BCS Rankings Week 3: BCS Bowl Projections Based on Third BCS Rankings
BCS Rankings Week 3 now turns its attention to the point of all this nonsense—the bowls.
With Michigan State and Missouri dropping out of the Top 10, all sorts of doors opened up. As a result, what the bowls look like is probably going to change drastically every week from hereon out.
And while the rankings tell us what the bowls will look like if the season ended today, we also have our intuition to play with.
Let's play matchmaker.
The Real Fiesta Bowl
1 of 10
Pittsburgh vs. Nebraska
Nebraska made a huge statement by defeating the undefeated Missouri Tigers on Saturday, and now they're No. 7 in the BCS and back atop the Big 12 North.
The Panthers are the only team left in the Big East with an undefeated conference mark, and are sitting just atop the Syracuse Orange. The toughest test for them the rest of the way will be a game at home against West Virginia, who were No. 20 in the first BCS rankings.
Nebraska last played in a Fiesta Bowl in 2000, when they beat Northwestern 66-17. Pittsburgh hasn't been since 2004, when they lost to Utah 35-7.
The Speculative Fiesta Bowl
2 of 10
Nebraska vs. Syracuse
After watching what the Cornhuskers did on offense against Missouri, I like them to keep on rolling. In addition, I think watching them play for a Fiesta Bowl win would be a good way to properly see them out of the Big 12.
Syracuse probably isn't going to end up winning the Big East, especially since they lost to Pitt head to head, but I still want to see them play in the Fiesta Bowl anyway. They haven't been to one since 1997 and haven't won it since 1992.
The Real Orange Bowl
3 of 10
Virginia Tech vs. TCU
I had this matchup as my speculative Orange Bowl last week, and Florida State's loss to NC State has made it a like reality.
Thank you, Florida State.
TCU will probably win out, which will include a win over No. 5 Utah on Saturday. But they're not going to get a shot at the BCS Championship, so they'll have to settle for this one.
The Horned Frogs last played in the Orange Bowl in1942, losing to Georgia 40-26.
The Hokies went in 2009 and beat Cincinnati 20-7.
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The Speculative Orange Bowl
4 of 10
Virginia Tech vs. TCU
Tyrod Taylor versus the nation's top defense?
Sounds good to me. Make it happen, boys.
The Real Sugar Bowl
5 of 10
Alabama vs. Wisconsin
Auburn is in line to play in the BCS Championship game, but it would be shocking if the Sugar Bowl didn't select the Crimson Tide as the SEC replacement.
With a priority pick this year, I like the selection of current BCS No. 9 Wisconsin, who would play in their first ever Sugar Bowl.
'Bama went to the Sugar Bowl in 2008 and lost to Utah, 31-17.
The Speculative Sugar Bowl
6 of 10
Auburn vs. Ohio State
I like Alabama to shake things up with a win in the Iron Bowl, which could put them in line towards a second straight BCS Championship.
But an Auburn appearance in the Sugar Bowl would be a fine substitute, and I think watching him and Terrelle Pryor go at it would be a hoot.
Auburn last went to the Sugar Bowl in 2005, where they beat Virginia Tech 16-13.
Ohio State went to two straight Sugar Bowls from 1998-1999, winning the latter one over Texas A&M.
The Real Rose Bowl
7 of 10
Michigan State vs. Boise State
The Big Ten is kind of a mess right now, but ESPN is telling me that Michigan State will sneak their way into the Rose Bowl when the time comes.
Well, why not?
It would be Michigan State's first Rose Bowl since 1988. They beat USC 20-17 in that one.
As for Boise, they're definitely not going to make it to the BCS Championship at this rate. Naturally, this would be their first Rose Bowl.
Regardless, this would be the first Rose Bowl without a Pac-10 team since 2005, when Texas beat Michigan.
The Speculative Rose Bowl
8 of 10
Stanford vs. Michigan State
Before you ask, I have no idea how this would work. So please don't.
I hate Stanford. Actually hate them. But I do think they're underrated by just about everybody outside of Palo Alto. They deserve to be in a Rose Bowl.
The Cardinal last went to the Rose Bowl in 2000, when they lost to Wisconsin. They last won it in 1972.
The Real BCS Championship
9 of 10
Oregon vs. Auburn
Same as it was last week, but it's still an intriguing matchup.
The BCS Championship would be a first for both of them, and it's hard to imagine anything else but a balls-to-the-wall shootout.
With a bit of luck, maybe they can give us something like that game between Texas and USC a few years back. Epic.
The Speculative BCS Championship
10 of 10
Alabama vs. Boise State
I've been pedaling the possibility for two weeks now, and I'm not going to stop simply because Boise has dropped a place in the rankings.
The reason, as I'll say again, is simple. If Boise gets their guts stomped out, the BCS works.
But if Boise wins, thus dethroning the defending champs, I think it would become pretty obvious that a playoff is needed.
And who doesn't want a playoff?
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