College Football Bowl Projections: BCS Rankings Week 9 Edition

For the first time all season, we have some shakeup at the top of the standings with both Oklahoma and Wisconsin biting the dust for the first time this season.

That not only shakes up the BCS standings, but also most of the bowl games as well.

With the new BCS Standings just released, let's take a look at the projected matchups for all 35 bowl games.

New Mexico Bowl

Date: December 17

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Conference Tie-Ins: MWC vs. Pac-12  or WAC

Projected Matchup: Colorado State vs. UCLA

It could be very tough for the Pac-12 to get a seventh team bowl eligible, but the Bruins and Washington State have a small chance. If they fail to qualify, plug a team from the WAC or even the MAC in, possibly Ohio.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Date: December 17

Location: Boise, ID

Conference Tie-Ins: WAC vs. MAC

Projected Matchup:  San Jose State vs. Ball State

The middle of both conferences are jumbled up at the moment, so this game can play out many different ways still.

New Orleans Bowl

Date: December 17

Location: New Orleans, LA

Conference Tie-Ins: Sun Belt vs. C-USA

Projected Matchup: Arkansas State vs. Southern Miss

Arkansas State will have to hold off Louisiana-Lafyette to win the Sun Belt, if not then, sub them in here as the Sun Belt Conference Champions.

Beef O'Brady's Bowl

Date: December 20

Location: St. Petersburg, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big East  vs. C-USA

Projected Matchup: Pittsburgh vs. UCF

The Big East is up for grabs, so Pitt could win the conference just as easy as they could finish sixth.

Poinsettia Bowl

Date: December 21

Location: San Diego, CA

Conference Tie-Ins: MWC vs. WAC

Projected Matchup: San Diego State vs. Nevada

If it plays out this way, this could actually be a decent game between two smaller programs.

Las Vegas Bowl

Date: December 22

Location: Las Vegas, NV.

Conference Tie-Ins: MWC vs. Pac-12

Projected Matchup: TCU vs. Utah

No BCS Bowl this year for a pair of the nation's prior darlings.

Hawaii Bowl

Date: December 24

Location: Honolulu, HA

Conference Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. WAC

Projected Matchup: Marshall vs. Hawaii

Enjoy your Christmas Eve with a Conference-USA-WAC matchup. The Thundering Herd must still win a few games to become bowl eligible, so Tulsa in this spot is a possibility.

Independence Bowl

Date: December 26

Location: Shreveport, LA

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC vs. MWC

Projected Matchup: North Carolina vs. Wyoming

The rest of the ACC season will have a lot to do with who represents the conference in this one, but it may be tough for the Tar Heels to make a climb up the standings.

Little Ceasar's Bowl

Date: December 27

Location: Detroit, MI.

Conference Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Big Ten

Projected Matchup: Toledo vs. Purdue

If Toledo wins the MAC, it could just as easily be Temple here.

Belk Bowl

Date: December 27

Location: Charlotte, NC.

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big East

Projected Matchup: Florida State vs. West Virginia

We've seen this bowl matchup just a couple seasons ago and fans in Charlotte would be lucky to have it. Of course, the Mountaineers are still talented enough to rebound from their loss to Syracuse and win the Big East.

Military Bowl

Date: December 28

Location: Washington, D.C.

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC  vs. Navy

Projected Matchup: Virginia vs. Navy

Navy will need to win some games and win them quick to qualify for a bowl, if they don't then a Big East team will likely be thrown in here.

Holiday Bowl

Date: December 28

Location: San Diego, CA.

Conference Tie-Ins: Pac-12 vs. Big 12

Projected Matchup: Arizona State vs. Texas

We are starting to get to some matchups featuring BCS Conference teams and the Holiday Bowl looks to be a good game on paper.

