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Brigham Young University has accepted an invitation to play in the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl if the Cougars qualify for a bowl game in their first season as an independent team.

BYU has made six consecutive bowl appearances and has played in 29 bowl games overall.

“Our goal is to attract schools with a national presence to help us honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces,” bowl executive director Brant B. Ringler said in a statement. “BYU is a nationally recognized institution with an outstanding fan base.”

BYU announced last Aug. 31 that it would leave the Mountain West Conference. As an independent in football, there are no automatic tie-ins with a postseason bowl.

“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,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. “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.”

The game, in its ninth year, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 30. It will be played at SMU for the second consecutive year because of stadium renovations at TCU.

Army made its first Armed Forces Bowl appearance last year, and Air Force participated the previous three years.



Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/27 ... z1KkXFd2Su

So if BYU and any service academy are elegible, we won't be going to the Armed Forces Bowl.

Whew, good.

I am counting on a trip to Memphis in December.

Stlhockeyguy02 wrote:Whew, good.

Amen.

ponyboy wrote:So if BYU and any service academy are elegible, we won't be going to the Armed Forces Bowl.

I don't think we are really out of the woods just yet. Navy is tied to the Military Bowl in 2011 and Army is tied to the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl. Air Force is tied to the MWC bowls. So I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that if BYU and any service academy are elegible, we won't be going to the Armed Forces Bowl.

"The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl announced Wednesday that it has a tie-in with the Cougars should they become bowl-eligible in their first season as an independent. BYU would face a C-USA opponent Dec. 30 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the SMU campus in Dallas."

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/ ... n-for-2011

well at least it would be a representative, nationally respected opponent-but I miss the shores of Waikiki. Really have no interest in ever spending a December day in Memphis. I think the Liberty Bowl/June Jones will do everything within their power to make sure SMU doesn't play there just like they threatened to do last year. It is not required for the Liberty Bowl to take the CUSA Champion.

lwjr wrote:I am counting on a trip to Memphis in December.

Now you're talking!

Armed Forces Bowl 2011: SMU 46, BYU 45.

goldenstang wrote:

ponyboy wrote: elegible, elegible.

Hope your eligibility does not hinge on your spelling ability.

Stallion wrote: Really have no interest in ever spending a December day in Memphis.

Snob.