College Football Bowl Projections for Week 11: A Fresh Look at Oregon and TCU
Welcome to the 11th installment of the weeklyย Bleacher Report Bowl Projection series.
In the following pages, readers will find a projection of participants in all 35 postseason college bowl games.
Summary and analysis are presented forย each event, detailing how the teams will beย chosenย and whoย are currently theย most likely contenders for the contests.
The choicesย presentedย in this Bleacher Report seriesย are updatedย on a weekly basis. They include the outcome of past games as well as the upcoming schedule.
The order of bowl presentationย in this article reflectsย the amount ofย moneyย paid toย schools for playing in the event.ย Thisย will preventย anyย false emphasis on a contest due simply to what dayย the gameย is played.
Reader participation is strongly encouraged; please feel free to leave comments regardingย your impression of the matchups as well as your own bowl projections. This allows theย weeklyย predictionsย to be a combination of the readers' suggestions and the writer's opinion.ย
Information concerningย conference affiliations to specificย bowl gamesย is part of each breakdown. In order toย project a specific teamย for a bowl game, simply follow the conference tie-ins for the postseason contest.
The past weekend brought a fresh perspective on determining who are the strongest teams in the nation and which teamsย have depended upon weak schedules toย qualify forย a BCS bowl.
Theย view fromย Eugene, Oregon, and Fort Worth, Texas, hasย been consistentย all seasonย regarding their hometown teams. Followers have maintained theyย cannot be beaten.
Saturdayย gaveย observers on the outsideย reason to doubtย if the Ducks and Frogs are actually unbeatable.
The Ducks' two point victory over a California team that was slaughtered by Nevada certainly gives oneย reason for pause.
TCU stumbled out of the gate against San Diego State and finished poorly, leaving much concern over the Horned Frogs' ability to compete week in and week out against upper-level competition.
It isย conceivable the results ofย Oregon and TCU this seasonย have been enhanced by audiencesย who wish to see a new group of teams competing for the BCS title.
Let us hopeย a more sinister motive does notย lurk in the shadows: one born of envyย withย the desire onlyย to end the monopoly of SEC schools winning every BCS title game sinceย the 2006 season.
10 Bowl Games Paying $750,000 or Less to Particpants
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We begin the process by turning to the 10 lowest-paying bowls.
Because some conferences will not produce enough teams to be available for selection, several tie-ins may need to beย filled with qualifyingย schools from otherย leagues.
Anย example would beย the New Mexico Bowl, where the WAC is not likely to produce a candidate to face a fast-closing BYU team.ย That void could be filled byย Iowa Stateย of the Big 12.
The Texas Bowl could face the prospect of not having an availableย Big Ten contestant. If this is the case, word may be sentย to the Big East, where media-friendly UConn may be squeezed out of the conferenceย selection process.
The Armed Forces Bowl is slated toย have a Mountain West Conference representative as well. The word may go out to send in a qualified squad from West Point to face the local Mustangs of SMU.
The New Orleans Bowl features the Sun Belt champion against a Conference USA representative. The Florida International Panthers appear to be in the best position to capture the Sun Belt title.
In the C-USA pecking order, the Hawaii Bowlย has aย high priorityย and couldย chooseย powerful Tulsa, leaving Houston to make the trip over to the Crescent City.
There is aย chance the Cougars will not qualify for a bowl, as they have yet to post their sixth win of the season.
Ifย this happens, the word can be sent across state to the alreadyย qualified UTEP to move into the New Orleans Bowl.
Bowlย ย Nameย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Dateย ย ย ย ย ย ย Venue ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Payoutย ย ย ย ย Conf. Tie-Insย ย ย ย ย ย Projected Matchup
No.35: Newย Orleansย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 18ย Newย Orleans $325,000ย ย Sun Belt,ย CUSAย ย Fla. Int'lย vs.ย Houston
No.34: Texasย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 29ย Houstonย ย ย ย ย ย ย $612,500 ย Big Ten,ย Big 12ย ย ย UConn* vs.ย Texas Tech
No.33: New Mexicoย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 18 ย Albuquerqueย $750,000 ย MWC,ย WACย ย ย ย ย ย BYUย vs.ย Iowa State**
No.32: Armed Forcesย ย ย ย Dec. 30ย ย Dallasย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย CUSA, MWCย ย ย ย ย ย SMUย vs.ย Army***
No.31: Hawaiiย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 24ย ย Honoluluย ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย CUSA, WACย ย ย ย ย ย Tulsa vs. Hawaii
No.30: Poinsettiaย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 23ย ย San Diegoย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย MWC, Navyย ย ย ย ย ย ย San Diego St.ย vs. Navy
No.29: Kraftย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Jan. 9ย ย San Fran.ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย ย WAC, Pac-10ย ย ย ย Nevada vs. UCLA
No.28:ย GoDaddy.Comย ย ย ย Jan. 6ย ย ย ย Mobileย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย MAC, Sun Beltย ย Temple vs.ย Troy
No.27: Humanitarianย ย ย ย ย Dec. 18 ย Boiseย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย ย WAC, MACย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Fresno St..ย vs.ย Ohio U.
