HOD Bowl

Heart of Dallas Bowl

La Tech Bulldogs (8-5) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6)


Date and time, ET: Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, 1 p.m. ET
Stadium: Cotton Bowl; 92,000
Address: 3750 The Midway, Dallas, TX 75315
TV Channel: ESPN
Last year's score: North Texas 36, UNLV 14
Last year's attendance: 38,380
Last year's payout: $1.2 million
This year's payout: $800,000

ESPN Conversation Board (Bulldawg Fans vs Illini Fans): http://espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?id=400610222

Purchase Tickets From Tech: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/latech/EN/buy/browse
Purchase Tickets From HOD: http://heartofdallasbowl.tix.com/Gen...entCode=688354

Official Site: http://theheartofdallasbowl.com/

Initial Source (compliments of sportdawg): https://mobile.twitter.com/McMurphyESPN

Transportation: Via DART Rail Green Line to Fair Park Station or MLK, Jr. Station

Tech Tickets: Between & Including Sections 21-25
http://heartofdallasbowl.tix.com/images/COTTONBOWL7.gif

Not exactly.

On the Marshall board they want boca not hod. I hope they are right.

Despite the locales, I will be very shocked if Marshall chooses to play a MAC school instead of a Big 10. I hope they do.

Well, they did choose to play three OOC games against the MAC.

We are more than likely still gonna play in the HOD. There was a lot of talk that if Marshall won they would shopped around or take the Boca Bowl for recruiting reasons. Other that possibly playing a P5 opponent, Dallas does not benefit Marshall at all. Even if they play a MAC team, it could be NIU in front of a home crowd. 50% of Marshalls players are from FLA.

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

We are more than likely still gonna play in the HOD. There was a lot of talk that if Marshall won they would shopped around or take the Boca Bowl for recruiting reasons. Other that possibly playing a P5 opponent, Dallas does not benefit Marshall at all. Even if they play a MAC team, it could be NIU in front of a home crowd. 50% of Marshalls players are from FLA.

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I hope you're right!

Which bowl has the bigger payout? Don't ya think that might play into the decision a little...

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

Which bowl has the bigger payout? Don't ya think that might play into the decision a little...

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Does anyone know the answer to this?!?!

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Originally Posted by Cory

Does anyone know the answer to this?!?!

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not totally, but ...

http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/b..._schedule.html

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

Which bowl has the bigger payout? Don't ya think that might play into the decision a little...

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No - all money hoes to C-USa and they divvy it up

Conference gets the money from both bowls anyway and then redistributes to member teams.

So, from a payout perspective, I don't think it really matters which conference teams go to which bowls because the money to the conference is the same either way.

I noticed on that site that it also shows the St. Petersburg bowl having a CUSA tie in. I would much rather us go to the HOD, but I'm just curious why that never seemed to be an option for us. I only ever heard people talking about New Mexico, Bahamas, Hawaii, or Boca Raton. Someone educate me please.

St pete is secondary - or they got bad info

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

St pete is secondary - or they got bad info

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right, it is AAC vs. ACC

They're also showing New Orleans Bowl as a CUSA. I believe thats secondary as well.

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

They're also showing New Orleans Bowl as a CUSA. I believe thats secondary as well.

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yes

Got it. Thanks guys. Too many bowl games to keep up with these days.

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

No - all money hoes to C-USa and they divvy it up

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Freudian slip....now we're hoing ourselves?

Hey guys... just got back from the stadium. Which bowl each team will go to has been a topic of discussion today with our boosters, admin, staff, etc. I can tell you for certain that CUSA, Espn and our leaders are trying to get MU a bowl against a good P5 team. No one, not fans, players, coaches or admins wants to play a Mac team again.

There are literally 50 options but a few I heard from people higher up the totem pole than me.

1. MU gets traded into a bigger game with better opponent. IE Belk Bowl, Music City, Independence.

2. CUSA and Espn get the Mac and another league to trade tie - ins to get a P5 team to play MU in Boca.

3. If no deals can be swung MU chooses Dallas and probably plays either Iowa or Illinois.

4. Boca against N. Illinois would be a potential last resort option if literally everything else falls through.

Of course Boise could do everyone a favor and lose tonight and open the door for an access game (peach bowl). Everything is still fluid and will be until MU makes its selection some time tomorrow afternoon.

