Orange Bowl Stock Watch: Who's Up, Who's Down for a Ticket to Miami?

With one week of football left before the BCS Bowl selection, matchups are beginning to come together. Who will play in the Orange Bowl this year? The ACC Champion will be one of the teams. That much we know.

Since the Orange Bowl is at the bottom of the pecking order, the other team will probably be the Big East Champion. There could be a surprise, though. Let’s take a look at who’s stock is up and down for a trip to the Orange Bowl. 

Stock Up: Virginia Tech

The ACC Champion gets an automatic bid to the Orange Bowl. That means that Virginia Tech is very likely to be in Miami.

The Hokies have won seven straight games en route to an 11-1 record. Their lone loss did come to their Championship Game opponent, Clemson. However, Virginia Tech is playing much better football at the moment than the Tigers.

Stock Down: Clemson

Clemson has as simple a path to the Orange Bowl as anyone. Win and their in. Unfortunately, they are playing like anything but a BCS team at the moment.

Clemson has lost three of their last four games, being blown out by NC State and South Carolina to end the regular season.

The Tigers limp in the the ACC Championship game at 9-3 with a chance to beat Virginia Tech for a second time. The Hokies, though, are coming off of their most impressive performance of the season and Clemson doesn’t appear to be playing at the same level. 

Stock Up: Louisville

It will most likely be the Big East Champion who plays the ACC Champion in the Orange Bowl and Louisville currently leads the conference. For that reason alone their stock is up. It’s complicated, though.

Louisville’s season is over, but both Cincinnati and West Virginia can tie them with wins. The Cardinals aren’t likely to pass West Virginia in the BCS to win a potential three way tie breaker.

Louisville beat West Virginia but lost to Cincinnati. That means a Cincinnati loss would clinch the Cardinals the Big East Championship, as they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Mountaineers. 

Stock Down: Cincinnati

Cincinnati is still alive for a Big East Championship and a potential Orange Bowl berth. It will be difficult, though.

The Bearcats aren’t likely to pass West Virginia in the event of a three-way tie. They do, however, own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Louisville. That means a win and a West Virginia loss will make them Big East Champions.

Cincinnati will have to beat Connecticut without Zach Collaros, which is doable. West Virginia losing to South Florida is less likely, though. The Bulls are reeling, having lost six of their last seven games.  

Stock Up: West Virginia

West Virginia’s stock it up because it’s the highest ranked Big East team. A three way tie would almost certainly give the Mountaineers a BCS berth.

If all goes as predicted both Cincinnati and West Virginia should win, creating this scenario. However, like their competitors, the Mountaineers don’t control their destiny. A Cincinnati loss would eliminate West Virginia since they lost to Big East leader Louisville. 

Stock Down: Houston

The Cougars have one more hurdle before they earn a spot in a BCS Bowl. If they can defeat Southern Miss. in the C-USA Championship Game they will earn their spot. That is probable, but Houston will most likely be selected by the Sugar Bowl.

Houston is close to New Orleans and their fans would be excited for their first BCS Bowl. If the Sugar Bowl selected the Big East Champion, though, the Cougars would end up in Miami. 

Bowl Prediction

The ACC and Big East Champions should meet in Miami. Virginia Tech is playing its best football and should handle Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

The Big East is more wide open, but West Virginia is in the best position and is by all accounts the best team. That means that the Orange Bowl could very well be a battle of the Virginians.