Unfortunately, now that Mizzou doesn't have the B12 Championship Game to deal with this year, it's time to talk bowls a week early. I think everyone knows how bowl tie-ins work: after the Big 12 CG winner is automatically put into the BCS, everything is up for grabs...no delegations to an automatic bowl. Bowls do frown on picking the same team in back-to-back years, if only because fans are iffy to travel since they were just there last year. So in a best guess, we can put Texas in the BCS. That's the only best guess right now in the Big 12 bowls.

Welcome to the clusterfuck.

Outside of the Huskers, Mizzou has the most to gain from Nebraska winning this weekend in Dallas, which would send the Huskers to the BCS, totally effing everything up. Mizzou could bump all the way up to the Holiday Bowl, which is a difference of, oh, say a little less than $1m from the Insight Bowl. But do you really want Nebraska to upset Texas? That is what would have to happen. So, let's take a look at some opponents.

Minnesota (Insight Bowl)

The bad thing about the Insight Bowl is it's on the NFL Network and kicks off late afternoon on New Year's Eve, aka "Nobody really gives a shit". There's a shot that you won't even be drunk yet. Their trophy looks a lot like the Ocarina from Zelda as well. Good part about playing Minny is Minnesota recruits the hell out of St. Louis. Minny is a 6-6 team, barely making it to a bowl, so you'd have to think an 8-4 Mizzou squad would be favored, and those recruits in St. Louis that Tim Brewster has worked would have a shot to see their in-state school destroy the school that's trying to work them. Just a few names Minnesota has nabbed from the St. Louis area- Bryant Allen, Laurence Maroney, Duane Bennett, Aaron Hill, and Brandon Kirksey just to throw out some recent names. St. Louis is a huge pool that Minnesota recruits. Gary Pinkel could squash three opponents that recruit StL pretty heavy this year- kU, Illannoy, and Minnesota. I like this idea. Nebraska would lose to Texas to make this happen (likely). Arizona in late December isn't bad, but our recruiting pipeline doesn't go through Arizona unless Pinkel's got a surprise for us. The most probable bowl of any scenario.

Michigan State (Insight Bowl/Alamo)

Michigan State was a B10 disappointment. They were ranked preseason fairly high, and struggled mightily. Michigan State really doesn't recruit much of the same area that Mizzou does, so this would possibly be the worst bowl match-up. The way the B10's bowl tie-ins work, this would probably have to happen in the Alamo Bowl, and Texas is more of a recruiting bed for Mizzou than it is for any B10 team. But remember, Mizzou was just in the Alamo Bowl last year. The Mizzou alumni groups might push for any bowl in Texas since there is a large base down there, and the travel attendance and TV ratings last year were very good for the bowl. I just doubt the Alamo Bowl would choose Mizzou again, instead going for a Texas team (Texas Tech more than likely). Of course, the Alamo is on ESPN, so it would have a large viewing audience.

Tennessee (Cotton Bowl)

Nebraska would have to win for this to happen, and Okie State would have to head back to the Holiday for the 2nd year in a row...both doubtful. The Cotton Bowl committee probably had to change their pants after OSU shat themselves in the Bedlam game, denying themselves a shot at a BCS game. If Okie State won, Mizzou had a shot at going to the Cotton with Nebraska likely already throwing down in the Holiday and Texas Tech laying an egg last year in the Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss. The Cotton against Tennessee probably isn't going to happen, but dammit, this would be awesome. A Fox game in arguably, the best non-BCS bowl. The Cotton has to compare with the Capital One bowl, which trying to figure out how the SEC has ties in both is absolute bullshit.

USC or Cal (Holiday Bowl)

With the Nubs having their tickets all but stamped to San Diego, if they pull the upset and roll to the Fiesta, the Holiday is wide open. It could go to Texas Tech or Mizzou. Both probably have a 50/50 shot. The Alamo Bowl has a larger pay-out, so Tech would probably stay there, and Mizzou would go to the Holiday against USC or Cal. A Mizzou/USC match-up would kill. Not sure I would like to go up against USC in a bowl game, but it isn't every day Mizzou gets to rumble with a good Pac-10 opponent. This is an ESPN night game on 12/30 without any other bowls going on. It is the last time the Holiday is going to be a marquee bowl. As awesome as it would be to head to the Holiday Bowl, Nebraska would have to beat Texas and go to the BCS. Do you really want that happening?

Have at it with the poll to the right. Who do you want?