College Football: Projecting Every Bowl Game Post Week 11

Week 11 of the college football season is now complete, and two more unbeaten teams went down on Saturday, as Louisville and Alabama both lost conference games.

The loss by the Crimson Tide was one of the most surprising results of the weekend and more than likely knocked the SEC out of the national championship picture.

With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the bowl picture continues to clear up.

Here are projections for all 35 bowl games, from the Gildan New Mexico Bowl to the BCS National Championship.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs. Arizona State

When: Saturday, Dec. 15, at 1:00 p.m.

The Mountain West and Pac-12 meet in the first bowl game of the year.

Nevada is a middle-of-the-road Mountain West team that has had its fair share of close losses this season.

The Wolfpack are very talented on the offensive side of the ball and a game against Arizona State would be fun to watch.

The Sun Devils have lost four games in a row, but at 5-5 only need one more win to become bowl eligible. With Washington State next on the schedule, that is looking very likely.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Utah State

When: Saturday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m.

After starting off the season 7-0, Ohio has fallen on hard times, losing two out of three with two very challenging road games remaining.

The Bobcats have dropped down to this bowl game as the MAC No. 3, but could fall even further.

Utah State is the second-best team in the WAC. They are led by quarterback Chuckie Keeton, who can do a little bit of everything with the ball in his hands.

The Aggies have won five straight and are headed for a showdown at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs. BYU

When: Thursday, Dec. 20, at 8:00 p.m.

A loss last weekend to San Diego State puts Boise State in an unfamiliar position of not being the conference champion.

The Broncos have still had an excellent season and are sitting at 8-2 overall. They have done it with defense so far this season, as has BYU.

The Cougars have a top-10 defense, and at 6-4, have lost to some very tough opponents.

For those who enjoy a little defense, this is the perfect bowl game to tune into.

Beef O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl: Ball State vs. Central Florida

When: Friday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Central Florida has a legitimate shot to win Conference USA, and if they don't, this might be where they end up.

The Knights have had a solid season and continue to improve as they prepare to head into the Big East.

Ball State is fresh off an upset victory at Toledo and has emerged as one of the six very talented MAC teams.

The Cardinals are 7-3 overall and have won four straight games. This team is red-hot and will be a handful for anybody.

R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Kent State

When: Saturday, Dec. 22, at 12:00 p.m.

After a slow start to the season, Arkansas State has come on strong in recent weeks and has won five in a row.

The Red Wolves are 7-3 overall and look like they might win the Sun Belt with the season-finale against Middle Tennessee looming.

Kent State is another talented team, and at 9-1, the Golden Flashes are winners of eight straight.

They are one of the hottest teams in the country and still have a legitimate shot to win the MAC.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: San Diego State vs. Arizona

When: Saturday, Dec. 22, at 3:30 p.m.

This is typically a bowl game that Boise State finds itself in, but with San Diego State in the driver's seat to win the Mountain West Conference, this is where the Aztecs will end up.

The Aztecs are also a very hot team, having won six games in a row. They do it with a strong running game and a solid defense.

Arizona has been up and down for most of the season, but is much improved from a year ago.

The Wildcats have no problem scoring, but have one of the worst defenses in the country. This would be a nice mid-December bowl game.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs. East Carolina

When: Monday, Dec. 24, at 8:00 p.m.

The annual Christmas Eve Hawaii Bowl will pit a very talented Mountain West Conference team against one of the few talented Conference USA teams.

Fresno State has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Derek Carr. He has been phenomenal all season long with 30 touchdown passes to his name.

East Carolina might be one of only three teams in the conference to qualify for a bowl game, as they already have the necessary six wins.

This one could be one of the more lopsided bowl games of the season.

Little Caesar's Bowl: Toledo vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

When: Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Toledo suffered a tough loss to Ball State, but still stands at 8-2 and is one of the top teams in the MAC.

The Rockets do have an outside shot to win the MAC, but will likely end up falling short. They have a great quarterback/running back combination in Terrance Owens and David Fluellen.

Louisiana-Lafayette nearly knocked off Florida on Saturday and is one of the many talented teams in the Sun Belt.

This would be quite a matchup if it did happen.

Military Bowl: San Jose State vs. Louisiana-Monroe

When: Thursday, Dec. 27, at 3:00 p.m.

San Jose State has been one of the surprise teams in the nation and is sitting right now at 8-2.

