STEWART MANDEL'S Extra Points

Bowl execs constantly trumpet that their games are designed to "reward" successful teams, but really the bowls are about selling tickets. Hence, the Outback in Tampa selected 7--5 Florida over 9--4 SEC East champ South Carolina and its standout receiver Alshon Jeffery.... A season after earning its first bowl berth in 30 years, 8--4 Temple was one of two eligible teams that did not land a game this year despite the fact that the Owls beat Big East co-champ and Fiesta Bowl--bound Connecticut. . . . TCU's move to the Big East is an ideal marriage for both parties. The Horned Frogs join a BCS automatic-qualifying conference while the Big East gains a program that should compete for championships immediately.

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GARY BOGDON