Cotton Bowl looking at Notre Dame [Archive] - The Orange Mane

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Bronco LB 59

11-19-2008, 05:51 PM

Irish pique interest of bowls despite team's record

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3713537

Associated Press

Updated: November 19, 2008, 4:39 PM ET

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Despite some struggles down the stretch, Notre Dame is still drawing interest from the Cotton, Gator and Sun bowls heading into its final two games.

"The great thing about the system the way it is now is you can really afford to wait until the whole season is over before making a decision," Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker said.

The Irish (6-4) are 19½-point favorites against Syracuse (2-8) on Saturday and will be heavy underdogs a week later against sixth-ranked USC (9-1). And although neither the Cotton Bowl nor the Gator Bowl has ever awarded a berth to a five-loss team, the presidents of both bowls said a loss to the Trojans wouldn't necessarily eliminate the Irish from consideration.

"I don't think we necessarily look just at the records," Baker said. "We're going to look at the matchup and the history that we have with the programs that we're considering. That's not a policy that we don't take a 7-5 team, that's just the way that it's happened."

The Cotton Bowl usually pits a Big 12 team vs. a Southeastern Conference team. But the Cotton Bowl can select Notre Dame over an SEC team once in the next two years.

Notre Dame has played in the Cotton Bowl seven times, including winning the 1977 national championship there by upsetting top-rated Texas 38-10. At the end of the 1993 season, the Irish beat Texas A&M 24-21, their last bowl victory.

Since then, they have lost an NCAA-record nine straight bowl games.

At 8-4, fresh off a win over USC, Notre Dame would be at the top of the Gator Bowls' wish list, president Rick Catlett said. At 7-5, the Gator Bowl would likely have to chose between taking either Notre Dame, Nebraska (7-4) or No. 11 Oklahoma State (9-2), which still must face No. 5 Oklahoma (9-1).

"At 7-5, they're still Notre Dame. We've never taken a five-loss team in our history, so there would be a lot of discussion," Catlett said. "But I think with a victory over Syracuse this week Notre Dame is still very high on our list."

If the Gator Bowl passes on Notre Dame, Bernie Olivas, executive director of the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, is ready to invite the Irish even if they lose their last two games.

"Notre Dame is coveted by everybody, including by us," he said. "We'd probably be excited by a 6-6 Notre Dame team. El Paso is like 80 percent Catholic, 80 percent Hispanic, and you wouldn't believe how many calls we're getting here: 'Is Notre Dame coming? Is Notre Dame coming?"

The only possible glitch there would be if the Gator Bowl takes an ACC team, the Sun Bowl must take a Big 12 team. If that happens, the Irish would have to wait and see what bowls go unfilled by conference affiliation before determining what their bowl options would be. But Catlett said if the Gator Bowl doesn't invite the Irish, it likely will invite a Big 12 team, leaving the Sun Bowl free to invite the Irish.

ohiobronco2

11-19-2008, 05:59 PM

$ talks.

24champ

11-19-2008, 06:18 PM

Bad economy means bowls are going to look at who fills the seats.

broncocalijohn

11-19-2008, 06:23 PM

Another ND team that wont win a bowl game. Have they even won in this century? If they put that crap of a team in the COtton Bowl, I hope a third place team from Big 12 or SEC (2nd place in their division) is the opponent and whips up on their A$$. I am so sick of ND and cant wait until SC puts 40 on them this season.

Wes Mantooth

11-19-2008, 06:27 PM

Notre Dame= the Opponent.

ro_50

11-19-2008, 06:28 PM

Weis is overrated.

Bronco LB 59

11-19-2008, 06:49 PM

Another ND team that wont win a bowl game. Have they even won in this century?

Notre Dame hasn't won a bowl game since January 1, 1994, when they beat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. The same year they beat Florida St. in the showdown of unbeatens but lost their grasp on the National Championship by losing their only game to Boston College.

Broncojef

11-19-2008, 07:15 PM

This is the exact reason I celebrate everytime the Irish lose. I find it hillarious the TV contracts they sign, the revenue the school produces and the cream of the crop Catholic base they get to chose from year in and year out when they suck as they currently do. I hope they lose both remaining games and the Cotton Bowl still selects them.