No.26: Little Caesarsย ย ย ย ย ย Dec. 26ย Detroitย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย $750,000ย ย MAC, Big Tenย ย ย ย ย N. Illinoisย vs. Illinois
The selection process is more clear in the Kraft Bowl, where Nevada of the WAC is anxious to travel over to San Francisco to face a Pac-10 foe. With a late upswing in performance, the UCLA Bruins may be in position toย provide the competition.
The Poinsettia appears set with San Diego State and Navy.
The Humanitarian should extend an invitation to Fresno State to represent the WAC, as they are very familiar with the circumstances in Boise after making the journey to face the hometown Broncos every other season.
The MAC selection for the Humanitarian appears to be the Ohio Bobcats of coach Frank Solich.
The Little Caesar's Bowl invites the MAC champion, and that should be Northern Illinois. Theย apparent Big Ten opponentย may produce the usually dreaded rematch but, that is not necessarily the case here.
Illinois will face Northern Illinois according to the conference selection order. UNI will gleefully seek the rematch, while Illini coach Ron Zook may need another local victory to put some ice on the hot seat he is occupying once again.
The GoDaddy.Com (old GMAC bowl)ย needsย Troy to continue to win in order to qualify as the Sun Belt entry.
The Temple Owls willย head to theย GoDaddy.Com if they do notย end upย in the Little Caesar's Bowl.
No. 25: The BBVA Compass Bowl
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Date:ย January 8, 2011
Place:ย Birmingham, Alabama
Payout: $900,000
Conference Tie-Ins: SEC No. 8ย vs. Bigย East No.ย 7ย
Note: Banking giantย BBVA Compassย announced on November 4, 2010, it will become the title sponsor of the Birmingham Bowl.
Projected Matchup: *Boston Collegeย vs.ย Louisville
The good news for the BBVAย Compassย Bowl is they now haveย a sponsor.
The bad news is no SEC team is likely to be available.
Tennesseeย is aย possibility. A distant possibility.
So at this time, we should move on and find an adequate replacement.
The Sun Belt is the backup conference for this bowl, and theyย could be extendedย beyond the limit to provideย a a qualified representative.
The ACC has provided a backup in the past for this event, and the ancient rival of the SEC may be askedย once again by their sister conferenceย to offer a solution for the SEC's dilemma.
Boston College could reach six wins, and if the Eagles can pull that off, they should be invited to face Louisville of the Big East Conference.
No. 24: The Beef O' Brady Bowl
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Date:ย December 21, 2010
Place:ย St. Petersburg, Florida
Payout: $1 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Bigย East No. 6 vs. Conference USA No. 4
Note: Formerly known as the St. Petersburg Bowl.
Projected Matchup:ย South Florida vs. Southern Mississippi
Coach Skip Holtzย is working wonders atย South Florida.
Theย Bulls are performing extremely well despite having tremendous distances to travelย in the Big East Conference.
Southern Mississippi isย well known for providing stiff competition for anyone.ย
Due to the circumstances of travel, bowl availability and selection position inside the two conferences, this one has a real possibility of happening.
No. 23: The Military Bowl
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Date:ย December 29, 2010
Place:ย Washington, D.C.
Payout: $1 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย ACC No. 8 vs. CUSA No. 6
Note: Formerly known as the Eagle Bank Bowl.
Projected Matchup:ย Georgia Techย vs.ย East Carolina
Here are two of the most inconsistent teams in the nation.
The opportunity to match these two mad-capย squads should not be ignored.
