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I don't know...
While I think some merit is attributed to the "homefield advantage", I am not sure if an Ice Bowl is the answer. We have to remember that most teams in the north don't play outside in that type of weather. The northern teams have indoor facilities for that time of year. Also teams in the north recruit players from the south....so not all the players (if any) are going to be used to playing in the bitter cold of January.
Matchups are the keys to the game anyways....not usually the weather. Some southern teams play a "smashmouth" style and the weather would favor their style of play over a team like Purdue (who is in the north but plays a spread and cannot just power run the ball).
We also have to consider if the teams will even accept a bid to the Ice Bowl. Teams look at bowls are rewards and a good vacation. Would fans from the SEC want to travel north? Possibly....but the team would probably be able to decline that bid and accept another.
This doesn't seem like a great idea to me. Although I believe the slight advantages of the Pac 10 (Rose Bowl), SEC (Sugar bowl, and Florida bowls) makes a slight difference it is not usually THE deciding factor. The best team often wins those games.
I know I wouldn't want to go to the Ice Bowl....if an alternative was the Fiesta, Rose, Sugar, Orange Bowls were alternatives. If lesser teams are put in the game (not on par with a Capital One Bowl or something to that extent) then it will not mean a whole lot, and written off as pointless.
The only bowl that really works in the North is the Motor City Bowl. Because Detroit needs the money for thei economy and they have a nice stadium which is indoor.
Just my 2 cents....take it for what it is worth.
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