Majik

11-19-2008, 07:48 PM

Could ND even win the NCAA Div III tournament?

doubtful.

Drunk Monkey

11-20-2008, 08:59 AM

Crushaholic

11-20-2008, 09:12 AM

The teams they really want (Texas, Texas Tech, or Oklahoma) will be involved in other games. I guess Notre Dame would be a good option considering the circumstances.

Kaylore

11-20-2008, 09:14 AM

Notre Dame sucks. The media sucks them off and over-ranks their players, coaches and draft classes every year. "Oh look! They beat a crappy big 10 team! They're back!" Screw ND.

no-pseudo-fan

11-20-2008, 09:17 AM

I am going to call the Sun Bowl committee, as a El Pasoan I would hate to see ND come here. I want a good game. The Sun Bowl sells out every year. If they want to be big time, they need to get the best teams. Name shouldn't matter. Should the Sun Bowl bring in Army, if they ever could win 6 games just because Fort Bliss is here, hell no. I say think of the fans, and not the dollars.

Peoples Champ

11-20-2008, 09:55 AM

stuff like this is what make people hate ND, i like the Irish, but i dont want to see this kind of stuff happening, they should get what they deserve, just like anyone else.

Rulon Velvet Jones

11-20-2008, 09:58 AM

They can take ND over the SEC team (likely to be LSU)?

That's fine. I'd LOVE to see ND get rolled by either Oklahoma, Texas or Tech. Bet anything you can get your hands on.

ohiobronco2

11-20-2008, 10:01 AM

Hate all you want. They are going to be sick next year. Every skill position is a freshman or Sophomore, they are young. The above article is the biggest reason they have that long loosing streak in bowl games. They always end up in a bowl game they shouldn't be in. I along with every other ND fan knew LSU was going to kill us in 06. Why the hell couldn't we have got Boise St or Oklahoma. I am pulling for the Sun Bowl, maybe we can beat some other 6-6 team.

Were they sick this year? That might explain the on the field performance. Bottom line ND is overrated. I can't believe they fired Ty and Weis is essentially getting a free pass. They don't want to join a decent conference because they will be exposed as the frauds that they are. I wish they would join the Big 10 (11). It would give us an even number of teams and hopefully would bring a championship game. ND would be the 5th or 6th best team in that conference.

Drunk Monkey

11-20-2008, 10:27 AM

Were they sick this year? That might explain the on the field performance. Bottom line ND is overrated. I can't believe they fired Ty and Weis is essentially getting a free pass. They don't want to join a decent conference because they will be exposed as the frauds that they are. I wish they would join the Big 10 (11). It would give us an even number of teams and hopefully would bring a championship game. ND would be the 5th or 6th best team in that conference.

Can't believe they fired Ty??? Really??? He sucked at ND and now has sucked at Washington. He will be coaching PeeWee pretty soon. I will give Weis one more year before I start calling for his head, they are young.

They don't want to join a conference because they would loose millions in TV contracts and bowl appearances. They can still get almost any schedule that want, other schools are willing to play them without a conference. Unlike most schools they actually hold their student athletes to similar standards as normal students. Since ND is actually a good school some of the dumb as rock jocks don't qualify. As for them being over rated who is saying that? They aren't ranked and no one is talking them up. People want them in their bowl games because they are a big draw. They still have to sell the tickets and someone like Ball St is only going to attract so many fans.

Smiling Assassin27

11-20-2008, 10:35 AM

stuff like this is what make people hate ND, i like the Irish, but i dont want to see this kind of stuff happening, they should get what they deserve, just like anyone else.

why blame ND for it? if a bowl committee comes to you and asks you to play for a healthy check, are you gonna turn it down? when are people gonna realize that bowl games are about revenue, not quality matchups?

broncocalijohn

11-20-2008, 11:18 AM

why blame ND for it? if a bowl committee comes to you and asks you to play for a healthy check, are you gonna turn it down? when are people gonna realize that bowl games are about revenue, not quality matchups?

if it is about being embarrassed and being the cure of a hangover come January 1st, then by all means put the crappy Irish on a prime time BCS game. ND has a rich tradition and losing since 1994 isnt a proud accomplishment. Almost every eligible team that has played a bowl game since 94 has at least one win.

