I was going to save this item for our War Room on Thursday, but it will definitely get lost in the news we have to convey this evening. Instead, I will make this short and sweet.
If Texas defeats Kansas on Saturday and becomes bowl eligible, do not be surprised if the Longhorns end up in the Texas Bowl on December 28.
For those not familiar with the Big 12 bowl selection process, the conference champion is automatically slotted into the Sugar Bowl, unless they qualify for the college football playoffs, at which point the Sugar Bowl will have its pick of the remaining Big 12 teams. Unless a conference team somehow pops into the playoffs, the Big 12 hierarchy to determine the selection order for its other six bowls is Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on December 29 (first pick once the Big 12 champ has been placed), followed by the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando (December 28), Texas Bowl in Houston (December 28), Liberty Bowl in Memphis (December 30), Cactus Bowl in Phoenix (Dec. 27) and Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth (Dec. 23).
I spoke to a Texas Bowl official this week and was told if Texas is available when they pick, it would be hard to pass on the Longhorns, even if this was a six-win team.
"Texas is always attractive to us," I was told. "Right now, it's too soon for us to speculate, but I will say we had a very positive experience with Texas and their fans two years ago. Sure, 7-5 would be better than 6-6, but Texas would still be a real option."
Obviously, Texas has a strong fan base, and a bowl game in Houston will make it easier to pack the stadium.
However, the temperature of Texas' fan base will weigh into the decision.
"If Charlie's job status is shaky, it weighs into the calculus because fans may not want to come," the official said. "When a team is in transition, it shakes up the enthusiasm of alumni. If Texas decided to hire another head coach, you might have an energized fan base. Either way, we do like Texas."
If Texas defeats Kansas on Saturday and becomes bowl eligible, do not be surprised if the Longhorns end up in the Texas Bowl on December 28.
For those not familiar with the Big 12 bowl selection process, the conference champion is automatically slotted into the Sugar Bowl, unless they qualify for the college football playoffs, at which point the Sugar Bowl will have its pick of the remaining Big 12 teams. Unless a conference team somehow pops into the playoffs, the Big 12 hierarchy to determine the selection order for its other six bowls is Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on December 29 (first pick once the Big 12 champ has been placed), followed by the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando (December 28), Texas Bowl in Houston (December 28), Liberty Bowl in Memphis (December 30), Cactus Bowl in Phoenix (Dec. 27) and Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth (Dec. 23).
I spoke to a Texas Bowl official this week and was told if Texas is available when they pick, it would be hard to pass on the Longhorns, even if this was a six-win team.
"Texas is always attractive to us," I was told. "Right now, it's too soon for us to speculate, but I will say we had a very positive experience with Texas and their fans two years ago. Sure, 7-5 would be better than 6-6, but Texas would still be a real option."
Obviously, Texas has a strong fan base, and a bowl game in Houston will make it easier to pack the stadium.
However, the temperature of Texas' fan base will weigh into the decision.
"If Charlie's job status is shaky, it weighs into the calculus because fans may not want to come," the official said. "When a team is in transition, it shakes up the enthusiasm of alumni. If Texas decided to hire another head coach, you might have an energized fan base. Either way, we do like Texas."
