The NCAA has approved 35 bowl games for the next four years, including two new ones: the Dallas Football Classic and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York.
That one better than the 34 bowls licensed for 2009-10. Better, we guess, is a relative term.
But among those that were rejected: The Christmas Bowl in L.A., and the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
The NCAA said Friday that the bowls were licensed on a four-year cycle for the first time, though they will be reviewed each year. The move puts the licensing schedule — from 2010-11 through 2013-14 — in line with the length of bowl conference agreements.
The first Pinstripe Bowl will be played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Dec. 30. It will include the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants.
The first Dallas Football Classic at the Cotton Bowl is planned for New Year’s Day 2011, involving the seventh-ranked team from the Big 12 against the sixth-ranked team from the Big Ten. Future games will include Conference USA.
As for this Christmas Bowl idea — no idea who or what was behind it. Anyone willing to take responsibility?
The history books show that on Dec. 25, 1924, something called the Christmas Festival Bowl was played at the Coliseum: USC defeated Missouri, 20-7.
Tough to imagine in today’s hot-button climate ever backing something that seems to run smack into the winds of poitical correctness.
Santa, flip the coin and let’s get on with it.
More on the NCAA announcement is linked here, which includes the entire list (with sponsor names).
