Bowl snub is holiday tradition
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If nobody knew the pecking order of the Big 12 bowls, it would appear Missouri and Iowa State got the postseason bids they deserved.
The Tigers — who are better than the Cyclones according to arcane measures such as records and head-to-head results — play the better opponent (Navy rather than Minnesota) and get better exposure (ESPN rather than The NFL Network) in a city they recruit (Houston vs. Tempe, Ariz.).
So getting upset about the Insight Bowl stiffing Missouri in favor of Iowa State is like getting mad when the person you want to dump dumps you first. The result is fine, but the process isn’t.
This keeps happening to Missouri and will continue to happen as long as the bowl system exists and the Big 12 allows the bowls to select based on whose fans travel in the greatest numbers instead of the quality of the teams.
In 2007, an inferior Kansas team was picked ahead of Missouri for the Orange Bowl. In 2008, a lesser Nebraska team was selected ahead of Missouri for the Gator Bowl. This year, a pair of 6-6 teams — Iowa State and Texas A&M — were tabbed ahead of 8-4 Missouri for the Insight and Independence.
In the scheme of the rigged system that is college football’s postseason, MU’s complaint is of minor importance. But it is frustrating.
For Missouri, the frustration isn’t really with the bowl system or the Insight Bowl, which is just trying to make a buck, but with the Big 12. From MU’s perspective, the conference’s divisions aren’t North and South but “Have” and “Have-not” and some of league’s rules have widened the gap.
The “Haves” include Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.
The ultimate “Have” is Texas, and in heated moments football coaches have let slip their suspicions that the Longhorns get favorable treatment. Former Kansas Coach Mark Mangino ranted that a controversial call went Texas’ way in 2004 because of “dollar signs.” When officials put a second back on the clock so the Longhorns could kick the game-winning field goal against Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game Saturday, Cornhuskers Coach Bo Pelini was quoted as saying, “BCS, that’s why they make that call,” although the Big 12 would have made more money if Nebraska had won the game and two league teams made the BCS. MU’s Gary Pinkel implied a few times this year that Texas Coach Mack Brown has the hotline to God while his opinions on officiating, medical redshirts or rules changes are ignored.
All conferences have class distinctions — and jealousy — but leagues like the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten try to minimize the financial disparity by sharing football television revenue equally. The Big 12 divides half the TV revenue equally and allocates the other half based on TV appearances. The argument from Missouri and its middle-class brethren is that the conference would be better off in the long run if everyone got a little richer rather than the rich getting much richer.
While the Big Ten and SEC have agreements with their affiliated bowls that establish a pecking order based on records, the Big 12 got a more lucrative deal by allowing the bowls to choose any eligible team. So it’s a popularity contest, and Missouri is unpopular because it has a mediocre history of drawing fans — a trend that is perpetuated, in part, because MU fans are frequently mad about their team’s postseason destination.
Big 12 schools voted on these rules in the first place and can vote to change them, but that requires a super majority of nine votes. Even if they voted in a block, the “Have-nots” wouldn’t have the numbers.
So unless more Missouri fans start traveling to the lesser bowls, it’s unlikely the Tigers will land in the better bowls. It’s a little unfair, but nobody ever confused college football’s postseason with a fair system.
Reach Joe Walljasper at 573-815-1783 or e-mail jwalljasper@columbiatribune.com.
16 reader comments
The opinions expressed below are those of the readers who submitted them and not those of the Tribune's reporters or editors. Readers are solely responsible for the content of their comments.
charlesthegreat says...
As one of the recently unemployed, and therefore don't have the money to travel to Houston (and unless I get employed real soon, no season tickets next year), I am very glad that MU is in the Texas Bowl so that I can see them on espn/espn 2, which is included in my basic package. go tigers!!
December 8, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
mizzouguru says...