It's a short flight from Atlanta, and close enoughย to the Pirate home base for fans of these two institutionsย to come out in record numbers.
No. 22: The Meineke Bowl
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Date:ย December 31, 2010
Place:ย Charlotte, North Carolina
Payout: $1 Million
Conference Tie-Ins: Big East No. 3 vs. ACC No. 5
Projected Matchup:ย West Virginiaย vs. UNCย
With the arrival of the dynamic new Pinstripe Bowl in New York City, and the possibility of USF staying in St. Petersburg,ย the field narrows concerningย available Big East participants for the Meineke Bowl.
West Virginia is hoping to finish strong forย Coach Bill Stewart.
UNC,ย while still attempting to stave off the long arm of the NCAA's John Law, looks to be the most reasonable choice from the ACC.
Inย this rematch of a previous Meienke Bowl, the prospect of ticket sales will be theย major factor.ย
No. 21: The MAACO Bowl
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Date:ย December 22, 2010
Place:ย Las Vegas, Nevada
Payout: $1 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Mountain West No. 1 vs.ย Pac-10 No. 5
Projected Matchup:ย Utah vs.ย Oregon State
Utah has the opportunity to finish the season strong and qualify for the topย bowl destinationย available toย the Mountain Westโthe MAACO Bowl.
Theย Pac-10 opponent couldย beย Oregon Stateย based onย recent events.
Theย Beavers are a rugged bunch, however, they have suffered various injuries that have resulted in a free-fall in conference standings.
This will be a preview ofย future Pac-10ย rivals, as the Utes join the conference next season.ย
No. 20: The Independence Bowl
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Date:ย December 27, 2010
Place:ย Shreveport, Louisiana
Payout: $1.1 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Mountain West No. 3 vs. ACC No. 7
Projected Matchup:ย Air Forceย vs.ย Clemson
Air Force has suffered setbacks only toย top-of-the-line opponents this season.
The Clemson fan baseย travels well to bowl locations and willย support their exciting and talented Tiger football team.
Since the ACC and Mountain West have a new contract with the Independence Bowl, they each want to presentย well-known and exciting teams.
This seems to be a good offering for the folks in Shreveport.
No. 19: The Ticket City Bowl
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Date:ย January 1, 2011
Place:ย Dallas, Texas
Payout: $1.2 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Big Ten No. 7 vs. Big 12 No. 8
Note: Formerly known as the Dallas Football Classic.
Projected Matchup:ย Northwesternย vs.ย Baylor
In this inaugural bowl game, played at the site of theย Cotton Bowl Stadium,ย local fans would welcomeย these two schools as the projected contestants.
Theย Wildcats are very well coached andย offer an excitingย brand ofย Big Ten football.
Baylor has come back this season to prove they still play rugged football in Waco.
These two teams fit in theย first-ever Ticket City Bowl.
No. 18: The Music City Bowl
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Date:ย December 30, 2010
Place:ย Nashville, Tennessee
Payout: $1.6 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 7ย vs. ACC No. 6
Projected Matchup:ย Georgia vs. Maryland
Another fascinating SEC vs. ACC bowl matchup.
The Bulldogs of Athens have an opportunity to secure a position in theย Music Cityย Bowl with a season-ending victory over Georgia Tech.
The Terrapins areย in the battle forย the ACC championship. If they do not end up in Florida or Atlanta, Nashville is an exciting place to spend theย postseason.
No. 17: The Liberty Bowl
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Date:ย December 31, 2010
Place:ย Memphis, Tennessee
Payout: $1.7 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Conference USA No. 1 vs.ย SEC No. 8
Projected Matchup:ย Central Florida vs. Kentucky
Theย Wildcats from Kentuckyย have an opportunity to secure a position in theย legendary Liberty Bowl opposite the Conference USA champion.
Central Floridaย is inย a battle for the C-USA championship.
With continued hard work, the Knights should be able to secure a bid to face coach Joker Phillips' Wildcats.
No.16: The Sun Bowl
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Date:ย December 31, 2010
Place:ย El Paso, Texas
Payout: $1.9 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย ACC No. 4 vs. Pac-10 No. 4
Projected Matchup:ย NC Stateย vs.ย California
The newย contract between the ACC and the Sun Bowl will present a stage for continuedย football excitement in theย city of the Sun Carnival.
For over 75 years, the venerable old Sun Bowl has been providing unforgettable entertainment, and aย matchup between California and NC State should provide a high-scoring contest.
