Tech Plays Waiting Game As Bowl Selection Process Unfolds
November 18, 2006 | Football
Nov. 18, 2006
By Trey Shipman, Texas Tech Media Relations
It's almost the time of year football fans dream of. The time when teams season records are thrown to the wayside and everyone is fighting for the same thing ¬- a coveted bowl victory.
This year's season has much intrigue as it winds down and bowl officials begin sorting through the debris, trying to figure out who's going where. For the Red Raiders (7-5) this year, any guess on where they might end up is as good as another with so much depending on other candidates remaining contests.
In the last two seasons, the Red Raiders have been rewarded for their efforts with berths to the Holiday (2004, victory over No.4 Calfornia) and Cotton Bowl (2005, loss to No. 13 Alabama). Tech isn't likely to repeat trips to either of those destinations this year, but after a victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday, have positioned themselves to still remain among the upper echelon.
In attendance at Saturday's contest were representatives from the four different locations Tech could find itself bowling this season. On hand, in selection order, was the Alamo (San Antonio), Insight (Scottsdale, AZ), Independence (Tucson, AZ) and Texas (Houston), all of which bearing reasons why the Red Raiders might be their choice.
For a shot at the Alamo, Tech fans should root for the opponents of the Missouri Tigers (8-4) and Kansas State Wildcats (7-5), who both suffered defeats on Saturday. The two stand as the biggest competition for the in-state Red Raiders to make the trek south to San Antonio.
Alamo representative and 2004 Chairman Jack Rogers said Tech certainly has appeal to his committee, however, the teams of the Big 12 North will not be overlooked.
"We're going to be looking for a team that travels well and that's going to put up a good football game," he said. "Tech has traveled well for us, Missouri still has two tough games ahead of them, but Missouri at 9-3 is pretty attractive."
However, luckily for Tech, a 9-3 Missouri team is no longer possible.
Next in line in the process would be the Insight Bowl, who was represented at SBC Jones Stadium Saturday by Director of Event Operations Patrick Cannon. Cannon pointed out the large pool of Big 12 Alumni in Arizona as one of the reasons a team like Tech would be a plus.
"We just started this match-up between the Big 12 and Big 10, and we did our research and those games in the past have been great football games," he said. "We're just excited at that potential opportunity."
As far as Tech's ability to light up a scoreboard and make itself attractive to viewers, Cannon had an opinion.
"It definitely doesn't hurt. Sometimes it's a little tough with your selection, you kind of have to see what's left and wait and see what happens, but that definitely doesn't hurt. That is in their favor."
Should the Alamo and Insight choose to go in a different direction, it appears the Independence and Texas will be there ready and waiting.
"We've not had a Big 12 South team since 2000," said Pesky Hill representing the Independence, "so the committee would probably look favorably to them if it comes our turn to pick and one of them becomes available."
The Texas bowl seems to be in favor of a team like Tech, for the simple fact that the third place team from the Big East will fill one slot. That team Rutgers, Louisville or West Virginia, could potentially enter the contest at 11-1.
"They're extremely attractive and we've certainly had our eye on Tech," said Texas Bowl representative David Brady. "The potential of a Louisville, Texas Tech game, I don't know if there are enough lights on the scoreboard to keep up with that one."