Obviously UH getting a major six makes it a pretty good lineup almost regardless of what other tie-ins the league has, but there are some redeeming qualities to the bowl schedule outside getting a New Year's bowl. Including the Peach, four of the league's eight bowls are against P5 schools. What's kind of interesting is that AAC teams will pretty much play the best of the other G5 conferences, including the champions of the MWC and C-USA, the only G5 school not in the AAC that was in the CFP Top 25, and then the team that has pretty much ruled C-USA the past few years.
Independence (Virginia Tech 6-6 vs Tulsa 6-6)
This one seems strange except, I suppose, for geography. That's the highest paying non-major the AAC is involved in, 1.15 m, and they take the #6 or #7 AAC team? Maybe the conference had to fill the affiliated bowls first, but it's kind of a shame. Temple could have beaten Virginia Tech. The Hokies will likely thump Tulsa.
Birmingham (Memphis 9-3 vs Auburn 6-6)
This could be a good game and a chance for the AAC to get a third win against the SEC. The payout is approximately 1 million. I assume Norvell will coach.
Military Bowl (Navy 10?-2 vs Pitt 8-4)
Good matchup. Pitt finished 2nd in the ACC Coastal Division, beating Duke and Louisville by two or more scores, and losing by only one score to Iowa and UNC.
Miami Beach (USF 8-4 vs Western Kentucky 11-2)
This game won't exactly garner national headlines, but WKU did win C-USA and showed up at #25 today in AP. So it would be a good win for the conference, and I think USF just might get it.
Hawaii (Cincinnati 7-5 vs San Diego State 10-3)
Kind of like the Miami Beach game. SDSU won the MWC. If Cincinnati shows up, I think they will win. Wins from your 5 and 6 bowl teams against other G5 conference champions wouldn't be too shabby.
Boca Raton (Temple 10-2 vs Toledo 9-2)
This is the bowl to which Temple was relegated. And, again, chance to make a statement against a "name" (at least this year) G5 opponent. Only financials I could find on this show the payout per team at 437k. Ouch
St. Petersburg (UConn 6-6 vs Marshall 9-3)
Same deal. Marshall has pretty much been C-USA kingpin for a few years. UConn's QB will return for the bowl game, so the Huskies may have a shot.
Independence (Virginia Tech 6-6 vs Tulsa 6-6)
This one seems strange except, I suppose, for geography. That's the highest paying non-major the AAC is involved in, 1.15 m, and they take the #6 or #7 AAC team? Maybe the conference had to fill the affiliated bowls first, but it's kind of a shame. Temple could have beaten Virginia Tech. The Hokies will likely thump Tulsa.
Birmingham (Memphis 9-3 vs Auburn 6-6)
This could be a good game and a chance for the AAC to get a third win against the SEC. The payout is approximately 1 million. I assume Norvell will coach.
Military Bowl (Navy 10?-2 vs Pitt 8-4)
Good matchup. Pitt finished 2nd in the ACC Coastal Division, beating Duke and Louisville by two or more scores, and losing by only one score to Iowa and UNC.
Miami Beach (USF 8-4 vs Western Kentucky 11-2)
This game won't exactly garner national headlines, but WKU did win C-USA and showed up at #25 today in AP. So it would be a good win for the conference, and I think USF just might get it.
Hawaii (Cincinnati 7-5 vs San Diego State 10-3)
Kind of like the Miami Beach game. SDSU won the MWC. If Cincinnati shows up, I think they will win. Wins from your 5 and 6 bowl teams against other G5 conference champions wouldn't be too shabby.
Boca Raton (Temple 10-2 vs Toledo 9-2)
This is the bowl to which Temple was relegated. And, again, chance to make a statement against a "name" (at least this year) G5 opponent. Only financials I could find on this show the payout per team at 437k. Ouch
St. Petersburg (UConn 6-6 vs Marshall 9-3)
Same deal. Marshall has pretty much been C-USA kingpin for a few years. UConn's QB will return for the bowl game, so the Huskies may have a shot.