Smiling Assassin27

11-20-2008, 11:20 AM

if it is about being embarrassed and being the cure of a hangover come January 1st, then by all means put the crappy Irish on a prime time BCS game. ND has a rich tradition and losing since 1994 isnt a proud accomplishment. Almost every eligible team that has played a bowl game since 94 has at least one win.

there's no way to defend the sorry recent bowl record for these guys, that's for sure. i guess the question becomes, do you put ND in the Motor City Bowl where they can play (and MAYBE beat) the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs or do you put them in a higher level bowl where chances are they will lose but fill the seats?

Peoples Champ

11-20-2008, 12:08 PM

why blame ND for it? if a bowl committee comes to you and asks you to play for a healthy check, are you gonna turn it down? when are people gonna realize that bowl games are about revenue, not quality matchups?

Sorry, I meant people dont like the outside attention ND gets, ND didnt choose for this, just like the Cowboys didnt choose their nickname of America's team.

The media is what creates these hypes

DBroncos4life

11-20-2008, 06:30 PM

Bad economy means bowls are going to look at who fills the seats.

So NU should get a good Bowl this year even though we might not be that good

ohiobronco2

11-20-2008, 06:46 PM

Can't believe they fired Ty??? Really??? He sucked at ND and now has sucked at Washington. He will be coaching PeeWee pretty soon. I will give Weis one more year before I start calling for his head, they are young.

They don't want to join a conference because they would loose millions in TV contracts and bowl appearances. They can still get almost any schedule that want, other schools are willing to play them without a conference. Unlike most schools they actually hold their student athletes to similar standards as normal students. Since ND is actually a good school some of the dumb as rock jocks don't qualify. As for them being over rated who is saying that? They aren't ranked and no one is talking them up. People want them in their bowl games because they are a big draw. They still have to sell the tickets and someone like Ball St is only going to attract so many fans.

Ty Willingham was 21-15 in his 3 years at Notre Dame. After 3 years Weis was 22-15. Wow, what an improvement. I understand why they don't want to join a conference. I understand that they will lose money concerning TV contracts. But they would also lose money because nobody would tune in to see them get slaughtered week after week if they played legitimate competition. I certainly see the draw of letting ND play in a better bowl game. I understand the economics of the situation, but it just isn't right. Touchdown Jesus would want ND to do the right thing and allow the better teams participate in the better bowls.

DBroncos4life

11-20-2008, 06:50 PM

Rock Chalk

11-20-2008, 06:52 PM

I dont mind hte media giving Notre Dame love all the time like most do.

I dont like Notre Dame one bit mind you, but I respect the tradition that Notre Dame has and what Notre Dame means to football in general. I would love for them to return to their glory days just for a purely football nostalgic factor. As long as they continued to get beat by old Big 8 teams (or old Southwest conference teams) Id be OK with it.

While you guys may not like it, the HC job at Notre Dame is the most prestigious job in all of American sports period. There is something to be said about tradition even if I dont like the team.

I hate the Yankees and Red Sox equally but I admire the tradition of that rivalry and those teams a great deal. I hate UNC and Duke equally but I likewise admire that traditional rivalry a great deal as well.

If Ashley Judd wasnt a Kentucky fan Id hate Kentucky as a basketball team but I absolutely love their tradition. The point is, every sport has its tradition rich teams and Notre Dame is one of them. They will get media love and, while no one has to like the love or the team, at least respect the tradition and the value to the sport they have brought.

Rock Chalk

11-20-2008, 06:53 PM

If Okie state gets left out of a good bowl because of ND even if they lose to OU it would be about the worst thing I have seen in a long time for college football. All three losses again should they lose was to top 5 teams.

Now this I agree with.

What saddens me is that all 8 BCS teams should be from the Big 12 and SEC.

Not a single school outside of those two conferences deserve to go.

But only 2 schools from each conference are allowed.

