Back in June, this is the Bowl you said you wanted......

[boxerdog]

Hey '65....sometimes you mistake a post directed at OTHER people for posts directed at you. My post that you referenced above was directed at boxerdog, who's previous post (post #3 in this thread) automatically assumed Marshall would beat LA Tech and get the HOD slot. In bd's defense, I don't think he realized it until it was too late.

I wasn't focused.

[Cal&Ken]

The champion picks where they want to go

That'll be TECH then.

[dawg80]

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec 26th) ~ Illinois Fighting Illini vs Marshall Thundering Herd

Why do all the predictors have MU in the HoD? Even if MU wins Saturday, would they choose to go to Dallas? Is the HoD considered to be THE bowl for CUSA...like the Liberty Bowl used to be?

[PawDawg]

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec 26th) ~ Illinois Fighting Illini vs Marshall Thundering Herd

Why do all the predictors have MU in the HoD? Even if MU wins Saturday, would they choose to go to Dallas? Is the HoD considered to be THE bowl for CUSA...like the Liberty Bowl used to be?

Many are saying that Marshall would rather play a Big10 team that a MAC team in Boca.

Yes, Big10 tie makes it the most attractive bowl for us.

[dawg1984]

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec 26th) ~ Illinois Fighting Illini vs Marshall Thundering Herd

Why do all the predictors have MU in the HoD? Even if MU wins Saturday, would they choose to go to Dallas? Is the HoD considered to be THE bowl for CUSA...like the Liberty Bowl used to be?

RhinoD is a Marshall fan. He has posted a few times on this thread (his initial post is below.) He maintains Marshall is not interested in playing a MAC team and the program would rather play a P5 opponent. Those are the same reasons we want to play in the HoD Bowl.

1 - Opponent is a P5 team.
2 - Not playing a team from a conference you are trying to distance yourself from.

Hi everyone... Marshall fan here... I hope all of you that are coming to the game have a safe trip and enjoy the game.

As for the Bowl scenarios, Marshall is not so much interested in the destination as we are the opponent. No one wants to see us play another MAC team in the Bahamas or Boca Raton. I think if given the choice, MU would select Dallas, in order to play a Big10 opponent and thus get a chance to play a P5 team. Second choice would probably be to work out a deal with the ACC to gain the spot in the Independence Bowl against a 6-6 SEC team.

As always it is a fluid situation... Leagues trade bowl tie-ins all the time if regional games or matchups make more sense. It happened to MU when I was in school there, Marshall at 6-6 ended up playing a MAC team in Detroit at the Little Ceasars Bowl even though CUSA did not have a tie-in there because the matchup made the most sense for traveling fans and thus made the best financial sense.

[Tech77]

And, of course, we add a third reason -- because Dallas would be a great, driveable destination for our fans.

[olddog75]

And, of course, we add a third reason -- because Dallas would be a great, driveable destination for our fans.

Everything about the HOD Bowl is good except the game being played on December 26th at noon. An incredibly bad time slot for fans of both schools involved. There will be limited pregame activities for the two-three days prior to the game. Most folks have Christmas plans that will trump attending.

[champion110]

And, of course, we add a third reason -- because Dallas would be a great, driveable destination for our fans.

Not only drivable, but all the alumni we have in Dallas and the recruiting ground in Texas. We have every reason to want this bowl, in addition to the P5 opponent.

[Cal&Ken]

Not only drivable, but all the alumni we have in Dallas and the recruiting ground in Texas. We have every reason to want this bowl, in addition to the P5 opponent.

They also have every reason to want TECH rather than Marshall. I believe we will beat them so it will not matter, but, if we don't, I believe there will be some negotiating going on to try to keep them closer to their region if possible.

[tenacious_dog]

They also have every reason to want TECH rather than Marshall. I believe we will beat them so it will not matter, but, if we don't, I believe there will be some negotiating going on to try to keep them closer to their region if possible.

That's where I'm glad we have Britton Banowsky as Conference Commissioner and not Mr. Peanut.

[KSDAWG]

I keep hearing louder and louder that we are Dallas Bound. I hope like heck its true! Would love to play in what I consider "THE CUSA BOWL"

[champion110]

They also have every reason to want TECH rather than Marshall. I believe we will beat them so it will not matter, but, if we don't, I believe there will be some negotiating going on to try to keep them closer to their region if possible.

Exactly!

[Tech77]

Everything about the HOD Bowl is good except the game being played on December 26th at noon. An incredibly bad time slot for fans of both schools involved. There will be limited pregame activities for the two-three days prior to the game. Most folks have Christmas plans that will trump attending.

If we get a chance to play a Big 10 team in a bowl, that will be a VERY special Christmas.

[johnnylightnin]

One reason Boca MIGHT be more attractive to Marshall is the fact that a great number of their players (50%) are from Florida.

Playing there lets their players bowl at "home".

Will that be a factor? Who knows, but it's worth considering.

[RhinoD]

Interesting rumor...

There is some scuttlebutt that CUSA is working to strike a deal to get Marshall into a higher profile bowl game if the Herd wins on Saturday. Basically the league would not want a 12-1, possibly ranked, conference champ paying a 6-6 team in front of a sparse crowd in Dallas.

One scenario that could work out is a deal with the SEC. Trade bowls and send Marshall to the Belk Bowl to play Duke or NC State and send Florida to play in Boca. Marshall would sell more tickets in Charlotte than any place else especially against an NC school, basically guaranteeing a sellout on New Years Eve, and Florida would definitely sell out the Boca Bowl. That would then leave the Dallas game for Tech, which is also good because you all are pretty close to Dallas comparatively.

If Tech wins on Saturday, you all would obviously choose Dallas and MU would probably get pushed to Boca to play Northern Illinois or Western Michigan.