The SEC has announced a new bowl lineup beginning in 2014. The lineup will be effective following the conclusion of the 2014 regular-season and extends through 2019.
“We are pleased to have established a lineup of premier bowl games that will give our student-athletes a wonderful post-season experience and our fans the opportunity to travel to venues in the geographical footprint of the conference,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said.
The SEC bowl lineup will include the following:
- Capital One Bowl (vs. Big Ten or ACC)
- Outback Bowl (vs. Big Ten)
- Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (vs. ACC or Big Ten)
- TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl (vs. ACC or Big Ten)
- AutoZone Liberty Bowl (vs. Big 12)
- Texas Bowl (vs. Big 12)
- Belk Bowl (vs. ACC)
- Birmingham Bowl (vs. TBA)
- AdvoCare V100 Bowl (vs. ACC)
In selected years, the SEC will also participate in the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Discover Orange Bowl.
The selection process for SEC bowl games will also be new starting in 2014. After any SEC schools are selected to the College Football Playoff, Allstate Sugar Bowl, and/or Discover Orange Bowl, the Capital One Bowl will have the first selection of remaining teams.
A pool of six bowls will then select their teams “in consultation with SEC member institutions.” The six bowls are the Outback Bowl, Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Texas Bowl, and Belk Bowl.
After the pool of six bowls have created their matchups, the Birmingham Bowl and the AdvoCare V100 bowl will have the eight and ninth picks, respectively.
“This bowl process gives us the best opportunity to address several issues that impact SEC fans, including the creation of intriguing matchups, the accommodation of travel for fans, reduced ticket obligations for our schools and a variety of assignments to help prevent repetitive postseason destinations,” said Slive.