Many possibilities for Fiesta Bowl matchup

Odd thoughts from an odd mind ...

Here's the road map for determining which two teams will play in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4:

If the winner of the Big 12 championship game doesn't play in the BCS title game on Jan. 7, it's coming to Glendale. Simple enough.

But let's say Texas, currently ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings, runs the table the rest of the season and winds up playing for the national championship against the winner of the SEC title game.

In that case, the Fiesta Bowl either would have the first or second pick of the remaining BCS-eligible teams. It will pick first if Texas is the No. 1-ranked team in the country; second if the SEC champ is ranked No. 1, thus giving the Sugar Bowl the first pick.

Hypothetically, let's keep Florida at No. 1. The Sugar Bowl, picking first, undoubtedly would take the losing team in the SEC title game. Alabama, for instance, is a natural fit for the game in New Orleans.

So what does the Fiesta Bowl then do?

Well, if Oklahoma State somehow moves from its current BCS ranking of 19 into the top 14, the Fiesta Bowl likely will honor its relationship with the Big 12 and take the Cowboys.

The second scenario is more appealing to the folks in the yellow jackets. Oklahoma State doesn't move into the top 14. With its pick, the Fiesta Bowl takes the Big Ten runner-up if it's Iowa or Penn State.

The Hawkeyes never have played in the Fiesta Bowl, and officials believe they could travel 35,000 strong. The Nittany Lions haven't been here since Jan. 1, 1997, they have a coaching legend in Joe Paterno, and they also travel well.

The waters get muddied, however, if Ohio State finishes second. The Buckeyes have been here five times since 2003; both the bowl and the school's fans might be tired of each other. USC would be more appealing.

With the second-to-last pick, the Fiesta Bowl likely will get one of three teams: Cincinnati, TCU or Boise State. Given Boise's thrilling performance in its 43-42 victory over Oklahoma on Jan. 1, 2007, it would be the logical and most satisfying choice.

Unless, of course, TCU's star running back plans on proposing to the cheerleader following the game.

COYOTE UGLY

As the Coyotes were dragged through bankruptcy court this summer, we heard the same refrain over and over again from their fans and the NHL.

If the team wins, people will brave the traffic and start filling the seats at Jobing.com Arena.

Well, the Coyotes were 9-4 heading into Monday's game against the Los Angeles Kings and arguably the biggest early-season surprise in the league.

The public's reaction? Phoenix sold a franchise-low 5,855 tickets.

Someone again please tell me why Canadian businessmen would want to own a hockey team in Glendale.

SUNS' FAST START

A couple of things were evident in Phoenix's 3-0 start:

1. This team genuinely likes playing with each other. That wasn't the case last year, when Shaquille O'Neal's ego was too big for the locker room. Steve Nash is the unquestioned leader, Grant Hill is Yoda and Amaré Stoudemire is playing - and acting - more responsibly.

2. Channing Frye is a perfect fit for the offense. Frye may be soft on defense and a less-than-willing rebounder, but his ability to space the floor with his 3-point shooting - he had six 3-pointers against Golden State and Minnesota - gives Stoudemire more room to operate inside.

BAD TIMING

One thought kept coming back to me as I watched USC get drilled by Oregon. This is just what Arizona State needs: A mad Trojans team coming to town on Saturday.