SEC, Big 12 Form New Bowl Partnership For Champions Starting In 2014

A newly announced partnership starting in 2014 will pit the winners of the SEC and Big 12 against each other if left out of the BCS. It's a move that brings together two conferences previously warring and establishes the two as perhaps the biggest power structures in the college football landscape.

"A new January bowl tradition is born," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "This new game will provide a great match-up between the two most successful conferences in the BCS era and will complement the exciting post-season atmosphere created by the new four-team model. Most importantly, it will provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with an outstanding bowl experience."

From the official announcement, "The champions of the two conferences will be in the matchup unless one or both are selected to play in the new four-team model to determine the national championship. Should that occur, another deserving team from the conference(s) would be selected for the game."

More details will be forthcoming about the set-up.