If it does happen, it would not shock me if it were in Frisco again.
Too many things working against other locations - NFL games, rough travel logistics like airports and hotels, universities unwilling to do 2 games in quick succession and/or not able to suddenly host a college bowl game on short notice, location where winter turf conditions will be good, etc.
But I suspect they may conclude it’s not worth the hassle for what would probably be a low turnout game. At least the 2021 Frisco game involved UNT, which is basically 10-15 miles from the field so there’s a built-in local fanbase. You could maybe jam a UTSA or a Rice into this one if it happens hoping a Texas school helps with turnout, but neither school has a huge fanbase and they probably won’t travel all that great to any bowl, especially a last minute +1 bowl, even one in state (albeit still a 4-5 hour drive).
After all the drama, James Madison became bowl-eligible after all, because there aren’t enough bowl-eligible teams.
Old Dominion, my local team, earned its sixth win, and bowl-eligibility for the second year in the past three, with a literally last-second touchdown run by their quarterback.
A few tidbits while we’re waiting for the CFP bowl announcements on Sunday (expect the playoffs to be announced around 12:25 Eastern, and the other bowls around 3:30):
First, the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl has found a TV home…on CW.
Second, the NCAA is Division I Council will vote in January on some proposals involving football recruits visiting schools:
The number of official visits per school will be increased from 56 to 70
The current rule allowing up to six unused visits per year to be carried over will be removed
The current rule allowing a new head coach 14 additional visits if the previous coach had already used at least 42 will also be removed
A recruit on an unofficial visit (one paid for by the recruit, instead of the school) cannot be photographed/videoed by the school
This game will feature a clash between a team from the Mountain West Conference and a team from the Mid-American Conference. Last year, Ohio won a 30-27 overtime thriller over Wyoming. I’m certain excitement is building in Tucson.
Oregon State and Washington State, the two schools left in the lurch after conference realignment, have finalized a one-year scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference.
Watching the Pac-2 Championship right now. I kinda like Oregon more, but think Washington needs to win to represent in the Playoffs as undefeated, as I worry a One-Loss Pac team will get beat out by any random SEC team pulled out of a hat.
Since just squeaking by Oregon 7 weeks ago, Washington has been hanging on to their unbeaten status by the skin of their teeth, including a last-second FG to beat WSU in the Apple Cup.
At the same time, Oregon has been crushing everything in their path.
I’m cynical, so I think the fix is in. Alabama will squeak by Georgia today, so that the SEC-biased committee and SEC-biased media will get two of their beloved teams in the CFP even if at least one is undeserving.
Here’s the current line from DraftKings. It’s obviously moving with the betting trends.
Iowa o/u total points first half: Over 2.5 -135, Under 2.5 +105
Iowa o/u total points second half: Over 0.5 -125, Under 0.5 -105
The varying over/under total points for Iowa (with differing odds) are
Over 7.5 +145 Under 7.5 -190
Over 8.5 +160 Under 8.5 -210
Over 9.5 +190 Under 9.5 -250
Over 10.5 +280 Under 10.5 -395
Over 11.5 +300 Under 11.5 -425
Over 12.5 +325 Under 12.5 -475
How the odds are calculated is beyond my scope of comprehension.
I think it’s impressive that Oregon crushed team after team and only lost twice. The only team they couldn’t beat was Washington.
Washington doesn’t generally steamroll but they just win somehow. Though if you watched that Pac-12 Championship, the win was better than the score suggested. They had the lead late and just bled them dry. They probably could have won by more but didn’t get cute at the end.
I think they could surprise any team in the championship that underestimates them. I’d be amused and unsurprised if they are national champions after winning two more games by single digit scores.
If Texas is left out of the playoff in favor of Georgia, the teasips are going to burn down the NCAA headquarters building and they will have every right to. They beat Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, by double digits. That should be good enough.
Both UT and Bama are rooting for Louisville tonight. If FSU goes down, the CFP can do the right thing and put both of them in the playoff with Washington and (most likely) Michigan.
