Announcement of BYU in Motor City Bowl Premature ('Blown Away' BYU Might Not Go Bowling)
Salt Lake Tribune 1Dec99 S3
By Michael C. Lewis: Salt Lake Tribune

PROVO, UTAH -- Officials of the Motor City Bowl contacted BYU on Tuesday and asked them to stop telling everyone that the Cougars had been selected to play in the December 27th Motor City Bowl game in Pontiac, Michigan. The Bowl says that it has not yet made a decision on who will be invited.

BYU Athletic Director Val Hale had announced on Monday evening that the Cougars had reached an agreement to play in the Bowl game, and the athletic department was shocked the next morning to learn that Motor City now said they hadn't made a decision. "We're just kind of blown away by the way the whole thing has been handled," said associate athletic director Duff Tittle.

Motor City's Executive Director Ken Hoffman said that the Bowl had "not offered our at-large bid to anyone," He said a decision could come any time, but would probably be made by Saturday. The Bowl is waiting to see the fall out from the choice of either Tennessee or Kansas State for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series. The resulting decision could mean Kentucky would be available for the Motor City Bowl. The Bowl is also considering Georgia, Texas Tech, Louisville and Colorado.

BYU's Val Hale remains perplexed over the situation, "All I know is that [Monday], after I talked to Ken Hoffman at the Motor City Bowl, he told me that BYU was in the game with one possible exception," said Hale. "And that was if Tennessee was not included in the BCS. Then, they might consider Kentucky." The ESPN television network also remains a factor in the negotiations, according to Hale, "They want BYU in there, period," said Hale.

In spite of the apparent reversal, Hale says BYU would still accept an invitation, "but I don't know how much longer I'd feel that way." Hale is exasperated at the situation, but hasn't considered setting a deadline for an invitation. "I'll have to think about that in the morning, when I can put two sentences together."