sutomcat spells out the latest from the Cuse Board

The Big News confirms the ACC appears out of the Liberty Bowl Race.

<a href='http://mb25.scout.com/fsyracuseinsidersfrm7.showMessage?topicID=916.topic' target='_blank'>BE Still Alive for the Liberty Bowl</a>

Why does everyone think the Liberty Bowl asking free choice among CUSA teams is a ploy just to select Memphis? Maybe once every 8 years or so, but I'm quite sure the move is designed to avoid the requirement of having to take a surprise Tulsa or SMU champion if there is an equally strong USM or ECU side. They want butts in the seats, preferably those from out of town, and Memphis fits only onw part of that equation.

Also, this isn't entirely a rare thing. Most bowls outside the BCS have a pecking order like this, wherein they're not hooked to the #whatever ranked team within a conference, but rather the number dictates which order they pick from that conference among other bowls. Look at the Outback, which took Florida for a second year in a row over other SEC teams with higher rankings and better records because they wanted the sure sell out. (They got it! Florida's offense sold out in a 20 point loss to Iowa!)

It can work out if done right, providing the flexibility to ensure the most attractive match-ups at several bowls. And if the CUSA champ is attractive believe me the Liberty will take them.

GunnerFan Wrote:Why does everyone think the Liberty Bowl asking free choice among CUSA teams is a ploy just to select Memphis?

Because the Liberty Bowl executive director has pretty much said so publicly.

Agreed the Liberty Bowl needs Memphis in its "hip pocket" if one of the 6 or 7 non traveling CUSA teams wins the league. A deal involving the MWC would be very risky. The LB realizes getting at least a BCS mid level team will usually yield more tix, motel rooms than what MWC could send (Utah and TCU possibly excepted).

If the Liberty were to take Memphis on a regular basis, regardless of their true appeal or that of other CUSA teams, then that would be a divine act of stupidity and the Bowl would suffer in the long term because of it.

you guys have been talking about this for months. I don't remember WAC team getting stiffed in thier arrangement. UTEP stiffed the WAC bowls last yr. Teams in championship games do not travel as well to bowl games. they simply asked to keep thier options open. I think there more worried about 10-1 team losing tiebreaker & not getting in CG. All your bowls are on thin ice. C-USA is going have to send schools to closet bowl. If CG teams have to sit out, so be it. they still made post season play. With Hous & Indy bowl waiting for 7 & 8 picks with no guarentee, i'm not sure C-USA should not take in NoTex & LousTech & really surround bowls

ACC announced ties to the Music City bowl today, ACC vs. SEC.

Look for Toronto to get BE #5 vs MAC #2 or 3

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