The Spartans have BYU and Louisiana Tech remaining, so there are some challenging games on the schedule.

Louisiana-Monroe has lost two straight, but at 6-4 has made it through the difficult part of its schedule.

The Warhawks can put some serious points on the board as can the Spartans. This one would certainly be a shootout.

Belk Bowl: Louisville vs. Georgia Tech

When: Thursday, Dec. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

Louisville still has a real shot to win the Big East, but another loss and the Cardinals could find themselves in the Belk Bowl.

Syracuse dominated Louisville from start to finish Saturday, winning 45-26 and knocking the Cardinals out of first place in the Big East.

Georgia Tech on the other hand is now 5-5 and has won two games in a row. The Yellow Jackets do have a challenging schedule remaining, but only need one win to qualify for a bowl game.

They will likely be able to get that on Saturday against Duke.

Holiday Bowl: UCLA vs. Texas Tech

When: Thursday, Dec. 27, at 9:45 p.m.

The Holiday Bowl is one of the premier early bowl games, and this matchup would be excellent if it did happen, as UCLA and Texas Tech are both in the upper half of their respective conferences.

The Bruins are 8-2 with two very challenging games remaining. If they win those two games, a better bowl game will be in order.

Texas Tech struggled most recently, but has been excellent this season after struggling for most of last year. This game would certainly feature a lot of points.

Independence Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Louisiana Tech

When: Friday, Dec. 28, at 2:00 p.m.

Louisiana Tech is one of the highest scoring teams in the country but struggles mightily on the defensive side of the ball.

The Bulldogs are scoring nearly 53 points a game and have been impressive all season long.

Bowling Green, meanwhile, has been coming on strong in recent weeks. The Falcons have one of the top ten defenses in the country, allowing only 15 points a game.

The Falcons have won six straight and have a big one against Kent State on Saturday.

Russell Athletic Bowl: Rutgers vs. Duke

When: Friday, Dec. 28, at 5:30 p.m.

Rutgers struggled for three quarters before putting Army away with three fourth-quarter touchdowns. 

The Scarlet Knights improved their record to 8-1 overall and are still 4-0 in Big East play. They have some huge games remaining, including a road game against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Duke started 6-2 but has lost two straight and could find itself at 6-6 when the season is over.

Still, that is an excellent year for the Blue Devils, and what better way to end it than with a bowl game.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: TCU vs. Minnesota

When: Friday, Dec. 28, at 9:00 p.m.

This game typically pits the No. 6 team in the Big 12 against the No. 6 team in the Big Ten. This year that is not a very even matchup.

TCU is a mid-level Big 12 team and at 6-4 it is looking like the Horned Frogs could end up here.

Minnesota is also 6-4 and became bowl eligible with a win over Illinois on Saturday. The Gophers have been a pleasant surprise this season and have not fallen off the map like they usually do.

Still, if these two teams played, TCU would have way too much for the Gophers in this one.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Air Force

When: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 11:45 a.m.

This bowl game has Air Force written all over it. The 5-5 Falcons need one more win to become bowl eligible and should be able to pick up a win against Hawaii on Friday.

The Falcons love to run the football. They average 337 yards a game, good for third in the country.

Western Kentucky is one of at least five teams in the Sun Belt that is going to get a bowl game.

The Hilltoppers have lost two games in a row and three of four, but it still appears they will reach a bowl. This is one possible scenario.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: West Virginia vs. Syracuse

When: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 3:15 p.m.

How the mighty have fallen. At one point in the season, West Virginia was one of the top five teams in the country and now finds itself in the only northern bowl playing an old conference rival.

Syracuse annihilated West Virginia in stunning fashion last season. The Orange do still need one more win to become bowl eligible after knocking off Louisville. 

It really does not seem like the Mountaineers will ever win a game again. They have lost four straight, but have Iowa State and Kansas remaining on the schedule, so there are wins out there.

Syracuse is no stranger to playing in New York and would have a home-field advantage in this one.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Washington vs. Navy

When: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 4:00 p.m.

Washington has been one of the hottest teams in the country lately. They have finally started to put everything together, having won three straight.

The brutal part of the schedule is over and there is a good chance the 6-4 Huskies could finish 8-4 and in the Top 25.

Navy is 6-4 with two relatively easy games remaining. The Midshipmen are slated for this bowl game if they are eligible, which they are.

Even though they lost to Troy on Saturday, Navy has won five out of its past six games.

