BE Bowl Picture - Go ND, No Go Navy

[SRQ]

2006 Preview: Bowl Projections

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CollegeFootballNews.com

Posted: 12 hours ago    

An early forecast for the 2006-2007 bowl season:

BCS GAMES

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, CA

Rose Bowl

January 1, 2007, ABC

BCS vs. BCS (Big 10 vs. Pac 10 if available)

Bowl Projection: Iowa vs. Florida State

Because of the way the schedule breaks, the prediction here is an Iowa Big Ten title. With USC projected to play for the national title, the Rose Bowl loses its Pac 10 representative and would get its choice of whatever at large team it wants. It'll want Bobby Bowden.

Fiesta Bowl

Glendale, AZ

Glendale Stadium

January 1, 2007, FOX

BCS vs. BCS (Big 12 Champion to play here if available)

Bowl Projection: Texas vs. Utah

Don't be shocked if Nebraska slides its way in here. Assuming Ohio State and the Fiesta would want a mini-break from each other, a second trip to the Fiesta in three years for Utah wouldn't be bad to sell the place out. (Remember the new BCS rules. All a Conference USA, Mountain West, MAC, Sun Belt or WAC team has to do is be in the top 12 teams in the final standings or be in the top 16 and be ranked higher than the champion of a BCS conference.)

Orange Bowl

Miami, FL

Dolphins Stadium

January 2, 2007, FOX

BCS vs. BCS (ACC Champion to play here if available)

Bowl Projection: Miami vs. Ohio State

This could easily be Florida State here for Miami. Ohio State is a better fit for the Orange than the Sugar if it doesn't end up in Glendale on January 8th.

Sugar Bowl

New Orleans, LA

Louisiana Superdome

January 3, 2007, FOX

BCS vs. BCS (SEC Champion to play here if available)

Bowl Projection: LSU vs. Louisville

With the projected SEC Champion playing for the national title, LSU playing in New Orleans would make for a good story. The Louisville-West Virginia winner will be here.

BCS Championship Game

Glendale, AZ

Glendale Stadium

January 8, 2007, FOX

BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

Bowl Projection: USC vs. Auburn  

USC, who has to beat Nebraska, Cal and Notre Dame to get the national respect to get to Glendale, would just barely beat out Texas, the ACC Champion, and Louisville to take one spot. If things work out as projected, the Trojans will have played eight bowl bound teams. A blowout over Notre Dame, if it happens, would seal the invite.

Auburn is due. Like LSU, Texas and Ohio State over the past few years, Auburn has been knocking on the door long enough to finally get the right breaks to get a shot at the title. With many still feeling the Tigers got screwed over a few years ago, the voters would give the Tigers the nod if everything else is equal. The schedule works out well getting LSU, Florida and Georgia at home, but there can't be a loss to Alabama in the regular season finale.

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More Bowl Games

Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego, CA

Qualcomm Stadium

December 19, 2006, ESPN2

Mountain West vs. at-large

Bowl Projection: South Florida vs. Fresno State (no Mountain West team projected available)

Fresno State and South Florida have to go somewhere. If a Mountain West team like Colorado State is available, Fresno State will likely knock out Nevada from the New Mexico Bowl.

Las Vegas Bowl

Las Vegas, NV

Sam Boyd Stadium

December 21, 2006, ESPN

Pac 10 No. 4 vs. Mountain West No. 1

Bowl Projection: Oregon State vs. BYU  

This is assuming Utah gets into the BCS and TCU stays home to sell tickets for the Fort Worth Bowl. Oregon, Arizona State or Washington State could be here.

New Orleans Bowl

New Orleans, LA

Louisiana Superdome

December 22, 2006, ESPN

Sun Belt vs. Conference USA

Bowl Projection: UL Lafayette vs. East Carolina

Take your pick of Conference USA teams that could be here. East Carolina might be the most attractive because of the fans, but Memphis, UCF, Houston or Tulsa could easily end up in New Orleans.

New Mexico Bowl

Albuquerque, NM

University Stadium

December 23, 2006, ESPN

Mountain West vs. WAC

Bowl Projection: New Mexico vs. Nevada

New Mexico appears to be a mortal lock here as long as it doesn't fall flat on its face. Nevada, Fresno State, and Louisiana Tech are all possible opponents.

