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The Mid-American Conference has secured their stake in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the next six seasons. ESPN's Brett McMurphy reported earlier Wednesday that the MAC and the Mountain West Conference each reached a six-year deal with the Bowl beginning in 2014.
The MAC has been associated with the bowl since 2009, but the MWC signed a one-year deal to replace the defunct Western Athletic Conference for 2013. The new deal ensures a MAC-MWC bowl game through the 2019 season. The bowl game is played annually in late December in Boise, Idaho on Boise State's campus.
In the four years that a MAC team has been represented in the bowl game, two teams have won. Northern Illinois over Fresno State in 2010, and Ohio over Utah State in 2011. Last season Utah State defeated the Toledo Rockets 41-15.
McMurphy also reported that ESPN has acquired the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl as part of the deal. The news comes days after reports surfaced that the MAC is nearing a deal with a new ESPN owned bowl that could be placed in Montgomery, Ala..
The MAC also has a primary bowl tie-in with the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala..