ISU in Insight talks, Missouri not pleased

How does New Year's Eve in Phoenix strike you?

That is sounding more and more possible for Iowa State's football team and its fans as bowl selection day draws near.

The 6-6 Cyclones seemed destined for the Independence or Texas bowls as they finished their season tied for the fewest number of victories among Big 12 bowl eligible teams. But some rumblings out of Columbia, Mo., this week indicate the Dec. 31 Insight Bowl is very much in play - at the expense of an 8-4 Missouri team that finished second in the North Division and beat ISU, 34-24, two weeks ago.

MU athletics officials understandably are not happy with potentially falling down the bowl pecking order. Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe has gotten himself involved in the process and shared some of his thoughts with the Kansas City Star.

“I am concerned about a bowl that would select a team that has two less wins and was beaten by that team head-to-head,” Beebe told the newspaper.

Insight and Fiesta bowl spokesman Tony Alba said Thursday ISU and Missouri are under strong consideration, and to a lesser degree Texas A&M.

“I understand (Missouri's) position and their main concern,” Alba said. “There has been no decision made. People get caught up with blogs and things they read and it snowballs. I can tell you we are dealing with the same issue in the Fiesta Bowl with Iowa and Penn State. It's a tough decision.”

ISU defeated Pittsburgh, 37-29, in the 2000 Insight.com Bowl. An estimated 20,000 Cyclone fans attended what was the program's first bowl game in 22 years. This will be ISU's first postseason appearance since 2005.

Athletic Director Jamie Pollard is expecting a large travel party.

“I think our fans are going to go wherever we go and are very excited,” Pollard said Wednesday night at halftime of ISU's men's basketball game against Northern Iowa. “They are anxious waiting.”

Overall record and head-to-head results “are considerations” but not the determining factor in selecting teams, Alba said.

Missouri is seen as having a fan base that may not be as willing to travel.

The Big 12 has no restrictions in the bowl selection process. The Insight has the sixth pick, behind the BCS, Cotton, Holiday, Alamo and Sun bowls.

“Usually when you get into where we are picking, the teams are very closely lumped together and are beating each other up,” Alba said. “We need to make sure we have a sizable crowd no matter who we choose. We can't have just 20,000 people in the stands or we won't be able to pay our bills.”