It appears FAU may not get a chance to improve its dominance over FIU in the Shula Bowl for a while.

FIU officially announced today it will be leaving the Sun Belt Conference and joining Conference USA, starting in 2013.

“Everything has been put on hold,” FIU Athletics Director Pete Garcia said regarding the status of the annual football series with FAU, according to OwlAccess.com Garcia claimed the uncertainty of how many conference games FIU plays in the future was the reason why the Shula Bowl is in jeopardy.

FAU holds an 8-2 record in the Shula Bowl over FIU since 2002. The Owls were speculated to be interested in joining C-USA months ago, but the feeling was not mutual.

“I can tell you we have not been invited to another conference,” President Mary Jane Saunders said earlier to OwlAccess.com “I think those decisions have already been made. I think it’s finished now … we’re staying in the Sun Belt.”

Now it is FIU that will gain more national exposure, as C-USA has national TV deals with Fox and CBS College Sports.

“We’re very thankful for the Sun Belt Conference,” FIU AD Garcia said to the Miami Herald. “The Sun Belt helps us get where we are. We have a home and we’ll be respectful members for this season.”