Here's the simple story regarding how the Orange Bowl went down. Big XII rules regulate communication between the bowls and member schools. Click here to view the regulations.

Here are the relevant provisions beginning on page 42:

Bowl Communications and Ticket Rules


The Big 12 Conference values its postseason bowl relationships and this communications policy is intended to ensure that
those relationships are effectively fostered and developed to their fullest extent. It is acknowledged that inaccurate and
inappropriate communications may potentially harm those relationships.

Communications

• It is not permissible for an athletics director or any institutional staff member to initiate communications with a bowl
  representative for purposes of expressing institutional preferences related to the selection process. If contacted by a
  bowl representative, the athletics director or staff member shall not negatively influence the selection process by
  indicating to a bowl executive director or team selection committee member that the university is not interested in
  attending a certain bowl game.
  
• The preference of member institutions to participate in a particular bowl shall be expressed only through a formal
  process for discussion. That process will involve the Commissioner or Senior Associate Commissioner, or both.

Ticket Rules

• It is not permissible for athletics directors or other university representatives, or others acting on their behalf, to
  guarantee or otherwise commit to the purchase of tickets above the contract amount without the prior consent
  of the Conference.

KU athletic director Lew Perkins is candid about his all night conversations with various bowls.

The questions are two-fold: 1. Was the communication compliant with the above rules?; and 2. Did KU make a promise regarding ticket sales?

The national furor over the Orange Bowl picking KU over Mizzou makes it obvious that something smells. Did Lew Perkins involve the Big XII commissioner in a formal process of communication as required? What was said to influence the decision to KU over the obvious choice of Mizzou? What promises (if any) were made? Did Lew Perkins initiate any communications?

Something isn't right about this and I just hope it all comes to light. The purpose of the communications rules as stated above is to protect the relationships the Big XII has with the various bowls. It can be harmful to have an overzealous, rogue athletic director lobbying a bowl behind the scenes. It taints the process and is against the interest of the Big XII to ensure a fair process to all of its member schools.

KU has a history of playing fast and loose with the rules to get an edge. Remember, "compliance doesn't sell tickets."