Bowl Projections: Predicting BCS Bowl Berths from the Major Conferences

Even though there are still some major conference games yet to be played, we've already learned the identities of many of the top teams in college football.

Some teams have excelled under pressure, while others have failed to meet our expectations.

The Big East is a complete mess and now that the Pac-12 and Big Ten each have conference championships, it's difficult to predict those conference winners, even though we're heading into Week 10 of the season.

Here are the teams likely to get the automatic BCS bids from each major conference.

ACC – Virginia Tech

The Hokies already played Clemson in Lane Stadium and lost by 20, but there is reason for optimism. Logan Thomas has really developed as a quarterback since then, completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 262 yards per game, with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions—well above his play prior to the Clemson game.

Running back David Wilson leads the NCAA in rushing, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.

Tech's defense has had injuries but has shown no signs of slowing down. The Hokies held Clemson's Sammy Watkins to by far his lowest output all season—three catches for just 38 yards.

Big 12 – Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have been clicking on offense, and their defense held an impressive Baylor offense to just three points in the first three quarters.

Everyone knows about Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden, but Joseph Randle has been absolutely fantastic, rushing for 105 yards per game.

The Cowboys also lead the nation in turnover margin, despite the fact that their defense allows 455 yards of offense per game.

The biggest test by far will come against Oklahoma—but with the game in Stillwater, take these red-hot Pokes to come out on top.

Big East – West Virginia

The biggest problem for the Big East all season has been winning on the road—14 of the conference’s 25 total losses have been away from the team’s home field.

West Virginia broke that trend last week at Rutgers, so it stands to reason that the Mountaineers can beat current leader Cincinnati, who was already thrashed this season by Tennessee.

The Mountaineers could easily leave the Big East with a trophy.

Big Ten – Ohio State

No, I’m not crazy.

The Buckeyes have been playing fantastic defense all year long, but it’s been the development of Braxton Miller and the return of Dan Herron that have propelled this team to win.

The Buckeyes nearly beat Michigan State and should have beaten Nebraska, but they fell apart after Miller was injured in the third quarter. They bounced back, beating Wisconsin last week.

They only have Penn State at home and Michigan—who they've dominated the past few years—on the road.

The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, have to get by Nebraska and Wisconsin—the Lions will probably lose both contests.

Pac-12 – Oregon

Andrew Luck may be the best player in the country, but the Cardinal defense has been seriously lackluster against teams over .500. In just two games against winning teams, Stanford has allowed a total of 69 points—and could have easily lost to USC.

Oregon’s defense isn’t that great either, but Stanford gave up 52 points to the Ducks last year.

The game may be in Palo Alto, but Stanford doesn't have much of a home-field advantage there.

That said, my pick will likely change if Cliff Harris isn’t in the game for Oregon.

SEC – Alabama

Yeah, I’m taking Alabama to beat LSU this Saturday. The Tide play the best defense in the country and their offense has been incredibly efficient.

Trent Richardson is a legitimate Heisman candidate, averaging 123 yards per game and an incredible 6.6 yards per rush against SEC defenses.

If they beat LSU, there really isn’t a game that should legitimately threaten the Tide—including the SEC Championship.