BCS bowls predictions
Out of the 35 bowl games played at the end of the college football season, the Rose, Fiesta, Orange, Sugar and BCS National Championship game are the most highly sought after. Here are predictions for the top five bowl games:
Rose Bowl
The teams that usually are invited to the Rose Bowl are the winners of the Pac-10 and the Big Ten conferences. The only way that one of those teams does not attend is because the conference winner is playing in the national championship game.
For this year’s Rose Bowl, the winner of the Pac-10 has already been determined and it is the Oregon Ducks. However, Oregon is currently ranked number one in the BCS standings and thus is in line to play in the BCS National Championship. A new team must be
invited and the best guess for this will be the Boise State Broncos. Despite Boise State’s easy schedule, they have still demonstrated their ability to perform and play excellent football.
The Big Ten conference has yet to be determined as Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are all tied for first place. For prediction purposes, let’s us say that Ohio State wins the conference and Michigan State finishes second. Even though Ohio State
wins the Big Ten, they will probably be ranked in the top ten in the BCS standings and thus be subject to play in a higher bowl game. Therefore, Michigan State would receive the nod to participate in the Rose Bowl.
Prediction
Michigan State Spartans versus Boise State Broncos
Fiesta Bowl
The Big 12 conference champion will automatically get a spot in the Fiesta Bowl and that currently looks like Oklahoma State will be the participant. They will end up playing one of the top ten BCS ranked teams or could possibly be the winner out
of the Big East. Currently, Pittsburgh is atop the Big East Conference with a 6-4 record, but they have not been ranked for most of the season. It is quite possible that West Virginia could take the place of Pittsburgh but that would depend on how each team
fares this weekend. This looks like it could potentially be a blow out, but it is more than likely that the Big East will send their representative to the Fiesta Bowl.
Prediction
West Virginia Mountaineers versus Oklahoma State Cowboys
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is contracted to have the Atlantic Coastal Conference champion as a participant in the game who will face one of the high ranking BCS teams. Currently, the ACC conference championship is looking like a North Carolina State against
Virginia Tech match. For prediction purposes, we will say Virginia Tech is the winner and thus gets their spot in the Orange Bowl.
Their opponent could potentially be either Ohio State (depending on where they finish their season) or Stanford. Stanford is currently second in the Pac-10 with a record of 10-1 but is ranked sixth in the nation. It will be imperative for both teams to win
their remaining games to have an opportunity at this bowl.
Prediction
Virginia Tech Hokies versus Ohio State Buckeyes
Sugar Bowl
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) winner gets an automatic bid into this game, unless their conference winner is invited to the BCS National Championship. Let’s say that Auburn wins the SEC but is invited to the National Championship being ranked
number one or two, this game could see Texas Christian University (TCU) as a participant.
One of the remaining top BCS teams will be the other invitee and that would more than likely be Louisiana State University. They have been ranked in the top ten for a good portion of the season and have had one of the toughest schedules, playing against six
ranked opponents.
Prediction
LSU Tigers versus TCU Horned Frogs
National Championship
There are undefeated teams who think they deserve an opportunity at the National Championship game, but a look into their strength of schedules determine that they really do not and should not have that chance.
Auburn has the best opportunity to be invited to this game. They still are undefeated, but have faced a higher competition throughout their season, due to them playing in the SEC. They have two big games left which has the potential to change the rankings
drastically. First is Alabama on 27 November and then South Carolina in the SEC championship on 4 December. If they win both, they are in.
Oregon has the best opportunity out of the others as even though their schedule has been easier, they have outscored opponents drastically over their games. They still remain undefeated and will leave it to the voters to see who goes to the BCS National Championship.
Prediction
Oregon Ducks versus Auburn Tigers
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