from tusconnewsnow.com, excerpt:
...How many bowl games are too many bowl games? Last year may have provided the answer. Just ask Mountain West deputy commissioner Bret Gilliland.
Gilliland is on the NCAA committee looking to make important changes this summer to the college bowl landscape. The largest change? Capping the number of bowl games at its current allotment: 40.
In other words, from now until 2019 (when the current bowl contract cycle expires), the NCAA will not add any more college football bowl games.
40 bowl games means 80 bowl eligible teams. And that was the problem in 2015. By the end of the regular season, there weren't enough bowl eligible teams to participate in all 40 bowls, including the inaugural Arizona Bowl.
The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl was originally partnered with the Mountain West, Conference USA, and Sun Belt. But when neither Conference USA nor the Sun Belt could supply a team, the bowl committee and the NCAA found itself in a pickle. The NCAA ended up allowing three 5-7 teams (Nebraska, San Jose State, and Minnesota) into the post season. The domino effect of that decision helped lead to Mountain West foes Nevada and Colorado State playing each other in Tucson.
As it happened, anyone who criticized the move ended up with egg on his or her face. Not only did all three 5-7 teams win their bowl games but Nevada and Colorado State had arguably one of the most exciting finishes of the post season with Nevada clinching the 5-point win with a minute left in the game.....
NCAA to cap number of bowl games
...How many bowl games are too many bowl games? Last year may have provided the answer. Just ask Mountain West deputy commissioner Bret Gilliland.
Gilliland is on the NCAA committee looking to make important changes this summer to the college bowl landscape. The largest change? Capping the number of bowl games at its current allotment: 40.
In other words, from now until 2019 (when the current bowl contract cycle expires), the NCAA will not add any more college football bowl games.
40 bowl games means 80 bowl eligible teams. And that was the problem in 2015. By the end of the regular season, there weren't enough bowl eligible teams to participate in all 40 bowls, including the inaugural Arizona Bowl.
The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl was originally partnered with the Mountain West, Conference USA, and Sun Belt. But when neither Conference USA nor the Sun Belt could supply a team, the bowl committee and the NCAA found itself in a pickle. The NCAA ended up allowing three 5-7 teams (Nebraska, San Jose State, and Minnesota) into the post season. The domino effect of that decision helped lead to Mountain West foes Nevada and Colorado State playing each other in Tucson.
As it happened, anyone who criticized the move ended up with egg on his or her face. Not only did all three 5-7 teams win their bowl games but Nevada and Colorado State had arguably one of the most exciting finishes of the post season with Nevada clinching the 5-point win with a minute left in the game.....
NCAA to cap number of bowl games
