Why not the Heart of Dallas Bowl?

The moment everyone has been waiting for this bowl season in North Texas is almost upon us. On January 1st, the Cotton Bowl will be host to one of most prestigious bowl games of 2013. I am of course not referring to the Cotton Bowl Classic, which of course does not take place in the Cotton Bowl. I am referring to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, a three-year old bowl that has already changed its name from the Ticketcity Bowl. Just because this is a new bowl doesn't mean it lacks tradition: one of Northwestern's annual bowl losses took place here two years ago.

So this year I will be tuned into ESPNU watching my Purdue Boilermakers play (and most likely lose) to the Oklahoma State "I'm a Man"s. I sincerely wish that this bowl took place earlier in the bowl season so I wouldn't have to miss good games, but I guess a 6-6 season gets a New Year's Day bowl game these days.

Purdue played six teams this season with at least a 6-6 ending record. Four of those games were embarrassing blowouts, and the two close games were against teams that finished the season 12-0. Needless to say, I don't have much confidence in the Boilers' ability to win this one. I'm just happy that Purdue beat the three I's to end the season so Robert Marve will get to end his decades-long collegiate career in a bowl.

The low expectations that I have for this bowl game will probably lead to the following scenario:

1. I tell myself that Purdue is going to get blown out.
2. Purdue gets out to an early lead; I am waiting for the inevitable collapse.
3. Purdue holds onto the lead deep into the fourth quarter; I start to believe that Purdue can win.
4. The inevitable collapse.
5. I get mad at myself for being gullible enough to think that Purdue was going to win.