BC became bowl eligible over the weekend. That's a nice accomplishment. However, our bowl history and a stacked year in the ACC means despite being eligible, BC may not get one of the ACC's current bowl slots. There are many scenarios in play from how BC finishes, to the "BC rule" that limits who bowls can select over us, to how many ACC teams make BCS games. Even if we are part of the ACC's current bowl group, there is always a bit of marketing and politics that go into the process.
But just because BC is not in the Driver's Seat doesn't mean we cannot work for what we want. If we are willing to compromise on some things, we can be rewarded with other factors. Other ACC teams might not want to play on certain days or travel to certain cities. Brad Bates has yet to show his cards. We don't know what's important to him. What I hope is that he priortizes things this way:
1. Opponent. We could play a bowl game in Alumni and still have trouble selling tickets. At this point a bowl game is not about where the most BC fans will buy tickets. It is about respect and perception. To help validate this season, BC needs to end it with a win over a name opponent. I don't care if we have to play in Shreveport or the moon, Bates should attempt to find us the best opponent. That doesn't mean highest rated either. Fair or not, BC fans and would rather see us play a team from a BCS conference than a ranked team from a mid-major.
2. Location. Location doesn't matter for the fans. But it does matter for the players. This is their reward. I want a bowl trip to be fun and preferable warm for them. Take the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl as an example. It is played in the Trop against a no-name opponent. It has a terrible corporate name and no history. Yet for the players, it would be reasonably fun. The weather might mean beach or pool time and there is a trip to Busch Gardens. That might not be your idea of fun, but considering the other options for the players, St. Pete is better than Boise.
3. Date. This is the tricky one for schools that have late exam periods. Some programs don't want to hold bowl practices during exams or study periods. I hope this isn't an issue for Bates. We have played on Christmas Day twice. We can work around a December 23 game or one right after Christmas. In fact, I hope he uses our flexibility on the game date to work BC into a more desirable bowl.
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BC has a very good program. Unfortunately, they are "minor league" in Boston. Shadows of the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, and Patriots cover the hills on the Heights. Only Flutie was able to dent the lack of coverage. There must be someone who can "open the can of worms" and turn it into caviar. Hey, Big Jack Krack, take your best shot and the rest will fall in line.
We wouldn't want the Beef O Brady bowl to tarnish the history of the other bowls we've been in, like the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl, the Continental Tire... er Meineke Care Care bowl, or the MPC Computers Bowl!
In spite of the Bruins being in Beantown, the BC hockey team enjoys huge crowds. When the basket ball and football programs start to deliver a high quality product on a consistent basis, they too will draw the crowds.
Hey, don't knock the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. That was where the freshman AW scored the only BC TD on a 30 yard run to give BC a fleeting lead. BC led the country in run defense that year and LK led the country in tackles.
I'm hoping there's a way we can push for the Sun Bowl. Might not happen if Duke goes to the ACCCG, but I think that would be our best bet to play a BCS team. Independence Bowl is going to match us up against a mid-major, in an undesirable location. Lose-lose.
Is it really better to get one of the ACC's bowls or go for the Poinsettia Bowl?
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl was a blast; San Francisco is a great place to visit.
Poinsettia Bowl would be nice but it would be against a decent MWC opponent (maybe Boise if FSU does not make the BCS). And the hockey team does not draw huge crowds Joseph.....in fact, BC hasn't come even close to filling Kelley Rink to capacity this season. It holds 7884 people, but the biggest attendance BC has had to date was 7008 for the game against Wisconsin. BC hasn't drawn over 6,500 fans in any other game.
A non sequitor -
After looking how Keuchley has almost single handedly turned around Carolina's defense into one of the NFL's best, are we drastically underestimating how bad of a team BC was during his years here? If Keuchley is worth 4-5 NFL wins for Carolina, shouldn't that be worth 8-10 NCAA wins? Just a thought on how truly atrocious the Spaz years were for this program.
Bravesbill, ever the negative ned. Ok, so they don't sell out. But, over 7000 per game is a lot of people for college hockey games in a pro town. Also, NO ONE said that they sell o. The term used was HUGE crowds. I think 7000 per game is HUGE. GET IT, HUGE, not sell out.
bravesbill-
the hockey team drew the largest average crowd of any eastern school for each of the last three seasons
http://www.uscho.com/stats/attendance/division-i-men/2012-2013/
bravesbill-
the hockey team drew the largest average crowd of any eastern school for each of the last three seasons
http://www.uscho.com/stats/attendance/division-i-men/2012-2013/
I am Ok with the Trop in Tampa/ St Pete. The last time BC played in Tampa in 2011 we won the Frozen Four
Joseph, if you read the post, BC has only had a 7000+ attendance this year in 1 game. I don't think that 6500-7000 fans is all that big. I think it's quite sad that the hockey team can't consistently sell out given all of the success it has had in the last decade. That is a result of a pretty crappy fanbase: students and the public.
Ok, BB, be a terminal naysayer. Nothing will ever be right unless you say so. Do you do stand-up on the side?
Nah, I just like to bust your balls because you make it so easy due to your severe case of myopia and your feeble attempts to shoot down contrary points of view. And I could say the same thing to you, "Nothing will ever be right unless you say so."
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