"In what could turn into a major windfall" for the Big East
Conference, Mobil Cotton Bowl officials made a "tentative and
conditional" offer to include the No. 2 Big East team and the Big
12 runner-up in a game beginning January 1, 1996. In the first
year of the agreement the Big East team would play any team other
than the champion of the Big 8 or the SWC. That would change in
'97 when the Big 8 becomes the Big 12. Big East Commissioner
Mike Tranghese said he is interested, but he wanted specifics
about ticket guarantees, revenue from bowl officials and TV
arrangements. Since being excluded from the USF&G Sugar, FedEx
Orange, and Dial Fiesta champsionship rotation, Cotton Bowl
officials have been looking for an "acceptable" alternative. CBS
has been "pushing" the Big East to join the Cotton because the
network holds the rights to the game and the Big East for
football (Mark Blaudschun, BOSTON GLOBE, 10/13).
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SEC? Cotton Bowl officials have offered
the same spot to the SEC runner-up, according to the HOUSTON
CHRONICLE. The SEC also has an offer for its runner-up from the
Florida Citrus Bowl. If the SEC rejects the Cotton offer, then
the Cotton is likely to go after the Big East or Pac 10 runner-
up. Meanwhile, a Big 12 commitment to the Cotton bowl "likely
will preclude" holding a Big 12 championship game in Dallas.
Texas A&M Athletic Dir Wally Groff said St. Louis or San Antonio
are the most "viable alternatives" (Jonathan Feigen, HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/13). The SEC Presidents held a conference call
yesterday, but no decision was made. Officials at the SEC expect
to make an announcement "pretty quickly" (THE DAILY). OTHER
BOWLS: The Big 12 is also trying to secure bowl deals for their
3rd and 4th place finishers. The Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl
is "considered almost a lock to get the second choice of Big 12
teams." Three bowls are competing for the next choice: The
Builder's Square Alamo Bowl, the John Hancock Sun Bowl and the
Weiser Lock Copper Bowl (Jonathan Feigen, HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
10/13).
