I just hate it for whichever bowl doesn't get an SEC team

[RobK]

With South Carolina out of the mix, it looks like two of our SEC (Houston and either Independence or Music City) bowls won't get an SEC team (unless Arkansas upsets LSU). That's a shame because Indy and Music City have been good hosts over the years and one of them will undoubtably lose money and ticket sales by having to pluck a team from elsewhere to play.

Of course on one hand, had Arkansas scheduled a cupcake instead of Texas early in the season and had Ole Miss (or MSU or Vandy or UK) not been so terrible, we wouldn't have this problem. On the other hand, had we we been able to get two BCS teams in this season, we'd have the same problem even if South Carolina was going to a bowl. No matter what, I feel bad for those bowl folks that have been so nice to us over the years.

The whole thing makes me appreciate the class and sportsmanship our players have shown this season, as well.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

It's...

not only going to cost them money, it's going to cost us money...

 

[RobK]

not only going to cost them money, it's going to cost us money...

I agree that it costs the SEC money, but it will cost them money (and plenty of it), too. Think about it. If you have to trade South Carolina, Arkansas, Bama, or Florida for a team from elsewhere like Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, UConn, or Toledo, think about the losses. Fewer ticket sales (both from the traveling team and from local fans). Fewer hotel rooms booked. Fewer T-shirts and programs sold. Lower TV ratings (which would hurt down the road). The list goes on. Arkansas sold 35,000 tickets for the Indy Bowl last year. Will any of those other teams come anywhere close to that?

The Independence Bowl lost its sponsor for this year and is having to use up its cash reserves just to put on this season's game. Not having the SEC certainly won't help matter, either in gaining a sponsor for next year or in paying the bills for this year. I would hate to see that bowl die, but it is very possible.