Before they had even played in their 2010 bowl game, BYU reached agreements to play in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl in 2012 and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in 2013 if they are bowl eligible and do not qualify for a BcS berth.
Today, the now-football independent has learned where they’ll be bowling following the 2011 season as well.
Again, provided they are bowl eligible and do not qualify for a BcS berth, the Cougars will play in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, the school announced Wednesday. The ninth edition of the bowl game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 30, at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
“We are pleased to announce the relationship with the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl,” said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe in a statement. “When we announced our football program was going independent, we recognized it would be a challenge given the timing to secure a bowl affiliation for 2011. As an institution, we have a lot respect for the service academies and the individuals who protect our country. We are privileged to participate in a game that honors the men and women of our armed forces.”
BYU, which will compete as an independent in football this year after a long association with the Mountain West Conference, will play an opponent from Conference USA in their 2011 bowl game.
Speaking of the MWC, the conference had originally had an agreement in place with the Armed Forces Bowl for 2011, but, due to defections -- BYU for independence, Utah for the Pac-12 -- the league was forced to pare down from five its bowl commitments and voluntarily vacated its spot.