With its high selection order, the Sun Bowl has the opportunity to secure each of these squads.
No. 15: The Pinstripe Bowl
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Date:ย December 30, 2010
Place:ย New York City, New York
Payout: $2 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Big East No. 4 vs. Big 12 No. 7
Projected Matchup:ย Notre Dameย vs. Kansas State
In the inaugural Yankee Stadium bowl game, football fans throughout the Big Apple called for Notre Dame to be invited.
The Irish could come as a Big East representative or as the backup team for the Big 12.
With the Irish upset of Utahย last week, Notre Dame needs only one victory to qualify for the postseason.
Kansas State has put together a fine season and will make a formidable opponent during the rumble in the Bronx. The Wildcats are led by the outstanding veteran coach Bill Snyder.
This contest is exactly what Big Apple boosters were hoping for when they formed the committee to set up this bowl game.
The Champs Sports Bowl
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Date:ย December 28, 2010
Place:ย Orlando, Florida
Payout: $2,130,000
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Big East No. 2 vs.ย ACC No. 3
Projected Matchup:ย Syracuse vs. Florida State
The glorious history of Orange football has been reborn in the year 2010.
With a break here or there, Syracuse may end up inย a BCS bowl.
Florida State has a golden opportunity to swipe the ACC championship.ย If the Seminolesย fall short, Orlandoย is where they will land.
No. 13: The Holiday Bowl
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Date:ย December 30, 2010
Place:ย San Diego, California
Payout: $2.2 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Pac-10 No. 3 vs.ย Big 12 No. 5
Projected Matchup:ย Arizona vs. Oklahoma
Battle of the Stoops brothers.
Arizona was a legitimate threat to win the Pac-10, but a series of injuries have left the Wildcats limping into the bowl season.
Wildcat coach Mike Stoops has done his best to compete with his walking wounded.
Oklahoma is very young, but coach Bob Stoops is known to demand excellence and intensity from his teams.
The Sooners look unable to stop Oklahoma State, leaving OU out of the running for the Big 12 conference title.
A trip to theย Holiday Bowlย appears to be the correctย destination for these two schools.
No. 12: The Alamo Bowl
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Date:ย December 29, 2010
Place:ย San Antonio, Texas
Payout: $2,225,000
Conference Tie-Ins: Big 12ย No. 3 vs.ย Pac-10 No. 2
Projected Matchup:ย Stanford vs.ย Missouri
The new Alamo contract calls for the San Antonio eventย to haveย the No.2 choice among PAC 10 teams.
With Oregon the likely champion of the PAC 10, Stanford becomes the obvious No.2 choice among conference schools available thisย season.
The Cardinal have a possibilityย of receivingย a BCS invitation. If that is not forthcoming,ย then a visit to the city ofย San Antonio is a wonderful alternative.
Awaiting the Cardinal should beย Missouri.
The Big 12 will be interested in sending quality competition to combat an opponent as powerful as Stanfordย toย avoid a league mismatch embarrassment.
The Tigers would appear to be up to the task andย available at this point.ย
No. 11: The Gator Bowl
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Date:ย January 1, 2011
Place:ย Jacksonville, Florida
Payout: $2,750,000
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 6 vs.ย Big Ten No. 4
Projected Matchup:ย Florida vs. Penn State
The Gator Bowl has a new tie-in with the SEC and Big Ten, so there is no reasonย audiences cannot be treated to the coachingย spectacle ofย Joe Paterno vs. Urban Meyer.
Thisย clashย will sell out the Gator Bowl and attract national attention.
It was the Gator Bowl where coach Paterno took his first postseason squad in 1967.
The Gators, having been swamped at homeย by coach Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks, are in the unfamiliar situation of having lost a number of contests this year.
With a journey to the Gator Bowl, Florida should beย in comfortable surroundings.ย
Using the conference selection order as our guide, there is no reason this match cannot be made.
No. 10: The Chick-Fil-A Bowl
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Date:ย December 31, 2010
Place:ย Atlanta, Georgia
Payout: $3.25 Million to ACC, $2.4 Million to SEC
Conference Tie-Ins:ย ACC No. 2 vs. SEC No. 5
Projected Matchup:ย Miamiย vs. Mississippi State
In one of the most competitive matchups ofย each bowl season, the always spectacular Chick-Fil-A prides itself on delivering the goods to players, fans and viewers.