.

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Originally Posted by Cory

RhinoD,

Will you do us a favor and talk on the Marshal board. This is a site for tech fans. I for one don't really care about what you or the remaining marshal fan base wants.

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RhinoD...thanks for giving us the Marshall viewpoint on this as it absolutely affects Louisiana Tech and where we will play our bowl game. Congratulations to Marshall for winning a very hard-fought game.

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Originally Posted by Cory

RhinoD,

Will you do us a favor and talk on the Marshal board. This is a site for tech fans. I for one don't really care about what you or the remaining marshal fan base wants.

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That was out of line.

Some of our visitors are obnoxious flamers. RhinoD has not been one of them.

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Originally Posted by Cory

RhinoD,

Will you do us a favor and talk on the Marshal board. This is a site for tech fans. I for one don't really care about what you or the remaining marshal fan base wants.

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Weird, I have been posting on here all week and everyone has been very nice and bantered like adults about what today's game meant for our two universities. You are the first angry bitter guy I have seen. Oh well man, it was a good game and I enjoyed meeting some of your fans that sucked it up and made the trip. No reason to be a jerk now that it's over. We are all in CUSA together! Good luck in the bowl season.

RhinoD...Thanks for being a classy opponent. We seriously HATE Fresneck and hope they lose and you get the access bowl invite.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

That was out of line.

Some of our visitors are obnoxious flamers. RhinoD has not been one of them.

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Thanks. I appreciate all that you guys have offered up this week in terms of analysis. It's nice to play a team that has active fans, many schools even in our own league are not so lucky.

I'm looking forward to seeing Tech on our schedule next year. By the way, your players and coaches were very classy during and after the game and for that you should be very proud.

I hope you guys get whatever bowl you want and demolish your opponent!

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Originally Posted by DJDAWG

RhinoD...Thanks for being a classy opponent. We seriously HATE Fresneck and hope they lose and you get the access bowl invite.

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Uhh, thats the opposite. Fresno needs to win to give Marshall the access slot.

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

Uhh, thats the opposite. Fresno needs to win to give Marshall the access slot.

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. :o

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

1. MU gets traded into a bigger game with better opponent. IE Belk Bowl, Music City, Independence.

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You are probably just using them as an example but you can kiss Belk and Music City goodbye. Music City is probably going to take Notre Dame vs LSU and Belk will probably take Georgia vs NC State.

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

Weird, I have been posting on here all week and everyone has been very nice and bantered like adults about what today's game meant for our two universities. You are the first angry bitter guy I have seen. Oh well man, it was a good game and I enjoyed meeting some of your fans that sucked it up and made the trip. No reason to be a jerk now that it's over. We are all in CUSA together! Good luck in the bowl season.

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Crap! Why do you have to be so nice about it? Okay I retract my statement.

Yeah, I was just bitter about the game because I know it would have been different if Marshal didn't host and we had all our players. Sorry for being a jerk, jackass, etc.

Nice!!! Green for you!

Tech should have won today. No offense to the Marshall fan, I would rather lose by 30+ than lose how we did today.

We gave the game to Marshall. Oh well.

I hope Marshall gets the access bowl. Its best for CUSA and for us.

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Originally Posted by DFWDawg

I hope Marshall gets the access bowl. Its best for CUSA and for us.

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I hope they get the access bowl spot now that they beat us this afternoon.

My best bet is that Louisiana Tech goes to the Heart of Dallas Bowl no matter what happens with Boise State tonight. If Marshall doesn't get the access bowl bid, Marshall will likely go to the Boca Raton Bowl (recruiting advantages in Florida, about 30 players on roster from Florida) which leaves HoD Bowl open for Louisiana Tech.

I've always been a Boise State fan, I hate Fresno anyway. And Marshall doesn't deserve the access bowl slot regardless of winning the conference today. I have respect for them, but they are still our enemy.

Plus, they ARE going to be the first non-P5 program to win a national championship, period.

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

I've always been a Boise State fan, I hate Fresno anyway. And Marshall doesn't deserve the access bowl slot regardless of winning the conference today. I have respect for them, but they are still our enemy.

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You do realize it helps TECH if they get the nob- right? I'll pull for our conference team any day. We can use all the money and press we can get.

