BCS Bowl Predictions 2013: Updated Projections After Auburn's Epic Victory

Not only did the 2013 Iron Bowl live up to the hype and instantly become one of college football's greatest games ever, but it shook up the postseason picture with BCS predictions being turned on their heads.

No. 4 Auburn toppled two-time defending national champion Alabama on one of the craziest plays you'll ever see. With one second left on the clock, the Crimson Tide attempted a 57-yard field goal for the win that was returned 109 yards for a touchdown by Auburn's Chris Davis as time expired.

The epic 34-28 victory shifted the hierarchy of not just college football in the state of Alabama, but across the nation as well. A once-presumed national title showdown between Alabama and Florida State is now history, and a couple of previous outsiders are now being thrust into the spotlight.

However, it's not all rosy for each team as only two can make the final showdown. The other teams on the outside looking in may have to settle for a BCS bowl. 

Here's a look at how the BCS projections look after the Iron Bowl.

Bowl	Matchup
National Championship	Florida State vs. Auburn
Rose Bowl	Stanford vs. Ohio State
Fiesta Bowl	Oklahoma State vs. Northern Illinois
Sugar Bowl	Alabama vs. UCF
Orange Bowl	Oregon vs. Michigan State

National Championship: Auburn vs. Florida State

One play can change everything.

That's what happened in Alabama on Saturday night, when Alabama was knocked off its perch. As a result, one of the two desirable national championship spots was equivocally opened. 

Florida State is still going strong after a lopsided win at The Swamp over Florida, and a showdown with Duke in the ACC title game is all that separates them from a trip to Pasadena. The Seminoles should enter No. 1 in the BCS standings after Alabama's slip-up.

After that, the question beckons as to whether a one-loss Auburn or an undefeated Ohio State should slide in line to take the No. 2 spot. Many voters will be siding with recent history and the overall body of work when they decide to put Auburn into that spot.

Ohio State was one play away from losing to 7-5 Michigan this weekend and really should've gone to overtime at the least. When you compare the Buckeyes' awful schedule to Auburn's season, which includes wins over Alabama, Texas A&M and more with one early-season loss to LSU, it doesn't really make sense to slide Urban Meyer's squad into the BCS title game.

Not just that, but Auburn has the opportunity to rack up another win over a top-10 foe in the SEC title game.

Of course, both teams could still slip up as Ohio State will face Michigan State in the Big Ten title game, but after Week 14, this makes the most sense.

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. UCF

It will be quite the tough pill to swallow for many Alabama fans after seeing their team go from the doorstep of a third national title to playing UCF to close out the postseason.

But after going down in their last performance of the season, there's no doubt that the Crimson Tide will miss out on going to Pasadena unless pandemonium ensues.

For 'Bama to have any shot at the title game, Missouri would have to lose to Texas A&M to send South Carolina to the SEC title game. The Gamecocks would have to knock off Auburn, all while seeing Ohio State or Florida State lose in one of their conference title games. 

It's certainly not impossible, but that's a lot of dominoes to fall in the span of seven days.

All UCF has to do to crash the BCS party is win against SMU next weekend. Even if the Knights fail to do that, which would be a huge surprise, Louisville beating Cincinnati would also do the trick for UCF.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Northern Illinois

Speaking of crashing the BCS party, Northern Illinois firmly established its spot in the driver's seat of a non-automatic qualifying bid after two separate results this weekend.

The Huskies' 33-14 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday was another statement for the undefeated squad, and seeing Fresno State lose to San Jose State Friday night meant their biggest competition in the race for an non-AQ bid is gone.

Should Northern Illinois cruise against Bowling Green next week in the MAC Championship, it should have little problem getting a bid. The Huskies are No. 14 entering Week 14 and should only climb with so many highly ranked teams losing. 

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State controlled its own destiny in the Big 12 race and took a firm grasp on the conference by beating then-No. 4 Baylor on Nov. 23. The Cowboys have a tough test at home against Oklahoma to close out the season, but after beating three ranked teams in November, nothing will phase Mike Gundy's squad with a conference title and BCS bid on the line.