I hate the BCS.

DBroncos4life

11-20-2008, 06:57 PM

Now this I agree with.

What saddens me is that all 8 BCS teams should be from the Big 12 and SEC.

Not a single school outside of those two conferences deserve to go.

But only 2 schools from each conference are allowed.

I hate the BCS.

The B12 beat each other up pretty bad. Mizzu is a damn good team but they couldn't hang with the South. I wouldn't be shocked though if they pulled off a shocker in the Championship game. Out side of ISU and Baylor I couldn't see ND beating anyone else in the B12.

Bronco LB 59

11-20-2008, 07:02 PM

Out side of ISU and Baylor I couldn't see ND beating anyone else in the B12.

Texas A&M is garbage. Baylor is better than the Aggies.

Rock Chalk

11-20-2008, 07:03 PM

The big 12 south is the most dominant division of college football I have seen probably ever.

I so hope the Big 12 champ gets to play florida for the NC game and beat the ****ing snot out of Tebow and his comments about the Big 12.

DBroncos4life

11-20-2008, 07:06 PM

Texas A&M is garbage. Baylor is better than the Aggies.

LOL i thought about that after I typed it. Im so used to Baylor being crap but they have a very good QB.

Dutch

11-20-2008, 07:36 PM

When I was growing up, my Dad absolutely despised ND as they scheduled patsies outside of maybe two games which seemed to be at home for them coming off of a bye week. That said, one thing I do appreciate is that they have honored a commitment they made to the service acadamies after WWII. With all of the young men off to fight in the war, ND was in danger of having to close it's doors. The US Naval Academy was having capacity issues trying to get young officers trained and out to the fleet. They made an agreement to do addition training at ND. So many naval officers came out of Notre Dame during the war that for years naval WWII vets called it "Annapolis West". After the war, Notre Dame, Army, and Navy were three of the powerhouse football programs in the country. Over the ensuing decades ND continued to be a power, while the service acadamies prowess declined. However, ND continues to honor the commitment they made over 50 years ago. They also have more NROTC scholarships than any other University in the country. I'm not a fan at all, but I do respect the institution. I will say this though, I can't stand Charlie Wuss and the look on his face when Navy beat them last year was priceless! (Ty never lost to Navy! heh heh heh)

ro_50

11-20-2008, 07:38 PM

And another thing, I hope ESPN will come to it senses and fire Lou Holtz from their staff.

Lord, I think Joe "The Plumber" could be as good as him on there.

Dutch

11-20-2008, 08:26 PM

Not about the bowl game, but pretty cool article

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=darcy/081120&sportCat=ncf

Peoples Champ

11-21-2008, 07:33 AM

Kaylore

11-21-2008, 07:37 AM

The Big 12 teams are good this year but I bet Alabama, Florida and even one other SEC team, maybe Georgia, could beat every single one of them.

bronco militia

11-21-2008, 07:38 AM

The Big 12 teams are good this year but I bet Alabama, Florida and even one other SEC team, maybe Georgia, could beat every single one of them.

now that's bs right there, MR. BYU

Kaylore

11-21-2008, 07:48 AM

now that's bs right there, MR. BYU

Yes, I clearly pimped BYU in my post.

bronco militia

11-21-2008, 07:50 AM

Yes, I clearly pimped BYU in my post.

don't change the subject ;D

....it's been a great year for the Big 12 and a down year for the SEC.

.

Kaylore

11-21-2008, 08:02 AM

don't change the subject ;D

....it's been a great year for the Big 12 and a down year for the SEC.

.

