Bowl Projections: 5 Teams Who Could Be Left out of the BCS Bowls

In order to be eligible for an automatic-qualifying BCS bowl bid, a team must be ranked in the Top 14 teams in the country. Unfortunately there are only five BCS bowls, so at least four teams will be left out from that list.

That doesn’t include if a team wins its automatic-qualifying conference and is ranked outside the Top 14.

So which teams this year will get left out of the BCS? Here are the five top teams most likely to be left out.

Arkansas

The only way Arkansas gets into a BCS is for it to go on the road and beat LSU, which is incredibly difficult. Death Valley is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football and Arkansas lost to Alabama on the road and only beat Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt—teams that are a combined 13-20—by a combined 12 points away from home.

The Hogs may be ranked third in the country but they are serious underdogs in this game for a good reason.

Michigan

The Wolverines are projected to be in the BCS by a number of the top analysts because of their national appeal and traveling fanbase, but they still have to get by Ohio State.

The game may be being played in the Big House but the Buckeyes held Denard Robinson and Company to just seven points last year so it stands to reason they can do the same this year. With Dan Herron back, the offense is playing at a much higher level and should be able to win.

Even if Michigan does win, it has to be in the Top 14, which it currently is not. If they can’t move up this week, there’s no shot for the BCS.

Georgia

With LSU, Alabama and Arkansas 1-2-3 in the BCS Rankings, Georgia will have to win the SEC Championship in order to reach the BCS. All three of those teams are ranked higher for a reason.

The Bulldogs defense has been much improved this season, but their offensive outputs leave a lot to be desired. Against the defenses of LSU and Alabama, it will be next to impossible to put up enough points to win the game.

All signs point to Georgia being left out of the BCS.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies will be favored in their next two games, assuming they get to the ACC Championship, but Virginia and Clemson each pose difficulties. Virginia is riding high after surprising everyone outside of Charlottesville and the game will be at their stadium. Tech may have the historical edge but that only makes the Cavaliers hungrier for a win.

And Clemson beat Tech in Blacksburg by 20 points earlier this season. Why should this time be any different? With so many other teams on the verge of getting a BCS bowl bid, it will be tough for the Hokies to get a spot if it doesn’t win out.

Boise State

Kellen Moore and Company may only have one dramatic loss on the season but if they aren’t undefeated and in the national title discussion, the Broncos don’t really have the national appeal to justify a BCS bowl taking them.

The team could put up a fight against just about any team in the Top 14 but there are just not enough fans. Unless the Orange Bowl gets the option of taking them to rematch Virginia Tech from last year’s epic game, a minor bowl will have to do.