It is time for my first update to the pre-season Field of 68. Right now, the Field is an amalgamation of both what has transpired thus far in the season and what might be expected for the remainder. There is no science right now to my madness, as it is still too early to put any numbers to work in crunching the field. Currently, the only number I am using is 3, which is the maximum number of losses I am allowing for an at-large team in the Field.
Midwest - Indianapolis, IN
1. Indiana
16. Prairie View A&M/Mercer
Dayton, OH
8. Memphis
9. California
5. Creighton
12. Oklahoma/St. Joseph's
Austin, TX
4. North Carolina
13. Davidson
6. Oklahoma State
11. Murray State
Kansas City, MO
3. Missouri
14. Harvard
7. Michigan State
10. Temple
Lexington, KY
2. Louisville
15. Norfolk State
East - Washington D.C.
1. Duke
16. Stony Brook
Philadelphia, PA
8. Colorado
9. Marquette
5. Minnesota
12. Ohio
San Jose, CA
4. Kentucky
13. Montana
6. Butler
11. Oregon
Auburn Hills, MI
3. Cincinnati
14. Wyoming/Illinois State
7. San Diego State
10. Baylor
Dayton, OH
2. Ohio State
15. Lehigh
South - Arlington, TX
1. Florida
16. Gardner-Webb/Canisius
Lexington, KY
8. VCU
9. Miami, FL
5. Georgetown
12. Middle Tennessee State
Salt Lake City, UT
4. Illinois
13. South Dakota State
6. New Mexico
11. St. Mary's
Austin, TX
3. NC State
14. George Mason
7. Pittsburgh
10. UCLA
Kansas City, MO
2. Kansas
15. Stephen F. Austin
West
1. Syracuse
16. Robert Morris
Philadelphia, PA
8. Alabama
9. Kansas State
5. Gonzaga
12. Northwestern
Salt Lake City, UT
4. UNLV
13. UIC
6. Notre Dame
11. Xavier
San Jose, CA
3. Arizona
14. Utah State
7. Wichita State
10. Maryland
Auburn Hills, MI
2. Michigan
15. Pacific
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
35 Games, 35 Picks with Confidence Points
The Pick is in Bold, The Points are to the left in Bold
20pts Jan. 7 BCS Title ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 1 Notre Dame (12-0) vs. No. 2 Alabama (12-1)
7pts Jan. 6 GoDaddy.com ESPN 9 p.m. No. 25 Kent State (11-2) vs. Arkansas State (9-3)
17pts Jan. 5 BBVA Compass ESPN 1 p.m. Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Ole Miss (6-6)
14pts Jan. 4 Cotton FOX 8 p.m. No. 10 Texas A&M (10-2) vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (10-2)
30pts Jan. 3 Fiesta ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 5 Oregon (11-1) vs. No. 7 Kansas State (11-1)
34pts Jan. 2 Sugar ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 4 Florida (11-1) vs. No. 22 Louisville (10-2)
19pts Jan. 1 Orange ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 13 Florida State (11-2) vs. No. 16 N. Illinois (12-1)
1pt Jan. 1 Rose ESPN 5 p.m. No. 8 Stanford (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (8-5)
26pts Jan. 1 Capital One ABC 1 p.m. No. 6 Georgia (11-2) vs. No. 23 Nebraska (10-3)
27pts Jan. 1 Outback ESPN 1 p.m. No. 11 South Carolina (10-2) vs. No. 19 Michigan (8-4)
33pts Jan. 1 Heart of Dallas ESPNU Noon Purdue (6-6) vs. Oklahoma State (7-5)
6 pts Jan. 1 Gator ESPN2 Noon Mississippi State (8-4) vs. No. 21 Northwestern (9-3)
24pts Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A ESPN 7:30 p.m. No. 9 LSU (10-2) vs. No. 14 Clemson (10-2)
18pts Dec. 31 Liberty ESPN 3:30 p.m. Iowa State (6-6) vs. Tulsa (10-3)
21pts Dec. 31 Sun CBS 2 p.m. USC (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech (6-7)
29pts Dec. 31 Music City ESPN Noon N.C. State (7-5) vs. Vanderbilt (8-4)
10pts Dec. 29 Buffalo Wild Wings ESPN 10:15 p.m. TCU (7-5) vs. Michigan State (6-6)
13pts Dec. 29 Alamo ESPN 6:45 p.m. Texas (8-4) vs. No. 15 Oregon State (9-3)
28pts Dec. 29 Kraft Fight Hunger ESPN2 4 p.m. Navy (7-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5)
2pts Dec. 29 Pinstripe ESPN 3:15 p.m. West Virginia (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
11pts Dec. 29 Armed Forces ESPN 11:45 a.m. Rice (6-6) vs. Air Force (6-6)
23pts Dec. 28 Meineke Car Care ESPN 9 p.m. Minnesota (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
8pts Dec. 28 Russell Athletic ESPN 5:30 p.m. Rutgers (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
12pts Dec. 28 Independence ESPN 2 p.m. Ohio (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Monore (8-4)
25pts Dec. 27 Military ESPN 3 p.m. No. 24 San Jose State (10-2) vs. Bowling Green (8-4)
3pts Dec. 27 Belk ESPN 6:30 p.m. Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Duke (6-6)
9pts Dec. 27 Holiday ESPN 9:45 p.m. Baylor (7-5) vs. No. 17 UCLA (9-4)
4pts Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza ESPN 7:30 p.m. Central Michigan (6-6) vs. Western Kentucky (7-5)
35pts Dec. 24 Hawaii ESPN 8 p.m. Fresno State (9-3) vs. SMU (6-6)
32pts Dec. 22 Maaco Las Vegas ESPN 3:30 p.m. Boise State (10-2) vs. Washington (7-5)
5pts Dec. 22 New Orleans ESPN Noon East Carolina (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)
