I remember it well, and things were different then. Some bowls had conference affiliations that were locked in, like the Rose had the PAC-8 champ against the Big Ten champ every year. Orange took the Big 8 champ (Okla. or Neb. usually), Cotton took the now-defunct Southwest Conf. champ. (often Texas or Arky). Sugar usually took the SEC champ, but I don't think it was a contract like the Rose had.
There was a day, and prior to the day no bowl bids could be extended officially. But, bowl committees "talked" informally, and it was understood that deals were done, but not official until after the bowl invitation day. LSU informally agreed to play in the Cotton against Tx., best rushing defense against a monster wishbone attack. Now in those days, ND did not go to bowl games, I don't know why. Without a conference (read, "no revenue sharing"), they finally decided to go to a bowl, and they so announced they would accept a bowl invite. The Cotton decided to jump on ND first ever bowl appearance, looking like that would generate better TV ratings for TX/ND than TX/LSU, greater national appeal. They informally notified LSU they would invite ND. But all the other major bowls had made their informal agreements and they would not change to invite LSU. LSU did get an invite to the Peach Bowl (if I remember correct), but as I recall the players voted they did not want to play in a minor bowl (imagine the AD letting the players vote today?). So, LSU sat home, 9-1, I think their loss was to Archie Manning led Ole Miss (checked it, yep it was Ole Miss, 26-23, the week after our huge win over Auburn 21-20).
So, they had a gentleman's agreement, which the Cotton Bowl broke when ND announced they would accept their first bowl bid ever.
I don't hate ND over the deal, they just changed their policy (a little late, but their prerogative). I fault the Cotton Bowl committee for reaching a gentleman's agreement, then welshing on the deal.
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