Valero Alamo Bowl: Texas vs. Oregon State

When: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 6:45 p.m.

This would be quite a matchup if it did happen. Oregon State and Texas are two of the top-20 teams in the country, and even though Oregon State lost to Stanford, the Beavers are still a pleasant surprise this season.

Texas has been hot lately, having won four straight games. The defense has finally started to show up for the Longhorns, and if that continues, this team will be scary the rest of the way. 

These two teams appear to be relatively evenly matched, making this one of the more intriguing bowl games.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Michigan State

When: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 10:15 p.m.

This is another Big 12-Big Ten matchup. And more than likely it is another uneven matchup in favor of the Big 12.

Michigan State has been a huge disappointment this season, but at 5-5 it appears like the Spartans are at least going to qualify for a bowl game.

Oklahoma has been one of the pleasant surprises in the Big 12 and is not afraid to put some points on the board.

This matchup would be very interesting, as the talented Spartans defense would go up against the vaunted Oklahoma State defense.

Music City Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt

When: Monday, Dec. 31, at 12:00 p.m.

Vanderbilt is very hot after starting the year 2-4, and is now sitting at 6-4.

The Commodores have a stout defense. The group is only allowing 17 points a game, good for 12th in the country.

Virginia Tech might be the biggest stretch of any of these bowl teams. The Hokies are 4-6 right now and need two more wins to qualify for a bowl game.

They have Boston College and Virginia to end the season, so winning two more games is not out of the question.

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Miami vs. USC

When: Monday, Dec. 31, at 2:00 p.m.

These are two of the biggest-named programs in the country, and while both have returned to the national stage, they are each having disappointing finishes to their respective seasons.

USC has lost two of its past three games and has a grueling schedule the rest of the way. Wide receiver Marqise Lee, though, is the most talented player in the country and would be tough for Miami to stop.

Miami stumbled in a 41-40 loss against Virginia. The defense has been a question mark all season and the thought was the group was getting better following a win over Virginia Tech.

That was not the case, however, as they continue to struggle on that side of the ball.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Tulsa vs. Missouri

When: Monday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m.

The Tulsa Hurricanes are a virtual lock to be play Central Florida for the Conference USA championship. They have been very impressive all season long.

They can put some points on the board and do it via the run. The Hurricanes are averaging over 230 rushing yards a game.

Missouri has struggled all season long and still needs one more win to become bowl eligible.

But, after knocking off Tennessee in four overtimes on Saturday, it appears the Tigers will make it through a season filled with injuries and qualify for postseason play.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Texas A&M

When: Monday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

This is typically one of the best bowl games before the turn of the new year. It features the ACC and the SEC doing battle.

The 2012 version could be very lopsided. Texas A&M appears to be the most likely candidate to fill the spot for the SEC and could face an overmatched North Carolina State team.

The Aggies are fresh off a dramatic win over No. 1 Alabama and are looking to jump way up in the rankings. If they were in any other conference, they would be in a better bowl game.

NC State is 6-4 after a convincing victory over Wake Forest. They could be in for a tough game in this one.

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl: Northwestern vs. Mississippi State

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 12:00 p.m.

New Year's Day features a lot of things, and lately one of those has been the SEC beating up on the Big Ten. This year, in the Gator Bowl, that might be a different story.

The Bulldogs have lost three straight and fallen on some hard times. Northwestern has also suffered through some very close defeats.

Both of these teams have three losses right now and probably need to win out to play in a New Year's Bowl.

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but either way, these two teams have both been pleasant surprises this year.

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Purdue vs. Iowa State

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 12:00 p.m.

It might seem like a long shot to put Purdue in a bowl, but the Boilermakers won at Iowa on Saturday. They now have winnable games against Illinois and Indiana remaining on the schedule.

Iowa State will fill the spot in this bowl game, which is typically taken by a Conference USA team. Since there are so many bowl-eligible Big 12 teams, this is where they will land.

Some may not consider these teams bowl-worthy, but both have a legitimate shot to get to six wins.

Outback Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 1:00 p.m.

The Outback Bowl is another bowl featuring Big Ten and SEC teams. If this is the case, it could be another mismatch.

Wisconsin has not had the season it was expecting, but is starting to find itself and still has a great shot to qualify for the Rose Bowl.

LSU has suffered two tough losses, and if the Tigers can win their remaining two games, this is likely where they will end up.

The Badgers have a big game against Ohio State on Saturday, but win or lose they will be in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 1.

