Go-Pac is right. None of the general public even got a stab at the tickets to the holiday bowl - they were all sold out by season ticket holders and donors.
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.d...&ATCLID=219380
Since we all know it's about the money, it must be the TV ratings - or perceived TV ratings? How would the BCS know who would watch it unless you guaged the national media and the public's response/interest? Sure you could go off of past bowl appearances -but every year is different. And don't you think everyone would watch Notre Dame anyway - no matter who played? Wouldn't this game get tons of viewers regardless of whether they played the OSU or Oregon? That's why I think it's the nation's perception of "team recognition" more than anything that doomed Oregon from the beginning.