2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 8

by Bama Hawkeye on Oct 25, 2009 8:31 AM CDT in Bowl Projections Comment 10 comments

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Heart stopped beating. Twice. More on that later this week. For now, the biggest takeaways are these:

The Big XII is bad. After Texas, Oklahoma State and a snake-bit Oklahoma squad, there is nothing of consequence there. I'm absolutely shocked at how Nebraska and Kansas seem to be unable to step up and claim the North title. And if that wasn't bad enough, make sense of these scores: 1) Texas Tech 66 Kansas State 14 2) Kansas State 62 Texas A&M 14 3) Texas A&M 52 Texas Tech 30 It makes my head hurt. Unless Texas either loses on Saturday to Oklahoma State or loses in the Big XII title game, this league is only getting one BCS team this year.
The SEC is shallow. After you get past Alabama, Florida, and LSU, there's not a lot to see here. Ole Miss and South Carolina look to be the best of what's left, but neither is that impressive.
If USC loses to Oregon this Saturday and Notre Dame drops a third game somewhere (against PItt maybe?), the 10-2 Trojans will be very likely headed to the Fiesta Bowl and a matchup with the mid-major that gets into the BCS. I don't know if Oregon gets the same treatment if they lose on Saturday. My guess is that the Fiesta takes the Big Ten runner-up.
Not much changed from last week. Halloween night will be the big shake-up. Projections are after the jump...

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
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) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			Alabama made it closer than it should have been last week. Texas may have found a groove, which it will need in Stillwater.
			11-1 Penn State is definitely here. 10-2 Penn State probably goes to the Capital One Bowl. That makes the game with Ohio State huge for the Lions.
			TCU is very good. Very, very good. Notre Dame is just good enough. Remember, 10-2 Notre Dame goes to the BCS.
			SEC Championship game loser versus the Big East winner, which looks like the PItt/Cincy winner. This could be a very exciting game.
			USC/Oregon will decide this on Saturday night. Iowa can get here by winning out (and being kept out of the BCS Championship by undefeated SEC Champion and Texas), or by going 11-1 with Ohio State losing once more.
			This projects Ohio State's streak of Big Ten championships to end. Both of these teams control their own destiny for their league crowns.
			South Carolina is far better than I thought they would be. If Michigan can stay within one win of the Badgers, the Outback will choose them.
			Wisconsin may be able to move up if they can beat the Wolverines. Michigan's cache will keep them above the Badgers otherwise. Clemson's win over Miami doesn't change their lot much. They're still likely the fourth team in the ACC pecking order.
			Big XII rules state a division winner can fall no lower than the Alamo Bowl. Expect to see the Big XII North champ here. Despite their loss to Iowa State (that's fun to write about someone other than Iowa), I'll put the Huskers here.
			As I mentioned, the Big XII is not good after those top three teams.
			Northwestern managed to slip by Indiana, which means that they should slip into Detroit. Central Michigan is really good.
			If you can't win six games, you end up On the Couch with the Queso Bowl.

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Alabama made it closer than it should have been last week. Texas may have found a groove, which it will need in Stillwater.

Alabama makes it closer than it should be every game. It’s what a barely functioning offense and a Top 10 defense will do….Just like Iowa!

The Rivalry, Esq.
Big Ten Football: 3 Yards and a Cloud of Field Turf

by grahamfiller10 on Oct 25, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The difference of course being that when Iowa does it it means they’re horribly overrated (and thus so is the entire Big XI), while when ‘Bama does it it’s just good ol’ SEC fewtbawl.

by Tmo87 on Oct 25, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Media double standards are FUN!

But we’re preaching to the choir on this one. Too bad the media can’t evaluate by actual performance on the field but has to fall back on convenient, pre-made narratives.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Oct 25, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But Tebow is just sooo shiny!

Let’s face it: those pick sixes were the most beautiful interceptions ever thrown. Truly the stuff of a future (2nd) Heisman winner and football Christ.

Tebow threw those interceptions so we could throw touchdowns.

by Tmo87 on Oct 25, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea who wins the Heisman…It isn’t Tebow, those stats would be the worst of a Heisman winner…Ingram is good, but Bama ain’t scoring points…Case Keenun is dwarfing everyone with this statistics, but it’s a tough sell because UH lost once…Terance Cody of Bama is a DT, which means he cannot win the Heisman, but god is he dominant…

The Rivalry, Esq.
Big Ten Football: 3 Yards and a Cloud of Field Turf

by grahamfiller10 on Oct 25, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McCoy

If he goes off the rest of the season like he did against Mizzou, the voters will give it to him, thus completing the QB trifecta of the past 3 seasons. Not saying he necessarily deserves it, just that the voters will take the easy way out and give it to him. Unless the Tebow love isn’t affected by actual, you know, performance.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Oct 25, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo.

Unless he looks horrible against Okie State on Saturday night, it’s Colt McCoy’s trophy.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Oct 25, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m taking my Dad to a bowl game for the first time this year. I’m not making predictions…just saying I hope I’m taking him to Pasadena. Either way is fine.

by Tmo87 on Oct 25, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's the anti-WWL

How dare you watch the games and actually think about them. USC is better than any team outside of the almightly SEC and Big 12. And both of those conferences have the best teams.

Here’s the question that keeps going through my mind. If Iowa or Cincinnati lose, how far do they drop? If Florida, Bama, Texas or USC lose, how far do they drop? Yes, it matters who they lose to, but I promise you, the drop is not equitable.

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Oct 25, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs