New bowl system will increase access for small conferences

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FINANCIAL FACTOR

Then there is the financial factor.

The champion from the five remaining conferences has a chance to earn a much larger payout than most of the leagues would have received under the current BCS structure.

For Benson, the idea of a four-team playoff also means better opportunities for a team outside of the Power 5 conferences to get a shot at the national title.

“The new system will provide even greater opportunity to crack the top four,’’ Benson said pointing out that Boise State, TCU and Houston were in the mix a few seasons ago.

The new system has its drawbacks for those outside the Power 5.

The American, which had greater access when its members were competing under the Big East name, was among the hardest hit.

The league has lost automatic invitations to the Pinstripe and Belk bowls. It may lose the Russell Athletic Bowl as well. So far, the American has only locked in deals with the Compass Bowl in Birmingham and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg.

However, the American’s bowl-eligible teams should still find postseason homes because the Power 5 leagues likely have enough eligible teams to honor all agreements.

“Obviously, we’d like to be in some of those games, but we have some ability to play in bowl games and new games in destinations where our teams and coaches want to go, so our bowl lineup will be fine,’’ Aresco adds pointing out that his league will have opportunities to play teams from the ACC, SEC, Big 12 and possibly the Pac-12.

Conference USA has also taken hits, with the league apparently losing the Liberty Bowl, which will now feature matchups from the Big 12 and SEC.

In addition to signing alternate agreements, the conferences are exploring new bowl venues.

The leagues have had discussions with groups from Los Angeles; Montgomery, Ala.; Little Rock, Ark.; Boca Raton; and Orlando about launching new postseason games.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/2013-07-10/story/new-bowl-system-will-increase-access-small-conferences#ixzz2Yi2djyzK