Double-T Nation Daily Diatribe :: 12.01.09

Gents,
 
I get the fact that it would be ‘easier’ for the Tech fan base to travel to SA rather than go through the trouble and expense of getting out to the other San…Diego, but we’ve got to push, hope, and pray for the Holiday bowl.
I know it’s always next year….but truth be told, that really is the case for 2010. We need to maintain the national notoriety capital that we built rapidly last year so that we can build on it next. In 2010, the traditional cream of the conference will be minus a few notable stars and a little further behind in their reloading cycle. Captain Mike recognizes this fact and I’m supremely confident in the product he will put on the field. However, BCS contention takes media attention in areas of the country where our rep is typically more like Johnny Rotten than Johnny Dep. Playing against a USC or another PAC10 super star will propel us further than playing against a Minnesota (again) or some other Big10 1960’s throwback.
Come on…think like perennial BCS contenders….this ain’t the Texas Tech of your fathers. See Seth’s comments from this morning.

A win in the Alamo Bowl in front of a large group of TTU fans, or a loss in California in front of a much smaller group of fans.

No intention of a prediction above, only two extremes to highlight the question.

Everyone needs to go vote at the Alamo Bowl Link. I’m sure that poll isn’t their deciding factor, but OU vs Mich. St. is only 4% behind TTU vs Mich. St. right now. If we don’t show an overwhelming willingness to come support our team just because we’d like to hope and dream for the Holiday Bowl we could end up in El Paso at the Texas Armpit Sun Bowl.

Alamo bowl is a Saturday night, night-cap game. Last mid-level bowl on ESPN (unless you get excited about the GMAC bowl). It’s a pretty good national stage this year. Granted, it’ll likely be against an uninspiring big ten program, but everyone loves to see the big ten get beat.

Holiday bowl is a good bowl but it’s going to be losing its luster starting next season. A Wednesday night game this year, it’s in a bit less appealing a timing. Granted it’s going to be against a much better opponent, but c’est la vie.

And yes I did vote….

Has anyone come across any analysis that would show bowl scenarios should UT lose to the Huskers? I am not sure, but I can’t help but think that a Husker win would further sink Tech in the bowl ‘pecking order’? Any thoughts?

Thanks, Boar and jdee -

I guess that the effect of UT losing may be more limited than I imagined – I was assuming a UT loss would shuffle a lot more team’s bowl possibilities – like the possibility of a Penn State or Iowa coming to the Alamo Bowl, since UT would have to take an at-large BCS spot, possibly previously set for one of those Big Ten teams. I just want to see Tech play a competitive team – no matter which bowl we’re in. I live on the West Coast, so the Holiday Bowl has appeal – but, I have family outside of San Antonio, so I’ll be happy no matter what.

That is the best the Alamo Bowl can get out of the Big 10? I’d rather play Wisconsin. Our records & our rankings are closer.

I likely won’t make the trip regardless of where we play this year, but I’d much rather see us play in front of a big Tech crowd than a defacto home game for a Pac-10 school. I don’t think in this day and age there is a huge difference between the non-BCS bowls once you get past Christmas. I would venture a guess that the national TV ratings are fairly similar for the Holiday and Alamo Bowls, though I have no evidence; just a hunch.

If Tech does what they need to on the field, it won’t matter where it is. But a crowd of at least 50-60% red would be nice to see.

It is probably the destination for this year’s edition of the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. It would have been nice to have a better opportunity for a higher ranked bowl, but it is what it is. If Tech does go to the Alamo Bowl, I feel there are going to be 60% of the seats, maybe more, filled with the butts of someone wearing red and black.What we fans need to do is try to make it to the game and represent in the best of ways our favorite school and team. If Tech goes to the Holiday Bowl, there will be only about 30% to 40% of the seats filled with red and black butts. So, yea. It would be better for us fans to get the Alamo bowl bid, but as far as prestige AND RECRUITING, it would be nice to go to the Holiday Bowl out in San Diego. Higher payout. More exposure, especially to California prospects. Better finish with a win. But, I still prefer the Alamo Bowl. It is only a couple of hours away for me and my brother. Book it!