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It was suggested yesterday that I simply pick names from a hat to determine the bowl projections. I seriously considered it. Then I realized that wouldn’t do too much for my already awesome street credibility. I told myself to never, ever, project Oklahoma playing in a national title game. I told myself this because I knew they’d lose an inexplicable game here or there and shoot themselves in the foot. Yet, when USC lost, they were the sane choice. I’m making sane choices in an insane college football season.
Then there’s the Big Ten. Yesterday the following things happened:
- Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State all looked awful but still managed to win their football games.
- Iowa lost to a middling MAC team.
- Denard Robinson threw four, yes, four interceptions in Michigan’s loss to Notre Dame.
- Illinois got housed by Louisiana Tech.
Aside from that it was just a normal Saturday. I’d go into how this week affected the bowl projections but that wouldn’t be any fun would it? Hit the jump.
First, 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 (and we're bringing the title game back to South Beach this season) is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Fiesta Bowl; 4) Sugar Bowl; 5) Orange Bowl.
- If a Big Ten or Pac-10 team qualifies for the BCS Championship Game, the Rose Bowl will NOT be required to take a non-automatic qualifier. This was only required of the Rose Bowl the first time (2010 season) it occurred over the current four-year contract.
- The Insight Bowl is now the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. There's also still no clarification on who gets to pick first between the Gator and the BWW. I'll assume the Gator gets to pick first.
- Apparently, the Outback Bowl only takes teams from the SEC East and Auburn.
Here's a full breakdown of the Big Ten bowl tie-ins:
Pick |
Bowl Game |
Opponent |
| No. 1 |
Rose Bowl Pasadena, California |
Pac-12 No. 1 or BCS |
| No. 2 |
Capital One Bowl Orlando, Florida |
SEC No. 2 |
| No. 3 |
Outback Bowl Tampa, Florida |
SEC No. 3 |
| No. 4/5 |
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Tempe, Arizona |
Big 12 No. 4 |
| No. 5/4 |
Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Florida |
SEC No. 6 |
| No. 6 |
Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas Houston, Texas |
Big 12 No. 6 |
| No. 7 |
TicketCity Bowl Dallas, Texas |
C-USA or MAC |
| No. 8 |
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Detroit, Michigan |
MAC |
Now that we've gotten the formalities out of the way, let's get to the projections.
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Why Alabama: I often think about LSU being the better team. Then I saw LSU play Auburn. I don't think so any longer. Why Florida State: Following the Seminoles outgunning Clemson and EJ Manuel going HAM, they're a legitimate national title contender. While they still have to go to Virginia Tech and get Florida at home, there's nothing else standing in their way. |
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Why Michigan State: Remember the jokes we used to make/still make about the ACC? The joke goes: Well, someone has to win the ACC. Replace "ACC" with "Big Ten" and you'll understand why I have Michigan State in the Rose Bowl. Why USC: The Trojans held the California Bears to 250 total yards in their 27-9 win. I appreciate Oregon's high powered offense but I don't think they can outgun the Trojans. Furthermore, I like USC's defense better. |
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Why West Virginia: Mike, do you really have West Virginia winning the Big 12 now? Following Oklahoma losing to Kansas State, a team coached by a man who is apparently immortal, I've got the Mountaineers heading to Glendale. Why Oregon: The Pac 12 team that goes to this game will be determined by whoever wins the USC v. Oregon game. Obviously, I have Oregon losing. |
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Why LSU: The Tigers struggled against a desperate Auburn team but they're still a top 5 team. Why Notre Dame: Sigh. |
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Why Clemson: I didn't think the Tigers could beat Florida State but I knew they'd hang with them. After their showing against the Seminoles it's clear they're a BCS bound team. Why Louisville: The Redbirds move to 4-0 after their win over FIU. |
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Why Nebraska: The Huskers simply look like a better team than Michigan right now. And yes, I'm very aware they were only playing Idaho State. Why Georgia: Nothing changes for Georgia, who will be the third best team in the SEC. |
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Why Michigan: Getting dominated by one of the best teams in the nation is one thing. Looking absolutely incompetent against Notre Dame is another. Why South Carolina: Because it's SCar and you know they're going to lose like 5 games at the end of the season. |
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Why Northwestern: They aren't better than Michigan, Michigan State or Nebraska...right? Why TCU: LITTLE SISTER OF THE POOR. |
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Why Wisconsin: I saw you beat UTEP. Good job, good effort. Why Tennessee: The Vols will probably be better than their record reflects at the end of the year. |
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Why Purdue: /picks name out of hat Why Texas Tech: Still have the Red Raiders heading to the Car Care Bowl as they're the 6th best team in the Big 12. |
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Why Minnesota: /picks name out of hat Why Tulsa: Tulsa beat Fresno State this weekend...so that's something. |
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Why Illinois: /picks name out of hat Why NIU: GRUDGE MATCH. |
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Why Iowa: This is why. Why Indiana: ROFFLECOPTERS. Why Ohio State: It's too bad Ohio State is banned from the postseason because they're the most non-incompetent team in the conference right now. Why Penn State: Vacated. |
vs.
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All helmet images credit to The Helmet Project.