Pinstripe Bowl

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Andrew from California writes: The Yankee, I mean Pinstripe, Bowl will place the No. 4 Big East team against the Big 12 No. 7. Here are what the matchups would have been over the past years: 2005 -- USF (6-5) vs Missouri (6-5); 2006 -- USF (8-4) or Cincinnati (7-5) vs Missouri (8-4); 2007 -- USF (9-3) or Rutgers (7-5) vs. Colorado (6-6); 2008 -- Rutgers (7-5) vs replacement. 2009: Rutgers (8-4) or UConn (7-5) vs. Iowa state (6-6).

It's OK most years. We will see.

Brian Bennett: Thanks for that research, Andrew. A couple of things to remember about the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, its official name now. While the matchups might not be sexy every year, this basically replaced the International Bowl in the Big East's lineup. And playing a Big 12 team, even a mediocre one, is much, much more interesting than facing the MAC in Toronto. Also, while it is officially listed as taking the No. 4 Big East team, we know that after the BCS game, there's no real slotting system. Bowls and leagues work to make the best fit in each game. You'd better believe that Rutgers, UConn and Syracuse will be pushed hard for that game every year in which they're eligible.

And finally, there will be some years when the Big 12 doesn't have enough eligible teams to send one to this bowl. Notre Dame can then replace the Big 12 in that scenario. While lots of stars would have to align -- the Irish would have to be bad enough to miss the BCS and other big bowls but just good enough to make the postseason in the same year that the Big 12 comes up short -- a Big East vs. Notre Dame matchup in New York would certainly be enticing.


http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast
 
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