Rivals.com Bowl Projection: SMU UK in Liberty Bowl

by **Junior** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:00 pm

sail420s wrote:
Junior wrote:i'm not in a position to answer that.

What position are you in...seated, standing, hanging from gravity boots?

prone

by **Mexmustang** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:41 pm

That is correct the CUSA champion is not obligated (this year) to go to Memphis.

by **Mustangsabu** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:46 pm

Pony_Law wrote:I'm pretty sure that the Liberty bowl gets the Conference USA winner unless they are called to a higher bowl (ie BCS) So even if June Preferes to go to hawaii b/c he owens property there I don't think he can decide to reinvent where we will go if we Win CUSA.

At the June Jones Foundation Dinner last week June specifically addressed this issue. He stated that the winner of C-USA no longer has to go to the Liberty Bowl and is free to do what they want. He also said that it is ESPN's and his intention that, should SMU be eligible, we will be playing our bowl game in Hawaii again. I would assume that assumed no BCS invitation

but otherwise it sounds pretty set in stone to me.

by **Pony_Law** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:47 pm

Even if not obligated we should go to Memphis is invited, 1) its traditionaly the CUSA champ spot 2) its way easier for us the fans to get to Memphis 3) it would be fun to beat a SEC team rather than a WAC team. 4) I don't care that JJ like Hawaii, i get it you lived there its really nice you spen years there you do not need to keep going back. 5) even a mediocre SEC team travels well so at the very least our allotment of tickets is likely to be sold so SMU might actualy make money on its bowl. 6) also because the Liberty bowl is a bigger bowl the kids get nicer swag even if memphis < hawaii

by **Junior** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:55 pm

Pony_Law wrote:Even if not obligated we should go to Memphis is invited, 1) its traditionaly the CUSA champ spot 2) its way easier for us the fans to get to Memphis 3) it would be fun to beat a SEC team rather than a WAC team. 4) I don't care that JJ like Hawaii, i get it you lived there its really nice you spen years there you do not need to keep going back. 5) even a mediocre SEC team travels well so at the very least our allotment of tickets is likely to be sold so SMU might actualy make money on its bowl. 6) also because the Liberty bowl is a bigger bowl the kids get nicer swag even if memphis < hawaii

i tend to agree with all this. i think the point regarding the prestige of a win is one of the strongest points to be made.

by **Mustangsabu** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:57 pm

Pony_Law wrote:Even if not obligated we should go to Memphis is invited, 1) its traditionaly the CUSA champ spot 2) its way easier for us the fans to get to Memphis 3) it would be fun to beat a SEC team rather than a WAC team. 4) I don't care that JJ like Hawaii, i get it you lived there its really nice you spen years there you do not need to keep going back. 5) even a mediocre SEC team travels well so at the very least our allotment of tickets is likely to be sold so SMU might actualy make money on its bowl. 6) also because the Liberty bowl is a bigger bowl the kids get nicer swag even if memphis < hawaii

I agree, and for all those reasons, I just think that we will not get the chance this year.

by **smusic 00** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:59 pm

Third year in a row we have had this discussion. Seems like everyone is pretty entrenched on their side.

Sounds like unless ESPN decides there is a better Hawaii bowl draw, we will be there. Start saving up. $10/day starting tomorrow and you will have your trip paid for by december.

by **sbsmith** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:08 pm

Finally going to get that SMU-Hawaii showdown, should be 45,000 + in the stands.

by **lwjr** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:10 pm

If the eonomy keeps stinking up the place, SMU and a lot of team may not have much of a choice when it comes to traveling. I have to think many teams are going to really struggle to fill their ticket allotment this year. I wonder if some would even decline an invitation, due to travel cost and the cost of unused tickets. Some Athletic departments probably can't afford the loses and the alumni support to make up the differnce may not be there.

by **PonyKai** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:20 pm

Hooray, get to pay out the rear end to shuttle the band and our plethora of mascots and support staff to the island to play a WAC team. Forgive me if I sound forgetful and entitled by not being ecstatic at another destination wedding- err bowl game.

by **Stallion** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:25 pm

Knowing how much June Jones bumbles through technical stuff-I wonder if the Rule is REALLY that the Liberty Bowl is not obligated to take the CUSA Champion-that's a different deal. So if SMU is 11-1, a national media darling and ranked the Liberty Bowl can't force SMU to go to Liberty Bowl despite the much larger payout it gives out. I doubt that's true. This could really apply to UH who really has a shot at that kind of record with an easy schedule. You telling me CUSA will not protect BOTH the Liberty Bowl and CUSA's only New Years Day Bowl against Big 10. I find that very hard to believe considering the greater payout those Bowls offer. Now an arrangement might be agreed to especially with team with small fanbase but MONEY usually talks.

by **Pony_Law** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:36 pm

I don't think Espn has much of a say on this either, I feel like they have a contract with the Libety and the Hawaii bowl, and the bowl organizers select the teams. I think the liberty bowl will want the CUSA champ and will invite them period.

Honestley we are putting the cart before the horse on this by a lot, but I personally will be very upset with SMU athletics if we declinea liberty bowl invite to go to Hawaii instead.

by **PonyPlayer4** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:38 pm

I bet you ask all the kids on the team, and they would much rather spend a week in Hawaii than Memphis.

by **soccermom** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:40 pm

i am hoping we play in the liberty bowl as conference champs.

by **mrydel** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:08 pm

When we win our 6th game I am going to get into this discussion.