Bowl Projections 2012: Stanford Cardinal and Teams Missing out on BCS Bowls

We are still weeks away from the final announcement of the BCS Standings, which will determine which teams are playing in the prestigious BCS bowl games. It’s why there is still time for teams like the Stanford Cardinal to drop out of contention for these bowl games. 

These teams still have tough games on their schedule, where they can easily add onto their loss total, or lose their first, then lose their second. 

It’s a cruel game that the NCAA plays on these teams, as one or two losses demolish what is a great season, with teams finishing their regular season at 10-2-or-11-1. 

Stanford Cardinal

Stanford is No. 2 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 4 in the BCS Standings. However, with two of their biggest games of the year upcoming, it will be hard for Stanford to hold onto their spot atop not only the Pac 12 Conference, but the BCS Standings. 

With a Stanford loss to Oregon, it will drop the Stanford team down near the eight-to-10 range. 

Then another loss to Notre Dame to end their season will all but end their BCS bowl game dreams. 

WIth this team as injured as they are, it will be hard for Stanford to stay undefeated. 

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma already has one loss on their season. They had a great chance to crawl back into a BCS bowl game, as they currently sit at No. 6 in the BCS Standings. But, with the loss of their senior leader, wide receiver Ryan Broyles, it looks like it will be almost impossible to beat Oklahoma State on December 3rd. 

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas has an outside shot to make a BCS bowl game as it is, but with LSU’s win against Alabama, they still have a chance at a three-way tie with LSU and Alabama for the SEC West division. 

But, it’s a long shot of a dream, and with the game in Baton Rouge, it looks almost impossible to happen. 

Three teams who will all finish with an amazing 10-2 record will all find themselves on the outside looking in, when the BCS bowl games are announced. 

BCS Bowl Game	Home Team	Visitor Team
Rose Bowl	Pac-12 Champion Oregon Ducks	Big Ten Champion Penn State Nittany Lions
Orange Bowl	ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	Big East Champion Cincinnati Bearcats
Sugar Bowl	At Large Alabama Crimson Tide	At Large Kansas State Wildcats
Fiesta Bowl	At Large Boise State Broncos	At Large Houston Cougars
BCS National Championship Game	SEC Champion LSU Tigers	Big 12 Champion Oklahoma State Cowboys

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