According 2 UofMstateU on the AmericanBBs Board:
The Independence Bowl wanted Memphis,
but Memphis would be replacing an SEC team versus the ACC.
Memphis wanted to play the SEC team in the Birmingham.
As of Last Saturday, Memphis' bowl possibilities were either
Birmingham
Indi
(Remote Possible) Liberty
Nothing else was on the table because anything else
that could have been on the table weren't as good as these 3.
The Liberty was a possibility if KState lost either of their last two games.
If the Liberty didn't happen, and if the Birmingham decided to choose Memphis,
we would go to Birmingham.
If neither happened, we were going to the Indi.
So as of a week ago, we knew one of these destinations would occur for Memphis.
The Indi had been scrambling for more than a week,
because it was clear the SEC would not have enough teams eligible to fill their spot.
(And they either couldn't get or didn't want their primary backup for the SEC.)
Tigerjeb said
There was no way Memphis would accept the I bowl against Va Tech
with Fuente and 3 other assistant coaches whispering in Beemers ear.
Add in Memphis took one for the team last year by going to Miami
and the administration really wanted an easy trip plus a P5 opponent
and Birmingham was as close to a lock as these things get.
Tulsafanzz Responded:
Tulsa always travels well for bowls. We've brought 10-15,000 for our Liberty Bowls. We even brought over 10,000 for the Freedom Bowl in 1991 in Anaheim.
The Independence is a bigger bowl.
Its ACC vs SEC. The AAC is replacing the SEC team this year.
AAC "Easily' has the best bowl line up/match up
as compared 2 the other G5 Conferences
American: 4 P5 schools and 4 strong G5 opponents
Florida State vs. Houston in Peach
USF vs. Western Kentucky (C-USA Champion) in Miami Beach Bowl
UConn vs. Marshall in St. Pete Bowl
Toledo vs Temple in Boca
Pitt vs Navy in Military
Tulsa vs Va Tech in Indy Bowl
Auburn vs Memphis in Birmingham Bowl
San Diego State (MWC Champion) vs. Cincinnati in Hawaii Bowl
AAC Bowl Payouts
Peach Bowl - $18,000,000
Independence Bowl - $1,200,000 (less for backups)
Military Bowl - $1,000,000
Miami Beach Bowl - $1,000,000
Birmingham Bowl - $900,000
Hawaii Bowl - $650,000
St. Petersburg Bowl - $537,500
Boca Raton Bowl - $400,000