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Holiday Bowl Committee Loses Their Minds

11
Vote

by user ASwaff

The Holiday Bowl Selection Committee sent a huge snub Texas' way today. The bowl, which is supposed to pit the number three team in the Big 12 against the number two team in the Pac 10, extended an invitation to the number four team (Texas A&M) in the Big 12. A&M wisely accepted the pick, avoiding an invitation to the Alamo Bowl where they would play the University of Iowa (which has already accepted an invitation).

Now, I'm done defending Texas. I knocked them out of the top 25 on my poll this week out of disgust for their recent performances. But, the fact still remains that they are 6-2 in conference (to A&M's 5-3). Texas played a better non-conference schedule, and Texas defeated everyone A&M lost to (Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas Tech). What's more, Texas defeated Nebraska and Tech on the road, and bested OU at a neutral site, while A&M lost all three games at home. They played EIGHT of their 12 games this season at home.

Now, I say that Texas got snubbed. That's just based on projections which have them going to the Alamo Bowl. The Cotton Bowl is supposed to take the number two team from the Big 12 (the conference championship loser). It would still be possible for Texas to get an invite to the Cotton Bowl to play Tennessee, or maybe Arkansas, if they lose the SEC Championship Game. But then the loser of the Big 12 Championship Game would get hosed just that much more, because then they would be sent to the Alamo Bowl.

What the Holiday Bowl Committee was thinking, I can only imagine. But their totally nonsensical pick, which is probably based only on the fact that Texas lost to A&M last week, is going to leave someone in the gutter. Texas hasn't played well this year, but they certainly haven't played worse than A&M throughout the season.

And I'll take the berating for being the first to whine about bowl selections. I don't care. This pick was completely ridiculous, and I fully expect Texas A&M and their dreadful secondary to get manhandled by Cal.