Go Fresno! But they are down 21 zip in 2nd quarter

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Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

You do realize it helps TECH if they get the nob- right? I'll pull for our conference team any day. We can use all the money and press we can get.

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I realize this, I still don't believe that Marshall deserves an access slot after their piss poor scheduling. If we scheduled all our OOC games a belch teams we would be in the same position as them.

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Originally Posted by RunwayDawg55

I realize this, I still don't believe that Marshall deserves an access slot after their piss poor scheduling. If we scheduled all our OOC games a belch teams we would be in the same position as them.

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Are you serious? We scheduled NSU and didn't beat them.

I can see The Armed Forced Bowl in Ft Worth January 2 against Houston. Army only won 4 games

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Originally Posted by oldbird

I can see The Armed Forced Bowl in Ft Worth January 2 against Houston. Army only won 4 games

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there are several P 5 teams that will take the open spots

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Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

Are you serious? We scheduled NSU and didn't beat them.

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I should have been more specific... ASSUMING we won all our OOC games like Marshall did.

It seems to me that the ACC team might want to trade with CUSA--Shreveport for Boca Raton. Is that not in the mix?

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Originally Posted by Cory

Crap! Why do you have to be so nice about it? Okay I retract my statement.

Yeah, I was just bitter about the game because I know it would have been different if Marshal didn't host and we had all our players. Sorry for being a jerk, jackass, etc.

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No worries, we have all been there.

You guys have a great board and very active fanbase. Nice to see in CUSA once in a while!

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

It seems to me that the ACC team might want to trade with CUSA--Shreveport for Boca Raton. Is that not in the mix?

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It definitely is... If CUSA could gain access to the Independence it would be the best case for MU and Tech. One team goes to Dallas to play either Illinois or Iowa and the other goes to Shreveport. I think a more likely trade though is with the SEC. Send Florida to Boca and then have either MU or Tech against an ACC opponent.

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

It definitely is... If CUSA could gain access to the Independence it would be the best case for MU and Tech. One team goes to Dallas to play either Illinois or Iowa and the other goes to Shreveport. I think a more likely trade though is with the SEC. Send Florida to Boca and then have either MU or Tech against an ACC opponent.

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The Indy Bowl will NOT give away an SEC team.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

The Indy Bowl will NOT give away an SEC team.

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You are exactly right about that.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

The Indy Bowl will NOT give away an SEC team.

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Correct. The SEC has tried to work trades involving the Indy Bowl in the past, and their pleas have fallen on deaf ears in Shreveport. Given its spot in the pecking order, this would be the perfect year for the Indy Bowl to agree to a trade involving an SEC school in exchange for a guarantee the SEC would fill the spot for multiple years in the future - a way to move up in the pecking order.

I don't see much hope in us or Marshall getting a beneficial bowl trade.

Wherever we end up I HOPE Holtz takes it seriously and works hard to get a W.

Not another "vacation" like Bick did for the Human Bowl.

Dykes had the team prepared and it showed in a great effort vs TCU.

We NEED a bowl win....period.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Wherever we end up I HOPE Holtz takes it seriously and works hard to get a W.

Not another "vacation" like Bick did for the Human Bowl.

Dykes had the team prepared and it showed in a great effort vs TCU.

We NEED a bowl win....period.

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Just the perception of a 9-5 season vs. an 8-6 one is huge. You are correct....we NEED a bowl victory.

When will we know which bowl and opponent. I know announcements should be coming out today, but with the playoffs taking the top billing and all the trading, wasn't sure when we would know something for sure.

It's all part of the show that starts at 11:30 am on espn I believe. Most of the schools, if not all, already know.

Thanks! I guess we will have to wait until the 11:30 show.....

It might sneak out before then, but I am sure the plan is to wait for the official announcement.

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Originally Posted by champion110

Thanks! I guess we will have to wait until the 11:30 show.....

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The show at 11.30 is just for the 4 playoff teams to be announced. It will take a few hours after that for the rest of the bowls to trickle down. I heard today MU players, coaches and admins are planning to meet after the selection show to go over options and decide... I would guess we will know something by midafternoon.

We play Rutgers in the HOD Bowl.

