Too, the WAC considered it a slap in the face when BYU was ranked ahead of both Nebraska and Penn State, the two at-large selections to alliance bowls. The Fiesta Bowl could have chosen BYU to play Texas but preferred Penn State. The Orange Bowl passed on BYU in favor of Nebraska to meet Virginia Tech. BYU is a TV midget. This is the way it is.
Bowls do have a preference.
There's no antitrust violation. For instance, the Rose Bowl has been a closed bowl for 50 years. Nobody but the Pac 10 and Big 10 go. Now, for the first time in history, others may have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. In 2002, if it should end up with Nebraska No. 1 and Alabama No. 2, they play in the Rose Bowl.