Capital One Bowl: Michigan vs. Georgia

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 1:00 p.m.

Georgia is one of the most impressive teams in the country and has a legitimate shot to play in the Sugar Bowl if it can beat Alabama in the SEC championship.

Michigan has also been playing well lately. Don't look now, but the three Michigan losses have all come to top-15 teams.

If Georgia comes to play, this game would not likely be close, as the Bulldogs are comparable in talent to Alabama, just not as consistent. 

Michigan, meanwhile, might have a quarterback controversy on its hands in the coming weeks, as Devin Gardner has been impressive.

At&T Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma vs. South Carolina

When: Friday, Jan. 4, at 8:00 p.m.

Oklahoma is likely in a battle with Clemson for the final BCS spot, but the one-loss Tigers might hold the edge right now.

The Sooners have struggled against talented competition, but quarterback Landry Jones is still one of the best in the country.

South Carolina played well in its first game minus running back Marcus Lattimore, knocking off Arkansas.

The talented defense of South Carolina would be tested against the offensive attack of the Sooners. This Cotton Bowl would definitely be a nice game to check out.

BBVA Compass Bowl: Ole Miss vs. SMU

When: Sat, Jan. 5, at 1:00 p.m.

Ole Miss suffered a devastating 27-26 loss against Vanderbilt, falling to 5-5 overall and is in need of one more win to qualify for a bowl game.

If the Rebels want to do that, they will need to either knock off LSU or Mississippi State.

SMU is also sitting at 5-5 and needing one more win to become bowl eligible. With Rice coming up this weekend, the opportunity is certainly there.

Since Conference USA is relatively weak, a 6-6 SMU team may not warrant a bowl game, but certainly will get one.

GoDaddy.com Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Middle Tennessee

When: Sunday, Jan. 6, at 9:00 p.m.

The champion of the MAC will be invited to the GoDaddy.com Bowl, and right now it looks like Northern Illinois is going to be that team.

Kent State also has shot to be playing here, but Northern Illinois looks pretty tough right now with its only loss all season coming against Iowa by a point in the season opener. 

Middle Tennessee has played a very challenging schedule this season and still has a shot to win the Sun Belt.

The Blue Raiders are 6-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play. With three games left on the schedule, a lot can still happen.

Rose Bowl: Nebraska vs. Stanford

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 5:00 p.m.

In a down season for the Big Ten, only one team is going to make a BCS bowl. Nebraska appears to be that team right now.

Stanford might have played its way into the Rose Bowl with a win over Oregon State, but the Cardinal probably need to win out to get here.

If Oregon does not make the national championship, this is where they will end up.

Nebraska will need to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship to make the Rose Bowl, and that is easier said than done.

Discover Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Cincinnati

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 8:30 p.m.

Of all the potential BCS bowls, this would be the biggest mismatch of them all.

The Seminoles have only lost one game all season and this destination is almost a certainty, pending a victory in the ACC title game.

Cincinnati is 7-2, and a win over Rutgers on Saturday would put the Bearcats in the driver's seat to win the Big East.

A loss and Rutgers would be the clear front-runner. Either way, both teams would be a big underdog against the Seminoles in the Orange Bowl.

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Clemson

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 p.m.

Pending a victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, this is where Alabama will likely end up.

The Crimson Tide suffered a devastating home loss to Texas A&M over the weekend and knocked themselves back to No. 4 in the rankings.

Clemson is an interesting team and should end up here if it wins out and finishes the season 11-1.

The only loss so far for the Tigers has come at Florida State. When it comes to offense, few teams in the country feature the talent Clemson does.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Florida

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 p.m.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish still have a legitimate shot to play for the BCS National Championship if they win their final two games.

Florida has struggled in recent weeks and needed a blocked punt against Louisiana-Lafayette to come out with a 27-20 home victory.

There is no question that this would be a huge defensive battle between two of the best defenses in the country.

This game could be similar to the BCS National Championship from last season.

Discover BCS National Championship: Kansas State vs. Oregon

When: Monday, Jan. 7, at 8:30 p.m.

With three undefeated teams left in college football, any of them could be playing for the national championship.

As it stands right now, these are the two most likely, but a lot could change between now and then.

The Ducks have the best offense in the country, and the Wildcats might just be the most complete team.

Both have some challenging games remaining, but neither have really been tested. That could change over the next three weeks, however.

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