This time next week, we’ll know for sure what the bowl selections are, so this will be our last projection. Since it is the last one, we’ll give you two. We’ll give you one that assumes Auburn wins this week and one that assumes South Carolina wins.
Assuming Auburn wins:
BCS National Championship: Auburn v. Oregon
If the Tigers win, they are going to Glendale. We’re assuming that Oregon State won’t have anything for Oregon.
Sugar Bowl: Arkansas v. Ohio State
With Auburn going to the national title, the Sugar will have its pick of the rest of the conference. They have indicated that they would take the winner of the Arkansas-LSU game. The Buckeyes are assumed to be going here under most scenarios.
Capital One Bowl: South Carolina v. Michigan State
This could just as easily be Alabama or LSU, but South Carolina has as good a shot as those two. Michigan State is the presumptive Big 10 pick.
Cotton Bowl: LSU v. Oklahoma
This is a toss up between LSU and Alabama. The Tigers have a better record than the Tide and it makes more sense for the Outback Bowl to take the team that is further East. The loser of the Big 12 championship game will be the opponent.
Outback Bowl: Alabama v. Iowa
The Cotton Bowl and the Outback Bowl pick together. The Outback usually likes an East team but probably won’t be disappointed with the Tide. Iowa was a lock to be here before they lost to Minnesota. They may still end up here.
Chick Fil-A Bowl: Mississippi State v. Florida State
The Chick Fil-A Bowl could take Florida here, but the Gator faithful haven’t been very happy with this year and may not travel as well. The Mississippi State fans on the other hand are happy. If Florida State beats Virginia Tech, then the Hokies would be here.
Gator Bowl: Florida v. Penn State
The Gator Bowl will jump to get the Gators. In their first year with a tie in with the conference the Gator Bowl gets a marque name. The Nittany Lions could be replaced by several of the middling Big Ten teams.
Music City Bowl: Tennessee v. North Carolina
The Music City Bowl will choose between Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. The home state pick is the likely pick.
Liberty Bowl: Georgia v. Louisville
Kentucky ends up on the short end of the stick on this one. It happened to USC last year. Someone’s got to fall.
Birmingham Bowl: Kentucky v. South Florida
The Wildcats are the last bowl eligible team, and as the least impressive team they get the last bowl.
Let’s assume South Carolina wins:
Sugar Bowl: South Carolina v. Ohio State
Orange Bowl: Auburn v. Virginia Tech
Capital One Bowl: Arkansas v. Michigan State
Cotton Bowl: LSU v. Oklahoma
Outback Bowl: Alabama v. Iowa
Chick Fil-A Bowl: Mississippi State v. Florida State
Gator Bowl: Florida v. Penn State
Music City Bowl: Tennessee v. North Carolina
Liberty Bowl: Georgia v. Louisville
Birmingham Bowl: Kentucky v. South Florida
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