Looks like my Tigers are headed to the New Orleans Bowl! After a terrible start to the year, Memphis managed to win five of their last six games to complete a 7-5 season and garner an invitation to the Big Easy. In many ways, this is the perfect bowl bid for me as the New Orleans Bowl is the only bowl tie in for the Sun Belt Conference where my other team, Troy University, is likely to win the conference. It is a no lose proposition for me! The real bummer is, I won't be able to see the game.
In 2003, when Memphis went to their first bowl after a 32 year drought, it was the New Orleans Bowl. My dad, Tim (a family friend), and I drove down to enjoy the Tigers' victory over North Texas. It was an absolutely wonderful time and I sure wish I could do it this year as well. Unfortunately, I likely won't be able to see it on TV either. I have R&R leave approved and will be headed back to see my family for 15 glorious days over Christmas and I will almost certainly be spending December 21 waiting on a flight out of Kuwait back to the States. If all goes well, I should be back home sometime on the 23rd or 24th - just in time for Santa! So, while I'll miss the game, it's all for a good cause!
Go Tigers! Good luck in New Orleans!
Cheers, Pearl
