also helps give the league more options. UConn has currently went to both Birmingham and Charlotte. Now the options are extended to either NYC or Memphis for the Huskies if the BCS or Champs Bowl don't work out.
Now, here's the official Big East Bowl lineup.
BCS Bowl -- Big East champion
Champs Sports Bowl -- Big East vs. ACC --Orlando
Meineke Car Care Bowl -- Big East vs. ACC --Charlotte
New Era Pinstripe Bowl -- Big East vs. Big 12 --NYC
Papajohns.com Bowl/AutoZone Liberty Bowl -- Big East vs. SEC or C-USA -- Birmingham/Memphis
Beef 'O’ Brady’s Bowl -- Big East vs. C-USA -- St. Petersburg
2 comments:
Is the choice up to the Liberty Bowl?? Beacuse I would think a Big East team would trump the Conference USA champ most years.
If the SEC is able to get a team to Birmingham, I think the Big East goes to Birmingham as I understand it. There can be a lot of horsetrading. Big East wants to play an SEC team every year.
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