SEC Bowl Projections: Week 11
Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is around the corner. That can only mean one thing in the world of college football: bowl season.
The "Capital One Bowl Week" on ESPN will be seen by millions across the country who do not care about Nevada or Baylor but will tune in to the Weedeater Bowl just because it is college football.
Nearly every day of the week will see the boys of fall suit up in a nationally televised event called a Bowl Game.
The best thing about these bowls are the matchups never foreseen by athletics directors and head coaches. They're a chance for everyone to play somebody big time.
While the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is debated each year, it would be hard to argue that bowl season is anything but fun for fans everywhere.
The Southeastern Conference holds bowl bids with nine different bowls, and the best bet for those bowls is for an SEC team to make it.
Here, we will look to see where each bowl might go for their SEC representative.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Tennessee
1 of 10
December 30, 2010 Nashville, Tenn.
6:30 p.m. EST ESPN
Tennessee has won its last two football games, and behind Tyler Bray, it seems the streaks against Vanderbilt and Kentucky could easily extend another year, propelling the Vols into another bowl game.
The opponent could likely be Clemson if the Tigers continue to hold strong for a bowl eligible season.
Tennessee is currently sitting at 4-6, but the Big Orange Nation and Derek Dooley are certainly feeling like a trip down the Interstate a few hours is possible.
Other possible teams: Kentucky, Georgia
Auto Zone Liberty Bowl: Georgia
2 of 10
December 31, 2010 Memphis, Tenn.
3:30 p.m. EST ESPN
Georgia still has some work to do, just like Tennessee. The Bulldogs are 5-6 and must defeat in-state rival Georgia Tech to become bowl eligible. The Bulldogs hope Aaron Murray is 100 percent when they suit up next week against the Yellow Jackets.
Hopefully the Bulldogs can turn around a dismal season and end with a bowl game win over the C-USA Champion.
Other possible teams: Kentucky, Tennessee
Chick Fil-A Bowl: Mississippi State
3 of 10
December 31, 2010 Atlanta, Ga.
7:30 p.m. EST ESPN
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have been bowl eligible for two weeks now. Wow. With two winnable games left against Arkansas and Ole Miss, the Bulldogs could leap into a New Year's Eve Bowl and into a major spotlight.
Dan Mullen has the Dogs ready to go up against the No. 2 team from the ACC, likely Florida State. An interesting matchup looms to say the least.
Other possible teams: Arkansas, Alabama
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Outback Bowl: South Carolina
4 of 10
January 1, 2011 Tampa, Fla.
1:00 p.m. EST ABC
Steve Spurrier has put the South Carolina Gamecocks in the SEC Championship game for the first time ever. Okay, let's get real—Marcus Lattimore put the Gamecocks atop the SEC East with an amazing freshman season.
However, the Gamecocks must still top Troy and Clemson to finish 9-3 before the SEC title game.
A 9-4 record is not going to warrant a Sugar Bowl or even Capital One Bowl berth.
Other possible teams: Mississippi State, Alabama
Capital One Bowl: Alabama
5 of 10
January 1, 2011 Orlando, Fla.
1:00 p.m. EST ABC
Interesting tidbit: In 57 bowl trips, Alabama has only been to the Capital One Bowl one time. In 1995, the Citrus Bowl featured Alabama and Ohio State. Alabama won the game.
Doubtful the game will feature the same two schools, barring a couple major upsets by the Michigan Wolverines, Alabama could see the reunion of Nick Saban and Michigan State. The Big Ten's No. 2 team will trek to Florida for some fun in the sun, and Alabama could be the team waiting on them.
Other possible teams: Arkansas, South Carolina
Gator Bowl: Florida
6 of 10
January 1, 2011 Jacksonville, Fla.
1:30 p.m. EST ESPN2
Florida pretty much has this game locked up. Unfortunately, the last bowl the Gators want is the Gator Bowl.
For the first time since 1994, an SEC team will grace the field in Jacksonville, and the Gators are ideal for the Gator Bowl committee. The last time Florida played in this bowl, it was a 24-10 winner over NC State after falling to Alabama in the first ever SEC Championship game.
Urban Meyer should have stayed retired, and I bet he is regretting coming back now.
Other possible teams: None
AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic: Arkansas
7 of 10
January 2, 2011 Dallas, Texas
8:00 p.m. EST FOX
A game which could feature two old Big Eight teams, the 2011 Cotton Bowl could become a shootout. Arkansas is certainly capable of scoring a lot of points, and their opponent could be either Nebraska or Oklahoma.
Arkansas will benefit from being the closest team to Dallas, while Alabama is much closer to Orlando and will likely grab this bid with a win over Mississippi State.
Other possible teams: Mississippi State, Alabama
BBVA Compass Bowl: Kentucky
8 of 10
January 8, 2011 Birmingham, Ala.
12:00 p.m. EST ESPN
Kentucky will be the lucky recipient of a trip to Birmingham this season with a loss to Tennessee. With a win, the Wildcats could move to Nashville and leave Birmingham scrounging to find a team to replace its big time SEC representative.
Needless to say, Birmingham Bowl officials are Big Orange fans the next two weeks.
Kentucky brings a load of experience to any game, but first year HC Joker Phillips has had a tough time all season—Losing to Auburn on a last second FG as well as falling victim to Ole Miss. The Wildcats, however, did defeat SEC East champion South Carolina,
If the Wildcats are left in Birmingham, the opponent could be a familiar foe—Louisville. Would the blue and red nation come out to support a neutral field rivalry game? Let's hope we see it.
Other possible teams: Georgia, Tennessee
Sugar Bowl: LSU
9 of 10
January 4, 2011 New Orleans, La.
8:00 p.m. EST ABC
LSU will be heading back to a BCS bowl if it can beat Ole Miss and Arkansas to close out an improbable season for the Bayou Bengals.
The Hat has been the lucky recipient of two gift-wrapped wins, and the Tigers are relishing in a big season. LSU will likely take on Boise State, giving the Broncos a chance to upend an SEC school.
Only Auburn can take this spot with a loss to Alabama and a win in the SEC Championship game, which could push Boise State or TCU out of a BCS game and put LSU in another at-large bid game, such as the Orange Bowl.
Other possible teams: Auburn
BCS Championship Game: Auburn
10 of 10
January 10, 2011 Glendale, Ariz.
8:00 p.m. EST ABC
Despite the Cam Newton rumors, Auburn is the best team in the SEC, and history says whomever the SEC has to offer is worthy of a shot at the title.
Four years in a row, the SEC has taken home the crystal football, and Auburn intends to make good on the fifth year. The Tigers are still holding a grudge against the BCS for 2004, and HC Gene Chizik is ready to solidify himself as a winner.
Auburn is likely to take on Oregon in a matchup of two high profile, prolific offenses. But Boise State or TCU could easily jump into the mix with a loss by either BCS AQ school.
Other possible teams: None
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
