BCS Rankings Week 11: BCS Bowl Projections Based on Fourth BCS Rankings
BCS Rankings Week 11 is going to wrap up by taking a definitive look at the ultimate point of all this BCS nonsense - the bowls.
Gone from consideration after this past weekend's action are Utah, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Coming in through the door while they exit are LSU, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.
But rest assured, the projected matchups are still plenty interesting. You'll find out why inside.
But then again, they might not be as interesting as some of the other matchups we can think of.
Regardless, it's time to play matchmaker. Away we go!
The Fiesta Bowl
1 of 10
Pittsburgh vs. Nebraska
Nebraska got bumped down a spot to No. 8 in the latest BCS rankings, but the Cornhuskers are still on target to end up in a BCS bowl. They should be thankful for that after this week's scare against Iowa State.
Regardless, the Cornhuskers definitely look like the class of the Big 12, so they will end up in the Fiesta Bowl after winning the Big 12 championship game.
The Fiesta Bowl gets the last at-large pick, and the likely Big East champion Pittsburgh Panthers (3-0 conference mark) are the likely pick at this point.
It would be a return for both teams. Nebraska last played in a Fiesta Bowl in 2000, when it beat Northwestern 66-17. Pittsburgh hasn't been since 2004, when it lost to Utah 35-7.
The Fiesta Bowl: Speculative Version
2 of 10
Nebraska vs. West Virginia
As long as Taylor Martinez can participate fully in Nebraska's remaining games, I just don't see the Cornhuskers losing. So I think they will end up in the Fiesta Bowl when all is said and done.
West Virginia, on the other hand, needs a lot of help. It is currently dead last in the Big East thanks to back-to-back conference losses to Syracuse and Connecticut.
But I think this would be a good matchup simply because the Mountaineers are the only team in the Big East with a defense that stands a chance of stopping the Cornhuskers. In fact, the Mountaineers are third in the FBS in scoring average at 13.6 points per game.
Sounds like a good matchup for Martinez and company.
The Orange Bowl
3 of 10
Virginia Tech vs. Wisconsin
The ACC champion is tied to the Orange Bowl, and Virginia Tech and its seven-game win streak certainly looks like a lock to wrap it up without fail.
After that, it gets dicey. The Orange Bowl has the next pick of an at-large team after the Sugar Bowl, and right now Wisconsin looks like the best bet.
It would certainly be an interesting matchup, with Wisconsin's power-running game going up against Tyrod Taylor and Virginia Tech's ACC-best offense.
The Hokies last played in the Orange Bowl in 2009, beating Cincinnati 20-7. The Badgers have never been to one.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The Orange Bowl: Speculative Version
4 of 10
Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State
While seeing Tyrod Taylor and the likes of John Clay match wits, I think it would be much more fun to watch the Hokies and the Cowboys light up the scoreboard.
Oklahoma State used the deadly combination of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon to put on a display against Baylor this past weekend, and I saw all sorts of big stage potential when I was watching it.
Oklahoma State would have to win out and then lose to Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game, but the Cowboys would still be a good pick if the Orange Bowl is so inclined.
The Cowboys have never played in the Orange Bowl either, so that would be fun.
The Sugar Bowl
5 of 10
LSU vs. TCU
The SEC champion is tied to the Sugar Bowl. But since Auburn is currently on track to play in the BCS championship game, that place will be filled by an at-large pick.
It will be hard to keep a one-loss LSU team out, especially since the Tigers would draw a lot of the home crowd to the Super Dome.
LSU is certainly no stranger to the Sugar Bowl. It has been 13 times, but has just a 6-7 record. The Tigers last went in 2006, when JaMarcus Russell and the Tigers took down Notre Dame 41-14.
They would meet a heck of a match in TCU, whose defense is just as able as theirs, and then some.
The Horned Frogs have two Sugar Bowl appearances in their history, and have won both of them. However, that was back in 1936 and 1939.
The Sugar Bowl: Speculative Version
6 of 10
Auburn vs. TCU
I'm just not so sure that Auburn is going to be able to emerge victorious against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Nonetheless, I suspect the Tigers will end up in this game somehow or another.
I'm not sure how TCU would still end up here, seeing as how the Horned Frogs would probably take over the No. 2 spot vacated by the Tigers. But oh well.
It would be a damn fine matchup, and the ultimate test for Cam Newton. Would the likely Heisman winner be able to so easily carve up the nation's best defense?
The Rose Bowl
7 of 10
Boise State vs. Michigan State
Traditionally, it's the Pac-10 champ against the Big Ten champ. But with Oregon likely to be playing for the national championship, they'll have to find somebody to replace them.
Boise State would be a fine pick, and it would pit one of the nation's best all-around teams against one of its most surprising.
This would be Michigan State's first Rose Bowl since 1988. The Spartans beat USC 20-17 in that one.
Naturally, this would be Boise's first Rose Bowl.
The Rose Bowl: Speculative Version
8 of 10
Stanford vs. Michigan State
Before last week, this looked like a stretch. But now that Stanford is in the top 10 at No. 6 and stands a very good chance to win out, it's certainly possible that the Rose Bowl would pick the Cardinal as Oregon's replacement.
Stanford definitely deserves its first Rose Bowl since 2000, as it is having one of its best seasons in decades. The Cardinal haven't actually won a Rose Bowl since 1972.
The BCS Championship
9 of 10
Oregon vs. Auburn
Same as last week, and the week before that too.
Luckily, it's still an intriguing matchup. You have to imagine it would be a barn burner, with LaMichael James and Darron Thomas matching wits with Cam Newton and the Auburn offense.
And it would be a first for both teams, which is always nice.
The BCS Championship: Speculative Version
10 of 10
Oregon vs. TCU
I think Oregon will win out, and I think TCU will win out.
I can't say the same for Auburn, which I see losing the Iron Bowl to Alabama.
That would leave us with this matchup, and just how fitting would it be?
The country's best offense versus the country's best defense.
Need I say more?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
