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The Atlantic Coast Conference and the Discover Orange Bowl



In 2006, The Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) announced an exclusive partnership that places South Florida and the Discover Orange Bowl as "Home of the ACC Champion" through 2010. The relationship allows the joint-brands and college football fans to mutually benefit as one of the nation's most successful and historic collegiate athletic conferences partners with a premier and historic postseason college football bowl game. The 2006 partnership marked the first time since the 1950's that the ACC has had a tie-in with such a high-profile bowl game.

The winner of the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship automatically quilifies for a bid in the Discover Orange Bowl, unless the champion ends the season ranked No. 1 or No. 2, therefore qualifying for the BCS National Championship Game. This season's winner will play in the 78th Annual Orange Bowl on Jan. 4, 2012. Last year's Orange Bowl game was the host to ACC Champions Virginia Tech (2007, 2008,2010) and At-Large bid Stanford University. The Stanford Cardinals beat the Virginia Tech Hokies 40-12, led by 2011 Heisman Trophy candidate and 2011 Orange Bowl Most Valuable Player Andrew Luck.