Such is the peril of independence in conference-driven college football
Navy's football program has a strong bowl resume. They've made five straight postseason appearances. They have a national fan base. Their fans travel well and buy bowl tickets. They get good TV ratings. And they still can't find a bowl home.
Athletic director Chet Gladchuk has been successful in negotiating the Midshipmen into five consecutive bowls, but at this moment there is nothing in place for 2008.
Navy has an ongoing relationship with the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, having appeared in that game in 2005 and 2007. However, the Mids are not scheduled to return to the Poinsettia Bowl until 2010, leaving Gladchuk looking for a landing spot in 2008 and 2009.
Navy's at the mercy of several big conferences. If someone doesn't fill a contracted bowl slot, that creates an opening for any remaining bowl eligible teams such as Navy.
We'd tease them a little here, but I'm guessing the program sees the big picture and isn't really complaining. They're the Naval Academy after all, and there's no crying in baseball military life. In all seriousness, we hope Navy finds a bowl home this year (assuming they even win six games to become bowl eligible after resurrection artist coach Paul Johnson left town for Georgia Tech this offseason).
(H/T: The Wizard of Odds)
