If Southern Miss receives the Heart of Dallas Bowl bid and the Independence Bowl vs. Virginia Tech is not an option, then the New Mexico Bowl vs. the Mountain West is the best option for our program.
Let's not slum with the Belch in New Orleans. We have better options. Easy decision: Choose the best conference/opponent prestige possible. Play up, not down whether it's in Minden or on the moon. Let's not voluntarily take a step backward.
Playing a Belch team in a bowl game would not feel like a bowl game. After the team didn't show up against UTEP or Southern Miss, good luck getting fans to buy tickets to travel to see us play a team from the Belch. When I completed the bowl interest form at latechsports.com, I checked every bowl except New Orleans.
Beating a Belch JUCO will do nothing to advance our program. We've shown our superiority vs. the Belch over the last 2 seasons by thrashing U-La-La. No need to do it again. Let's play a team from the Mountain West or another respected conference.
I know what bowl Dooley and BVDV would say "thanks but no thanks" to. I hope Tommy will do the same.