And a down year for the SEC means they only have four teams in the top 25 and two in the top five. I don't know why more people aren't talking about Florida. Their special teams is sick, probably the best in college football. Their offense has turned it up since Tebow promised they wouldn't be stopped again and they haven't. Their defense has been overshadowed by the other two, but they haven't let anyone do jack to them. Even "good" big 12 defense are letting other teams score in the twenties and thirties on them. The mighty Texas defense "held" Baylor to 21 points! Ooooo. That's impressive. ::)

'Bama, as much as I hate them, looks like a team of men among boys. They look like a pro team. Florida is just as impressive, if not more so because of how explosive they are. The team that impressed me the most from the Big 12 is Oklahoma State and their two loses were on the road to very good teams. I still think Texas Tech's defense is a fraud. The Sooners offense is so good that it almost doesn't matter what else they do. I don't like unbalanced teams, though. They always fade in the clutch.

broncocalijohn

11-22-2008, 03:32 PM

Well, the Irish just lost the lame duck coach Greg Robinson and the Syracuse team about 15 minutes ago. This team better not get a Cotton Bowl after SC will roll on them next week and even USC might miss out on a BCS bowl and settle for something like the Holiday Bowl. Can you imagine SC at the Holiday Bowl (will sell out of course) while the hapless Domers are at the Cotton Bowl? Maybe ND can switch out with SC on those bowl sites but i think the Cotton Bowl had ND winning against one of the worst teams. 20 point underdog and wins by one. Great move Weis on kicking that long field goal and giving Syracuse great field advantage.

Dutch

11-22-2008, 03:34 PM

Heh heh heh, Way to go 'Cuse! That is the way to send your head coach out in style. Bet the Cotton Bowl ain't lookin' at 'em now!

Broncojef

11-22-2008, 05:13 PM

Heh heh heh, Way to go 'Cuse! That is the way to send your head coach out in style. Bet the Cotton Bowl ain't lookin' at 'em now!

I bet they do..anyone who has watched ND this year knows they might be one of the worst college teams going right now. They plain suck but I'm really hoping they still get a huge Bowl to come bidding just for the $$$. Watching them lose by 40-50 points would make the New Year.

Crashman44b

11-22-2008, 05:33 PM

The Big 12 teams are good this year but I bet Alabama, Florida and even one other SEC team, maybe Georgia, could beat every single one of them.

:rofl: Bama and Florida might be able to win the Big 12, but no way they go undefeated. Georgia,No way.

Baylor might beat ND. No Joke. I wanted to see a ND vs NU Gator bowl, but no way that can happen now and it was a bit far fetched anyhow. NU would jackslap ND. ND falls to the "Mighty Orangemen" today and will get monkey punched next week verse USC. I hope ND goes to the toilet bowl.

Hogan11

11-22-2008, 06:19 PM

That 'Cuse victory was awsome today Ha!

Malcontent

11-22-2008, 07:36 PM

That 'Cuse victory was awsome today Ha!

2nd that one!

ohiobronco2

11-22-2008, 08:46 PM

And a down year for the SEC means they only have four teams in the top 25 and two in the top five. I don't know why more people aren't talking about Florida. Their special teams is sick, probably the best in college football. Their offense has turned it up since Tebow promised they wouldn't be stopped again and they haven't. Their defense has been overshadowed by the other two, but they haven't let anyone do jack to them. Even "good" big 12 defense are letting other teams score in the twenties and thirties on them. The mighty Texas defense "held" Baylor to 21 points! Ooooo. That's impressive. ::)

'Bama, as much as I hate them, looks like a team of men among boys. They look like a pro team. Florida is just as impressive, if not more so because of how explosive they are. The team that impressed me the most from the Big 12 is Oklahoma State and their two loses were on the road to very good teams. I still think Texas Tech's defense is a fraud. The Sooners offense is so good that it almost doesn't matter what else they do. I don't like unbalanced teams, though. They always fade in the clutch.

I will be surprised if Florida doesn't beat up on Alabama like Oklahoma did TT tonight.

ohiobronco2

11-22-2008, 08:49 PM

Too bad Washington State will not be able to participate in a bowl game this year, ND would finally have somebody at their level to play against.

DBroncos4life

11-24-2008, 05:25 PM

I think OU could crush any team as long as its not the NC game. They look like the best team out there.

SoCalBronco

11-27-2008, 12:36 PM

Yes, I clearly pimped BYU in my post.

The Big 12 teams are good this year but I bet Alabama, Florida and even one other SEC team, maybe Georgia, could beat every single one of them.

Exposed!

Khan is getting quite good at hiding his homerism from all but the most trained eye.

;D