AMES (MCT) — Jamie Pollard and Paul Rhoads weren’t worried about a rematch with Tulsa when it came to accepting a bid to play in the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31.

Pollard, Iowa State’s director of athletics, and Rhoads, the Cyclones’ head football coach, feel the postseason is a reward for the football team’s efforts on the field and for the fans who packed Jack Trice Stadium at an average of more than 55,000 over six games this season.

With that in mind, and the knowledge the Big 12 Conference could have more bowl-eligible teams than bowl agreements, the duo scoured over the bowl landscape and sought what they believed would provide the Cyclone Nation with the best bowl experience possible.