TicketsMay 2, 2006
The University of Cincinnati will have two more opportunities to reach postseason play in football. The BIG EAST Conference has aligned itself with two newly-approved bowl games, the International Bowl in Toronto, Ontario, and the Birmingham Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.
In the International Bowl, the BIG EAST will meet a team from the Mid-American Conference. In the Birmingham Bowl, the BIG EAST will be matched with a team from Conference USA.
"We're very excited to be associated with these two new bowls and extremely pleased with the number of bowl opportunities that we have for this season and beyond," said BIG EAST commissioner Mike Tranghese. "BIG EAST football fans now have even more attractive postseason destinations."
The International Bowl will be played in the Rogers Centre on Jan. 6. The Birmingham Bowl will be played at Legion Field on Dec. 23. Both games will be televised by one of the ESPN networks.
The BIG EAST champion automatically qualifies for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series. After the BCS representative has been determined, a BIG EAST team will go to the Toyota Gator Bowl or the Vitalis Sun Bowl.
Then, the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. will select a BIG EAST team.
Earlier this year, the BIG EAST announced an agreement with the Houston Bowl. The NCAA Bowl Certification Committee gave the Houston Bowl a 60-day extension before making a decision on certification.