The Emerald Bowl announced new tie-ins with the Western Athletic Conference and Army and Navy. The Pacific-10 Conference also extended its agreement with the bowl through at least 2013.

Now in its eighth year, the Emerald Bowl will match the Pac-10’s sixth-place team with the WAC’s first, second or third-place team in 2010 and 2013. Army will play against the Pac-10 in 2011 and Navy in 2012, if they are eligible. The WAC will provide back-up teams in 2011 and 2012 in the event that Army and Navy are not eligible in those years.

The Atlantic Coast Conference agreement with the Emerald Bowl ends after the 2009 edition.

Emerald Bowl Executive Director Gary Cavalli said the agreements guarantee a high-quality matchup for fans, title sponsor and television viewers. “This combination of opponents gives us a perfect blend of local and national appeal, top-notch football and pageantry,” he said.

This year’s Emerald Bowl is December 26, 2009 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The WAC also has bowl tie-ins with the Humanitarian Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, and New Mexico Bowl for 2010. Commissioner Karl Benson said the opportunity to play a Pac-10 team was important for his conference.