Bowl of confusion for the Sooners
Published: 11/23/2010 9:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2010 9:26 AM
Oklahoma's bowl forecast is crystal clear as long as the Sooners beat Oklahoma State Saturday night, then knock off Nebraska or Missouri for the Big 12 title at Jerry World. Hello, Fiesta.
Lose either of those games, however, OU could wind up in any of four bowls: the Cotton, Alamo, Insight or Holiday.
Let's say the Sooners win Bedlam but lose to the Huskers or Tigers. I kind of figured the Cotton was a sure thing under that scenario, given that the Cotton gets first pick among non-BCS Big 12 teams.
But the Omaha World-Herald's Tom Shatel, who spoke to a couple bowl officials while in College Station for last Saturday's Nebraska-Texas A&M game, makes a strong case against that happening:
"The Cotton is weary of taking the Big 12 title game loser because it would have to drag itself back to the same stadium four weeks later… Two games in the same stadium in a month's time can be a hard sell for fans. The Cotton knows that. That's why Oklahoma State was their No. 1 choice all along last year with Texas-Nebraska in the title game."
Shatel believes a tipping point could come Thanksgiving night in Austin: "If Texas A&M beats Texas, the Cotton could jump on the 9-3 Aggies, with their six-game win streak. Hot story. Excited fans. Good ol' former Southwest Conference team for that 75th anniversary Cotton Bowl. Makes a lot of sense. I would be on this happening, if A&M wins."
IF A&M wins. Surely Texas has one decent effort in it. If the Horns care enough to become bowl eligible, they could drop the Aggies from the Cotton conversation.
Another Cotton X-factor, courtesy of Shatel: "If Arkansas is the SEC team, A&M already played Arkansas this year – in Cowboys Stadium, in fact."
So if LSU beats the Razorbacks this weekend, putting the Hogs in the Cotton crosshairs, that could help the Sooners get to Jerry World. Call it the "Rematch Effect."
But…
"If A&M goes to the Cotton, the Alamo is next up," Shatel continues. "San Antonio loves the Huskers, right? And it's reciprocal. NU is 5-0 in the Alamodome and won its Big 12 titles there. Red on the Riverwalk…
"The thing is, the Alamo has never had Oklahoma. Good fit. But the hang-up would be the opponent. It's Pac-10. It's likely either Stanford or Arizona for San Antonio, depending on BCS stuff and whether Stanford or Boise State is in the Rose Bowl.
"Either way, OU would be squeamish about playing Stanford again (they met in the Sun Bowl last year) and Bob Stoops has been adamant about not facing brother Mike (Arizona coach), though OU has told bowl people that it would do so if necessary.
"Judging from early talks with bowl folks, if OU loses to Oklahoma State, I think the Alamo would take the Sooners over the Huskers. The Stoops-Stoops matchup is too attractive as a big TV draw and sure sellout."
Again, this becomes a much easier problem to solve if OU wins out. Otherwise, Prof. Shatel has office hours if you'd like to make an appointment.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
