SEC vs. Big 12 Bowl Game Simulations: 2002-2011
Part of me believes the Big 12 cut off its nose to spite its face by inking a bowl game contract with the SEC.
The Big 12 was on the verge of collapse last summer and interim commissioner Chuck Neinas desperately needed an anchor to create stability. What better safe haven than to hook up with the most prominent college football conference?
On the other hand, we are finally on our way to the coveted college football playoff, which may or may not include this new bowl game. I don't think Neinas cares/minds if the Big 12 versus SEC showdown is on the outside looking in on the potential BCS playoff. He and his conference just needed to know the Big 12 possessed a contracted responsibility through 2019.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here is where the national college football fanbase may once again play second fiddle to the almighty dollar.
Chances are high that if the SEC vs. Big 12 is separate from the BCS playoff, the two conference champions will be invited to the playoff and won't be participating in the new bowl game set to begin in 2014. So, you could very easily see the Big 12 and SEC runners-up converging for a New Year's Day game. Does that appeal to you as a consumer?
Although we can't alter the future SEC vs. Big 12 bowl game matchups, we do have the power to pair the past 10 conference champions in the "what-if" world.
Using our college football simulation engine, we "played" the SEC vs. Big 12 champions from 2002 through 2011 head-to-head 1,001 times.
| Oklahoma Sooners | 32.8 | 22.8 | Simulate Game |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 67.2 | 28.7 | |
2002 Georgia
Record: 13-1 (Sugar Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: David Pollack (DE)
2002 Oklahoma
Record: 12-2 (Rose Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: Quentin Griffin (RB)
| Kansas State Wildcats | 23.4 | 16.9 | Simulate Game |
| LSU Tigers | 76.6 | 27.4 | |
2003 Kansas State
Record: 11-4 (Fiesta Bowl loss)
Team MVP: Darren Sproles (RB)
2003 LSU
Record: 13-1 (Sugar Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: Chad Lavalais (DT)
| Oklahoma Sooners | 35.0 | 26.2 | Simulate Game |
| Auburn Tigers | 65.0 | 31.2 | |
2004 Oklahoma
Record: 12-1 (Orange Bowl loss)
Team MVP: Jason White (QB)
2004 Auburn
Record: 13-0 (Sugar Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: Jason Campbell (QB)/Carlos Rogers (DB)
| Texas Longhorns | 67.4 | 30.6 | Simulate Game |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 32.6 | 24.4 | |
2005 Texas
Record: 13-0 (BCS National Champions)
Team MVP: Vince Young (QB)
2005 Georgia
Record: 10-3 (Sugar Bowl loss)
Team MVP: D.J. Shockley (QB)
| Oklahoma Sooners | 35.9 | 21.1 | Simulate Game |
| Florida Gators | 64.1 | 26.3 | |
2006 Oklahoma
Record: 11-3 (Fiesta Bowl loss)
Team MVP: Adrian Peterson (RB)
2006 Florida
Record: 13-1 (BCS National Champs)
Team MVP: Chris Leak (QB)
| Oklahoma Sooners | 59.0 | 28.9 | Simulate Game |
| LSU Tigers | 41.0 | 25.5 | |
2007 Oklahoma
Record: 11-3 (Fiesta Bowl loss)
Team MVP: Sam Bradford (QB)
2007 LSU
Record: 12-2 (BCS National Champions)
Team MVP: Glenn Dorsey (DT)
| Oklahoma Sooners | 45.4 | 32.9 | Simulate Game |
| Florida Gators | 54.6 | 34.5 | |
2008 Florida
Record: 13-1 (BCS National Champions)
Team MVP: Tim Tebow (QB)
2008 Oklahoma
Record: 12-2 (BCS runner-up)
Team MVP: Sam Bradford (QB)
| Texas Longhorns | 11.5 | 15.1 | Simulate Game |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | 88.5 | 31.8 | |
2009 Texas
Record: 13-1 (BCS runner-up)
Team MVP: Colt McCoy (QB)
2009 Alabama
Record: 14-0 (BCS National Champions)
Team MVP: Mark Ingram (RB)
| Oklahoma Sooners | 61.2 | 30.7 | Simulate Game |
| Auburn Tigers | 38.8 | 27.4 | |
2010 Auburn
Record: 14-0 (BCS National Champions)
Team MVP: Cam Newton (QB)
2010 Oklahoma
Record: 12-2 (Fiesta Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: Landry Jones (QB)
| Oklahoma State Cowboys | 55.9 | 34.3 | Simulate Game |
| LSU Tigers | 44.1 | 32.4 | |
2011 Oklahoma State
Record: 12-1 (Fiesta Bowl Champs)
Team MVP: Justin Blackmon (WR)
2011 LSU
Record: 13-1 (BCS runner-up)
Team MVP: Tyrann D. Mathieu (CB)
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
