Bowling opponents

[Big Buds]

I don't know when the current bowl contracts end, but the Sunbelt should have at least a couple of better bowls. When the contracts were last negotiated, the Sunbelt was the weakest conference in the country. That has now changed. It is certainly more highly regarded than CUSA or MAC. With the teams leaving the MW after this year should be more highly regarded than that conference and, at least on occasion the equal of the AAC, though not as prestigious.

Here are FBS conferences, ranked by average SP+:
1. SEC: 14.8 average adjusted points per game (33.0 offense, 19.2 defense)
2. Big Ten: 6.6 average (26.9 offense, 20.5 defense)
3. ACC: 5.2 average (30.2 offense, 25.1 average)
4. Big 12: 4.5 average (29.7 offense, 25.4 defense)
5. Sun Belt: -6.4 average (25.3 offense, 31.7 defense)
6. AAC: -7.3 average (25.6 offense, 33.0 defense)
7. Mountain West: -8.2 average (24.3 offense, 31.6 defense)
8. MAC: -12.6 average (18.7 offense, 32.1 defense)
9. Conference USA: -13.8 average (18.7 offense, 32.1 defense)

The SBC has been the top G5 for the last 3 years or so.

[Turbine]

I don't know when the current bowl contracts end, but the Sunbelt should have at least a couple of better bowls. When the contracts were last negotiated, the Sunbelt was the weakest conference in the country. That has now changed. It is certainly more highly regarded than CUSA or MAC. With the teams leaving the MW after this year should be more highly regarded than that conference and, at least on occasion the equal of the AAC, though not as prestigious.

Better bowls will be a perception changer.

The question is, will perception have changed when they hand out better bowls.

[USL]

I don't know when the current bowl contracts end, but the Sunbelt should have at least a couple of better bowls. When the contracts were last negotiated, the Sunbelt was the weakest conference in the country. That has now changed. It is certainly more highly regarded than CUSA or MAC. With the teams leaving the MW after this year should be more highly regarded than that conference and, at least on occasion the equal of the AAC, though not as prestigious.

Agree

[R1Letterman]

So why doesnt the conference ranking lock in the spot, rather than the team.... it seems like a natural progression that if a conference is better overall the champ may not be as highly ranked as one from an easier conference who was never challenged

[ZoomZoom]

So why doesnt the conference ranking lock in the spot, rather than the team.... it seems like a natural progression that if a conference is better overall the champ may not be as highly ranked as one from an easier conference who was never challenged

Follow the money. The G5 teams need to attempt to stay close to home to draw a crowd. Plain and simple. Even with the A4, if it’s not one of the major bowls, it’s a tough draw cross country.

[covcaj]

Follow the money. The G5 teams need to attempt to stay close to home to draw a crowd. Plain and simple. Even with the A4, if it’s not one of the major bowls, it’s a tough draw cross country.

Yes. As I understand it, with all except the biggest bowls, the school's payout is the tickets sold by that school. There is no guarantee. If the school doesn't sell enough tickets, it could actually lose money

[HoustonCajun]

Follow the money. The G5 teams need to attempt to stay close to home to draw a crowd. Plain and simple. Even with the A4, if it’s not one of the major bowls, it’s a tough draw cross country.

Bowls should have realized by now that they need teams with a closer presence to that bowl city so there is greater interest and attendance.

[BeauCajun]

Both ESPN guys have us playing West Virginny in the Independence Bowl on the 28th.

[Jeaux]

Both ESPN guys have us playing West Virginny in the Independence Bowl on the 28th.

Our last two games could be against teams with no head coach.

[fanof71]

Both ESPN guys have us playing West Virginny in the Independence Bowl on the 28th.

That would be Awesome, play and beat both schools from that state...

[Hudsheen#Fired]

That would be Awesome, play and beat both schools from that state...

Game would be awesome however gametime is awful. I saw 9:30 (I'm assuming EDT)

[fanof71]

Game would be awesome however gametime is awful. I saw 9:30 (I'm assuming EDT)

Correct