16pts Dec. 21 Beef O'Brady's ESPN 7:30 p.m. UCF (9-4) vs. Ball State (9-3)
15pts Dec. 20 Poinsettia ESPN 8 p.m. BYU (7-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3)
31pts Dec. 15 Famous Idaho Potato ESPN 4:30 p.m. No. 18 Utah State (10-2) vs. Toledo (9-3)
22pts Dec. 15 New Mexico ESPN 1 p.m. Nevada (7-5) vs. Arizona (7-5)
20pts Jan. 7 BCS Title ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 1 Notre Dame (12-0) vs. No. 2 Alabama (12-1)
7pts Jan. 6 GoDaddy.com ESPN 9 p.m. No. 25 Kent State (11-2) vs. Arkansas State (9-3)
17pts Jan. 5 BBVA Compass ESPN 1 p.m. Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. Ole Miss (6-6)
14pts Jan. 4 Cotton FOX 8 p.m. No. 10 Texas A&M (10-2) vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (10-2)
30pts Jan. 3 Fiesta ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 5 Oregon (11-1) vs. No. 7 Kansas State (11-1)
34pts Jan. 2 Sugar ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 4 Florida (11-1) vs. No. 22 Louisville (10-2)
19pts Jan. 1 Orange ESPN 8:30 p.m. No. 13 Florida State (11-2) vs. No. 16 N. Illinois (12-1)
1pt Jan. 1 Rose ESPN 5 p.m. No. 8 Stanford (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (8-5)
26pts Jan. 1 Capital One ABC 1 p.m. No. 6 Georgia (11-2) vs. No. 23 Nebraska (10-3)
27pts Jan. 1 Outback ESPN 1 p.m. No. 11 South Carolina (10-2) vs. No. 19 Michigan (8-4)
33pts Jan. 1 Heart of Dallas ESPNU Noon Purdue (6-6) vs. Oklahoma State (7-5)
6 pts Jan. 1 Gator ESPN2 Noon Mississippi State (8-4) vs. No. 21 Northwestern (9-3)
24pts Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A ESPN 7:30 p.m. No. 9 LSU (10-2) vs. No. 14 Clemson (10-2)
18pts Dec. 31 Liberty ESPN 3:30 p.m. Iowa State (6-6) vs. Tulsa (10-3)
21pts Dec. 31 Sun CBS 2 p.m. USC (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech (6-7)
29pts Dec. 31 Music City ESPN Noon N.C. State (7-5) vs. Vanderbilt (8-4)
10pts Dec. 29 Buffalo Wild Wings ESPN 10:15 p.m. TCU (7-5) vs. Michigan State (6-6)
13pts Dec. 29 Alamo ESPN 6:45 p.m. Texas (8-4) vs. No. 15 Oregon State (9-3)
28pts Dec. 29 Kraft Fight Hunger ESPN2 4 p.m. Navy (7-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5)
2pts Dec. 29 Pinstripe ESPN 3:15 p.m. West Virginia (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
11pts Dec. 29 Armed Forces ESPN 11:45 a.m. Rice (6-6) vs. Air Force (6-6)
23pts Dec. 28 Meineke Car Care ESPN 9 p.m. Minnesota (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
8pts Dec. 28 Russell Athletic ESPN 5:30 p.m. Rutgers (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
12pts Dec. 28 Independence ESPN 2 p.m. Ohio (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Monore (8-4)
25pts Dec. 27 Military ESPN 3 p.m. No. 24 San Jose State (10-2) vs. Bowling Green (8-4)
3pts Dec. 27 Belk ESPN 6:30 p.m. Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Duke (6-6)
9pts Dec. 27 Holiday ESPN 9:45 p.m. Baylor (7-5) vs. No. 17 UCLA (9-4)
4pts Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza ESPN 7:30 p.m. Central Michigan (6-6) vs. Western Kentucky (7-5)
35pts Dec. 24 Hawaii ESPN 8 p.m. Fresno State (9-3) vs. SMU (6-6)
32pts Dec. 22 Maaco Las Vegas ESPN 3:30 p.m. Boise State (10-2) vs. Washington (7-5)
5pts Dec. 22 New Orleans ESPN Noon East Carolina (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)
16pts Dec. 21 Beef O'Brady's ESPN 7:30 p.m. UCF (9-4) vs. Ball State (9-3)
15pts Dec. 20 Poinsettia ESPN 8 p.m. BYU (7-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3)
31pts Dec. 15 Famous Idaho Potato ESPN 4:30 p.m. No. 18 Utah State (10-2) vs. Toledo (9-3)
22pts Dec. 15 New Mexico ESPN 1 p.m. Nevada (7-5) vs. Arizona (7-5)
College Football 2012 - Ranking the Bowls
35. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Central Michigan Chippewas - A mediocre Sun Belt team against a mediocre MAC team. Tune in to see Antonio Andrews and Zurlon Tipton and their combined 3,000 yards rushing.
34. Armed Forces Bowl - Rice Owls vs Air Force Falcons - One of two bowls pitting 6-6 teams against each other, expect the forward pass to be absent for most of this game. If you want a player to watch, Rice QB Taylor McHargue is a developing dual-threat that has Owl fans excited.
33. Liberty Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane - A re-match of the season opener won 38-23 by Iowa State. Tulsa is probably in a better place now, so the result could be much different. But not a lot of people cared the first time, so why play it again?
32. New Orleans Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns - Two teams that are probably better than their name recognition. The Pirates tied UCF for the C-USA East lead but lost out on the tie-breaker. LA-Lafayette closed by winning 4 out of 5, with the only loss being the heart-breaker to Florida on the blocked punt.