The Hurricanes had a real shot at winning the ACC this season, but for one reason or another it seems just out of reach.
The maroon Bulldogs from Starkville haveย staked their claim for a top bowl in the SEC pecking order.
Miami may eschew the Champs Sports Bowl this season after being clobberedย there by Wisconsin in 2009.
If Mississippi State is the competition in this Atlanta house of thrills, "the U" will find the going just as tough.ย
No. 9: The Outback Bowl
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Date:ย January 1, 2011
Place:ย Tampa, Florida
Payout: $3,100,000
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 4 vs. Big Ten No.3
Projected Matchup:ย South Carolinaย vs.ย Iowa
If South Carolina is unable to defeat Auburn in the SEC title game (Carolina had a 20-7 lead at Auburn earlier this season) then Tampa looks to be the destination for theย Gamecocks.
Iowa had a variety of opportunities to move into the BCS conversation but has been unpredictable.
This one looks like a natural clash of heavyweights from the SEC and Big Ten.
No. 8: The Insight Bowl
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Date:ย December 28, 2010
Place:ย Tempe, Arizona
Payout: $3,325,000
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Big Ten No. 4 vs. Big 12 No. 4
Projected Matchup:ย Michigan vs. Texas A&M
There is big money to be made in the desert with the new bankroll ESPN gave the Insight Bowl.
$3,325,000 is enough to turn any athletic director's head, making the Insight the third-highest-paying non-BCSย contest.
Chasing theย big bucks in the sandย will be two exciting teamsโMichigan and Texas A&M. They'll be chosen because neither is going to win their conference, yet both will bring a largeย traveling fan base and plenty of media interest.
No. 7: The Cotton Bowl
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Date:ย January 7, 2011
Place:ย Arlington, Texas
Payout: $3,575,000
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 3 vs.ย Big 12ย No. 2
Projected Matchup:ย Arkansas vs.ย Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State hasย one of the most powerful offenses in the country.
Theย Cowboys appear too strong for anyone in the Big 12 South, and are likely headed for a rematch with Nebraska for the Big 12 title.
Arkansas has a high-octane offense, one that can stand up to the scoring machine out of Stillwater.
The great Cotton Bowl will be played on the first Friday night ofย 2011 and isย theย only college football gameย played on that date.
There isย every reason for the Razorbacks and Cowboys toย be selectedย by the Cotton Bowl.
No. 6: The Capital One Bowl
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Date:ย January 1, 2011
Place:ย Orlando, Florida
Payout: $4.25 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 2 vs. Big Ten No. 2
Projected Matchup:ย Alabama vs.ย Michigan State
Unless Ohio Stateย tumbles at Iowa, the Buckeyesย should obtain a BCS invitation. This situation could leave Michigan State outside the BCS scenario.
Michigan State may not end the regularย seasonย in the position the Spartans desire, but they still qualify for the highest-payingย non-BCS bowl game.
Alabama has already lost twice and still has to faceย Auburn. The Crimson Tide appear to be Orlando-bound.
The pieces are in place for this match to be made.
No. 5: The Fiesta Bowl
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Date:ย January 1,2011
Place:ย Glendale, Arizona
Payout: $17 Million
Conference Tie-In: Big 12 No.1 vs. BCS At-Large Selection
Projected Matchup:ย Nebraska vs.ย Pittsburgh
Nebraskaย handedย Oklahoma State, Missouri and Kansas State their first losses this season.
The powerful Cornhuskers are headed for the Big 12 title in their final year of membership.
The Big Red are young but have great talent, are well balanced, and possess fine coaching.ย
If the bowl selections mirror what we have offered in this article, there is only one possible opponent for Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl: the Big East Conference Champion.
At this time, Pittsburgh is first among equals.
No. 4: The Orange Bowl
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Date:ย January 3, 2011
Place:ย Miami, Florida
Payout: $17 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย ACC No.1 vs. BCS At-Large Selection
Projected Matchup:ย Virginia Tech vs.ย Texas Christian University
Ifย Virginia Tech runs the table and wins the ACC it will automatically receive an invitation to the Orange Bowl due toย the conference tie-in.
The Orange will then be left with the option of taking the Big East champion (likely Pitt), Stanford or TCU.
