Bears stay home for bowl game

Baylor announced Sunday it accepted an invitation to the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Although the Bears were closer than some may have thought to reaching a BCS bowl, coach Art Briles and his players were glad to hear the news of this year's bowl destination.

"I am really familiar with San Antonio. It's a great city, great venue with the Alamo Dome," Briles said.

The Bears return to bowl play after a disappointing 38-14 loss to Illinois in last year's Texas Bowl. Quarterback Robert Griffin III wouldn't say the team was "just happy to be there" at the Texas Bowl, but he did say there's a difference in mentality this year.

"We've done a better job this year of matching what we say with the way we play," Griffin III said.

For the seniors, the Alamo Bowl is one last chance to bring Baylor its first bowl victory since a 1992 Sun Bowl win over Arizona.

"I think we've left a legacy of success," senior linebacker Elliot Coffey. "I don't think we can get too caught up in that now because we still do have the bowl game left … We're going to get this done. And then at the end of it all we can really check back and our fans and the rest of you guys can speak for us."

As for Griffin and his potential departure for the NFL, the decision is still up in the air.

"I don't know," Griffin said. "I love these guys here. I love Baylor University. We'll see what happens."

Griffin has not yet filed papers for evaluation by the NFL.

The deadline is Dec. 17.