31. BBVA Compass Bowl - Pittsburgh Panthers vs Ole Miss Rebels - The other bowl matching 6-6 squads but both are playing well at season's end. Ole Miss should have beat LSU and features an exciting but unknown quarterback in Bo Wallace.
30. Hawaii Bowl - SMU Mustangs vs Fresno State Bulldogs - Fresno State is a really good football team and co-champs of the Mountain West. A match-up against a 6-6 team from Conference-USA seems like a mis-match and I wish Fresno would have drawn a better opponent. On the bright side, Hawaii is a darn good destination and one that might provide enough distractions to make this a close game.
29. Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers - The Red Raiders annual November slide makes this game even less intriguing. The fact that the Gophers made a bowl is a great achievement for them in 2012 based on expectations. I am just likely to pass on this one.
28. Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - Nobody wants to watch a 6-7 team in a bowl, regardless of the circumstances. And frankly, USC has been almost unwatchable as of late. At least if Matt Barkley plays there is some intrigue for his amateur finale.
27. Heart of Dallas Bowl - Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Purdue Boilermakers - Yes, Purdue did win 3 straight to become bowl-eligible and the Cowboys are just 7-5 after close losses to Oklahoma and Baylor. I still think Oklahoma State is a huge favorite and this is one of the top candidates for Bowl Blowout.
26. Belk Bowl - Cincinnati Bearcats vs Duke Blue Devils - It is good to see Duke in a bowl, even at 6-6. Cincinnati has had the coaching-carousel hit them, a distraction that takes the luster off a very successful season. I wonder what Nick Van Exel and Bobby Hurley think of this one?
25. Beef O'Brady's Bowl - Ball State Cardinals vs UCF Golden Knights - The Cardinals closed with 6 straight wins and are definitely fun to watch. UCF lost the C-USA Championship Game in overtime. I think this one is going to be entertaining.
24. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen - Military academies are never fun to play with their complex running games an multitude of players they throw at you. With time to prepare, it shouldn't be too much for the Sun Devils, but Navy is the best of the academies this year. Todd Graham tries to cap off a successful first season at Arizona State and might even stay for another year.
23. New Mexico Bowl - Arizona Wildcats vs Nevada Wolfpack - One of my top candidates amongst these games to blow up the scoreboard. The Matt Scott-Ka'deem Carey vs Cody Fajardo-Stefphon Jefferson combination will be a fun one to watch.
22. Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Michigan State Spartans - On the other end of the spectrum, this game is one of my top candidate to put the scoreboard operator to sleep. The Spartans defense has kept them in games all year while the offense struggled, making most of their games ugly. TCU doesn't mind playing a little ugly itself.
21. IndependenceBowl - Louisiana-Monroe Redhawks vs Ohio Bobcats - At one point this season, a little more was expected from both of these teams. In the end, neither had the defensive make-up to contend in their respective conferences, but a Tyler Tettleton vs Kolton Browning match-up should still be fun.
20. Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars - Essentially a home game for the Aztecs, the Mountain West co-champs will try and extend BYU's 2012 misery in games against good opponents. The Cougar defense has been it's calling card, while San Diego State won with balance on both sides.
19. Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies - For a third straight year Boise State will try to thump a PAC-12 foe after missing out on the BCS. Washington had recovered from a tough early schedule, but a mysterious loss to rival Washington State doesn't exude much confidence going up against the Broncos. This may not be quite the same Boise State model from recent seasons, but they are still darn good.
18. GoDaddy.com Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves - This game would have ranked a little higher if not for the exodus of both coaches. Even so, there is a lot of talent on these teams and this should be a fun one to watch. Ryan Aplin is a good dual-threat quarterback for Arkansas State and Kent State gives us one of College Football's most exciting players in the diminutive Dri Archer.
17. Russell Athletic Bowl - Rutgers Scarlett Knights vs Virginia Tech Hokies - Rutgers was a quarter away from the BCS and has to be reeling from dropping their final two games to miss out. Virginia Tech is one of the seasons biggest disappointments and Logan Thomas is an enigma. That being said, I think this one looks like a close game on paper an the Hokies can try and avoid an 0-3 black-eye vs the Big East this year.
16. Music City Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs NC State Wolfpack - It is too bad this Vandy team couldn't escape the "Hometown" Bowl, as at season's end they were playing really, really good football. The perk of being in the SEC I guess. The Wolfpack are so up-and-down you never know what is going to happen, but they did beat Florida State this year so anything is possible.
15. Military Bowl - San Jose State Spartans vs Bowling Green Falcons - This is my 2nd favorite match-up of non-BCS teams after both coaches flew the coup in Kent State vs Arkansas State. The Spartans beat BYU and Louisiana Tech to close their season and Bowling Green features a stout defense with a nice pass rush. The Falcons were a step below the MAC elite, but this should be one of two good WAC-MAC match-ups.
14. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Toledo Rockets - The best of the non-BCS match-ups is also a WAC-MAC tilt on the blue turf. Utah State lost two games by 5 points total to BYU and Wisconsin or they would be in the Orange Bowl. Toledo can put up points fast, but can also give them up fast as well. Look for Chuckie Keaton and Kerwynn Williams to be salivating.
13. Gator Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs Mississippi State Bulldogs - The Wildcats shrunk in a few big games, otherwise this team competed with the top of the Big 10 all season and comes in on a much better note than fading Mississippi State. Still, its the SEC vs the Big 10 and Northwestern has yet to prove it has any post-season moxie.
12. Pinstripe Bowl - Syracuse Orange vs West Virginia Mountaineers - Call this the Irony Bowl, as in their first year outside the Big East, West Virginia gets to face an old conference foe in the post-season. Ryan Nassib and Geno Smith should provide plenty to watch here. Also, when the ball gets in Tavon Austin's hands for the Mountaineers, stop and pay attention.