Stanford provides little in the way of national exposure or following. The factย the Cardinal are a continent awayย does not workย in their favor.
As winner of the Big East Conference,ย Pittsburgh wouldย provide anย unspectacular opponent in theย Orange Bowl.
Because of these circumstances, this is where TCU will find a home in the BCS selection process.
This confrontation immediatelyย improves the attractiveness of the Orange Bowl this season.
No. 3: The Sugar Bowl
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Date:ย January 4, 2011
Place:ย New Orleans, Louisiana
Payout: $17 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย SEC No. 1 vs. BCS At-Large Selection
Projected Matchup:ย LSU vs. Ohio State
LSU should be the choice as an at-large entry for the Sugar Bowl, provided Auburn is selected for the BCS title game. The Sugar will take the Tigers to replace their SEC tie-in champion.
The picking order will allow for the Sugar Bowl to make anย at-large selectionย fromย qualified and available teams.
While undefeated TCU may well be available at this juncture, the Sugar Bowl hasย recently had aย run of competitive squads without massive media and fan support.
What Crescent City football fans willย lobby for this year is an attractive candidateย to be selected with aย fantastic traveling fan base and huge media following.
That candidate is the Ohio State Buckeyes.ย
The Buckeyes and the Tigers would meet every requirement to be chosen for the Sugar Bowl.
No. 2: The Rose Bowl
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Date:ย January 1, 2011
Place:ย Pasadena, California
Payout: $17 Million
Conference Tie-Ins:ย Big Ten No. 1 vs. Pac-10 No. 1* (see explanationย below)
Projected Matchup:ย Wisconsin vs.ย Boise State
With Oregon as the likely Pac-10 champion, if the Ducks are plucked for the BCS title contest there is the opportunity to make history in Rose Bowl.
A new rule concerning the Rose Bowl allows the Pasadena committee to select a high-ranking team from a non-BCS conference provided it meets certainย poll criteria.
The rule may come into play this season as TCU and Boise State are highly ranked teams who can meet the Rose Bowl requirements.
To the Broncos' advantage, TCU is sliding backward in the pollsย while Boise State still has big games with Nevada and Fresno State remaining on the schedule.
If Boise State remains unbeaten, and continues their upward movement among voters,ย they will be chosen to play in the Rose Bowl overย TCU.
With Wisconsin being the highest-ranked Big Ten squad, the Badgers seem to be the front-runner for the Big Ten invitation.
No. 1: The BCS Title Game
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Date:ย January 10, 2011
Place:ย Glendale, Arizona
Payout: $17 Million
Conference Tie-Ins: None, BCS Final Regular Season Pollย No. 1 vs.No. 2
Projected Matchup:ย Auburn vs. Oregon
With these two squads currently sitting in the top two positions in the BCS poll,ย they should beย projectedย as theย teams who will be invited to play for the national title until circumstances dictate otherwise.
The Cool Down Lap: The Readers Take Over
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Many thanks toย Carl Stine, Tim Croley, Dan Boone, Brandon Hamblen, Kevin McGrady, Alex Balderee, Tom Ormbrek, Alabama Voodoo, Ravenous Ute, Luke McConnell, Casey Robbins, Terry Alstedt, Donny Pennington,ย Zodiac, andย many othersย for taking the time to provideย insight into specific bowl games.
Because of input from the readers, the Bleacher Report weekly projection series has become a source of information and entertainment for sports fans.
The regional advice provided by readers is what has made this weekly series so consistent in projecting where the teamsย will receive bowl invitations.
As we do each week,ย a tally of the "Big Seven" bowl games is in order.ย The comments of readers from last week's articleย reveals a consensusย of theย following:
BCS National Championship Game: Oregon vs.ย TCUย
Rose Bowl:ย Ohio Stateย vs.ย Stanfordย
Sugar Bowl:ย Auburn vs.ย Michigan State
Orange Bowl:ย Virginia Techย vs.ย Pittsburgh
Fiesta Bowl:ย Nebraska vs. Boise State
Capital One Bowl:ย Alabama vs.ย Wisconsin
Cotton Bowl:ย LSU vs.ย Oklahoma State
If two or more teams fromย non-automatic qualifier (non-BCS)ย conferences satisfy the provisions for an automatic berth, then the team with the highest finish in the final BCS standings will receive the automatic berth, and the remaining teamย will be considered for at-large selection if it meets the criteria.
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