Acc Glad To Dump The Boise Bowl

[MeanGreen61]

Bye-bye Boise (hello D.C.?)

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Patrick Hite

Column by Patrick Hite

patrick@accnation.com

Most of the news coming out of the ACC’s spring meetings was expected — no 18-game schedule in basketball or 9-game schedule in football– but I thought the best news this week was that, after 2008, the ACC won’t be affiliated with the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Despite what John Swofford said about the “excellent experiences” Boise provided for ACC teams, no one — not the players or the coaches or the administrators or the fans — wanted to go to Boise. Exactly what were those experiences? A chance to see the second-largest ball of twine west of the Mississippi? The annual cow-tipping contest? A potato-carving convention?

ACC teams basically got stuck playing a road game (against a WAC team in a WAC stadium, sometimes against Boise State in Boise State’s stadium) in a place where none of their fans wanted to travel (especially to see an eighth-place team).

The Boise bowl will be replaced in 2009 by either the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., or the Congressional Bowl in Washington D.C. The ACC already has a deal to send it’s ninth-place team (if it’s bowl eligible, which doesn’t seem likely) to the Congressional Bowl in 2008.

FULL ARTICLE

http://accnation.com/2008/05/15/bye-bye-boise-hello-dc/

[island eagle]

Bye-bye Boise (hello D.C.?)

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Patrick Hite

Column by Patrick Hite

patrick@accnation.com

Most of the news coming out of the ACC’s spring meetings was expected — no 18-game schedule in basketball or 9-game schedule in football– but I thought the best news this week was that, after 2008, the ACC won’t be affiliated with the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Despite what John Swofford said about the “excellent experiences” Boise provided for ACC teams, no one — not the players or the coaches or the administrators or the fans — wanted to go to Boise. Exactly what were those experiences? A chance to see the second-largest ball of twine west of the Mississippi? The annual cow-tipping contest? A potato-carving convention?

ACC teams basically got stuck playing a road game (against a WAC team in a WAC stadium, sometimes against Boise State in Boise State’s stadium) in a place where none of their fans wanted to travel (especially to see an eighth-place team).

The Boise bowl will be replaced in 2009 by either the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., or the Congressional Bowl in Washington D.C. The ACC already has a deal to send it’s ninth-place team (if it’s bowl eligible, which doesn’t seem likely) to the Congressional Bowl in 2008.

FULL ARTICLE

http://accnation.com/2008/05/15/bye-bye-boise-hello-dc/

The Boise Bowl is probably the worst post-season destination of all.....and there are some good candidates.

[stebo]

I wonder of the Boise Bowl will find a replacement team or go the at large route? Would the MWC send a team there? I would hope that the Belt would say no. The Boise Bowl served its purpose but it might be time to close up shop. I don't know, maybe MWC vs WAC would be a good match-up. Would PAC-10 ever go there?

[NT80]

The ACC already has a deal to send it’s ninth-place team to the Congressional Bowl in 2008.

Alrighty, we finished in 9th place, we're going Bowlin'!!

[VideoEagle]

I wonder of the Boise Bowl will find a replacement team or go the at large route? Would the MWC send a team there? I would hope that the Belt would say no. The Boise Bowl served its purpose but it might be time to close up shop. I don't know, maybe MWC vs WAC would be a good match-up. Would PAC-10 ever go there?

Everything I've read is the Boise Bowl is doing alright. The city of Boise is solidly behind the bowl. Businesses contribute heavily. Yes, it's not a place I'd try to go to from DFW - you generally have to change planes twice from here! But it is a good location for the WAC, MWC and potentially the Pac 10. I believe they have sent teams in the past.

I don't think the Boise Bowl is going away anytime soon.

[stebo]

Yes, I agree... it is financially feasible. But can they find another opponent? I guess that is the question. The bowl charges a really steep fee to get in and I can't think of a team that has ever broke even in going. The Pac10 has been there and didn't like the arrangement so they left. MWC might be an opponent but they might just go the at large route. That can be dangerous now that there are two more bowls. Only 7 teams got left out last year so only 3 teams would have gotten left at home if the two bowls had been in existence. Would Troy have paid roughly $400K to go to the Humanitarian Bowl? I really don't know. Would we? I would hope not.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Okay, Boise would be at or near the end of the places that I'd want to go to a bowl game but we are in the FBS and bowls are our milieu. Until there's a playoff system bowls are our only reward.

Boise is not that hard to get to...it's served by four airlines out of DFW (United, Fronties, Southwest and USAir). The cost, however, can be a little steep. The airlines do, occasionally, have specials but it's doubtful that will happen around the Humanitarian Bowl. The weather can be atrocious in December. And, somehow I just can't get used to watching games played on a blue carpet. If it were in a domed stadium with green carpet then I could take it a lot easier.

I still can't believe that the WAC picked Boise for their conference champion. Fresno has a larger stadium, better weather, and more history (Raisin Bowl). Why they weren't selected, I'll never know. Maybe, if we're ever a WAC member, we can get it changed.

As far as opponents for that bowl about all that is left is the Belt, the MAC, or at-large. The New Mexico Bowl was formed for WAC/MWC matchups and seems solid but then hometown New Mexico has appeared in both games.. Maybe it's possible to sign the ninth place team from a twelve team conference but I doubt it.

My solution is simple. The Belt plays the sixth place SEC in the GMAC and let the MAC oppose the WAC forst or second place team.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Alrighty, we finished in 9th place, we're going Bowlin'!!

Can you say $$$$$$$$$... it is not about quality football or anything deserved. The teams that might finish 9th will be looking for easy non-conf. wins to qualify.