Penn State Could Leapfrog Ohio State for Rose Bowl Berth, per Report

[IndianaVol]

Can you still turn a Bowl Game down and stay home? Barry Switzer turned down a Fiesta Bowl bid for his 8-4 Oklahoma team in 1983 saying they weren't good enough. Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel could say Tennessee was too decimated with injuries and players sitting out.

I'm pretty certain that back in 1983 the constraints on practices were not what they are today.
I would think if a team turns down an invite they are not allowed to participate in the extra 15 practices that bowl teams are allowed to partake.
Even with injuries and opt outs, no way Heupel passes up the chance for additional practice time.

 

[jasonvol18]

It's not gonna mater. USC is gonna lose and Ohio St will move into the tinal four.

 

[Toucan Sam]

I don't understand why Ohio State wouldn't want the Rose Bowl unless they are in the playoffs.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

This is my feeling too. If the Buckeyes say no to the Rose Bowl, they should be forced into the Citrus Bowl or Duke's MayoBowl or whatever. They shouldn't get to go to the Orange.

And I sincerely believe we would be every bowl's #1 pick anyway. First 10-win season in a long time; they know Tennessee fans will show up.

If they are thinking strictly in terms of dollars and cents, the Orange and Sugar Bowls should be fighting each other tooth-and-nail for access to Tennessee, even with Hooker out. We haven't been to the Orange Bowl since 1/2/1998 and haven't played in the Sugar Bowl since 1/1/1991. In an era when bowl attendance is down significantly from what it was historically, there isn't a fanbase in the country that would respond more favorably to the opportunity to play in either of these bowls.