Champs Sports Bowl

Date: December 29

Location: Orlando, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Big East

Projected Matchup: Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame

This is a spot for a Big East team, but the good money would be on the Champs Sports Bowl extending an invitation to Notre Dame

Alamo Bowl

Date: December 29

Location: San Antonio, TX.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs.Pac-12

Projected Matchup: Texas A&M vs. Oregon

The Ducks slide a little to the Alamo Bowl because I'm giving Stanford the slight edge in their upcoming matchup. If they lose that game, there is no way they make a BCS game as an at large team.

If they win that game then they likely will be playing in the Rose Bowl.

Armed Forces Bowl

Date: December 30

Location: Fort Worth, TX.

Conference Tie-Ins: BYU vs. C-USA

Projected Matchup: BYU vs. SMU 

This could turn out to be a better game then most people would give it credit for, as the Cougars have their own tie in here and would face an SMU team that has a good bit of speed.

Pinstripes Bowl

Date: December 30

Location: Bronx, NY

Conference Tie-Ins: Big East vs. Big 12

Projected Matchup: Rutgers vs. Missouri

The Pinstripe Bowl likely takes Rutgers or Syracuse from the Big East and since the Orange played there last year, the Scarlet Knights would be as a good of a choice as any.

Music City Bowl

Date: December 30

Location: Nashville, TN.

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC

Projected Matchup: Miami vs. Vanderbilt

Miami fans may want to pay attention to this one. It could be the last time they get to play in a bowl game for a long while.

Insight Bowl

Date: December 30

Location: Tempe, AZ.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big 12  vs. Big Ten

Projected Matchup: Baylor vs. Illinois

Fans in Tempe will be treated to a good quarterback duel between the electrifying Robert Griffin III and Nathan Scheelhaase.

Meineke Care Care Bowl

Date: December 31

Location: Houston, TX.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big 12 vs. Big Ten

Projected Matchup: Texas Tech vs. Iowa

The Red Raiders are fresh off their biggest win of the season in beating Oklahoma and will find themselves bowl eligible with one more victory on the season.

Sun Bowl

Date: December 31

Location: El Paso, TX

Conference Tie-Ins: Pac-12  vs. ACC

Projected Matchup: Washington vs. Wake Forest

Could be an interesting match up of two teams having surprisingly good season's.

Kraft Hunger Bowl

Date: December 31

Location: San Francisco, CA.

Conference Tie-Ins: Pac-12 vs Army

Projected Matchup: California vs. South Florida

Army won't qualify for a bowl, but South Florida isn't a bad fit to go against the Golden Bears.

Liberty Bowl

Date: December 31

Location: Memphis, TN.

Conference Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. SEC or Big East

Projected Matchup: Houston vs. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs will likely be the last thing standing between a perfect season for Case Keenum and the Cougars.

Chick-Fil-a Bowl

Date: December 31

Location: Atlanta, GA.

Conference Tie-Ins: ACC vs SEC

Projected Matchup: Virginia Tech vs. Auburn

Unless the Hokies find a way to win the ACC and claim the automatic BCS berth, it looks like a trip to Atlanta will be the next best thing.

TicketCity Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Dallas, TX

Conference Tie-Ins: C-USA vs. Big Ten

Projected Matchup: Tulsa vs. Ohio State

I'm sure this isn't what Buckeyes fans had in mind before the season began, but considering everything that went on in Columbus this year, they should be glad they are going to any bowl.

Outback Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Tampa, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. ACC

Projected Matchup: Michigan vs. Georgia

A spot in the Outback Bowl should be viewed as a success for Brady Hoke in his first season as Michigan head coach. It will also feature a very good quarterback matchup with Denard Robinson and Aaron Murray.

Gator Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Jacksonville, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

Projected Matchup: Penn State vs. Florida

We've seen this bowl matchup before and the Nittany Lions are a favorite of the Gator Bowl, so there is a good chance we see them back in Florida this year.

Capital One Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Orlando, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: Big Ten vs. SEC

Projected Matchup: Nebraska vs. South Carolina

The Capital One Bowl will feature a pair of teams that had higher expectations, but will wind up falling just a bit short. Both the Cornhuskers and Gamecocks are having good seasons and it should turn out to be a very good bowl matchup.