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

The show at 11.30 is just for the 4 playoff teams to be announced. It will take a few hours after that for the rest of the bowls to trickle down. I heard today MU players, coaches and admins are planning to meet after the selection show to go over options and decide... I would guess we will know something by midafternoon.

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

We play Rutgers in the HOD Bowl.

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Sure hope you're right about HOD regardless of opponent. Good trip for our players, close for fans. HOD = A OK. Just not getting hopes too high yet. Nice rejuvenation of our program after 2012 ending and 2013.

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

We play Rutgers in the HOD Bowl.

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I can live with this.

Guys, isn't it awesome to even be having this discussion after last season? Sure, yesterday hurt, but still.. It's great to be discussing bowl possibilities. I voted 5-7 as our record in the poll to start the season, so I'm stoked to even be talking about this now.

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Originally Posted by Built4Speed

I can live with this.

Guys, isn't it awesome to even be having this discussion after last season? Sure, yesterday hurt, but still.. It's great to be discussing bowl possibilities. I voted 5-7 as our record in the poll to start the season, so I'm stoked to even be talking about this now.

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Awesome indeed to be talking about this in December!!

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

The show at 11.30 is just for the 4 playoff teams to be announced. It will take a few hours after that for the rest of the bowls to trickle down. I heard today MU players, coaches and admins are planning to meet after the selection show to go over options and decide... I would guess we will know something by midafternoon.

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According to the guys on TV, bowls and semis will be announced. The show is 1.5 hours long.

The latest from Huntington...

For those who do not want to read the whole 1,000 word story. It basically boils down to this... The Bitcoin Bowl (Formerly the St. Petersburg Bowl) is trying to swing a deal to get MU and an SEC opponent (Florida) by making some deals with ESPN and the ACC. Backup plan for Marshall is Dallas against either Illinois, Rutgers or Iowa.

I had not previously heard the Bitcoin Bowl mentioned, so I will believe it when I see it, but its in the Herald Dispatch so it must be true, lol.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sport...t-in-bowl-game

There have been wheeling and dealing going all night between a lot of conferences. Hopefully something nice works out for both teams.

I don't believe the IBowl would want to trade because they should end up with a team local enough to draw fans.

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Originally Posted by JAB

I don't believe the IBowl would want to trade because they should end up with a team local enough to draw fans.

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I've read that it might be Miami and Texas A&M. That's a good draw.

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Originally Posted by T1

I've read that it might be Miami and Texas A&M. That's a good draw.

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Sounds good but Miami doesn't travel well at all.

Florida/Miami would be better

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Florida/Miami would be better

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If any bowl has seen Miami's stands this season, they wouldn't want them.

Just got a text from someone closer to the team than I am... He says Marshall will be playing Northern Illinois. Either Boca or St. Petersburg.

Looks like you guys are going to Dallas to play Illinois or Rutgers.

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

Just got a text from someone closer to the team than I am... He says Marshall will be playing Northern Illinois. Either Boca or St. Petersburg.

Looks like you guys are going to Dallas to play Illinois or Rutgers.

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Thanks! Sounds like a scoop to me!

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Originally Posted by T1

I've read that it might be Miami and Texas A&M. That's a good draw.

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We all know Texas A&M and LA Tech would be a huge draw in Shreveport!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

Just got a text from someone closer to the team than I am... He says Marshall will be playing Northern Illinois. Either Boca or St. Petersburg.

Looks like you guys are going to Dallas to play Illinois or Rutgers.

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Then this will make your fourth MAC game.

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

Just got a text from someone closer to the team than I am... He says Marshall will be playing Northern Illinois. Either Boca or St. Petersburg.

Looks like you guys are going to Dallas to play Illinois or Rutgers.

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sounds good if that's what happens, we both need to WIN !!

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

The latest from Huntington...

For those who do not want to read the whole 1,000 word story. It basically boils down to this... The Bitcoin Bowl (Formerly the St. Petersburg Bowl) is trying to swing a deal to get MU and an SEC opponent (Florida) by making some deals with ESPN and the ACC. Backup plan for Marshall is Dallas against either Illinois, Rutgers or Iowa.

