Louisiana Tech Declines Independence Bowl Bid After 9-3 Season

Louisiana Tech has politely refused an invitation to play in the Independence Bowl and has decided to call it a season.

BleedTechBlue tweeted out the news:

"

BREAKING: #LATech turns down bid to Independence Bowl, will remain at home this bowl season.

— BleedTechBlue.com (@BleedTechBlue) December 2, 2012"

The decision is a baffling one, and this tweet by Yahoo!'s Graham Watson does nothing to bring any more sense to the refusal:

"

La. Tech has decided not to play in a bowl game this year because it didn't want to play rival school ULM in the Indy Bowl. Yes, seriously.

— Graham Watson (@YahooDrSaturday) December 2, 2012"

It will be interesting to see if the school sheds any more light on this decision, because avoiding playing a rival seems like a hollow excuse.

Many would agree that playing a rival in a bowl game would be a fun thing and a good experience for the student athletes. After all, that is kind of the point of a rivalry in the first place, right? Playing intense and meaningful games. 

This decision also does a disservice to the student athletes.

The players on the team earned the right to play in a postseason showcase. They put together a solid and exciting season, and the Independence Bowl would have been a nice reward for the hard work and excellence that these young men displayed. It would have provided memories they could have carried around for a lifetime. 

The decision also robs fans of a potentially classic game. The Bulldogs are No. 1 in points scored, and the Warhawks are 28th. This game easily could have surpassed the 100-point barrier. 

In fact, the Bulldogs had three games this season that did cross the century mark in points, and they had several others that were close. 

Stay tuned, as there has to be more to this baffling decision.