11. Alamo Bowl - Texas Longhorns vs Oregon State Beavers - The Alamo Bowl is jumping for joy at having Texas, but the truth is that this Longhorn team isn't that great. The quarterback position is now getting messy and they haven't run the ball well lately either. The Beavers over-achieved this year and could take advantage and ambush the Alamo.
10. Holiday Bowl - Baylor Bears vs UCLA Bruins - I always feel the Holiday Bowl could be re-named the Offensive-Explosion Bowl (although recent scores have been rather tame) and adding Baylor to the mix this year should get us to that result. Plus we get to settle once-and-for-all which is tougher, a Bear or its cousin, the Bruin.
9. Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Louisville Cardinals - Teddy Bridgewater is an exciting young quarterback, but this match-up doesn't excite me. The Gators faced the toughest schedule in the country and their one bad game cost them a sweeter prize. They might be the best team in the SEC this year and getting to face the Big East champion doesn't seem all that fair.
8. Outback Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs South Carolina Gamecocks - The Wolverines have shrunk in almost every big game this year and South Carolina will be ready under the Old Ball Coach to take it to them. Denard Robinson is finishing his career as a dangerous running back, giving Michigan an added weapon to the arsenal. The SEC has dominated the Big 10 head-to-head recently and if you haven't seen Jadeveon Clowney, you might want to have a look.
7. Capitol One Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Nebraska Cornhuskers - A little luster was taken off this match-up with the mysterious meltdown the Cornhuskers displayed in the Big 10 Championship. Georgia has the speed to expose the edges like Wisconsin did, so Nebraska better fix things fast. The Bulldogs have to clear the mental hurdle of being so close to the BCS Championship Game and falling short.
6. Chick Fil-A Bowl - Clemson Tigers vs LSU Tigers - It is a battle of Tigers, but it is also one last chance for the ACC to prove it can play with the SEC. An embarrassing 0-4 head-to-head record in the final week of the regular season included losses by the top 2 ACC teams against their rivals from the SEC. LSU might be a little disappointed to be in this bowl, so Clemson should have a punchers chance if Tajh Boyd brings his gloves to the ring.
5. Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Wisconsin Badgers - Nobody really wanted to see an 8-5 team in the Rose Bowl, but the game has added intrigue with Badger legend Barry Alvarez assuming the coaching duties for the game. Stanford has played like a top 5 team as of late, but now must deal with a re-energized team and their 3-0 Rose Bowl Coach. You want physical football? Tune in New Year's Day for this slobberknocker.
4. Orange Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Florida State Seminoles - There was a lot of discussion about the worthiness of the Huskies for a BCS Bowl. I like that they get their chance and who better to prove it against than the chronically underachieving Seminoles. So Oklahoma got left out of the BCS, so did Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU because of the stupid rules that were put in place years ago. Just enjoy Jordan Lynch (David) vs Florida State (Goliath).
3. Cotton Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas A&M Aggies - Not as delicious as Texas/Texas A&M would have been, but these are still former Big 12 rivals. The added bonus will be a freshman Heisman Trophy winner that has taken the College Football world by storm (and quickly caught the eye of Jabesblog already by Weeks 3&4). I expect the scoreboard to light up in this one.
2. Fiesta Bowl - Oregon Ducks vs Kansas State Wildcats - If not for a fateful Saturday Night in November, these two teams would be meeting for the BCS Championship. The Ducks have only been slowed down that one time all season and this game will give us one final look at the magic of Collin Klein. Points should be no problem in this one either.
1. BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide - Two polarizing teams with heaps of tradition meet in the penultimate BCS National Championship Game. Defense will be the name of the game and how ironic would it be if the SEC's streak was broken by a team without a conference?
34. Armed Forces Bowl - Rice Owls vs Air Force Falcons - One of two bowls pitting 6-6 teams against each other, expect the forward pass to be absent for most of this game. If you want a player to watch, Rice QB Taylor McHargue is a developing dual-threat that has Owl fans excited.
33. Liberty Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane - A re-match of the season opener won 38-23 by Iowa State. Tulsa is probably in a better place now, so the result could be much different. But not a lot of people cared the first time, so why play it again?
32. New Orleans Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns - Two teams that are probably better than their name recognition. The Pirates tied UCF for the C-USA East lead but lost out on the tie-breaker. LA-Lafayette closed by winning 4 out of 5, with the only loss being the heart-breaker to Florida on the blocked punt.
31. BBVA Compass Bowl - Pittsburgh Panthers vs Ole Miss Rebels - The other bowl matching 6-6 squads but both are playing well at season's end. Ole Miss should have beat LSU and features an exciting but unknown quarterback in Bo Wallace.
30. Hawaii Bowl - SMU Mustangs vs Fresno State Bulldogs - Fresno State is a really good football team and co-champs of the Mountain West. A match-up against a 6-6 team from Conference-USA seems like a mis-match and I wish Fresno would have drawn a better opponent. On the bright side, Hawaii is a darn good destination and one that might provide enough distractions to make this a close game.
29. Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers - The Red Raiders annual November slide makes this game even less intriguing. The fact that the Gophers made a bowl is a great achievement for them in 2012 based on expectations. I am just likely to pass on this one.
28. Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - Nobody wants to watch a 6-7 team in a bowl, regardless of the circumstances. And frankly, USC has been almost unwatchable as of late. At least if Matt Barkley plays there is some intrigue for his amateur finale.
27. Heart of Dallas Bowl - Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Purdue Boilermakers - Yes, Purdue did win 3 straight to become bowl-eligible and the Cowboys are just 7-5 after close losses to Oklahoma and Baylor. I still think Oklahoma State is a huge favorite and this is one of the top candidates for Bowl Blowout.
26. Belk Bowl - Cincinnati Bearcats vs Duke Blue Devils - It is good to see Duke in a bowl, even at 6-6. Cincinnati has had the coaching-carousel hit them, a distraction that takes the luster off a very successful season. I wonder what Nick Van Exel and Bobby Hurley think of this one?
