Conference USA Bowl Outlook

[CalallenStang]

Bowl Eligible:
UCF 7-2
USM 6-3
Tulsa 6-3
UTEP 6-4

Knocking on the door:
UH 5-4
SMU 5-5
ECU 5-4

Probably not happening this year:
Marshall, UAB, Memphis, Tulane, Rice

CUSA Bowls: Liberty, Hawaii, Beef O Brady, Military, Armed Forces, New Orleans
CUSA Back Up Tie In: Dallas Classic
How Dallas Classic Falls to us: Big Ten has fewer than 8 bowl eligible teams and places 2 in BCS bowls, or Big Ten has fewer than 7 bowl eligible teams, or Big 12 has fewer than 9 bowl eligible teams and places 2 in BCS bowls, or Big 12 has fewer than 8 bowl eligible teams

Projected final records:

UCF 10-2 (11-2)
USM 6-6
Tulsa 9-3 (9-4)
UTEP 6-6
SMU 6-6
UH 6-6
ECU 8-4

Will Dallas Classic Fall to CUSA: Big Ten should have 8 bowl-eligible teams at the least, provided no huge collapse by Illinois. Big 12 should have 8+ bowl eligible teams and shouldn't place 2 into BCS bowls. Answer: No.

7 teams for 6 spots.

Projected destinations:

Liberty: UCF
Hawaii: Tulsa
Beef O Brady: USM
New Orleans: UH
Military: ECU
Armed Forces: SMU

UTEP left out

[sbsmith]

Fine analysis.

[PlanoStang]

Why does UTEP get left out if they beat us? We finish with a higher conference record?

[Charleston Pony]

Beating SMU could be UTEP's "signature" win. They played a much eaker non-conference schedule than we did and we stand a good chance of finishing at least 5-3 in CUSA

[mustangbill67]

Also in Conf USA, as I understand it, the tie in bowls choose the teams. The AF bowl would probably go for SMU over UTEP since the game is in Ford.

[Nacho]

we will be bowling. don't give up now.

[Charleston Pony]

Also in Conf USA, as I understand it, the tie in bowls choose the teams. The AF bowl would probably go for SMU over UTEP since the game is in Ford.

we all hope that will be the case, although UTEP might actually bring more fans to that game than SMU and the bowl people may recognize that

[mustangbill67]

Also in Conf USA, as I understand it, the tie in bowls choose the teams. The AF bowl would probably go for SMU over UTEP since the game is in Ford.

we all hope that will be the case, although UTEP might actually bring more fans to that game than SMU and the bowl people may recognize that

The AF Bowl gave SMU season ticket holders the option to buy their SMU seats and a parking pass for the bowl. I bought mine and I know others who did the same. So there is already a built in ticket base although who knows how large it is. This would be in effect a SMU home game with the BLVD I assume.

[PonyTime]

I would take the AF Bowl - cbs sportsline has us slotted in this one against Army.

[CalallenStang]

I'm told by the UTEP folks that the New Mexico Bowl may not be able to fill its spots, and the Miners would like to play in that one.

[ponyscott]

Also in Conf USA, as I understand it, the tie in bowls choose the teams. The AF bowl would probably go for SMU over UTEP since the game is in Ford.

we all hope that will be the case, although UTEP might actually bring more fans to that game than SMU and the bowl people may recognize that

I don't agree with that....UTEP shows well at home as its the only game in town but they may not travel as well as you think.
Why wouldnt you think SMU in a 'home' bowl game would'nt draw 25-30,000 fans and leave the rest to the opposing team. It would be a sell out.

[Stallion]

Couldn't UTEP guarantee a bowl bid by winning a 7th game. 7 game winners have to be placed before .500 teams I believe. Problem is they play Arkansas next week-I forgot who they close with but I know its a road game where they are awful.

[RGV Pony]

Also in Conf USA, as I understand it, the tie in bowls choose the teams. The AF bowl would probably go for SMU over UTEP since the game is in Ford.

we all hope that will be the case, although UTEP might actually bring more fans to that game than SMU and the bowl people may recognize that

I don't agree with that....UTEP shows well at home as its the only game in town but they may not travel as well as you think.
Why wouldnt you think SMU in a 'home' bowl game would'nt draw 25-30,000 fans and leave the rest to the opposing team. It would be a sell out.

best matchup for attendance would be SMU-BYU. Two reasons I'd like to see an SMU win in Ford over BYU: Holiday bowl, and whatever year that was in the Cotton Bowl when we lost to them in overtime.

[sbsmith]

Couldn't UTEP guarantee a bowl bid by winning a 7th game. 7 game winners have to be placed before .500 teams I believe. Problem is they play Arkansas next week-I forgot who they close with but I know its a road game where they are awful.

The rule has been changed



http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/201 ... ufi-sauvao

[Stallion]

Thanks-stupid rule change.