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BOULDER, Colo. - Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Byrne has spent enough time around college athletics to understand a thing or two about the bowl-game selection process. And he knows that NU violated one of the primary rules of the game Friday at Folsom Field. "What they say is that you don't want any bad losses late," Byrne said. "We've had one now." The Huskers, ranked No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series standings until the new index is released Monday, lost 62-36 to Colorado - the school's worst loss since a 45-10 defeat at Oklahoma in 1990. The 26-point stomping at the hands of CU likely will cost Nebraska dearly when bowl invitations are officially extended Dec. 9. Until then, NU can only discuss its options and wait. "We'll just have to see how far we fall," Byrne said. In sifting through the picture, the Huskers most likely eliminated themselves from the Jan. 3 Rose Bowl, which pits No. 1 and No. 2 in the BCS index. At 11-1, Nebraska can still hope for a BCS invitation, though it appears unlikely, Byrne said. Shawn Schoeffler, vice president for news media relations of the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl, attended Friday's game to watch the Huskers and Buffs. In an interview at halftime - with the Huskers down 42-23 - Schoeffler said the Fiesta Bowl maintains an interest in Nebraska. "There's no question they would be a good representative of the Big 12," Schoeffler said. The Fiesta Bowl is slated to pit the Big 12 champion against the Pac-10 champion. If Colorado wins the Big 12 title, it would head to Tempe, Ariz. However, if Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State today and defeats CU in the conference title game next week, the Sooners would head to the Rose Bowl. That would leave the Fiesta Bowl with a replacement selection and either the first or second choice after the Rose Bowl, depending on Oklahoma's finish in the BCS ratings. Schoeffler said the Fiesta Bowl would then likely choose Oregon against 10-1 Texas, Nebraska or the Big Ten Conference champion. Schoeffler also noted that the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl appears to have an interest in the Longhorns, who haven't lost since Oklahoma beat them Oct. 6. Possibly a more realistic postseason destination for Nebraska, the Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl, in San Diego, also sent a representative to Boulder on Friday. Bob Shumake, co-chairman of Holiday Bowl selection team, said his game would welcome the Huskers matched against Washington. "Are you kidding?" said Shumake, whose bowl drew a record crowd for the Huskers' 1998 appearance against Arizona. "It's extremely attractive. Washington against Nebraska would be a great matchup." Washington already has accepted a contingent bid to the Holiday Bowl, meaning it will be in San Diego if it doesn't make the BCS lineup. The Holiday Bowl selects a non-BCS team from the Big 12 after the Cotton Bowl. NU also could end up in Dallas on Jan. 1, though the Cotton Bowl may try to match Texas A&M; against Louisiana State. |
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