COLLEGE FOOTBALL / BOWL GAMES REPORT : ORANGE : Alliance Might Be Further Jeopardized

Faced with the growing aggressiveness of the nearby Blockbuster Bowl and worried about the possibility of a failed postseason consortium, officials of the Orange Bowl are focusing their attention--and money--on the Big East Conference.

If the Big East, which features the University of Miami as its marquee football member, chooses to accept a $4.3-million offer to sign an agreement with the Blockbuster, which is played about 25 miles away at Joe Robbie Stadium, Orange Bowl officials have indicated that they would make an offer of their own.

“I’ll tell you that the Orange Bowl just isn’t going to sit around and let these things happen,” said Harper Davidson, Orange Bowl president.

Presumably, that would mean a run at the Big East and not the other Blockbuster invitee, the Atlantic Coast Conference. It would also mean the probable end of the bowl alliance, which was formed to create better postseason matchups and increase the likelihood of a national championship scenario.

But nearly a year after the alliance idea was conceived--ironically, by Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese and ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan--the members have been unable to devise a selection system that satisfies the conferences and the bowls. As they squabbled, the Blockbuster, bankrolled by Blockbuster Entertainment chairman H. Wayne Huizenga, made his surprising bid.

Tranghese and Corrigan have said that their first priority is keeping the alliance alive, but financial considerations could force a deal.

Miami Coach Dennis Erickson said he has no intention of leaving the school for the NFL, even if the Seattle Seahawk job is offered to him. Still, Seahawk General Manager Tom Flores said he plans to contact Erickson after the Orange Bowl game.

According to the Miami Herald, Erickson’s contract includes a clause that would require him to pay an unknown, but reportedly, substantial, sum if he leaves for the NFL before the end of the 1993 season. Another clause prevents him from taking another Division I job until after the 1995 season.