Big 12 / SEC Champions Bowl Sends RFPs to Ten Major U.S. Cities
The newly minted Champions Bowl, set to pit the best-remaining, non-playoff college football teams from the SEC and Big 12 against one another on New Year’s Day 2014, has moved into full planning mode by sending requests for proposal to ten major U.S. cities which both conference feel fit the bill to host the premier game.
Here are the 10 cities and a brief justification from the Champions Bowl committee- and my own takes– on why each could feasibly work:
NEW ORLEANS
Well, to begin with, it’s freaking New Orleans.
That’s about as self-explanatory as it gets.
Given that LSU figures to be in the mix for the Champions Bowl more often than not over the course of time, this one’s a no-brainer to at least consider. The Superdome is a world-class facility, and the party atmosphere having a second major bowl game along with the Sugar Bowl would bring to the Big Easy would be unparalleled.
DALLAS
If New Orleans is 1, then Dallas is 1(a).
Many of the same attributes that make New Orleans attractive do the same for the Big D. Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager/ chief blabbermouth Jerruh Jones is already chomping at the bit to bring people to his personal playground– he loves to show it off, after all–and will stop at nothing to ensure it gets done. At least once.
ATLANTA
It is the heart of SEC country and that says all it needs to say. There’s nothing more southern than the ATL, and bringing in people from across Big 12 country and the South to Georgia’s capital city seems like a natural fit. They have proven to be able to handle major events in the past– see ’96 Olympics (in spite of the issues they encountered)–and would have no trouble doing the same in 2014.
PHOENIX
Huh? What? How in the hell does this make any sense? I won’t waste your time here.
HOUSTON
See Dallas.
Many of the same potential positives are at place in Houston with Reliant Stadium available to host as it has so many Big 12 Championship games over the past decade. Houston’s a player when it comes to hosting international and national events of all kinds, and wouldn’t blink an eye doing the same for the Champions Bowl. This will also happen at least once.
ORLANDO
I personally think this is one of the armpits of the earth and I hope the Champions Bowl shares my sentiment. Seems to me they can find a better home regardless of how much money Disney or whoever the hell else they’re in bed– Mothership, looking at you– with down there will manage to throw at them. Stay away Champions Bowl. It’s an evil place folks– don’t let Mickey’s wry smile fool you.
SAN ANTONIO
Yawn. See Dallas, Houston.
NASHVILLE
Meh.
I can see the attraction here in terms of the destination value, and now with the Titans, Nashville has a first-class facility where the game could be hosted. Geographically it also makes a modicum of sense, but I wouldn’t count on the Champions Bowl being hosted here before either New Orleans or Atlanta, regardless of how attractive their bid may be.
TAMPA
Double meh.
JACKSONVILLE
You can’t be serious right. We don’t need another World’s Largest Cocktail Party. One is enough.
My bet for the first Champions Bowl?
N’awlins.
Disagree? Love Mickey Mouse and the armpit of Orlando?
Tell me about it below.
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Kris Hughes is the College Football Network Manager for Rant Sports and a member of the Football Writers Association of America.
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Kris is also the host of Rant Sports Radio on the Blog Talk Radio Network Wednesday evenings at 8 Central Time.
