SEC Bowl Projections

With one week remaining in an up-and-down season, the SEC bowl picture is still as muddy as ever.

Even after all the games are completed we still won't know anything for sure until the Sunday following the SEC Championship game. That is not commonplace in the SEC.

Usually, there are two elite teams, three to four fringe teams, two to three decent teams, and one lucky-to-be-.500 team in the SEC by this time in the season.

This year, the elite teams are there (Alabama and Florida). There are two fringe teams (Ole Miss and LSU). The SEC has a whole slew of decent teams (Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas). The one lucky team still holds true (South Carolina).

The liklihood of having four teams finish 7-5 in the SEC is mindboggling to say the least. Throw in the fact that three teams could finish 6-6 as well, and well, you see why the SEC is not quite what she's cracked up to be outside the top teams.

So without further ado I will look into my crystal ball and attempt to predict the unpredictable.

Independence Bowl

Ah...good ole' Shreveport, Louisiana. This bowl has long been the butt of SEC bowl jokes. Nothing like the Shreveport Wal-Mart to get your team excited to play a decent Big 12 team in an obscure city.

South Carolina has this one pretty much locked up. Their annual November slide virtually assures that the Gamecocks will lose to Clemson six days from now.

The likely opponent? Iowa State.

After losing coach Gene Chizek to Auburn, the Cyclones remembered how to win. After three wins in two seasons Iowa State is glad to be bowling again.

Still in the running: Georgia and Tennessee from the SEC. Kansas State and Texas A&M from the Big XII.

Papajohns.com Bowl

This one will be played after New Year's Day, but it's still way down in the SEC pecking order. Playing here would easily be akin to playing in the Shrieveport.

If Kentucky beats Tennessee six days from now, its destination will not be lowly Birmingham. But since the Wildcats have not defeated Tennessee in 24 years, I'm not expecting it to happen now.

I'm going to predict West Virginia to play here as well. The Moutaineers still have Pitt and Rutgers to face.

Still in the running: South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia from the SEC. South Florida and Rutgers from the Big East.

Liberty Bowl

The Liberty Bowl is not exactly a premier bowl destination, but for Arkansas it will be a welcomed site. There are tons of fans in the area since that state is just across the bridge.

Arkansas seems to be the perfect fit for this bowl game. Bobby Petrino and company have had a decent season and should finish 7-5 after LSU beats them in Baton Rouge this coming weekend.

The Conference USA champion plays here. Houston should win that conference. So I will go with Houston. Case Keenum vs. Ryan Mallett means first team to 100 wins.

Still in the running: South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia from the SEC. East Carolina from Conference USA.

Music City Bowl

After Georgia gets trounced by Georgia Tech this week their most likely destination at 6-6 would be the Music City Bowl.

Nashville has played host to the 'Dawgs before, but it's been a while (2001).

Georgia's most likely opponent would be Florida State.

The 'Noles became bowl eligible on Saturday when they beat Maryland. Their annual loss to Florida this coming weekend, assures them a 6-6 record.

Teams still in the running for Music City: South Carolina and Tennessee from the SEC. Duke from the ACC.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

The game formerly known as the Peach Bowl will welcome another great SEC vs. ACC matchup.

I think Tennessee winds up here for two reasons. Atlanta has a strong, devoted base of Vols fans, and for the rest of them the city is within a few hours. The second reason is that the Outback Bowl will pass on a Vols vs. Wisconsin rematch from '07.

Bowls don't like rematches much.

Opposing the Vols will be the Clemson Tigers. I realize this too would be a rematch, but at least six season's seperate the last time these two played in the Peach Bowl.

Still in the running: Auburn, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky from the SEC. Virginia Tech from the ACC.

Outback Bowl

Auburn sat out last year's bowl season along with Tennessee and Arkansas. Gene Chizik has had some decent success in his first year on the Plains and the fans should be ecstatic about this desination.

Auburn will lose to Alabama creating this possibility.

Representing the Big 10 will most likely be Wisconsin. Even with the Badgers loss to Northwestern on Saturday, it seemingly has this one wrapped up.

Still in the running: Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky from the SEC. Northwestern from the Big 10.

Capital One Bowl

This is the most coveted non-BCS SEC Bowl destination. It gets the prime afternoon slot on New Year's day and is usually an exciting game featuring a fringe SEC team vs. a fringe Big 10 team. This year will be no exception.

Ole Miss will land here by virtue of their big win over LSU on Saturday. The Rebels started slow, but have really come a long way in a few short weeks.

Their likely opponent will be Iowa. Of course, that's completely up to the BCS. If a BCS bowl decides to take Penn State then Iowa drops here. Which is exactly what I think happens. Penn State is too big a draw for the Fiesta Bowl to pass on.

Still in the running: LSU in the SEC. Penn State in the Big 10.

Cotton Bowl

If the Capital One is the premier non-BCS destination, then the Cotton Bowl is easily the second best.

LSU virtually stamped their ticket here with their loss to Ole Miss. That ought to teach Les Miles not to have his field goal kicking team ready at the end of a game.

The likely opponent will be Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are one win away from finishing 10-2 and have been near the top 10 all season long.

Still in the running: Ole Miss from the SEC. Nebraska from the Big XII.

Sugar Bowl

It's amazing that the Sugar Bowl has become a consolation prize for the loser of the SEC Championship Game.

It used to be a reward for winning the finest conference in all the land, but since the conference champion now has bigger fish to fry, the Sugar becomes a second place trophy.

Florida has never had an undefeated season. So why start now? No, seriously I fully expect Alabama to continue their '09 dominance and dispatch Florida to New Orleans for New Year's.

The most likely opponent in my opinion is Cincinnati. The Bearcats should win the Big East and force a showdown with the mighty Gators.

Other possibilities: Alabama from the SEC (if Florida wins the SEC Championship). Pittsburgh (if it defeats Cincy next week).

BCS National Championship Game

It's been a while, Bama fans, but the national champion will once again be clad in Crimson in 2009. Beating Florida is a mere formality for Heisman runner-up-to-be Mark Ingram.

The Tide will square off against Heisman winner-to-be Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns in Pasadena.

This is likely to be one of the best BCS National Title game's in quite some time.

Bama's tough, hard nosed defense against the prolific offensive attack of Texas. Texas' stout defense vs. Alabama's slug it out in the trenches ground attack.

I personally cannot wait to see it.

Other possibilities: Florida (If it defeats Bama in the SEC title game). TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State (If hell freezes over).