I had not previously heard the Bitcoin Bowl mentioned, so I will believe it when I see it, but its in the Herald Dispatch so it must be true, lol.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sport...t-in-bowl-game

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What is scary is that HOD and Hawaii would seem to be CUSA best bowls for a trade (Big 10 opponent and destination with good TV slot). Let's hope that if a trade is in the works CUSA makes sure Tech ends up in Dallas or Ft Worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RhinoD

Just got a text from someone closer to the team than I am... He says Marshall will be playing Northern Illinois. Either Boca or St. Petersburg.

Looks like you guys are going to Dallas to play Illinois or Rutgers.

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Hearing the same from our Athletic Department. Although we've learned the hard way to be skeptical, it seems practically certain we'll be in Dallas.

I don't care where it's at, just say yes...

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I don't care where it's at, just say yes...

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And all God's people said...

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Originally Posted by maverick

And all God's people said...

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AMEN!

Amen!!

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Originally Posted by maverick

Hearing the same from our Athletic Department. Although we've learned the hard way to be skeptical, it seems practically certain we'll be in Dallas.

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I heard the same from someone with the Athletic Department last night at the men's basketball game. Nothing official at that point, but just very likely we'd be at Dallas.

Amen!!! Bought 10 tickets to HOD last week, took a gamble, hope it pays off!!!

Sounds like C-USA Champ Marshall will face MAC Champ Northern Illinois at Boca Raton Bowl according to Brett McMurphy at ESPN. It clears the way for Louisiana Tech to go to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I don't care where it's at, just say yes...

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Word!

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I don't care where it's at, just say yes...

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YES!!!!

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Originally Posted by TechAlum05

Sounds like C-USA Champ Marshall will face MAC Champ Northern Illinois at Boca Raton Bowl according to Brett McMurphy at ESPN. It clears the way for Louisiana Tech to go to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

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Whew! Any mention of who our opponent will be from the Big 10?

rumor is....Maryland, Illinois or Rutgers but you know how rumors go.

Rutgers is the word I heard.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Whew! Any mention of who our opponent will be from the Big 10?

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Didn't hear a name last night. We also talked about the possible C-USA replacement for UAB after the game.

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Originally Posted by LaTechBulldog75

rumor is....Maryland, Illinois or Rutgers but you know how rumors go.

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Matters not to me but we do have unfinished business with Maryland (34-34 tie in 1990 I-Bowl)

When are they announcing this? The Playoff Selection Show just ended and there was mention of the remaining bowl games.

I knew our fans would be p/$$#€ if this happened... and they are. For me it doesn't really matter, I can go to either game. But playing a Mac team on a Tuesday in Miami is going over like a lead balloon in Huntington.

It's a lose lose for us... win and everyone will say you should win. Lose, and have to hear about how much better the Mac is than CUSA and how we didn't play anyone all season.

At least we get a recruiting game and a home trip for a majority of our kids I suppose.

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Originally Posted by Cory

When are they announcing this? The Playoff Selection Show just ended and there was mention of the remaining bowl games.

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I think sometime later this afternoon/evening on ESPN. Look on Twitter around 3 pm for "unofficial" news.

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Originally Posted by Cory

When are they announcing this? The Playoff Selection Show just ended and there was mention of the remaining bowl games.

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That's what I'm wondering, I just watched that whole show for nothing

https://mobile.twitter.com/McMurphyESPN
Announcing new bowl every 5 minutes or so

I'm refreshing it every few minutes. I will edit/state it on the opening post as soon as Brett tweets it.

I wish it was iowa instead of Rutgers. Sokol would get a chance to lite up his old team.

Marshall goes to Boca Raton Bowl. UTEP goes to New Mexico Bowl.

Middle Tennessee State (6-6) will not go to a bowl game.

Rice will leave Central Time Zone to go to bowl game. Tech to HoD Bowl is all but confirmed.

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Originally Posted by Cory

When are they announcing this? The Playoff Selection Show just ended and there was mention of the remaining bowl games.

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I just got this tweet:


Heart of Dallas Bowl (@HODBowl)
12/7/14, 14:27
Want to know who's coming to Dallas? Us too! We'll be ready to announce our first team in just over 30 min... #ZHODB

Download the official Twitter app here

Also got this:


LaTechReport.com (@LaTechReport)
12/7/14, 13:39
Marshall to Boca means #LaTech to Dallas @HODBowl! #HBTD

Download the official Twitter app here