Friends of the Program

Shreveport…hey, if it was good enough for Elvis…

There are very few things more disheartening among SEC fans than the prospects of spending the bowl season at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana . But a mediocre season and an 8th place finish in the toughest conference in the land will get you some nice parting gifts and an all expenses paid trip to the Port City. Teams and fans alike are sure to enjoy the oppressive heat, street violence, and…hey look, casinos! Every week FOTP will be taking a look at which SEC teams have the best chance of going bowling in East Texas the third most glamorous city in the Bayou State.

1.  Louisiana Tech.  Wrap that package in blue and red people because the Dawgs are all but certain to making the 50 minute trip West to “the big city”.  After completely collapsing at home against Nevada the Dawgs sit at 7-5 and out of the WAC bowl picture.  That frees them up for an at-large, with the obvious choice for both the school and the bowl is a Shreveport appearance.  And after their fearless leader confirming that he’d rather stay in Ruston, La than move to Starkville, MS (which is kinda like choosing to live in Hiroshima instead of Nagasaki on August 10th) the prospects of a bowl in their own backyard seems likely.

2.  Memphis/Southern Miss  Really the next best option for the Indy Bowl.  Both teams are 6-6 and have regional appeal that some team out of the MAC just wont have.  Memphis fans would welcome the familiar shot, stab, rape, kill surroundings that the Port City can offer, while Southern Miss fans would have the opportunity to wear that LSU jacket they’ve had in their closet without fear of in-state ridicule.

3.  Notre Dame  Probably a long shot, but the Irish have been to the Port City before and at 6-6, even for them, their options are pretty limited.  If they don’t decide to go to the Sun Bowl they may get all uppity and decide this whole bowl business isn’t for them this year.  Those Catholics…always so self deprecating.

4.  Some random MAC team.  Still an option, but like most things from Ohio, not a very appealing  one. 

5.  No idea.  No SEC or Big 12 team is going to make it this year, so its time for the left overs and also rans.  Take the advice of that soothe sayer of talent Hubie Brown…take the best available option with the most upside potential.