Texas Tech to end magical season vs. Ole Miss in Cotton Bowl

Dec 8, 2008 - 6:20 AM By Jim Ralabate PA SportsTicker College Football Editor

Graham Harrell and upstart Texas Tech captured the attention of the college football world this season.

But due to a humiliating loss and a Big 12 Conference technicality, the one-loss Red Raiders will not get a chance to participate in the Bowl Championship Series.

Despite finishing seventh in Sunday's final BCS standings, Texas Tech (11-1) did not receive a BCS bowl bid.

Instead, Harrell and the Red Raiders will have to settle for an appearance in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where they will square off against Mississippi on January 2.

Ranked 14th in the preseason, Texas Tech methodically climbed the polls by winning their first 10 games in exciting fashion. Boasting a high-powered offense led by Harrell and dynamic wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the Red Raiders eclipsed the 40-point mark in seven of those games.

Harrell and Crabtree also authored the signature moment of the regular season when they hooked up for a game-winning 28-yard touchdown with one second remaining in a 39-33 upset of then-No. 1 Texas on November 1.

But three weeks later, the Red Raiders - ranked second in the BCS standings - suffered a 65-21 thrashing at Oklahoma. The loss created a logjam atop the Big 12 South Division, which Oklahoma ultimately won by virtue of its superior BCS ranking.

Despite their loss to the Red Raiders, Texas (11-1) finished third in the final BCS rankings, eliminating Texas Tech from a BCS bowl.

Harrell, who passed for 4,747 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, hopes to end his collegiate career in winning fashion against Mississippi (8-4), which ended its campaign with an impressive five-game winning streak.

"The Cotton Bowl is going to be a great way to end my playing career at Texas Tech," said Harrell, an Ennis, Texas native. "The chance to go back home and play in front of my family and friends is going to be very special.

"We thought all along that our team could do some special things this year, and getting the invitation to the Cotton Bowl is something we are all proud of."

Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach echoed Harrell's sentiments, claiming that the Red Raiders feel privileged to play in the 73rd edition of the Cotton Bowl.

"We are honored to be able to play in what I feel is the one of the most important bowl games of the year," said Leach, who has been linked to numerous coaching vacancies. "When you look at all the great tradition and college football history that is tied to the Cotton Bowl, you can't help but be excited to be a part of that.

"Our team has worked hard to be in this position, and I am grateful to the Cotton Bowl for rewarding their efforts."

Another school that likely is feeling snubbed by the BCS is Boise State (12-0), which did not receive a BCS bowl bid despite completing the regular season as one of two undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Broncos finished ninth in the BCS standings, three spots behind Utah (12-0), which received a bid to the Sugar Bowl by virtue of its higher ranking.

Boise State, which won the WAC title, will play against TCU (10-2) in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 23 in San Diego.

New Year's Day will feature three non-BCS bowl games, highlighted by a pair of Big Ten-SEC matchups.

Georgia (9-3), the preseason No. 1, hopes to end its disappointing season on a high note against Michigan State (9-3) in the Capital One Bowl. South Carolina (7-5) will take on Iowa (8-4) in the Outback Bowl before Clemson (7-5) faces Nebraska (8-4) in the Gator Bowl.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl, played on New Year's Eve, will feature defending national champion Louisiana State (7-5), which will conclude a tough season against surprising Georgia Tech (9-3).

Four other bowl games will be played on December 31: Air Force (8-4) will face Houston (7-5) in the Armed Forces Bowl; Oregon State (8-4) meets Pittsburgh (9-3) in the Sun Bowl; Boston College (9-4) takes on Vanderbilt (6-6) in the Music City Bowl; and Kansas (7-5) squares off with Minnesota (7-5) in the Insight.com Bowl.

Despite suffering through a tumultuous season filled with controversy regarding the job security of coach Charlie Weis, Notre Dame (6-6) will return from its one-year postseason hiatus to visit Hawaii (7-6) in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

The bowl season will kick off with a quartet of games on December 20: Wake Forest (7-5) will face Navy (8-4) in the EagleBank Bowl; Colorado State (6-6) meets Fresno State (7-5) in the New Mexico Bowl; South Florida (7-5) concludes its disappointing season against Memphis (6-6) in the St. Petersburg Bowl; and Brigham Young (10-2) takes on Arizona (7-5) in the Las Vegas Bowl.