25. Beef O'Brady's Bowl - Ball State Cardinals vs UCF Golden Knights - The Cardinals closed with 6 straight wins and are definitely fun to watch. UCF lost the C-USA Championship Game in overtime. I think this one is going to be entertaining.
24. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen - Military academies are never fun to play with their complex running games an multitude of players they throw at you. With time to prepare, it shouldn't be too much for the Sun Devils, but Navy is the best of the academies this year. Todd Graham tries to cap off a successful first season at Arizona State and might even stay for another year.
23. New Mexico Bowl - Arizona Wildcats vs Nevada Wolfpack - One of my top candidates amongst these games to blow up the scoreboard. The Matt Scott-Ka'deem Carey vs Cody Fajardo-Stefphon Jefferson combination will be a fun one to watch.
22. Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Michigan State Spartans - On the other end of the spectrum, this game is one of my top candidate to put the scoreboard operator to sleep. The Spartans defense has kept them in games all year while the offense struggled, making most of their games ugly. TCU doesn't mind playing a little ugly itself.
21. IndependenceBowl - Louisiana-Monroe Redhawks vs Ohio Bobcats - At one point this season, a little more was expected from both of these teams. In the end, neither had the defensive make-up to contend in their respective conferences, but a Tyler Tettleton vs Kolton Browning match-up should still be fun.
20. Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars - Essentially a home game for the Aztecs, the Mountain West co-champs will try and extend BYU's 2012 misery in games against good opponents. The Cougar defense has been it's calling card, while San Diego State won with balance on both sides.
19. Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies - For a third straight year Boise State will try to thump a PAC-12 foe after missing out on the BCS. Washington had recovered from a tough early schedule, but a mysterious loss to rival Washington State doesn't exude much confidence going up against the Broncos. This may not be quite the same Boise State model from recent seasons, but they are still darn good.
18. GoDaddy.com Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves - This game would have ranked a little higher if not for the exodus of both coaches. Even so, there is a lot of talent on these teams and this should be a fun one to watch. Ryan Aplin is a good dual-threat quarterback for Arkansas State and Kent State gives us one of College Football's most exciting players in the diminutive Dri Archer.
17. Russell Athletic Bowl - Rutgers Scarlett Knights vs Virginia Tech Hokies - Rutgers was a quarter away from the BCS and has to be reeling from dropping their final two games to miss out. Virginia Tech is one of the seasons biggest disappointments and Logan Thomas is an enigma. That being said, I think this one looks like a close game on paper an the Hokies can try and avoid an 0-3 black-eye vs the Big East this year.
16. Music City Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs NC State Wolfpack - It is too bad this Vandy team couldn't escape the "Hometown" Bowl, as at season's end they were playing really, really good football. The perk of being in the SEC I guess. The Wolfpack are so up-and-down you never know what is going to happen, but they did beat Florida State this year so anything is possible.
15. Military Bowl - San Jose State Spartans vs Bowling Green Falcons - This is my 2nd favorite match-up of non-BCS teams after both coaches flew the coup in Kent State vs Arkansas State. The Spartans beat BYU and Louisiana Tech to close their season and Bowling Green features a stout defense with a nice pass rush. The Falcons were a step below the MAC elite, but this should be one of two good WAC-MAC match-ups.
14. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Toledo Rockets - The best of the non-BCS match-ups is also a WAC-MAC tilt on the blue turf. Utah State lost two games by 5 points total to BYU and Wisconsin or they would be in the Orange Bowl. Toledo can put up points fast, but can also give them up fast as well. Look for Chuckie Keaton and Kerwynn Williams to be salivating.
13. Gator Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs Mississippi State Bulldogs - The Wildcats shrunk in a few big games, otherwise this team competed with the top of the Big 10 all season and comes in on a much better note than fading Mississippi State. Still, its the SEC vs the Big 10 and Northwestern has yet to prove it has any post-season moxie.
12. Pinstripe Bowl - Syracuse Orange vs West Virginia Mountaineers - Call this the Irony Bowl, as in their first year outside the Big East, West Virginia gets to face an old conference foe in the post-season. Ryan Nassib and Geno Smith should provide plenty to watch here. Also, when the ball gets in Tavon Austin's hands for the Mountaineers, stop and pay attention.
11. Alamo Bowl - Texas Longhorns vs Oregon State Beavers - The Alamo Bowl is jumping for joy at having Texas, but the truth is that this Longhorn team isn't that great. The quarterback position is now getting messy and they haven't run the ball well lately either. The Beavers over-achieved this year and could take advantage and ambush the Alamo.
10. Holiday Bowl - Baylor Bears vs UCLA Bruins - I always feel the Holiday Bowl could be re-named the Offensive-Explosion Bowl (although recent scores have been rather tame) and adding Baylor to the mix this year should get us to that result. Plus we get to settle once-and-for-all which is tougher, a Bear or its cousin, the Bruin.
9. Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Louisville Cardinals - Teddy Bridgewater is an exciting young quarterback, but this match-up doesn't excite me. The Gators faced the toughest schedule in the country and their one bad game cost them a sweeter prize. They might be the best team in the SEC this year and getting to face the Big East champion doesn't seem all that fair.
8. Outback Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs South Carolina Gamecocks - The Wolverines have shrunk in almost every big game this year and South Carolina will be ready under the Old Ball Coach to take it to them. Denard Robinson is finishing his career as a dangerous running back, giving Michigan an added weapon to the arsenal. The SEC has dominated the Big 10 head-to-head recently and if you haven't seen Jadeveon Clowney, you might want to have a look.