Rose Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Pasadena, CA.

Conference Tie-Ins: BCS vs. BCS

Projected Matchup: Stanford vs. Wisconsin

Stanford can finish the season unbeaten, but will be shutout of the BCS Championship Game and will take on a Wisconsin team that will rebound to win the Big Ten Conference.

While the Rose Bowl isn't exactly the goal either team had in mind, it promises to be a very good game.

Fiesta Bowl

Date: January 2

Location: Tempe, AZ.

Conference Tie-Ins: BCS vs. BCS

Projected Matchup: Oklahoma vs. Michigan State

The Fiesta Bowl will feature a battle of what will amount to the final two at large teams in Oklahoma and Michigan State.

The Spartans by the end of the season will find themselves firmly ranked in the Top 10 of the BCS Standings and even if they lose to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game, likely won't pay too big of a price in the standings.

As for the Sooners, they have a chance to rebound against some tough Big 12 competition which should keep them ranked in the Top 10 as well. If they climb back to as high as No. 7 before they play Oklahoma State, they should still receive an at large bid even with a loss.

Sugar Bowl

Date: January 3

Location: New Orleans, LA.

Conference Tie-Ins: BCS vs BCS

Projected Matchup: LSU vs. Boise State

While LSU is the current top team in the BCS Standings, someone has to lose on November 5, and given that the game is in Alabama I am giving the Crimson Tide the slight edge.

I will also make the case that the two teams should meet again in the BCS Championship Game, some dominoes still have to drop for that to happen.

So LSU is pencilled in to the Sugar Bowl where it will take on the final at large team in Boise State. The Broncos want a shot at the big boys, well it gets no bigger than LSU.

Orange Bowl

Date: January 4

Location: Miami, FL.

Conference Tie-Ins: BCS vs BCS

Projected Matchup: Clemson vs. Cincinnati

It looks like Clemson could finish undefeated and also not get the opportunity to play for the BCS Championship. They will have to settle for the Big East Champion and right now the Bearcats could have the leg up on everyone else in the conference.

Of course as things are in the Big East, things can change from week to week.

Cotton Bowl

Date: January 6

Location: Arlington, TX

Conference Tie-Ins: SEC vs Big 12

Projected Matchup: Arkansas vs. Kansas State

Right now, bot Arkansas and Kansas State probably deserve at large BCS bids, but the Razorbacks still have to play LSU and the Wildcats still have to run a tough Big !2 gauntlet. Both will likely suffer a loss and in the state of Kansas State, maybe more than one.

BBVA Compass Bowl

Date: January 7

Location: Birmingham, AL

Conference Tie-Ins: SEC vs Big East or C-USA

Projected Matchup: Tennessee vs. Syracuse

After a slew of BCS Bowl Games, a matchup between middle of the pack SEC and Big East teams isn't going to draw a whole lot of attention.

Go Daddy.com Bowl

Date: January 8

Location: Mobile, AL

Conference Tie-Ins: MAC vs. Sun Belt

Projected Matchup: Temple vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

I always wondered why this particular game is played this late in the bowl season, but it is what it is. Although if Temple wins the MAC and plays in this one, watching running back Bernard Pierce is always a treat.

BCS National Championship Game

Date: January 9

Location: New Orleans, LA

Conference Tie-Ins: BCS #1 vs. BCS #2

Projected Matchup: Alabama vs. Oklahoma State

Here it is, the one we've been waiting for.

It's very simple, who ever wins the Alabama-LSU game on November 5 can make their reservations in New Orleans once they run through then rest of the SEC schedule.

As for Oklahoma State, this team isn't overrated. They are very good.

If they take care of Oklahoma in the Big 12 season finale, then by all means the Cowboys have the resume to play for the title.

If they should stumble along the way then that creates a big mess in which the likes of Stanford, Clemson, or even Boise State could find themselves playing for the national championship.