Mizzou says the contract the Big 12 has allows the bowls to pick their teams regardless of record. There is nothing they can do about it. They are victims like the fans, right? This is typical BS. The Big 12, unlike some other major conferences, chose to allow the bowls to pick their own teams because the Big 12 (and its schools such as MU) will get bigger payouts from the bowls because the bowls feel like they can make more money to begin with because they can select matchups that can maximize their revenues. MU and other schools complain and act like they are victims along with the fans when behind the scenes they are running to the bank with the extra dollars. The Big12 schools, in essence, are selling out the fans by taking the extra money to benefit themselves and the fans are paying for it by not getting the bowls they think their teams deserve. After the sell out, Pinkle now wants us to buy tickets they we aren't going to use "for charitable purposes" so that the Big12 can make even more money. The bowls are not to blame for this. They invest their own private money and expect to maximize their revenues like any other investor. Would you expect a restaurant owner to put items on their menu that didn't maximize their profits with their own money? This is about what it is always about - MONEY - and MU and the Big12 will play on the fans' ignorance as long as the fans will allow it.
December 8, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Slater says...
MUguru, you've pretty well summed it up. It's always about money, and as much as Alden loves money, you'd think he'd be out there lobbying along with the others, except he seems to encounter great difficulty thinking and speaking in concert.
What I see resulting from a selection process is a bowl committee being better informed and properly equipped to decide which two teams have the greatest potential for providing the best game. It's my uninformed conclusion that success of this nature is on the side of the committees, regardless of prevailing bias.
At this point, MU should be thankful they're even in a bowl game, considering their overall performance.
CharlesTheGreat, I wish you timely success replacing your job and good fortune in the coming year.
December 8, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
sfprman says...
Mizzou should immediately lobby to amend the Big12 bowl deals, both for more structure and perhaps to get a minor bowl more in Missouri's neck of the woods such as Liberty or Music City. Perhaps you are too yound to know, but MU fans filled memphis in 1978, selling their alottment and most of LSU's. Both Memphis and Nashville are popular with Midwesterners and Texans, alike. And, Memphis and nashville are much easier drives from St. Louis. Heck, you can even fly to Memphis from Columbia. The other option is for MU to get over the hurdle and make it to BCS bowl. But let's face it, four bowls from 1998-2006 were in very unappealing (non vacation) destinations: a visit to Tucson (98), two visits to Shreveport (03,05) and one to El Paso (06), with El Paso being the highlight! Finally, we got the Cotton Bowl and Tiger fans snapped up tickets. If MU would ever get the Fiesta Bowl (or any BCS bowl) I believe 40000 would go. But, if we are 8-4 again next year, it would have been nice to have the option of Nashville, Memphis or florida if all the minor bowls with Big12 contracts pass on us becuase we were there within the last decade. We'll see if any lobbying can get it done that speaks more to Big 12 North, esp.Missouri, concerns and interests. In the meantime, we better beat navy.
December 8, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Pete_ToolTX says...
Frankly, I don't have much of a problem with the "system". And I'm no MA sycophant.
To me the bottom line is that it is perceived that we "don't travel" as well as some of our conference brethren. And I have no doubt we're way behind the t-sippers, nubs, tamu & oakies, but that's not who's beating us out, for the most part, its the ku's & isu's That tells a Story! Until we fan's start sticking our fat b^tts in the stands - home & away - we won't get the respect we think we deserve.
On this front, we can't blame the OC for not going under center, the HC for not firing all his assistants over and over and over again, the AD for not hiring better, not recruiting more 3,4 & 5 stars...
... and on and on and on...
It's just us!
On this front, if we want the respect, lets start filling the stadium. We've done fairly well the last couple of years, but we can do Much Better and we have a 20+ years of pathetic show to overcome.
In Other Words...
Start showing up, and quit crying.
Go Tigers!
Beat Navy!
December 8, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
robkim41 says...
Pete, you speak truth my friend. Makes one wonder what young bitter men grow up to be other than sad and beaten by gravity.
December 8, 2009 at 11:44 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Slater says...
Well, boys and girls, here's a thought: Too many bowls dilute the appeal.
