Revisiting the recent discussion about the addition of the Alamo Bowl to the Pac-10's bowl alignment after this year, the Sun Bowl, the longest running New Year's eve bowl game, is staying with the Pac-10 thru the 2013 season. But after this year, it will be a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference will be coming to El Paso, as the ACC replaces the rotation between the Big East and Big 12 conferences as a Sun Bowl participant.

Money was at factor, as the Sun Bowl scrambled after its' place in the bowl hierarchy slipped, and retain their relationship with the Pac-10. The Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, which is guaranteeing a $3 million payout to the Pac-10, and the Insight Bowl in Phoenix have increased their payouts beyond what El Paso could afford.

The result will be a four year contract, running from 2010 thru 2013, that will send the Pacific 10 Conference's No. 4 pick to the Sun Bowl, to face the Atlantic Coast Conference's fifth pick. The deal is expected to be signed soon, possibly the early part of next week, according to Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas.

"It was a unanimous vote" to go with the ACC, said Sun Bowl football chairman John Folmer. "We were trying to maintain our position, and I think we did, considering we didn't have more to spend," Fol mer said. "We have a great variety of schools to choose from, all new faces."

The Sun Bowl will continue to guarantee $2 million to each team, and after one last game against a Big East opponent, will result in matchups similar to recent Emerald Bowls, which have matched Pac-10 and ACC teams.

The Pac-10 has been to the last 14 Sun Bowls, and replaced the ACC when they established their relationship with the Sun Bowl.