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A Houston victory Saturday will likely put Southern Methodist and head coach June Jones back in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl against either Hawaii or Nevada on Christmas Eve, according to the latest bowl scenario.
"I heard if Houston wins, then we’re going to Hawaii, that’s what I heard," Jones said. "I don’t root for Houston very often, but I’m rooting for them this week."
Houston (12-0) plays Southern Mississippi (10-2) in the Conference USA championship game at Robertson Stadium in Houston.
People in the bowl industry say Nevada (6-5) is expected to be the Western Athletic Conference representative if UH (6-6) doesn’t beat Brigham Young (8-3) Saturday to become bowl eligible.
The WAC is obligated to send a team to the Hawaii Bowl and has so far been unable to place the Wolf Pack elsewhere.
Hawaii Bowl officials declined to comment on scenarios for the bowl other than an appearance by the Warriors if UH beats BYU.
"As an ESPN-owned bowl game, I’m particularly happy that ESPN is showcasing the University of Hawaii’s renewed rivalry with BYU to the nation," said David Matlin, executive director of the game. "How fitting would it be, given the history of the game between Hawaii and BYU in 2001 (when UH beat undefeated BYU 72-45 but did not go to a bowl despite a 9-3 record), to award (UH) a bowl invitation should they win?"
The WAC’s two other bowl tie-ins, the San Diego-based Poinsettia Bowl and Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, have been filled by Louisiana Tech (8-4) and Utah State (6-5).
Jones said as long as Houston wins, he believes the Mustangs will play either WAC team. SMU clobbered Nevada 45-10 in the 2009 Hawaii Bowl and has yet to play UH since Jones took over the Mustangs following the 2007 run to the Sugar Bowl.
UH has appeared in six of the nine Hawaii Bowls. Boise State subbed for BCS-bound UH in 2007 while Nevada filled in for UH teams that were not bowl eligible in ’05 and ’09.
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