November 21, 2005
Vandy's win is Nashville's loss; No SEC for Music City
As Vanderbilt celebrated its first win over Tennessee since 1982 this past Saturday, officials of the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl saw their job--creating a matchup for their December 30th game (and selling tickets for it)--get much harder.
Pat Dooley of The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun explains:
Because Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt and will not qualify for a bowl game, the SEC will not be able to honor its affiliation with the Music City Bowl.
The Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., was the bowl game that was designated the "at-risk" game last year and missed out on an SEC team when South Carolina withdrew from bowl consideration because of the ugly brawl that marred the Gamecocks' game with Clemson.This year, that designation goes to the Music City Bowl, which paired Alabama and Minnesota last year and is likely going to grab a team from the ACC (which has eight bowl-eligible teams and six tie-ins) to pair against a Big Ten team.
Each year since its inception, the Music City Bowl has been able to count on tens of thousands of an SEC team's fans to make the short trip to Nashville and fill ticket orders, hotel rooms, restaurants, and other entertainment venues during the bowl season. Traditionally, the SEC team in the Music City draws significantly more fans to the Coliseum than does the Big Ten participant, as was the case last season when an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Alabama Crimson Tide fans swamped the small contingent of Minnesota supporters.
Last season's game pumped an estimated $16.8 million into the local Nashville economy. Without the guarantee of a massive SEC team fan base, bowl officials enter uncharted territory and must seek out a team that can soften the blow.
Here are three of the current Music City Bowl team projections (as of 11-21-05):
CBS Sportsline -- Virginia vs. Iowa
Sports Illustrated -- Virginia vs. Northwestern
USA Today -- Toledo vs. Northwestern
The Music City Bowl's plight may also have a trickle-down effect on its bowl neighbor to the west, the Autozone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Bowl officials there also have an at-large spot to fill, and have been courting ACC schools, as well.
Comments:
Martin said:
posted on November 22, 2005 5:04 AM — 69.231.239.195 — link — abuse?
According to an AP article a number of bowls are courting Fresno St. after the USC game:
Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart told the Fresno Bee after top-ranked Southern California's 50-42 win over Fresno State on Saturday that the Bulldogs will be invited to play in that New Year's Eve bowl in Memphis, Tenn. It pits an at-large team against a team from Conference USA.
Benson said the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco also expressed interest in Fresno State, though no invitations can become official until Saturday."There are other bowl slots that could become available. The Fort Worth Bowl could be open. The Motor City Bowl looks like it definitely is open. The Music City Bowl is definitely open," he said.
David Glover said:
posted on November 22, 2005 10:57 AM — 152.130.8.5 — link — abuse?
It is hard being an SEC fan and buying tickets early in the season to want to visit the Music City Bowl when the GREATEST division of football is not going to play in it. It is not to knock the ACC or the BIG TEN, but the game will never be the same. Whoever gets to take to trip to Nashville I wish the best of luck to. There are two tickets on the 50 yard line, on the SEC side, which are available to whoever wants to see the ACC and BIG Ten. Just post me a message if you are interested.
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Josh McClain said:
posted on November 21, 2005 8:40 PM — 130.13.105.161 — link — abuse?Navy is bowl eligible and travels extremely well. It might behoove the Liberty Bowl to take a gander east towards Annapolis when trying to fill their spot.