BYU is still four days away from their highly-anticipated New Mexico Bowl matchup with UTEP, but the Cougars already know where they’ll be bowling (maybe) in 2012 and 2013.
According to a press release issued by the school, BYU has 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 are not selected for a BcS game.
The ’12 postseason game could have some interesting subplots as BYU will face a member of the Mountain West Conference; the Mormon school is leaving the MWC on June 30, 2011, for football independence, a move that’s obviously paying immediate and huge dividends based on the newly-announced bowl tie-ins.
“We are thrilled to have a relationship with these outstanding bowls. It’s an important step for our football program as we begin playing an independent schedule,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe in a statement. “Both bowls are located in destination cities that appreciate great football tradition. BYU enjoys a large fan base in Southern California and the Bay Area. I’m excited for fans in those areas to have the opportunity to see our team play.”
“We’re thrilled to have the Cougars set to play in the eighth annual bowl game,” said San Diego Bowl Game Association president Eric Graves. “BYU played a significant role in the growth and success of the Holiday Bowl. It’s so fitting that they, along with their incredibly loyal fans, will join us and participate in San Diego’s newer game, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.”
BYU would likely play a team from the soon-to-be Pac-12 in the ’13 bowl game.
“We’ve had our eye on BYU for a long time, dating back to when our game had the Mountain West as a partner,” said Gary Cavalli, co-founder and executive director of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. “I’m grateful to BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe, who I have known since our days together at Stanford, and to WAC commissioner Karl Benson, for their cooperation in making this happen. Our bowl will continue to have a backup agreement with the WAC in 2011, 2012 and 2013.”