[chrisk]

Another factor to consider - timing.

Las Vegas Bowl is December 15. Only 2 weeks after the final game of the season. At the end of Finals Week.

Redbox Bowl and Sun Bowl are December 31. The team would have to practice through Xmas, but at least the players would get some time to rest and heal and recharge their batteries before playing one more game.

I don't know why all the pessimism with WSU. They are #13, and likely to move up into the Top 12 in the final rankings after UCF loses to Memphis and/or Texas loses to Oklahoma.

Stanford is a pretty compelling team to have in your bowl game, much more so than Utah.  I wouldn't be so sure Oregon fans are going to travel to the Holiday Bowl like Stanford fans who have never been there would.

On one hand, most Stanford fans would readily to travel to San Diego. 

OTOH the Holiday Bowl decided to have the game on NYE. One day earlier would have made a big difference IMHO.

The schedule is different this year because Christmas is on a Tuesday and the semi-final games are on the 29th. That pushes several bowl games to the 31st that would not otherwise be there. People complained when the semi-finals were on the 31st; now they have switched to the 29th, people whose teams are shifted to the 31st complain.

[chrisk]

Another factor to consider - timing.

Las Vegas Bowl is December 15. Only 2 weeks after the final game of the season. At the end of Finals Week.

Redbox Bowl and Sun Bowl are December 31. The team would have to practice through Xmas, but at least the players would get some time to rest and heal and recharge their batteries before playing one more game.

I don't know why all the pessimism with WSU. They are #13, and likely to move up into the Top 12 in the final rankings after UCF loses to Memphis and/or Texas loses to Oklahoma.

Stanford is a pretty compelling team to have in your bowl game, much more so than Utah.  I wouldn't be so sure Oregon fans are going to travel to the Holiday Bowl like Stanford fans who have never been there would.

On one hand, most Stanford fans would readily to travel to San Diego. 

OTOH the Holiday Bowl decided to have the game on NYE. One day earlier would have made a big difference IMHO.

The schedule is different this year because Christmas is on a Tuesday and the semi-final games are on the 29th. That pushes several bowl games to the 31st that would not otherwise be there. People complained when the semi-finals were on the 31st; now they have switched to the 29th, people whose teams are shifted to the 31st complain.