More detailed Heart of Dallas Bowl Placement Analysis

[Harry]

Heart of Dallas Bowl

Gametime: Wednesday January 1st, 9:00 AM PST

Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX

Coverage: ESPN

Payout: $1,100,000

Website: theheartofdallas.com

Twitter: @HODBowl

This bowl has to be high on Bill Moos' want list, and WSU has to be high the bowl's want list, too. In order for it to become available, the Big Ten needs to have one team selected for a BCS at-large bowl. Previously, we were rooting for Wisconsin, which finished its season this weekend losing to Penn State (on sanctions, not eligible). Now, we're all fans of Sparty, and to some degree Ohio State (gross).

A few different scenarios could play out here.

Michigan State beats Ohio State in the Championship and goes to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State would then be eligible for an at-large selection, and has a real good shot at getting one.

Ohio State beats Michigan State and plays in the BCS National Championship. If Ohio State can hold on to a No. 2 ranking, it will earn the privilege of facing Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles in the BCS Championship; that would also send Sparty to the Rose Bowl and open up the Heart of Dallas for us Cougs.

Ohio State beats Michigan State and is not ranked No. 2. If the Buckeyes aren't ranked No. 2, and there's a chance of that despite a perfect record since the computers don't really like their schedule and there's a perceived weakness of the B1G this year, Ohio State goes to the Rose Bowl and Cougs are left hoping Michigan State has enough to grab an at-large.

With a few different scenarios that make it possible, it's very likely this bowl opens up. If you're into social media activism, tweet at these people, they're awesome and that sort of stuff truly does not go unnoticed by committees.

Read more: http://www.cougcenter.com/2013/12/2/5163688/college-football-bowl-projections-WSU-new-mexico-heart-of-dallas

[aztecskin]

That guy thinks CUSA doesn't have a conference title game?

[ColoradoEagle]

I can't imagine a lesser attractive opponent than Washington State short of a Sun Belt school.

[Cerebus]

I can't imagine a lesser attractive opponent than Washington State short of a Sun Belt school.

Just imagine Syracuse. At least Washington State would have the media talking about the Leach back in Texas angle.

[jdennis82]

Outside of avoiding a Sunbelt opponent, others' attractiveness is primarily based on how they match-up against us.

We saw the speed of UTSA (compared to other CUSA opponents) create trouble, so give me a slow, plodding Big Ten school.