Just about every bowl projection on in the internet has the Houston Cougars playing in the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2. We got the opportunity to speak with Armed Forces Bowl Executive Director Brant Ringler to talk about the bowl game and the possibility of the Coogs going back to Fort Worth, Texas, for the postseason.
The Armed Forces Bowl has a tie-in with the American Athletic Conference, and Ringler says he’s been speaking with conference officials about who might play in this season’s game. Ringler says he’s been keeping a close eye on the Coogs this season.
“Houston played SMU last week and I watched those guys,” Ringler said, “but it all comes down to Sunday and the rankings.”
The new College Football Playoff is keeping most bowl games from locking in match-ups until the final rankings come out Sunday. The idea is to have a team from the AAC play Army, but the Black Knights aren’t bowl eligible. So who’s next?
“Our backup is the Big 12,” Ringler said “that is a legitimate tie-in for us to monitor first.”
There’s a good chance either TCU or Baylor could make the playoff, which could mean the Big 12 runs out of bowl-eligible teams before the conference gets to filling its spot in the Armed Forces Bowl.
“The Big Ten could have an extra team,” Ringler said, “or the SEC or the Pac-12. It all comes down to rankings and who makes the big bowls.”
While Ringler waits to see who might match-up with an AAC team, he says the idea of Houston playing in the game is “an exciting opportunity.” The Cougars have been there twice before, in 2008 and 2009, playing Air Force both times. If Houston does play in Fort Worth and wins, it would be the first two-time champion in the Armed Forces Bowl’s 12-year history.
What makes Houston such an attractive option?
“They are in-state and can travel well,” Ringler said. “They have a great program and coach Levine has been doing a great job. They throw the ball, they run the ball well and can put points on the board with is exciting for fans.”
Right now Houston is fifth in the AAC standings, but Ringler says the Cougars certainly don’t look like a fifth-place team.
“If you look at the way they’ve played some of these games. …they almost beat UCF (which won a share of the AAC championship on Thursday night) had they not fumbled on the six-inch line,” Ringler said. “They are that close to playing for a conference championship.”
And it’s not just the football team that makes Houston a good fit for the Armed Forces Bowl, according to Ringler.
“Their fans are great when they have traveled here,” Ringler said. “Their band is 300 strong and they perform well. (UH) supports what we do in honoring the Armed Forces. I’ve had an enjoyable time working with (Houston Athletic Director) Mack Rhodes and everyone there.”
So will the Cougars end up making a return trip up I-45 for the Armed Forces Bowl? We’ll find out Sunday, but it sure sounds like they would be more than welcome inside Amon G. Carter Stadium on January 2.
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