Door to Champs still open

[8u11`o3]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101130/SPORTS13/101129202/1021/XML?source=rss_teams_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish

“Notre Dame is huge on our list,†said Steve Hogan, CEO of the Champs Sports Bowl. “But we just want to make sure that the year we have them, that it's been done the right way.

“I'm sure you've probably talked to a number of people over the years who would say, ‘it's automatic' if Notre Dame was 7-5 or even 6-6. You can look at our history, and we don't do that. We've turned down teams that would have sold a few more tickets to take teams we felt were more deserving.

“I don't mean any disrespect. We just want to let the season finish out and pick the best team, and Notre Dame may very well be that team.â€

...although article does indicate that Irish are contractually obligated to accept invite to Champs if they receive one.

[8u11`o3]

This one quotes Hogan as saying he is considering ND, WVU, and USF opposite the ACC.

http://georgiatech.scout.com/2/1026642.html

It also lets us know that we should root for FSU against VaTech to eliminate FSU from consideration for Champs.

[South_Florida_Flip]

This is just a gut feeling, but I think we end up there if we win on Saturday.

[BullMedic]

I'd LOVE to play Virginia Tech if we could. That would be sweet

[8u11`o3]

In this one, Hogan says USF has an "outside" chance.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/11/champs-bowl-ceo-notre-dame-strong-candidate.html

Sounds like he wants a ranked team.  ND is not ranked, but WVU is.  We would need Hawaii, UCF, Arizona, WVU, NIU, and UNCONN to all lose in order for USF to get ranked.  That sounds like a way outside chance to me.

Unfortunately, that would put UCONN or Pitt in the BCS game instead of WVU.

[8u11`o3]

I'd LOVE to play Virginia Tech if we could. That would be sweet

VaTech could not fall as far as the Champs bowl due to their 8-0 conf record, but FSU could at 6-2.  If VaTech loses to FSU, they are locked into Chic-fil-A.

[South_Florida_Flip]

In this one, Hogan says USF has an "outside" chance.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/11/champs-bowl-ceo-notre-dame-strong-candidate.html

Sounds like he wants a ranked team.  ND is not ranked, but WVU is.  We would need Hawaii, UCF, Arizona, WVU, NIU, and UNCONN to all lose in order for USF to get ranked.  That sounds like a way outside chance to me.

Unfortunately, that would put UCONN or Pitt in the BCS game instead of WVU.

USF may be closer to the Top 25 with a win than ND is right now.

It's better for us to win and WVU to win as well.

[BullMedic]

I'd LOVE to play Virginia Tech if we could. That would be sweet

VaTech could not fall as far as the Champs bowl due to their 8-0 conf record, but FSU could at 6-2.  If VaTech loses to FSU, they are locked into Chic-fil-A.

You're right. I forgot about the ChickFila bowl being above the Champs in pecking order. Thanks.

[8u11`o3]

In this one, Hogan says USF has an "outside" chance.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/11/champs-bowl-ceo-notre-dame-strong-candidate.html

Sounds like he wants a ranked team.  ND is not ranked, but WVU is.  We would need Hawaii, UCF, Arizona, WVU, NIU, and UNCONN to all lose in order for USF to get ranked.  That sounds like a way outside chance to me.

Unfortunately, that would put UCONN or Pitt in the BCS game instead of WVU.

USF may be closer to the Top 25 with a win than ND is right now.

It's better for us to win and WVU to win as well.

I agree.  If Auburn blows out SC, SC could open that 25th slot for us instead of WVU dropping out.

[8u11`o3]

The risk of offending the Big East is ''absolutely a consideration,'' Hogan said.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/2931704,CST-SPT-nd1130.article