
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 9, 1994                   TAG: 9408090105
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: FORT WORTH, TEXAS                                 LENGTH: Short

COTTON BOWL CONSIDERS ALIGNMENT WITH BIG 12

The Cotton Bowl, shunned by the Tier I bowl alliance, could have an option in the Big 12 Conference which is considering plans for its championship playoff game.

Cotton Bowl officials are scheduled to meet this week on remaining choices for the 58-year-old event. The Big 12 is waiting for the bowl's next move.

``It's 50-50 we do a playoff game, but the ball's in the Cotton Bowl's court,'' one Big 12 official told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Monday's editions.

``If there is a preference with our schools, it's for the Cotton Bowl, but that should not give [Cotton Bowl officials] a false sense of security. The dollar sign has a lot to do with it,'' he said.

The newspaper said several Big 12 officials have indicated that their preference for postseason football is Dallas. That could include an early December conference playoff game at Texas Stadium, a New Year's Day bowl game at the Cotton Bowl or both.

Members of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association's committee will meet Wednesday to consider the bowl's options.

by CNB