2011 Bowl Projections: Which Teams Will Get Screwed out of BCS Bowl Bids?

It happens every year: Deserving teams get screwed out of BCS bowl bids.

Whether it's because of the conference they play in, the BCS two-team rule or plain bad luck, it's inevitable. 

Here are five teams that could be on the outside looking in when the 2011-12 BCS bowl matchups are announced this evening. 

Houston Cougars

It's the life of a mid-major in college football: One and done. 

Fair or not, just one slip up is going to cost a team like Houston every year because they don't play in an AQ conference. 

In just a few hours, the Cougars went from 11-0 and No. 6 in the BCS to 11-1 and a likely spot in the Liberty Bowl or Ticket City Bowl. 

Boise State Broncos

Another year, another disappointing bowl destination for coach Chris Petersen and Boise State. 

Like Houston, it was one and done for the Broncos after they lost earlier this season to TCU. 

Despite a likely Top 10 finish in the BCS, Boise will almost certainly be playing in Las Vegas towards the end of December. 

Virginia Tech Hokies

When the BCS bowl matchups are announced tonight, expect Frank Beamer and the Hokies to curse the name of Dabo Swinney.

Without Clemson, Virginia Tech is 11-0 this season.

With the Tigers, the Hokies are 11-2 and expected to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve. 

Arkansas Razorbacks

All Arkansas did this season was win 10 of 12 games in college football's toughest conference. 

Their losses? No 1. LSU and No 2. Alabama—the likely participants in this year’s BCS title game. 

No matter.

Instead of playing in the BCS, Arkansas will likely find themselves in the Capital One Bowl. 

South Carolina Gamecocks

Like Arkansas, Steve Spurrier and South Carolina won 10 of 12 games in college football's premier conference—including a non-conference victory over ACC champion Clemson.

Again, no matter. 

The Gamecocks will be watching the BCS games on TV before and after they play in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 6.