BCS Rankings 2010: BCS Bowl Projections With Computers and How We Want It
The first BCS Rankings 2010 have come out and now that we know where things stand as far as the BCS rankings, we have a much better idea of what the BCS Bowls should look like.
On the one hand, we know what the matchups would look like if the season ended today.
On the other hand, we were just handed an instruction manual for our crystal ball.
So let's take a look at things from both a practical and an imaginative perspective, and see if we can't peer into the future.
The Real Fiesta Bowl
1 of 10
LSU vs. West Virginia
Going toe-to-toe with LSU is probably the only reason West Virginia is in the position they're in. Well, if things play out without any changes from here on out, it looks like the Mountaineers will get another shot at the Tigers.
The Mountaineers were last in the Fiesta Bowl in 2008, when they easily dispatched Oklahoma 48-28.
As for LSU, they currently stand to miss out on the Sugar Bowl to Auburn, as they well should. They've never played in the Fiesta Bowl, so they'll have a chance to add a new trophy to the case.
The Imaginary Fiesta Bowl
2 of 10
Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
Methinks that the Sooners are not going to make it through the rest of their schedule without dropping at least one game. Missouri poses a real threat. Ditto Oklahoma State.
Nothing new for Oklahoma. They played in the Fiesta Bowl two years in a row in 2007 and 2008. They lost both games: to Boise State in over time in 2007, and to West Virginia in 2008.
Well, they won't be playing for the National Championship, but at least they'd get a chance to revenge 2008.
The Real Orange Bowl
3 of 10
TCU vs. Florida State
Despite my misgivings about Florida State, there's no denying that they are the class of the ACC right now. They haven't been to an Orange Bowl since 2006, and haven't won one since 1996 when they beat Notre Dame 31-26.
As for TCU, even if they win out, they probably won't make it to the BCS Championship, but I'm sure they'll settle for their first Orange Bowl since 1942. That was the only one they've ever played in, and they lost to Georgia 40-26.
The Imaginary Orange Bowl
4 of 10
TCU vs. Florida State
As much as I want Virginia Tech to win the ACC, I just don't think they can pull it off. Florida State may tend to make it interesting, but they do tend to find a way to win.
As for TCU, I actually think they'll end up right where they are now.
So as much as I want to get creative with this one, there's just no way I can do so with a straight face.
The Real Sugar Bowl
5 of 10
Auburn vs. Iowa
How about this for a matchup of quarterbacks? The running, jumping, passing, not standing still Cam Newton versus ye olde pocket passer, Ricky Stanzi.
Stanzi lead the Hawkeyes to a win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl last year, which gives him considerably more experience than the first year starter Newton.
Auburn's last Sugar Bowl appearance was in 2005, when they beat Virginia Tech 16-13.
This would be Iowa's first Sugar Bowl appearance, and their first BCS Bowl since they got torched by USC in the 2003 Orange Bowl.
The Imaginary Sugar Bowl
6 of 10
Auburn vs. Ohio State
While winning the SEC remains as tall a task in years past, Auburn should be able to do so and finish in the overall Top 10.
As far as Iowa is concerned, I think a late loss to Ohio State will catapult the Buckeyes into their spot.
Nevertheless, this one would still give us a hell of a quarterback matchup: Cam Newton and Terrelle Pryor. Both of them are in the running for the Heisman, so watching the two of them square off against each other would be a humdinger.
Ohio State went to two Sugar Bowls in a row from 1998-1999. They lost to Florida State in 1998, and beat Texas A&M in 1999.
The Real Rose Bowl
7 of 10
Boise State vs. Michigan State
Yes, as things stand right now, Boise State will once again be on the outside looking in at a BCS National Championship game that they should probably be playing in.
But hey, they can take a little consolation in the fact that this would be their first ever Rose Bowl appearance. That's a big deal, right?
As for Michigan State, making it to the Rose Bowl is a huge accomplishment in a season in which they weren't even ranked at the start of the season. They haven't been to a Rose Bowl since they beat USC in 1988. This would be their fifth ever Rose Bowl, having won three of the four they're already played in.
Either way, if you're a true college football fan, trying to pick the better story is a tough choice.
The Imaginary Rose Bowl
8 of 10
Oregon vs. Boise State
There are probably plenty or matchups that are more likely to happen than this one, but this is the one that would probably be the most intriguing one of all.
If ever there was a litmus test to see whether or not Boise can play with the big boys, how about putting them opposite the fastest and most explosive offense in the nation?
And for Oregon, they may finally find a team that can keep up with them.
This would be Oregon's second Rose Bowl in a row. They lost to Ohio State last season, who also beat them in the 1958 Rose Bowl.
In fact, Oregon hasn't won a Rose Bowl since they beat Pennsylvania in 1917. The first person who says they remember that one gets a prize.
The Real BCS Championship
9 of 10
Oklahoma vs. Oregon
In my opinion, the realization that this would be the National Championship game was probably the biggest bummer when the BCS rankings were announced today. While I have nothing but enthusiasm for Oregon and Chip Kelly, I am bored to death by Bob Stoops and Oklahoma. It seems like the Sooners are in the BCS Championship game every other year, and they always seem to blow it.
And this is largely true. They've been to four of them in the last 12 years, and have only won one. That was back in 2001, when they beat Florida State 13-2.
They lost to LSU in 2003, to USC in 2005, and to Florida in 2009.
Oregon has never been to a BCS Championship game.
By the way, I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me why Oklahoma is the best team in the country.
The Imaginary BCS Championship
10 of 10
Alabama vs. Boise State
If Alabama runs the table from this point, how do you keep them out of the BCS Championship? And if you think a one-loss SEC team won't have a crack at No. 1 or No. 2, think again. It can happen, and it probably will.
Thus, Boise is given an even more fitting test then Oregon. What better way for them to silence the critics than by beating Nick Saban's champion team?
Alabama, as we all know, won the BCS last year, beating a Colt McCoy-less Texas 37-21. That is there one and only BCS Championship appearance.