Certainly not an original thought by any stretch, but it seems sensible to me. The glut of bowls has cheapened the goal, as Alden has said on more than one occasion - paraphrased, "We're happy to have the opportunity to play in the Independence Bowl, blah, blah..."
I'm not old enough to know, nor am I schooled in the art of bowl game finances, but in today's time it doesn't take much genius to see that money talks and _ _ _ _ walks, or however that inane expression goes, and maybe that's the sad part of it all. Somehow, and for some reasons unknown to me, the idea to turn university and college athletic departments into free-standing money machines has taken hold and has become firmly entrenched, evolving to what we now see and argue/anguish over - my team deserves better!
Well, it's the mass of humanity filling the stadiums each week that help to perpetuate this "condition." If you create a bowl, they will come. Somebody will come, the coffers won't go empty, and in the process, perhaps we'll be entertained and go away looking forward to the next one. Maybe the ISU fans appreciate the opportunity to see their team in a bowl at long last. How can they be faulted for that? What was it like around mid Missouri in 1998 when MU was selected to play West Virginia in the Insight.com bowl? It seems that many of us fans may have unrealistic expectations about which bowl MU "deserves."
I made the trip to Memphis in 1978 and thoroughly enjoyed the time, not only because MU won over LSU, but the city of Memphis is a pretty cool place. Houston, not so cool, but a good place for our team to be playing.
I'm fine with the destination. I'm not into discussing the pros and cons of one location over another; that's for those close to the program to ponder. Let's stop whining about how unfair the process appears to be and focus on supporting our team as it prepares to meet a good Navy squad.
Happy Holidays!
December 9, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Jagtiger says...
If MU stays in the Big 12 we are stuck with the current system which will continue to favor the elite (Texas/ Oklahoma) and subject our school to the whims of a “for profit” bowl selection process.
There are better alternatives but only a strong grassroots, alumni based, campaign would motivate the administration to action.
Some outside the box options:
Trade conferences with TCU (better shot at BCS bowl than Big 12);
Move to the Big 10 (better rules and more balanced conference); or best of all,
Revive the Big 8, get an automatic BCS bid out of the current at large bids, establish contracts with three other bowls and we have a much better situation for MU.
These options may seem radical but it is all about the money and how MU packaged a proposal. If the BCS and the “for profit” bowls see any option as a better revenue stream they will support the move.
Unfortunately, the University leadership does not have the will to take on improving our situation. The only way such change will occur is if the folks who buy the tickets, make the contributions, and send their children to MU demand change. If the alumni organized and demanded that the administration improve the situation it will happen. I would go so far as to suggest that one season of organized “boycotting” of donations, contributions, and buying season tickets would force the administration to act.
Yes, again, I know this is radical but short of taking meaningful action, we need to accept whatever second tier bowl we get and smile.
December 9, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
rcruter says...
great pts joe, will never get a fair shake in b12, time to start negotiating to move to big 10. despite having two metro areas, only ones outside of tx tigers get shafted constantly in this conference.
but can you imagine how the actual nosight bowl will turn out? no one will watch and it will be extremely boring with mediocre 6-6 teams, the worst team from two different conferences playing? when they could have had the exciting mu team, since there D coaches are challenged to come up with a competitive scheme, they always allow a bad team like MN to play well against them and usually win or not because of their Offense, so it would be a highscoring game and entertaining to watch, unless you are a frustrated MU fan.
December 9, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
OnyxMiz says...
Ok folks...why another story about the snub. This would be the third or fourth one. We get it...Mizzou's fans aren't respected by the bowls. Unfortunately that is our fault for not traveling well to previous bowl games except the Cotton Bowl.
