Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome Beyond The BCS Bowls After Notre Dame lost at Pitt Nov. 9, its aspiration to play in a BCS bowl this season ended. From there, the postseason opportunities were going to be predicated not on the final record but on what secondary bowls would not be able to fulfill their conference slots. Time, place and expenses (Notre Dame is not likely to generate a great profit in any remaining bowl, and could potentially even be in the red with some) all factor into the equation, as does availability. Final exams for the fall semester at Notre Dame will be from Dec. 16-20. The earliest postseason season game Notre Dame has ever played in was the Hawaii Sheraton Bowl Dec. 24, but that was a an ideal setting, despite no financial profit. Potentially, the most appealing destination this year would be the Dec. 26 Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, where Army has an "in" but is not going to be bowl eligible this season. The payout is only $500,000, though, and the Mountain West opponent could be Boise State or San Diego State. At least three bowl destinations are often mentioned: New Era Pinstripe Bowl (New York City, Dec. 28) — The Big 12 will not be able to fill its No. 7 slot, which is where Notre Dame comes in. The opponent is listed as the No. 4 team in the American Athletic Conference (AAC, former Big East), which could include Cincinnati, Rutgers or maybe Houston. This is also the highest reported payout among the bowl options at $1.8 million. AdvoCareV100 Bowl (Shreveport, La., Dec. 31) — The SEC might not have a No. 10 team eligible against the No. 7 ACC team. Notre Dame played here in 1997 when it was the Independence Bowl, losing to LSU 27-9 in a rematch. The date provides a little more practice time — the Irish won the 2010 Sun Bowl Dec. 31 — and the Irish will be a part-time football member in the ACC next year. The opponent could be Boston College, Miami, Virginia Tech or someone else, depending who is considered No. 7. The payout is not bad at $1.15 million. Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dallas, Jan. 1) — This would be played in the old Cotton Bowl Stadium on New Year's Day, which evokes much sentiment and nostalgia for Notre Dame in a recruiting hotbed. This might be an option if the Big Ten can't land a No. 7 team here. Unappealing is the lack of a marquee opponent from Conference USA. Several other postseason options could still factor in as well, including the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Dec. 26, potentially against an unbeaten Northern Illinois team if it doesn't go to the BCS. Until the announcements are made Dec. 8, plenty can still happen, and Brian Kelly has his own preferences. "Any of the Caribbean islands — Hawaii would fall into that category as well," he said with tongue firmly implanted into his cheek. "And if they did anything in Bermuda or Bahamas, that would be fine too. Or Massachusetts, where I was born." Want to stay up-to-date with all the Irish news? Like Us On Facebook:www.facebook.com/blueandgoldillustrated Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/BGInews