Dallas ? The Big 12 Conference’s good fortune in getting two teams into the BCS could come with a price: tougher bowl matchups.

When Texas was moved up from the Cotton Bowl to the Rose, every Big 12 bowl team below it was moved up in the league’s postseason pecking order. That’s not necessarily good for the Big 12.

Last season, when the Big 12 had two teams in the BCS, the league went 2-6 in its bowls. The Big 12 could have an even tougher chore this bowl season.

For example, Texas A&M will be playing a 15th-ranked Tennessee team in the Cotton Bowl that is coming off an impressive showing against undefeated Auburn in the SEC championship.

Had Texas not bumped California from the BCS, the Aggies would be playing No. 21 Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl.

Texas Tech got the best and worst of the UT’s bowl bump. Instead of another trip to the Alamo Bowl, Tech will play in the Holiday Bowl.

But instead of facing 7-4 Ohio State in San Antonio, the Red Raiders get the No. 4 team in the country, California. Considering how the Longhorns took their spot in the Rose Bowl, the Golden Bears should be slightly motivated against any team with “Texas” in its name.

Until the final BCS rankings came out, Oklahoma State was destined to play in the Independence Bowl against a team from the MAC. Now the Cowboys get the Alamo Bowl against a team from the Big Ten.

It’s OSU vs. OSU, but one of them is just a couple of seasons removed from a national championship. The Buckeyes beat Big Ten champ Michigan in their last game. Oklahoma State fell to Texas Tech in its last game.

That Tech-Oklahoma State game, by the way, was Tech’s only win over a team with a winning record. Still feel good about that matchup with Cal?

Iowa State gets the Independence Bowl instead of Oklahoma State, which may be a good thing. It means the Cyclones won’t be playing sky-high UTEP in the Houston Bowl.

That honor goes to Colorado, which lost a trip to Orlando and the Champs Sports Bowl when Texas went to the BCS. Instead, the Buffaloes get a trip to Houston in front of UTEP’s rabid fans.

Texas, the cause of all these matchups, gets Michigan instead of Tennessee. That’s about an even swap, except instead of playing in their home state, the Longhorns will be outsiders in Pasadena, Calif. The pressure will be on Texas to prove it deserved its BCS bid.

The Orange Bowl, meanwhile, will be a star-studded national title game between Oklahoma and Southern Cal. Will that be enough to outshine a poor performance if the other Big 12 bowl teams don’t come through?

There is some debate as to whether the bowl outcomes really matter. Some teams treat the bowl trip as a reward for a long season. Preparing for the game is secondary.

On the other hand, the SEC is generally considered the nation’s toughest conference, and it went 5-2 in bowls last season. Three wins were over Big 12 teams.

The Big 12 often is billed as the second-toughest league behind the SEC. After the Big 12 North’s champion was exposed on prime time television in the league championship game, a strong showing in the bowls is a must.