The Pac-10 is the best conference in college football.

There.   I said it.  It seems weird, but no other conference goes 6 deep with quality teams.  Oregon, Stanford, USC, Arizona, California, and Oregon State give the Pac-10 depth that no one else can match.  I will readily admit, that Oregon, the likely champ, does not compare to Floribama or Texas.  It may not be as good as Ohio State, Cincinnati, or Georgia Tech for that matter.  But when the other Pac-10 teams match up with the other conferences in bowl games, I expect to see an outstanding league record.

In the Big Ten, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Northwestern seem pretty well locked into their slots.  It would take a huge chain of events to move them.  I expect to see more movement of their opponents than of them as we go forward.  There will be an Iowa/Penn State decision to be made, and don't expect the answer until December 6th. Unless Michigan shocks Ohio State next weekend, Michigan State and Minnesota can make their hotel reservations, too.  Full projections for the Big Ten, BCS, and all other bowls after the jump.

Remember the rules.

1. These are projections.  I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
2. 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.  
3. 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.
4. The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
5. For the full rules on BCS selections, look here. 

			Did you see anything yesterday that changed this matchup?  I didn't.
			With no traditional power or huge traveling fan base available, maybe the Orange Bowl takes TCU as the top ranked unbeaten team?  The TCU defense against the Tech offense would be fun to watch.
			I am presuming that after the polls come out tomorrow, Iowa will be no lower than 17 in the BCS standings.  If that's the case, a 10-2 Iowa will likely be in the Top 14 by the final rankings.  I'm projecting that the Fiesta picks Iowa over 10-2 Penn State.  If you want to argue otherwise, be my guest.  It'll be a tough call.  As for the other spot, does the Fiesta take a 10-2 Oklahoma State team (assuming that they win in Norman)?  Maybe.  But I'm guessing that they look to 13-0 Boise instead.
			Still think that this will be the SEC Championship loser versus the Big East champion.  Pittsburgh is sure giving me pause...
			Congratulations, Ohio State.  Now win.
			Again, if you want to flip Iowa and Penn State, be my guest.  LSU is a lock for Orlando.
			I don't see any way in which Wisconsin moves from this spot.  I think a 9-3 Iowa or Penn State squad gets selected ahead of the Badgers.  I'm going with 7 win Tennessee over 7 win Georgia, 7 win Auburn, and 7 win Arkansas.
			Congratulations to Northwestern on reaching 7 wins.  The fact that none of the teams below you accomplished that means that you get a great bowl matchup.  Getting the 8th against Wisconsin won't move you up any further.
			6-6 Michigan State goes to San Antonio.  If Sparty can upset Penn State, they'll go to Orlando for the Champs Bowl instead.  Expect to see the Oklahoma/Texas Tech winner here.
			Barring an upset of Iowa, which would bump the Gophers over a 6-6 Michigan State, or a Wolverine win that sends the Gophers to Detroit, Minnesota is headed back to the desert for the third time in four years.
			Unless Michigan wins, this game goes unfilled by the Big Ten.  Again.
			At this point, Indiana, Illinois, and Purdue have guaranteed themselves a winter without a bowl game.  Michigan can reach 6 wins if they can pull the upset over the Rose Bowl bound Buckeyes on Saturday.  If they do, they'll get the best bowl slot available for a 6-6 team (likely the Alamo Bowl). I'm not counting on it.  I think that all four of these teams will be On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (now sponsored by Ro*Tel).

And now we add the other 23 bowl games...

			SMU controls its own destiny to win C-USA West.  I think that they do, but they lose to ECU in the championship game.  Troy has made this their annual winter home.
			BYU will be asked to go to Las Vegas every time they can.  Oregon State is a good matchup.
			10-2 Pitt may be the biggest loser in the bowl pairings.  With Notre Dame not earning a BCS bid, they'll go to the Gator Bowl and push all of the Big East teams down a rung.  Pitt deserves better than this.
			Florida State will need to beat Maryland to keep their bowl streak going (you don't think they'll win in Gainesville do you?).  Stanford stays close to home for a nice matchup.
			This would be a great matchup.  Why doesn't this game happen during the regular season from time to time?
			Iowa State could get out to the Insight Bowl if they upset Mizzou next weekend.
			The ACC can't fill this spot.  Ohio's 7 wins will get them a bid somewhere.  I'm saying that somewhere is DC.
			The current projections have room for one 6-6 team.  It's UCLA, and they will head north to the blue turf.
			Navy has clinched this bid.  Will pent-up Aggie fans travel to Houston?  I suspect they will.
			Stanford may end up with a better record, but this would be a dream matchup in San Diego.
			Houston is going to need help to win the Western Division of C-USA.  I don't think that they get it.  The good news is that they get a great matchup in Ft. Worth.
			Texas Tech fits well here.  Look for the Cal/Stanford winner to be their opponent.
			Chick-Fil-A will have its choice of the Hokies, Clemson, and Miami.  Clemson/Auburn wouldn't be a surprise either.
			Even Notre Dame haters would love a good Catholics vs. Convicts game.
			This would be a really good game.  The MAC champion is not tied to any one game, and I suspect the league will try to get them a good matchup.
			6-6 Kentucky gets the SEC's last spot.  The Big East places teams, and they'll want one of their better teams to face an SEC member.
			The Cowboys have cemented their place as second best in the Big 12.  Auburn's loss to Georgia moves Ole Miss to a return trip to Dallas.
			Houston's loss sets up an ECU/SMU C-USA title game.  I've got ECU winning and going back to Memphis.  The Liberty Bowl is happy to have Arkansas.
			UL-M replaces the ACC, which can't fill its last two spots.  A seven win ULM team will get chosen above a more (TV friendly" 6 win team.