Birmingham Bowl

Birmingham, AL

Legion Field

December 23, 2006, ESPN2

Conference USA vs. Big East or MAC

Bowl Projection: Houston vs. Pitt

The Birmingham Bowl would be far happier taking a BCS league team than someone from the MAC. Houston, Tulsa, East Carolina and UCF are all possibilities.

Fort Worth Bowl

Fort Worth, TX

Amon G. Carter Stadium

December 23, 2006, ESPN

Mountain West vs. Conference USA

Bowl Projection: TCU vs. Tulsa

TCU is a perfect fit to stay home in what would be a better-than-you-think bowl game against Tulsa, Houston or UTEP.

Hawaii Bowl

Honolulu, HI

Aloha Stadium

December 24, 2006, ESPN

Pac 10 vs. WAC

Bowl Projection: Washington State vs. Hawaii

Hawaii Bowl officials jump for joy that Hawaii will finish with a winning record. A shootout with Washington State would be a blast. Oregon or Arizona State would also make for a fun game..

Motor City Bowl

Detroit, MI

Ford Field

December 26, 2006, ESPN

MAC vs. Big Ten No. 7

Bowl Projection: Northern Illinois vs. Memphis  (No Big 10 team projected to be available)

Minnesota will struggle to get bowl eligible while Michigan State will have too good a record to stay close to home.

Emerald Bowl

San Francisco, CA

AT&T Park

December 27, 2006, ESPN

ACC No. 7 vs. Pac 10 No. 5

Bowl Projection: Virginia  vs. Oregon  

Virginia will likely make the trip cross-country for an Oregon or Oregon State home game.

Independence Bowl

Shreveport, LA

Independence Stadium

December 27, 2006, ESPN

Big 12 No. 7 vs. SEC No. 8

Bowl Projection: Iowa State vs. Ole Miss

Bowls always, always, always want Iowa State for its fans. Ole Miss might not be that good, but the schedule works out well enough to finish with six wins.

Holiday Bowl

San Diego, CA

Qualcomm Stadium

December 28, 2006, ESPN

Pac 10 No. 2 vs. Big 12 No. 3

Bowl Projection: California vs. Nebraska

This would be one of the most exciting bowls of the bunch. If the Big 12 only gets two teams in the BCS, Texas Tech could be here in a great game with either California or Arizona State.

Texas Bowl

Houston, TX

Reliant Stadium

December 28, 2006, NFL Network

Big 12 vs. Big East

Bowl Projection: Missouri vs. West Virginia

Formerly called the Houston Bowl, the Texas Bowl would jump at the chance to take Texas Tech or Texas A&M, but they might already be gone. Don't be shocked if the West Virginia/Louisville loser ends up here if Notre Dame ends up playing in the Gator Bowl.

MPC Computers Bowl

Boise, ID

Bronco Stadium

December 28, 2006, ESPN

WAC vs. ACC No. 8

Bowl Projection: Boise State vs. Maryland

Fine, so if Boise State goes 11-1 as projected, it might be somewhere else for a bigger bowl. Maryland or Virginia will be exiled to Boise since the Meineke Car Care Bowl will want NC State to stay at home.

Champs Sports Bowl

Orlando, FL

Florida Citrus Bowl

December 29, 2006, ESPN

Big Ten No. 4 or 5 vs. ACC No. 4

Bowl Projection: Michigan State vs. Georgia Tech

One of the Techs, either Georgia or Virginia, should fit in here while Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State will all be in the running for the Big Ten's spot.

Music City Bowl

Nashville, TN

The Coliseum

December 29, 2006, ESPN

SEC vs. ACC No. 5

Bowl Projection: South Carolina vs. Boston College

Watch for the ACC to make amends for hosing Boston College last year. South Carolina or Alabama make the most sense.

Sun Bowl

El Paso, TX

Sun Bowl

December 29, 2006, CBS

Big 12 or Big East vs. Pac 10 No. 3

Bowl Projection: Texas A&M  vs. Arizona State

West Virginia, because of its traveling fans, would be attractive if Notre Dame ends up going to the BCS. If the Irish are out of the BCS and goes to the Gator Bowl, the Sun has to take a Big 12 team.

Insight Bowl

Phoenix, AZ

Chase Field

December 29, 2006, ESPN

Big Ten No. 6  vs. Big 12 No. 6

Bowl Projection: Purdue vs. Colorado

Purdue, Wisconsin or Michigan State are the likely Big Ten representatives. Take your pick from the Big 12 with Texas A&M, Colorado, Iowa State and Missouri all possibilities.