Now for more important news for the program: Four big time recruits will be in Columbia this weekend. Three of them are 4 star recruits. 1) Marcus Lucas, 4 star WR from Liberty MO; 2) Curtis Carter, 4 star WR from LA; 3) Tyler Gabbert, 4 Star QB; and Bud Sasser, 3 star WR from Tx. These kids are big time recruits. Curtis Carter just de-committed from Nebraska on Monday and has Mizzou and TCU as his final two. Bud Sasser also has Mizzou as his top two. Marcus Lucas has us in his top three with MU, Stanford, and Arkansas. As as we all know Tyler Gabbert has been comitted to Nebraska since his junior year. This weekend is a huge recruiting day for our program. Carter and Sasser have both said if they like what they see and feel at home they will commit with the program. Marcus Lucas has said that he already feels at home at Mizzou and that he has always dreamed of wearing the Black and Gold (his mother played on the MU Women's Basketball team). And If we could pull Tyler Gabbert as well, this would be Pinkel's best recruiting class ever. Keep you fingers crossed. MIZ!
December 9, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
tdat1979 says...
In 2007, an inferior Kansas team was picked ahead of Missouri for the Orange Bowl. In 2008, a lesser Nebraska team was selected ahead of Missouri for the Gator Bowl. This year, a pair of 6-6 teams — Iowa State and Texas A&M — were tabbed ahead of 8-4 Missouri for the Insight and Independence.
Kansas went to the Orange Bowl because they were the better team. Kansas was 12-1, while Missouri was 11-2. Just because Missouri barely beat Kansas doesn't mean anything. If that's your reasoning then Baylor should go to a bowl game since they won at Missouri this year. MU got the better bowl this year so stop whining. If MU wants to get a better bowl then win more games or play better opponents.
December 9, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
robkim41 says...
tdat1979? KU was better? I like how you don't let facts get in the way of your reasoning. WE all know that actually beating the team doesn't matter therefore we should be in the national championship because when Texas, NU, OSU and Baylor beat us it didn't really matter. Our opponent in the NC...Duke?
December 9, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
amyh289 says...
MU fans are whiners. The team isn't that good and the fans don't travel. Me, I'm cheering for Army to beat Navy this weekend so they can go to the EagleBank Bowl in DC in lieu of UCLA to play Temple. After that, go navy, beat mizzou.
December 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Sandusky says...
@tdat1979:
KU went to the Orange Bowl because Uncle Fester is a better AD than Alden. And that is exactly how it went down. As to merit, KU wasn't good enough to play for the Conference Championship, so in my mind that is a bigger mark against them than losing in the CC. As to "narrowly" winning, the comeback notwithstanding, MU punched KU in the nose and poured it on, something KU was totally incapable of dealing with due to the high school schedule they played that season. The better team won.
December 9, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
matt516 says...
tdat1979? In 2007 Mizzou was beating Kansas 14-0 at the half and led 21-0 before KU scored a point. At 9:55 of the 4th quarter it was MU 31, KU 14. With 3:31 left in the game the score was MU 34, KU 21. KU did score and get the ball back with hardly any time and Reesing got sacked in the end zone because everyone in the country knew he had to pass. Final...MU 36, KU 28. If your calling that a close game, you are delusional. Chase Daniels was 40-49 passing and Mizzou had 14 penalties for 141 yards against them too. Also, Mizzou played Oklahoma twice, plus Texas Tech, etc. KU played nobody. When KU started playing real teams in 2008, 2009, what happened? Go read your own newspaper which clearly states KU got their backsides handed to them. The 08 and 09 games were close, but KU was still inferior. Mizzou won the North in 08, and we know what happened this year.
December 9, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
swami2097 says...
Seriously now, was Mizzou really snubbed? I have been to quite a few NCAA games, and people are seriously griping about where we ended up? C'mon people. We needed to play a full football game first off. We can't just show up for the first half of almost every game and then blow the second half. Then expect the clouds to open up and the sounds of a million angels singing miz zou. i moved to Missouri about 5 years ago, and enjoy watching the Tigers play, but see no consistency in how they play. Missouri still has yet to prove to me that they are able to compete at the highest level for any extended period of time. In maintaining a higher level of play, being consistent, and quit whining, the sky is the limit for the team.
December 9, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
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