7. Capitol One Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Nebraska Cornhuskers - A little luster was taken off this match-up with the mysterious meltdown the Cornhuskers displayed in the Big 10 Championship. Georgia has the speed to expose the edges like Wisconsin did, so Nebraska better fix things fast. The Bulldogs have to clear the mental hurdle of being so close to the BCS Championship Game and falling short.
6. Chick Fil-A Bowl - Clemson Tigers vs LSU Tigers - It is a battle of Tigers, but it is also one last chance for the ACC to prove it can play with the SEC. An embarrassing 0-4 head-to-head record in the final week of the regular season included losses by the top 2 ACC teams against their rivals from the SEC. LSU might be a little disappointed to be in this bowl, so Clemson should have a punchers chance if Tajh Boyd brings his gloves to the ring.
5. Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Wisconsin Badgers - Nobody really wanted to see an 8-5 team in the Rose Bowl, but the game has added intrigue with Badger legend Barry Alvarez assuming the coaching duties for the game. Stanford has played like a top 5 team as of late, but now must deal with a re-energized team and their 3-0 Rose Bowl Coach. You want physical football? Tune in New Year's Day for this slobberknocker.
4. Orange Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Florida State Seminoles - There was a lot of discussion about the worthiness of the Huskies for a BCS Bowl. I like that they get their chance and who better to prove it against than the chronically underachieving Seminoles. So Oklahoma got left out of the BCS, so did Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU because of the stupid rules that were put in place years ago. Just enjoy Jordan Lynch (David) vs Florida State (Goliath).
3. Cotton Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas A&M Aggies - Not as delicious as Texas/Texas A&M would have been, but these are still former Big 12 rivals. The added bonus will be a freshman Heisman Trophy winner that has taken the College Football world by storm (and quickly caught the eye of Jabesblog already by Weeks 3&4). I expect the scoreboard to light up in this one.
2. Fiesta Bowl - Oregon Ducks vs Kansas State Wildcats - If not for a fateful Saturday Night in November, these two teams would be meeting for the BCS Championship. The Ducks have only been slowed down that one time all season and this game will give us one final look at the magic of Collin Klein. Points should be no problem in this one either.
1. BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide - Two polarizing teams with heaps of tradition meet in the penultimate BCS National Championship Game. Defense will be the name of the game and how ironic would it be if the SEC's streak was broken by a team without a conference?
Friday, December 7, 2012
Bret Bielema's Greatest Hits
For my Wisconsin friends, as we dust off the "We Will Never Forget You Brent" t-shirts for the second time in recent memory, I thought I would re-live Bret's Greatest Games with the Red and White, as well as throw out a few games to help us feel better about his sudden departure.
GREATEST HITS
#10 - Wisconsin 13, Fresno State 10 (September 13, 2008) - In what is probably Bielema's best non-bowl, non-conference win, the Badgers beat #21 Fresno State on the road in what ended up being a 7-6 season, the worst of Bret's tenure.
#9 - Wisconsin 83, Indiana 20 (November 13, 2010) - What this game said was I am not afraid to beat you into the ground. While I don't believe the Badgers ran up the score that day (the 4th qtr TD pass was fluky), they did prove that you can pile on points with their style of play.
#8 - Wisconsin 20, Miami, FL 14 (December 29, 2009) - The Badgers defied the experts and dominated the #15 Hurricanes in the Champs Sports Bowl, despite the score of the game. This would be Bielema's last Bowl victory with Wisconsin.
#7 - Wisconsin 48, Nebraska 17 (October 1, 2011) - Welcome to the Big 10 Nebraska, Bret Bielema-style. The Badgers whipped the Cornhuskers in the first Big 10 game for Nebraska and set the tone for a second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance.
#6 - Wisconsin 37, Michigan 21 (November 10, 2007) - Beating a #13 Michigan team in your second season is a signal that the program is not going anywhere under your leadership. While the team lost a combined 10 games in 2007 and 2008, they would only lose 13 in the final 4 years of Bielema's tenure.
#5 - Wisconsin 31, Iowa 30 (October 23, 2010) - After beating #1 Ohio State the previous week, the Badgers had the task of travelling to face #12 Iowa. While the Ohio State game announced their status as Rose Bowl contenders in 2010, it was Bielema's fake punt call and come-from-behind win against the Hawkeyes that earned Wisconsin the trip to Pasadena.
#4 - Wisconsin 17, Arkansas 14 (January 1, 2007) - Ironically, Bielema's first Bowl victory came against his future employer as Wisconsin stifled the Darren McFadden/Felix Jones tandem to complete a 12-1 season, Bret's first as a head coach. Some might feel this was Barry's team, but the record was impressive nonetheless.
#3 - Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 31 (December 1, 2012) - In what would be Bielema's final game as Badger Head Coach, he went out with an emphatic statement to salvage an otherwise disappointing season. The game plan was creative, different and effective, all things the Badgers did not necessarily display throughout the season.
#2 - Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 (December 3, 2011) - Bielema will always be the coach of the inaugural champions of the Big 10 Championship Game. The Badgers started fast and came from behind to win this game, which really justified Bret's biggest move in 2011, which was getting Russell Wilson to come to Wisconsin.
#1 - Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 18 (October 16, 2010) - From the kickoff, the Badgers were prepared for the #1 Buckeyes invasion into Madison. David Gilreath took it to the house and then John Clay proceeded to pound Ohio State into submission. J.J. Watt is still in Terrelle Pryor's dreams after that game. Lucky for Bielema, he will have more opportunities when he has to face #1 Alabama or #1 LSU in the coming years.
AND SOME MISSES
Illinois 31, Wisconsin 26 (October 6, 2007) - The Badgers were #5 in the country when they played at the Illini and proceeded to get run over by Rashard Mendenhall and Juice Williams. Probably didn't matter as they got trounced by Penn State the next week and by Ohio State later in the season.
Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25 (September 27, 2008) - At potentially the low-point of Wolverine football, the Badgers blew a 19-0 lead in the Big House to start a string of 4 straight losses.
Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7 (October 11, 2008) - The official low-point of the Bret Bielema tenure, Wisconsin lost by 41 to the Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. The embarrassment was almost matched against Cal Poly 6 weeks later, but UW escaped 37-36 in OT.
Michigan State 16, Wisconsin 13 (October 27, 2012), Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14 (November 17, 2012) and Penn State 24, Wisconsin 21 (November 24, 2012) - Three overtime losses, two at home, frustrating play-calling, a costly time-out, trust in an untrustworthy kicker...I should stop.
Michigan State 37, Wisconsin 31 (October 22, 2011) and Ohio State 33, Wisconsin 29 (October 29, 2011) - The Badgers squandered their National Championship hopes by not one, but two game-costing defensive breakdowns that have to fall somewhat on the head coach.
TCU 21, Wisconsin 19 (January 1, 2011) and Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38 (January 2, 2012) - His predecessor did not just go to Rose Bowls, he won them. If Wisconsin defeats Stanford in this year's Rose Bowl, it will grow the legend of Alvarez, but also cement the perception of Bielema as the one who couldn't win the Grand-Daddy of them all.
GREATEST HITS
#10 - Wisconsin 13, Fresno State 10 (September 13, 2008) - In what is probably Bielema's best non-bowl, non-conference win, the Badgers beat #21 Fresno State on the road in what ended up being a 7-6 season, the worst of Bret's tenure.
#9 - Wisconsin 83, Indiana 20 (November 13, 2010) - What this game said was I am not afraid to beat you into the ground. While I don't believe the Badgers ran up the score that day (the 4th qtr TD pass was fluky), they did prove that you can pile on points with their style of play.
#8 - Wisconsin 20, Miami, FL 14 (December 29, 2009) - The Badgers defied the experts and dominated the #15 Hurricanes in the Champs Sports Bowl, despite the score of the game. This would be Bielema's last Bowl victory with Wisconsin.
#7 - Wisconsin 48, Nebraska 17 (October 1, 2011) - Welcome to the Big 10 Nebraska, Bret Bielema-style. The Badgers whipped the Cornhuskers in the first Big 10 game for Nebraska and set the tone for a second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance.
#6 - Wisconsin 37, Michigan 21 (November 10, 2007) - Beating a #13 Michigan team in your second season is a signal that the program is not going anywhere under your leadership. While the team lost a combined 10 games in 2007 and 2008, they would only lose 13 in the final 4 years of Bielema's tenure.
#5 - Wisconsin 31, Iowa 30 (October 23, 2010) - After beating #1 Ohio State the previous week, the Badgers had the task of travelling to face #12 Iowa. While the Ohio State game announced their status as Rose Bowl contenders in 2010, it was Bielema's fake punt call and come-from-behind win against the Hawkeyes that earned Wisconsin the trip to Pasadena.
#4 - Wisconsin 17, Arkansas 14 (January 1, 2007) - Ironically, Bielema's first Bowl victory came against his future employer as Wisconsin stifled the Darren McFadden/Felix Jones tandem to complete a 12-1 season, Bret's first as a head coach. Some might feel this was Barry's team, but the record was impressive nonetheless.
#3 - Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 31 (December 1, 2012) - In what would be Bielema's final game as Badger Head Coach, he went out with an emphatic statement to salvage an otherwise disappointing season. The game plan was creative, different and effective, all things the Badgers did not necessarily display throughout the season.
#2 - Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 (December 3, 2011) - Bielema will always be the coach of the inaugural champions of the Big 10 Championship Game. The Badgers started fast and came from behind to win this game, which really justified Bret's biggest move in 2011, which was getting Russell Wilson to come to Wisconsin.
#1 - Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 18 (October 16, 2010) - From the kickoff, the Badgers were prepared for the #1 Buckeyes invasion into Madison. David Gilreath took it to the house and then John Clay proceeded to pound Ohio State into submission. J.J. Watt is still in Terrelle Pryor's dreams after that game. Lucky for Bielema, he will have more opportunities when he has to face #1 Alabama or #1 LSU in the coming years.
AND SOME MISSES
Illinois 31, Wisconsin 26 (October 6, 2007) - The Badgers were #5 in the country when they played at the Illini and proceeded to get run over by Rashard Mendenhall and Juice Williams. Probably didn't matter as they got trounced by Penn State the next week and by Ohio State later in the season.
Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25 (September 27, 2008) - At potentially the low-point of Wolverine football, the Badgers blew a 19-0 lead in the Big House to start a string of 4 straight losses.
Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7 (October 11, 2008) - The official low-point of the Bret Bielema tenure, Wisconsin lost by 41 to the Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. The embarrassment was almost matched against Cal Poly 6 weeks later, but UW escaped 37-36 in OT.
Michigan State 16, Wisconsin 13 (October 27, 2012), Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14 (November 17, 2012) and Penn State 24, Wisconsin 21 (November 24, 2012) - Three overtime losses, two at home, frustrating play-calling, a costly time-out, trust in an untrustworthy kicker...I should stop.
Michigan State 37, Wisconsin 31 (October 22, 2011) and Ohio State 33, Wisconsin 29 (October 29, 2011) - The Badgers squandered their National Championship hopes by not one, but two game-costing defensive breakdowns that have to fall somewhat on the head coach.
TCU 21, Wisconsin 19 (January 1, 2011) and Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38 (January 2, 2012) - His predecessor did not just go to Rose Bowls, he won them. If Wisconsin defeats Stanford in this year's Rose Bowl, it will grow the legend of Alvarez, but also cement the perception of Bielema as the one who couldn't win the Grand-Daddy of them all.
