bowl options represent one of the long sought-after benefits of being in a power conference with multiple bowl tie-ins.

Non-playoff projections I've seen have us likely to be in either the Alamo Bowl or the PopTarts Bowl. Respective payouts here are ~$8MM and ~$6MM, with compelling prospective matchups as well as better dates for these games. Of course that money is split with conference teams, but that's also a huge benefit of P4 affiliation (overall revenue compared to independence). Even the Texas Bowl (next in the pecking order) is a ~$6MM bowl vs the SEC.

Those bowls are far-more desirable options than any bowl we've played in dating back to the Cotton Bowl. 

I'd much rather we take care of business against Houston and have one of the other scenarios unfold (listed here) that get us to the title game (and hopefully the playoff, with a victory). If not, these seem like relatively good options for year two in the Big 12.

Go Cougs!

Beat the Coogs!