The BCS seemed to flirt with near misses this weekend. TCU barely scraped by San Diego State. Penn State had Ohio State figured out (and then lost it). Auburn seemed vulnerable against Georgia. Oregon looked bad against Cal. But in the end, there was to be no big shakeup. Some weeks are like that. So we just move on. Remember the Rules:
- The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
- The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Sugar Bowl; 4) Orange Bowl; 5) Fiesta Bowl.
- If a Big Ten or Pac-10 team qualifies for the BCS Championship Game, the Rose Bowl will be required to take a non-automatic qualifier. This will only be required of the Rose Bowl the first time it occurs over the next four years.
- The Gator Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Insight Bowl this year. It will rotate the other way next year.
Got it? Good. Let's get on to the projections.
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Cal may have given a blueprint for how to beat the Ducks (and it's pretty similar to what the Buckeyes did last year). I just don't see anyone left on the schedule that can do it.
Auburn is taking a week off before they go to Tuscaloosa. How much will be used debating eligibility issues?
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I'm projecting that Wisconsin can hold its BCS lead over Ohio State...if it can win in Michigan. I don't know that that's a given.
If Auburn loses, you'll see Stanford taken here, as TCU will play in the BCS Championship Game.
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11-1 LSU (the strangest 11-1 team of all time?) is an easy replacement choice for the Sugar Bowl.
And, considering that 1) they won't need to worry about filling the stadium with LSU there and 2) the TV ratings that Boise drew against Virginia Tech, the Broncos get the call to the Big Easy. You're telling me you wouldn't want to watch the SEC vs. Boise?
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Virginia Tech still seems to be the best that the ACC can muster.
11-1 Ohio State will get an at large bid over 11-1 Michigan State or 11-1 Stanford. Every time. In fact, I wouldn't surprised to see the Buckeyes picked for a rematch in the Sugar Bowl.
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I'm staying on PItt to win the Big East, but if they lose to West Virginia, we could have really fascinating 3 way tiebreaker with those two schools and ... Syracuse?
I also see Oklahoma winning out to get here. Yes, that includes victories over Okie State and Nebraska.
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If Sparty goes 11-1 and Alabama loses to Auburn, no one will be happy to be here. |
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Iowa seems locked in here...unless Michigan jumps them with an upset over Ohio State or Wisconsin. The Outback Bowl does prefer to take up and coming.
For that reason, I think they'll take 8-4 Mississippi State (and their huge number of traveling cow bells) over South Carolina (who goes to the Chick-Fil-A).
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A pretty nice matchup, actually. |
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How many points will Mizzou put against the Wolverine "defense?" No, more than that. Missouri seems set as the fourth pick from the Big 12. With only one BCS team, that'll mean playing here. |
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What you don't see is A&M beating Texas and getting the nod for the Holiday Bowl over Kansas State. That opens this slot for Baylor.
I am calling an Illini victory over the Persa-less Wildcats. That, and a win in Fresno, send the Zookers here.
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And after K-State goes to the Bronx, Texas Tech gets the last Big Twelve Bowl bid here.
Northwestern goes to Dallas after losing their last two to Illinois and Wisconsin.
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NIU gets here after winning the MAC. It's possible that the Big Ten and Sun Belt both won't have enough eligible teams to fill this bowl. Actually, it's possible that college football won't have enough 6-6 teams to fill this bowl. You could see a 5-7 Old Oaken Bucket Champion go to Detroit. It is officially possible. Want it to happen? Root against teams like Texas and Iowa State who are hunting for win number six. |
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When you can't get to six wins, you know that you'll spend the bowl season On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (sponsored by Ro*Tel).
Hat tips all around. To Minnesota for a completely unexpected win. To Purdue for playing Michigan closer than anyone expected. And to Indiana for allowing the Badgers to show just how high that scoreboard can go.
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