Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

[bdan2002]

DETROIT -- Organizers of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl say they have a deal that will pit Big Ten and Mid-American conference teams against each other yearly through 2013.

The deal announced Monday calls for the No. 8 bowl-eligible Big Ten team to face the No. 1 or No. 2 MAC team at Detroit's Ford Field for the December game.

The bowl will have first pick of a MAC team in 2010 and 2012 and second pick in 2011 and 2013.

If the Big Ten doesn't have eight bowl-eligible teams, the Little Caesars bowl will get a Sun Belt Conference team.

Last year the Big Ten only had 6 teams that were bowl-eligible.

[MeanGreen61]

Post by ManzanoWolf on the Belt board.

From the MAC Board; appears the SBC will be in this bowl quite often !!!

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and Big Ten Extend Agreement

DETROIT – Big Ten Conference and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl officials announced today an agreement to extend their affiliation through the 2013 college football season. The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl will have the eighth selection of Big Ten bowl-eligible teams to face the first or second selection from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl will have the first selection of MAC teams in even numbered years and the second selection in odd numbered years.

“We are thrilled to continue our association with the prestigious Big Ten Conference,” said Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Chairman and Executive Director Ken Hoffman. “The presence of Big Ten teams in our bowl has created considerable fan interest as well as some of the most exciting and competitive games in our history. And with Little Caesars locations across the country, awareness for the game is heightened.”

Big Ten teams are 1 – 1 in the bowl since it began its affiliation in 2002. Both the 2003 Bowling Green-Northwestern matchup (28 – 24) and the 2007 Purdue – Central Michigan matchup (51 – 48) were decided by last minute drives. The Purdue – Central Michigan game remains the second highest-scoring game in major college bowl history.

“We are excited to extend our affiliation with the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and provide even more bowl opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches and fans,” said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. “Big Ten appearances in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl have produced some of the event’s most memorable matchups and we look forward to more exciting competition. With the number of Big Ten alumni in the Detroit area and an outstanding facility like Ford Field, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a natural addition to our bowl lineup.”

The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl also announced a back-up agreement with the Sun Belt Conference, in the event that the Big Ten does not have an available bowl-eligible team to play in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

The Sun Belt Conference has a 1 – 1 record in the bowl as well. Central Michigan defeated Middle Tennessee State (31- 14) in the 2006 bowl, while Howard Schnellenberger-led Florida Atlantic toppled Central Michigan (24 – 21) in the 2008 bowl.

The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl will be again be televised on national cable TV via ESPN. The bowl website is located at http://www.littlecaesarspizzabowl.com.

[UNTflyer]

Yawn. How about a true bowl affiliation instead of signing contracts to be the alternate in case the 8th place MAC team isn't bowl eligible?

[Censored by Laurie]

Is this like the KFC bowl, but with marinara and mozzarella?

[TheTastyGreek]

Yawn. How about a true bowl affiliation instead of signing contracts to be the alternate in case the 8th place MAC team isn't bowl eligible?

We already have two primary contracts. Based on the conference's recent proven history to provide eligible teams, those and one secondary tie-in are the most contractual agreements we can enter into per the NCAA.

That's what ArkStFan said on the SBC board, anyway.

[VideoEagle]

Yawn. How about a true bowl affiliation instead of signing contracts to be the alternate in case the 8th place MAC team isn't bowl eligible?

Technically, it is in case the 8th place Big 10 (11) team isn't eligible. And they aren't almost 50% of the time. How many bowls does the Big 10 (11) and the SBC have the same record?

Of course, I'm going to have a hard time convincing myself to go to Detroit even for the Mean Green. It is NOT a pretty place anytime of year, much less December. Had friends whose rent card was robbed while they were finishing the paperwork at the rental place!

[MeanGreen61]

Sun Belt Conference site article........4 year agreement.

http://www.sunbeltsports.org//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4100&ATCLID=204928720

[GreenStreet]

I doubt it, even if a Mac or Big 10 team for that matter is not eligible for this Pizza bowl, a Sunbelt team should not go. Very few fans would travel to MI in December, and even fewer would feel safe, wearing Green. I think it is good for MI, to bring in business, but bad for the Belt to try to fill the void.

Edited April 15, 2010 by GreenStreet

[emmitt01]

All I can is if we do go to this bowl i'll take advantage of one of the things Bush did right, the right to carry my gun anywhere in the U.S.