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Big Ten announces bowl lineup for 2010-13

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The Big Ten today announced its bowl lineup for the 2010-13 seasons, which includes multiple games against both the SEC and the Big 12 in addition to the Rose Bowl/BCS tie-in.

The league didn't announce an agreement with the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl in Detroit, though sources have told me that one remains likely and would be announced at a later date. The Big Ten has multiple ties to the Detroit bowl, including CEO George Perles, the former Michigan State head coach, and new president Lloyd Carr, the former Michigan head coach.

The new lineup features a late December game, another on Dec. 31 and five contests on Jan. 1, including the new Dallas Football Classic to be played at the Cotton Bowl. According to the Big Ten's news release, a Big Ten team will face a Conference USA opponent in the Dallas game, though sources indicated that the bowl will also consider Big 12 opponents.

The five Jan. 1 games could give the Big Ten the largest postseason presence on New Year's Day of any conference.

“We are excited to announce our bowl lineup for the 2010-13 seasons, with seven outstanding destinations in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, which will allow us to showcase our programs in six different New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day games,” Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. “With the number of Big Ten alumni in these states, this bowl lineup is a natural fit and should provide some compelling matchups on the field."

To recap the lineup, according to selection order:

1. Rose/BCS vs. Pac-10/BCS, Jan. 1

2. Capital One vs. SEC, Jan. 1

3. Outback vs. SEC, Jan. 1

4/5. Gator vs. SEC, Jan. 1

4/5. Insight vs. Big 12, Dec. 31

6. Texas vs. Big 12, late December

7. Dallas Football Classic vs. Conference USA,* Jan. 1

*Big 12 remains a possible opponent

So seven tie-ins are finalized and an eighth remains likely. The overall lineup should help even the playing field for the Big Ten, which "plays up" in bowls more than any other conference and faces inherent disadvantages because of where the games are played.