Longhorns (5-7) won't accept bowl bid if made eligible

ByBRETT MCMURPHY
December 2, 2016, 5:10 PM

— -- The Texas Longhorns have told the NCAA they will not accept a bowl bid even if, at 5-7, they become eligible, sources said Friday.

There could be as many as five teams without the required six bowl-eligible victories if South Alabama and Louisiana Lafayette both lose Saturday.

The bowl bids awarded to losing teams are based on their most recent Academic Progress Rate scores. Texas ranks fourth among teams without the required six bowl-eligible victories, right behind Mississippi State.

On Saturday, Tom Herman was hired as Texas' new coach, replacing Charlie Strong.

With Texas' desire to stay home, next in line are Northern Illinois?(5-7) and UL-Monroe?(4-7).

  • If South Alabama loses to New Mexico State and Louisiana Lafayette loses to UL-Monroe, then both Northern Illinois and UL-Monroe would earn bowl bids.
  • If South Alabama and Louisiana Lafayette split their games -- meaning only one of them loses -- then Northern Illinois would earn the final 5-7 bowl bid and UL-Monroe would be eliminated from contention.

Last year, Missouri declined a bowl bid after going 5-7. But a record three 5-7 teams -- Nebraska, Minnesota and San Jose State -- earned bowl berths and all three won.