My two cents: New bowl game must have more of a local flavor
The best chance for the first Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl to become relevant is for New Mexico and UTEP to qualify for and be paired in the Dec. 29 game at Arizona Stadium.
The Lobos haven’t played in a bowl game since 2007. UTEP has played in one bowl game since 2010. About the only way more than 15,000 people will be in the seats for that day’s 5 p.m., kickoff is for UTEP and UNM fans to drive to Tucson by the thousands.
The newest bowl game, of which Tucson attorney Ali Farhang and former Amphi and Stanford running back star Jon Volpe helped to create, still needs to establish more of a local presence.
Currently, the day-to-day operation of the game is handled by Alan Young, of the Phoenix-based Arizona Sport and Entertainment Commission. The more Tucson blood in this game, the better.