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The BeastAAA-er
1094 days ago
Score 2+-
I agree 100% with everything you've stated above. I don't know why they are taking A&M. I think the Longhorns would bring more people. Also, Cal-Texas would be a fantastic matchup. Cal-Texas A&M is simply okay.
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ASwaffAll-American
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
True. Texas has a broader fan base than A&M, and they've already shown that they travel really well. Texas A&M is the kind of school where they and the bowl would mutually benefit from playing a bowl in the state of Texas. Like Alamo Bowl. Like they were supposed to play in.
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The BeastAAA-er
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
Absolutely!
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BigPPupMajor Leaguer
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
How far of a strech is it for Texas to still make the Cotton Bowl. I know Nebraska is due to get that spot, but I can still see Texas beating them out for the spot.
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The BeastAAA-er
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
I could really see that too since Texas actually beat the Huskers.
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ASwaffAll-American
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
Hey, I'd love for the Longhorns to make it to the Cotton Bowl, especially with the outside chance of a classic matchup against Arkansas (and a chance to redeem themselves of a loss at that very bowl to that very team a few years ago). But, I highly doubt they'll make it, because for the loser of the Big 12 Championship game to end up in the Alamo Bowl would be a bigger snub than Texas ending up there, and then I might feel bad for that team.
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JeevesJV Squad
1094 days ago
Score 0+-
Is the Cotton Bowl contractually obligated to take the Championship game loser?
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ASwaffAll-American
1094 days ago
Score 0+-
Probably not, the same way that the Holiday Bowl is clearly not contractually obligated to take the #3 team in the Big 12.
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BigPPupMajor Leaguer
1094 days ago
Score 0+-
Yeah, they out rank the Huskers, and I know Nebraska travels well, but you mean to tell me they will out sell the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl? Not possible
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ASwaffAll-American
1094 days ago
Score 1+-
You know, the other reason I think it's strange is that UT has played in three Holiday Bowls in recent years, and two of them were among the best bowl games of the season. One was against Oregon, when Chris Simms and Roy Williams were freshmen. UT lost a close game because of three consecutive dropped passes in the end zone. It was a classic. Then there was the game against Washington when UT appeared to be toast, but Major Applewhite managed to lead the Longhorns to a comeback victory with 497 yards passing. Given their good track record of memorable Holiday Bowls, why wouldn't they want the Longhorns back?
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JeevesJV Squad
1094 days ago
Score 0+-
Actually I think you've hit the nail on the head right there. That's probably the most logical reason right there. For whatever reason bowl games don't like hosting the same team over and over again. That's why it's a realistic possibility that Louisville could drop all the way to the Sun Bowl this year.
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ASwaffAll-American
1094 days ago
Score 0+-
I don't know that I'd call it repeatedly, though. It was at one point, but they haven't been there for a couple of years. Last time they were there was the 2003 Holiday Bowl, when they got humiliated by Washington State. But yes, this would be their fourth Holiday Bowl in 7 years. I still don't see where they got off hosing Texas like that, though. Texas has brought them good money, and they pick a team that didn't earn the spot just for fresh blood? That makes no sense at all.
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Mesoanarchy
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
Is it possible that UT was asked and they're holding out for a Cotton Bowl berth? BTW ASwaff, the two Holiday Bowl games you speak of w/ the 'Horns in them have produced some of the most exciting NCAA football I've seen in a long time - and some of the most memorable performances. I was in Austin at a place called Lovejoy's watching the game when Major went slam off - 6th Street was insane afterward!...
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ASwaffAll-American
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
I wouldn't rule it out, but it would be outrageously stupid to hold out for a bowl that they're not qualified to be in.
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Jgov05All-American
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
Does anyone know why the Holiday Bowl isn't on New Year's Day? It seems like it always draws a pretty decent matchup.
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GoldengopherSoccer Kid
873 days ago
Score 0+-
IMHO, Because ABC/ESPN have almost all of the good time slots for bowl games. If they want to go against another bowl game, it's a risk. Better idea would be New Year's Eve night followed by big Fireworks display which could eat into ABC's Ryan Seacrest/Dick Clark Times Square program. Then...but what do I know? :)
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Mesoanarchy
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
It does seem stupid, on the surface, but Texas has too much pull and travels too well to be dissed without a really good reason. Hmmmm, let's look at it from another angle. Is it possible that Texas wants to provide its faithful backers - boosters, loyal fans, etc. - an experience other than that of San Diego?
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ASwaffAll-American
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
Replace the experience of San Diego with the experience of San Antonio? That wouldn't be very smart on their part. Especially when you consider, again, that it's less money.
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ASwaffAll-American
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
I'm all for looking at this from other angles, but I don't think you can tackle from the angle of Texas turning down an invitation. First of all, I never heard anything about the Holiday Bowl extending an invitation that was turned down. Secondly, it makes no sense for Texas to do it. It's an unnecessary risk.
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TartanVarsity Captain
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
I think it is because the bowl committee expects WVU to defeat Rutgers, making Texas the prime candidate for a Gator Bowl matcup with Clemson/Wake/GTech. The Gator bowl can either choose a Big 12 or Big East rep, and right now, even with the losses, Texas is by far the biggest name on their short list.
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
1093 days ago
Score -1+-
Who cares about Texas? I mean they are not that good this year anyway. I understand your frustration but, does it really matter? Texas is a poor team in a poor conference this year. Last year they were awesome, this year not. I'm sure they will be great again next year or the year after.
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TartanVarsity Captain
1093 days ago
Score 0+-
Texas fans care about Texas College football fans care about Texas
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
1092 days ago
Score -2+-
Let's face it Texas fans care about Texas. College football fans could care less!!! They like their own team and want to see the deserving teams in bowls. They are not concerned with these second rate bowls unless their team is in it. College football fans are watching the BCS bowls and their own schools of course. They are not concerned about Texas and their many failures this season. As i have stated many many times, Texas was awesome last year, they are not good this year and should probably not even be in the top 25 anymore. Again, why should anyone care about Texas this year (EXCEPT TEXAS FANS)???? What says you?
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ASwaffAll-American
1090 days ago
Score 0+-
Hey, AF, stop being a prick. UT has a huge fan base. What you should be asking is - who cares about your opinion? Go and root for your sorry Big East.
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
1092 days ago
Score -2+-
and to top it off, they are playing in an extremely weak big 12.
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ASwaffAll-American
1090 days ago
Score 1+-
lol...the Big 12 is extremely weak? Let's hear more about how deep and spectacular the Big East is, by all means. Shut up.
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ASwaffAll-American
1090 days ago
Score 0+-
UT made it official today. They accepted an invitation to the Alamo Bowl. So, a 9-3 team that had the second-best record in the Big 12 and defeated both of the teams that played in the Conference Championship will be playing 6-6 Iowa, which finished NINTH in Big 10.
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Anonymous Fanatic #2
1090 days ago
Score -2+-
and that's exactly what they deserve. texas is terrible this year, just plain terrible. and they are playing in the weak 12 don't forget. haha. that is some weak conference. can't wait to see the big east win all of their bowls. next year we will get some more respect coming into this bias ranking system.
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Anonymous Fanatic #3
1090 days ago
Score 0+-
yeah, texas sure does stink this year. why are wasting time talking about them? there are so many more interesting stories out there.
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This page was last modified 18:56, 12 December 2006. Content is available under the GFDL.

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