Congrats Owls! Your second bowl since JFK was president and you get to travel three miles. I hope y'all get to play Notre Dame. Good luck from a fellow Cougar.
Since the game is going to be on the NFL Network, which most of Houston doesn't get, it should encourage people to actually go to the game. Last years game between UH and TCU drew 62K.
I'm sure the Notre Dame name will draw a big crowd... ugh. Still can't believe we're reduced to this. Thanks Charlie.
At first, I was somewhat surprised they offered the bid to Rice instead of UH but when I looked it up, UH only had marginally better attendance this season. The Texas Bowl is 4th in the hierarchy of CUSA Bowls. Rice finished 3rd and UH 4th so I wonder if that means UH will end up in the Armed Forces Bowl. FWIW, CBS and Rivals project Notre Dame in the Texas Bowl. NBC has Western Michigan. SI has Louisville. ESPN has Fresno St. or Western Michigan.
I would have preferred the Armed Forces Bowl for the bit of traveling (I know it's only to Ft. Worth, but still), but this is miles better than the GMAC bowl (on a Tuesday, in Mobile, during classes, vs. a MAC opponent). I heard Maryland is a strong possibility for Rice's opponent, which would be o.k., since they're a BCS team, but I think everyone involved wants Notre Dame. (PLEASE DON'T LET IT BE WESTERN MICHIGAN!!! ) The game being on NFL Network sucks, but I heard last year's Texas Bowl was broadcast locally for the markets who had teams playing, so I hope there's some truth to that rumor. Either way, this is a good chance for Rice to pick up some more local fans...hopefully the momentum from the UH game will carry over to the bowl, in terms of both team play and Houston-area awareness.
I have tickets, I thought it was going to be UH since they lost to Rice. Oh well, it was great fun last year.
You do know UH was in the Texas Bowl last year and the game wasn't available anywhere but the NFL Network in Houston. I think you're referring to the year Rutgers was in the Texas Bowl. The cable operator in the Rutgers market didn't carry NFL Network so the NFL made a deal so the game could be televised there.
Let me just say, I hope Rice beats that Irish ass! Keep the streak alive for us all to enjoy....the ND bowl futility streak!
I knew UH was the in Texas Bowl last year. I didn't know they weren't on TV here since I was at the game.
I will be there. Hopefully we get ND I would be ok with a BCS team like Maryland or Louisville It better not be Western/Central Michigan Go Owls!
It kind of sux, IMHO that Rice gets the Texas Bowl...I'm I alone in this? I know CUSA isn't a big name, but to get crappy Notre Dame or Western Michigan? Seriously?
Not sure if NBC's deal with Notre Dame includes bowl games but that maybe the only shot of it being televised to everyone. With that said, Rice is going to put the beatdown on ND.
I have been to the Texas Bowl the past 2 years. Had a great time both games. The K State-Rutgers game was probably the best though. Nothing beats a college atmosphere when you have a real passionate student section with chants and all that jazz. I am going to this year, Rice-ND would be a good matchup and I am sure that the crowd would be great. Not that 62k was bad last year.
The Western Michigan Broncos... it's no Notre Dame, but after the UL-L talk, I'm pretty relieved. Two 9-3 teams from 2nd-tier conferences...I guess we can't complain much about that. Should be a good game...
Yeah, I did some research on them and it should be a good game. The name doesn't have the sizzle of Notre Dame, but it should be good for fans of football, not fans of teams. I am actually going up to Detriot and will catch the Motor City Bowl. Florida-Atlantic/Central Michigan. I want to see Central Michigan's QB in person. I know he has been quietly flying under the radar for a few years, but is supposed to be really good. I want to see the hype in person.
