Cliff Kirkpatrick

The Pacific-10 Conference and the Emerald Bowl renewed their agreement through at least 2013, and the Bowl announced three new affiliations.

The Emerald Bowl, now in its eighth year, will match the Pac-10’s No. 6 pick against top teams from the Western Athletic Conference, Navy and Army during the next four-year bowl cycle (2010-2013).

“We’re thrilled to extend our affiliation with the Pac-10,” said Emerald Bowl Executive Director Gary Cavalli in a press release. “Having the Pac-10 as our anchor conference has helped grow the game and build the Emerald Bowl’s stature and visibility on a national scale.   With the Pac-10 in the game the last three years, we’ve drawn two sellout crowds and become one of the highest rated bowls on television.

“We’re also excited about our new partnerships with the WAC, Navy and Army. These agreements guarantee a high quality matchup for our fans, title sponsor and television viewers around the country.   This combination of opponents gives us a perfect blend of local and national appeal, top-notch football and pageantry.”

Last year’s Emerald Bowl, which matched Cal vs Miami, drew a record crowd of 42,268 and a TV rating of 4.6, the 8th highest audience among the 34 bowl games. It has been Pac-10 vs. ACC.

The Pac-10 team’s opponent, Cavalli said, will be the WAC’s first, second or third place team in the years 2010 and 2013, with Army coming to San Francisco in 2011 and Navy in 2012.

OK, really?
The Pac-10 will bring fans but the TV ratings go out the window without the ACC. The WAC won’t bring TV, but it may bring fans.

On a personal note, I like the idea of the Emerald Bowl in downtown San Francisco. I hate the view from the field.

I didn’t see much of the game live the Beavers played in 2007. The press box is made for baseball, so the media was stuck on one end of an end zone. And of course most of the game the Beavers played was on the other side of the field.

After the game, I nearly got in a brawl with police trying to get on the field to do my job of interviewing people. I had to run around half the field, sneak onto it and blend in with the crowd to hide. Then I was able to get to work.

Fun times. Here’s my view of the game.

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