Big XII Bowls vs. Big East Bowls

While I am simply excited to be playing in the Big XII against the likes of Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas Christian, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State on an annual basis, I am even further excited by the opportunity to play in the Bowl games awarded to this conference.    Following is a simple and brief comparison and contrast of the opportunities WVU currently has, and what WVU can look to in the future. 

The current 2011-2012 Bowl games  for the Big XII are as follows:

1. BCS - Tostitos Fiesta January +
2. AT&T Cotton (SEC) January 1
3. Valero Alamo (Pac-10)
4. Insight (Big Ten)
5. Bridgepoint Holiday (Pac-10)
6. Texas (Big Ten)
7. New Era Pinstripe (Big East)

The current 2011-2012 Bowl tie ins for the Big East are as follows:

1. BCS-(Big East typically the last pick for available game- this year that would be the Orange Bowl)
2. Champs Sports Bowl (ACC) (May choose ND over Big East team)
3. Belk Bowl (ACC)
4. New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Big XII)
5. BVA Compass Bowl (SEC)/AutoZone Liberty Bowl(CUSA Champ)
6. Beef O'Brady's Bowl (CUSA)

On its face one can see, that with the exception of the BCS Bowl game, there really is no comparison.  Truthfully that can be assailed, as well, as the Big XII has had numerous multiple-team representatives in the BCS in a given year.  That has never happened for the Big East conference even in 2006, when the conference had 3 top 12 teams.

As for the non-BCS selections you need only look at the common bowl game between the two, The Big XII sends their 7th pick to the play the 4th pick from the Big East to the Pin Stripe Bowl.  I would also add that the Big XII members don't need to share their bowl games with Notre Dame.  This year it appears that the Champs Sports Bowl bid will go to the Irish if they merely are bowl eligible.  Thus the Big East really only has 5 games to play in.  Additionally, the Big East will face an ACC opponent in all likelihood, in 2 games, CUSA in 2 games or maybe the SEC,  and of course the Big XII's seventh best.  The Big XII has some great destinations as well.  San Antonio, San Diago, Dallas, Phoenix, etc.  While I liked going to games in Florida, the only warm weather game on the slate at that time of the year is the BCS game, and the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.  Orlando is a coin flip with regard to weather that time of the year.  By contrast the only game that is in a cold weather town is the Pin Stripe Bowl.  I have not even gotten into the disparity in payouts for those Bowl Games.   While in the Big East a team can actually lose money on its BCS appearance (see UConn last season), WVU stands to make money at just about every Bowl game they may be selected for out of the Big XII. 

My point, Eer Nation, is that we have reason to be happy about this specific change in our status going forward.  While, I maintain that the only Bowl game a team should aspire to be in is the National Championship, I am encouraged that the consolation prizes are much nicer in our new conference home.     

Da Geek