Thirty-four bowls, sixty-eight teams. Isn’t college football at this time of year like pre-tournament college hoops? At least it is for those BCS conference commissioners who are sweating out filling their bowl contracts, who signed up more bowls this year than last.
The real money games are college football’s version of Bubble Games between conference teams verging on bowl eligibility or being home for the holidays. More bowl contracts filled means more revenue to be shared for the conferences.
BCS conferences have contracted to place 48 teams in bowls—with another two for the National Championship game, of course. There are 18 spots for non-BCS football teams: More than they deserve, but throw them a scrap.
In a good year, non-BCS teams will get 15 percent of the bowl revenues. When Notre Dame makes a BCS bowl, they get one percent.
Which conference is winning the bowl contract race? Who’s doing the most sweating? Which teams are on the Bubble Watch?
Here’s what the conference commissioners will be watching.
***Overall records are listed behind the Bubble Teams. Conference records are in parentheses after the team’s schedule.
Sitting Pretty
ACC (12 teams)
2008-09—Contracts for nine bowls (75 percent of teams in conference)
Teams In (8)—Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Bubble Teams (2)
Virginia (5-5), Clemson (5-5)
Virginia (3-3) schedule—Clemson, Virginia Tech
Clemson (3-4) schedule—@ Virginia, S. Carolina
Outside Chance (2)
Duke (4-6), NC State (4-6)
NC State (2-4) schedule—@ North Carolina, Miami
Duke (1-5) schedule—@ Virginia Tech, North Carolina
Games of the Week: Clemson @ Virginia, NC State @ North Carolina, Duke @ Virginia Tech
Conclusion: Can you believe with two weeks to go that every ACC team could become bowl eligible? Improbably, NC State climbed back into it with last week’s win.
2007-08 Bowls, Profit: $19,263,649 (eight teams)
– Average distribution per conference team (after expenses): $1.6 Million
The ACC already has as many bowl eligible teams as last year. Either Clemson or Virginia qualifies in their Bubble matchup this week. Sweet! A sudden bear market would leave three bubble teams short. This will go down to the wire. Stay tuned!
More is Gravy
Big Ten (11 teams)
Contracts for seven bowls (63 percent)
Teams In (7)—Penn St., Ohio St., Michigan St., Northwestern, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin
Bubble Teams (1)
Illinois (5-6)
Illinois (3-4) schedule—@ Northwestern
Games of the Week: Illinois @ Northwestern
Conclusion: Illinois will have to win their rivalry game at Northwestern to qualify.
2007-08 Bowls, Profit: $24,394,305 (eight teams)
– Average distribution per conference team: $2.2 Million
Without the Illini, the Big Ten will have one less team than last year - but will meet their contracts. Revenue would be down.
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about 1 month ago
Got me with the picture of Erin Andrews...WOOOOOIE...pretty lady.
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