College Bowl Predictions: Which SEC Teams Are Bowling and Where?
College Bowl Predictions: Which SEC Teams Are Bowling And Where?
The Southeastern Conference is generally recognized at tops in the country.
The last four BCS champions (LSU, Alabama, Florida twice) have come from the SEC, and this year, there are two SEC schools in the Top five rankings, six in the top 25.
That will translate to plenty of bowl appearances for the conference.
Last year, 10 SEC teams qualified for Bowl games, posting a 6-4 record.
What about the 2010-2011 bowl season? Check inside to find out these projections.
Kentucky Wildcats
1 of 9
Projected Bowl: Franklin American Mortgage Bowl
When: December 30, 2010
Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
SEC Rank: 9th
Projected Final Record: 7-5 (3-5)
Opponent: UNC
Final Score: Tar Heels, Wildcats 24
Kentucky and Matt Hartline are going to be able to move the ball a bit against the very tough North Carolina defense. But in the second half, Butch Davis' talented roster delivers the Wildcats the SEC's first bowl loss of the season.
Georgia Bulldogs
2 of 9
Projected Bowl: AutoZone Liberty Bowl
When: December 31, 2010
Where: Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee
SEC Rank: 8th
Projected Final Record: 6-6 (3-5)
Opponent: Tulsa
Final Score: Bulldogs 41, Golden Hurricane 10
Not only do the Dawgs save Mark Richt's job by reaching a bowl, they'll thump the top team in Conference USA. Freshman quarterback Aaron Murray will look outstanding for a fourth straight game and give Georgia fans hope that they can win the SEC East in 2011.
Florida Gators
3 of 9
Projected Bowl: Gator Bowl
When: January 1, 2011
Where: Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
SEC Rank: 7th
Projected Final Record: 6-4 (4-4)
Opponent: Michigan
Final Score: Gators 54, Wolverines 31
This rematch of the 2008 Capitol One will feature a whole new list of faces. Gone is Lloyd Carr and Tim Tebow.
But with Rich Rodriguez vs. Urban Meyer, and Denard Robinson vs. (maybe) Trey Burton, it will be an exciting show. But the Gators are much better, especially on defense, and win in a walk.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Mississippi State Bulldogs
4 of 9
Projected Bowl: Chick-fil-A Bowl
When: December 31, 2010
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
SEC Rank: 6th
Projected Final Record: 8-4 (4-4)
Opponent: Maryland
Final Score: Bulldogs 37, Terrapins 34 (2 OT)
A pretty good matchup of revamped programs leads to a great double overtime thriller. Dan Mullen outsmarts Ralph Friedgen and earns his first bowl win as a head coach.
South Carolina Gamecocks
5 of 9
Projected Bowl: Outback Bowl
When: January 1, 2011
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
SEC Rank: 5th
Projected Final Record: 9-4 (5-4)
Opponent: Iow
Final Score: Michigan State 44, Gamecocks 40
The Spartans are slight underdogs, but, after a December in East Lansing, Mark Dantonio's group loves the warm weather in South Florida.
In a battle of excellent junior quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins slightly outplays Stephen Garcia in an exciting matchup.
Arkansas Razorbacks
6 of 9
Projected Bowl: AT&T Cotton Bowl
When: January 7, 2011
Where: Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas
SEC Rank: 4th
Projected Final Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Opponent: Oklahoma State
Final Score: Cowboys 31, Razorbacks 13
The Cowboys fantastic offense really limits the opportunities for Bobby Petrino's offense.
Worse yet, when the Razorbacks have the ball, Ryan Mallett does not look terribly sharp, convincing him to come back for a senior year, improve his draft status, and potentially be a Top 5 pick in 2012.
Alabama Crimson Tide
7 of 9
Projected Bowl: Capitol One Bowl
When: January 1, 2011
Where: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
SEC Rank: 3rd
Projected Final Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Opponent: Wisconsin
Final Score: Crimson Tide 24, Badgers 20
This time, the Tide aren't as uninterested in a bowl that isn't for the BCS title, like they were in 2009 against Utah.
And in a game featuring several outstanding running backs, few passes are thrown and the Tide defense forces a few turnovers to seal victory in the fourth quarter.
LSU Tigers
8 of 9
Projected Bowl: Allstate Sugar Bowl
When: January 4, 2011
Where: Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
SEC Rank: 2nd
Projected Final Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Opponent: Boise State
Final Score: Tigers 30, Broncos 28
Essentially a home game for the Tigers, LSU overcomes some offensive woes to edge out a late charge by the Broncos.
The matchup of LSU's defense versus Boise's offense is essentially a wash: the Tigers dominate them in the first half, until Kellen Moore and company explodes in the fourth quarter.
Auburn Tigers
9 of 9
Projected Bowl: Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
When: January 8, 2011
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
SEC Rank: 1st
Projected Final Record: 13-0 (9-0)
Opponent: Oregon
Final Score: Ducks 44, Tigers 41 (2 OT)
Assuming that Cam Newton is allowed to play, the Tigers will score plenty of points. But the Ducks defense will be able to gain a few more stops, thanks to the extra months to prepare.
LaMichael James makes many voters regret giving Newton the Heisman Trophy, but Darron Thomas is the game's offensive MVP, throwing for four touchdowns.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
