The Papajohns.com Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham , Alabama on December 22 featured the University of Cincinnati Bearcats of the Big East Conference and the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles of Conference USA . This was the last game for 17-year coach Jeff Bower of Southern Miss who made his coaching debut at Southern Miss at Legion Field against Alabama . However , the Bearcats won the game 31-21 , earning their first 10 win season in over five decades . Both conferences were paid $ 300,000 for the contest
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2007–08 NCAA football bowl games