Benson wants Sun Belt C-USA matchup in Little Rock

Harry · May 23, 2013

The Sun Belt currently has deals with the New Orleans Bowl and GoDaddy.

A third is likely to come in the form of a new game being worked on in Little Rock, Ark., with Conference USA providing a possible opponent.

Benson hopes as that as the Sun Belt improves, and it is undergoing another membership overhaul in the next two seasons, it will attract more bowl partners. For now, though, he sees value in being in what he calls the at-large pool, being able to fill spots left open when a bowl doesnt have an eligible team available in its contracted conference, and no plan B.

In my history in the WAC, said Benson, who led the Western Athletic Conference for more than a decade, fairly regularly we were able to place teams outside contracts.

Last season, the Sun Belt was able to get Louisiana-Monroe into the Independence Bowl via that route, and had a chance to move Arkansas State into the Liberty Bowl.

Benson said his priority will always be to get his league champion into the best possible bowl game, even if that means going outside of contracts. But he is also realistic and knows the Sun Belt will likely be playing most of its bowl games against what he calls its peer conferences the group of five that also consists of The American Athletic Conference (former Big East), the Mountain West, C-USA and the MAC.

Read more: http://www.thenewsstar.com/viewart/20130516/SPORTS/305160045/Sun-Belt-MAC-trying-expand-bowl-lineup

NT91 · May 23, 2013

Sounds good!

Harry · May 23, 2013

Another article indicating Benson's interest in the Little Rock bowl and that they will not expand to 12 until after this season:

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130522/APS/1305220896?p=1&tc=pg

Runner · May 23, 2013

Why not! Its just a stone throw away from San Antonio and many Runner fans would make the trip. I would except a truck load of UNT fans would make the short trip to Little Rock.

golfingomez · May 23, 2013

in a safeway parking lot?

outoftown · May 23, 2013

Think that is geographically quite a good place to get to for many sun belt and C-USA schools. That said, the deal has to be right. Not too many tickets the school has to, but almost can't sell because everybody picks them up cheaper over stubhub.

Edited May 23, 2013 by outoftown