Alamo Bowl

San Antonio, TX

Alamodome

December 30, 2006, ESPN

Big 12 No. 4 vs. Big Ten No. 4 or 5

Bowl Projection: Wisconsin vs. Texas Tech

Wisconsin didn't travel all that well last year, but that might be an aberration. The Alamo would do cartwheels to sell out the dome with Texas A&M fans, but Texas Tech fans would certainly help fill the place up..

Liberty Bowl

Memphis, TN

Liberty Bowl  

December 30, 2006, ESPN

Conference USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 6

Bowl Projection: Southern Miss vs. Alabama

If this is the matchup, set the over/under at 27.

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Charlotte, NC

Bank of America Stadium

December 30, 2006, ESPN2

ACC No. 6 vs. Big East or Navy

Bowl Projection: NC State vs. Navy

Virginia and Boston College would be more deserving, but NC State would put more fans in the seats. As projected, State would fit into the new ACC bowl rules. Navy has a deal for a berth here if eligible. South Florida will deserve to go here.

Chick-fil-A Bowl

Atlanta, GA

Georgia Dome

December 30, 2006, ESPN

ACC No. 2 vs. SEC

Bowl Projection: Clemson vs. Georgia

If this is the matchup, it would sell out faster than any other bowl.

Gator Bowl

Jacksonville, FL

Alltel Stadium

January 1, 2007, CBS

ACC No. 3 vs. Big 12 or Big East

Bowl Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame

Assuming the Irish aren't going to the BCS, a battle with Virginia Tech would be every bit as good as any of the big-name games.

Cotton Bowl

Dallas, TX

Cotton Bowl  

January 1, 2007, FOX

Big 12 No. 2 vs. SEC

Bowl Projection: Oklahoma vs. Arkansas

Nebraska could be an attractive option, but Oklahoma would sell out the Cotton Bowl. Arkansas would be a nod back to the old Southwest Conference days, but Alabama could easily be here.

Outback Bowl

Tampa, FL

Raymond James Stadium

January 1, 2007, ESPN

Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC

Bowl Projection: Penn State vs. Tennessee

Oh would this be good. Georgia or Florida could be the SEC representative, while Wisconsin or Michigan could be here instead of the Nittany Lions.

Capital One Bowl

Jacksonville, FL

Alltel Stadium

January 1, 2007, ABC

SEC No. 2 vs. Big Ten No. 2

Bowl Projection: Florida vs. Michigan

These two met in the 2003 Outback Bowl with the Wolverines winning 38-30. Each would be disappointed it's not in the BCS.

International Bowl

Toronto, Canada

Rogers Centre

January 6, 2007, ESPN

MAC vs. Big East No. 4 or 5

Bowl Projection: Akron vs. Rutgers

Is going to Toronto in January a reward? Actually, it might be (it's a really nice city). Toledo, Bowling Green, or Miami University could be here from the MAC, while UConn or South Florida could be here from the Big East.

GMAC Bowl

Mobile, AL

Ladd Peebles Stadium

January 7, 2007, ESPN

Conference USA No. 2 vs. MAC

Bowl Projection: UTEP vs. Toledo

Like the GMAC Bowl didn't get enough publicity as one of the first bowl games of the year. There should be a rule that minor bowls can't play after the BCS starts up.

[SRQ]

We'll know about ND in Sept.  Hope they're 3-0.

[fishinBULL]

we are getting screwed over with this navy deal

[smazza]

san diego would be nice

[BullsFanInTX]

Let's say UL makes the national championship game.  Does the BE still get to keep it's BCS bid (for example WVU to the Sugar bowl).  Or is the NC game considered our BCS game.  

[Joe]

National Title is our BCS bid. In order for the BE to get two bids from the BCS they would have to have 2 teams finish in the top 6 in the BCS rankings.

I really really doubt, the BCS would take two BE teams if they don't have to, in many cases they will go with the extra team from the other 5.

[bulls96go]

National Title is our BCS bid. In order for the BE to get two bids from the BCS they would have to have 2 teams finish in the top 6 in the BCS rankings.

I really really doubt, the BCS would take two BE teams if they don't have to, in many cases they will go with the extra team from the other 5.

two bcs in the same year would be sweet revenge against the acc