Friday, November 30, 2012
College Football 2012 - Updated Bowl Projections (Nov 30)
Update (11/30/12): Georgia Tech was granted a waiver and will be bowl-eligible if they lose the ACC Championship game, knocking a team like Western Kentucky squarely on the bubble if Pitt or UConn wins.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - Rice Owls vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs SMU Mustangs
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs San Jose State Spartans
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Rutgers Scarlett Knights vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Purdue Boilermakers
Armed Forces Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Baylor Bears vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Ole Miss Rebels vs NC State Wolfpack
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Michigan State Spartans vs TCU Horned Frogs
Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Pittsburgh Panthers
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa State Cyclones
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A&M Aggies
Outback Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Gator Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Wisconsin Badgers
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Bowling Green Falcons vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Louisville Cardinals
Fiesta Bowl - Kansas State Wildcats vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Oklahoma Sooners
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide
- 5-6 Pittsburgh projected to be in with a win vs South Florida next week. If Pitt loses, they would be replaced by Western Kentucky, but the bowl mix would be different.
- The current projection leaves out a bowl-eligible Central Michigan team and bowl-eligible Western Kentucky team
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - Rice Owls vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs SMU Mustangs
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs San Jose State Spartans
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Rutgers Scarlett Knights vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Purdue Boilermakers
Armed Forces Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Baylor Bears vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Ole Miss Rebels vs NC State Wolfpack
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Michigan State Spartans vs TCU Horned Frogs
Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Pittsburgh Panthers
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa State Cyclones
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A&M Aggies
Outback Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Gator Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Wisconsin Badgers
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Bowling Green Falcons vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Louisville Cardinals
Fiesta Bowl - Kansas State Wildcats vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Oklahoma Sooners
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide
Sunday, November 25, 2012
College Football 2012 - Week 13 Bowl Projections
Update: SMU accepted a bid to the Hawaii Bowl, shuffling up the C-USA bids a little bit (scenario below is projecting a UCF win in C-USA Championship game)
Update: I have been reading and researching to sort out the bowls based on some assumed results this weekend. I am shuffling a few teams around based on this. Keep in mind, there is a likely scenario that Kent State qualifies for the BCS, which will instantly throw all the at-large selections into a mess.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - Rice Owls vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs SMU Mustangs
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Purdue Boilermakers
Armed Forces Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Baylor Bears vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Ole Miss Rebels vs San Jose State Spartans
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Michigan State Spartans vs TCU Horned Frogs
Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs NC State Wolfpack
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Pittsburgh Panthers
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa State Cyclones
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A&M Aggies
Outback Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Gator Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Wisconsin Badgers
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Bowling Green Falcons vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Kansas State Wildcats vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Oklahoma Sooners
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide
Update: I have been reading and researching to sort out the bowls based on some assumed results this weekend. I am shuffling a few teams around based on this. Keep in mind, there is a likely scenario that Kent State qualifies for the BCS, which will instantly throw all the at-large selections into a mess.
- 5-6 Pittsburgh projected to be in with a win vs South Florida next week. If Pitt loses, they would be replaced by Central Michigan, but the bowl mix would be different.
- 6-6 Georgia Tech will not be eligible for a bowl if they lose the ACC Championship Game because there are enough bowl-eligible teams
- The current projection leaves out only a bowl-eligible Central Michigan team
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - Rice Owls vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs SMU Mustangs
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Purdue Boilermakers
Armed Forces Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Baylor Bears vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Ole Miss Rebels vs San Jose State Spartans
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Michigan State Spartans vs TCU Horned Frogs
Sun Bowl - USC Trojans vs NC State Wolfpack
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Pittsburgh Panthers
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa State Cyclones
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A&M Aggies
Outback Bowl - Northwestern Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Gator Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Wisconsin Badgers
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Bowling Green Falcons vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Kansas State Wildcats vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Florida Gators vs Oklahoma Sooners
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Alabama Crimson Tide
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
College Football 2012 - Week 13 Jabesblog Picks
Instead of picking every game straight up this year, I thought I would go more Vegas-style and select certain games each week to pick against the spread. Last weeks record: 30-24. Season record: 118-91-2. Lock of the Week: 8-4.
Tuesday Game:
Toledo 31 , Akron 23 (Akron +19) WIN
Thursday Game:
Texas 41, TCU 24 (Texas -8)
Friday Games:
Syracuse 34, Temple 24 (Syracuse -7.5)
Kent State 38, Ohio 31 (Ohio +9.5)
Nebraska 37, Iowa 14 (Nebraska -15)
Ball State 37, Miami OH 21 (Ball State -7)
Northern Illinois 51, Eastern Michigan 20 (Northern Illinois -21)
East Carolina 45, Marshall 35 (East Carolina -7)
Bowling Green 27, Buffalo 13 (Bowling Green -9.5)
LSU 37, Arkansas 17 (LSU -12.5)
Utah 34, Colorado 19 (Colorado +22.5)
Central Michigan 35, Massachusetts 16 (Central Michigan -10.5)
Washington 28, Washington State 6 (Washington -13.5)
West Virginia 41, Iowa State 26 (West Virginia -1.5)
Cincinnati 37, South Florida 10 (Cincinnati -13)
Arizona 42, Arizona State 34 (Arizona -3)
Saturday Games:
Purdue 23, Indiana 20 (Indiana +5.5)
Tulsa 37, SMU 24 (Tulsa -5)
Northwestern 33, Illinois 17 (Illinois +19)
Louisville 27, Connecticut 10 (Louisville -11.5)
Georgia 41, Georgia Tech 31 (Georgia Tech +13)
Michigan 24, Ohio State 23 (Michigan +3.5)
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 19 (Virginia +10)
Rutgers 23, Pittsburgh 13 (Rutgers +2)
UCF 33, UAB 17 (UAB +21.5)
Tennessee 41, Kentucky 21 (Tennessee -13)
Duke 31, Miami FL 30 (Duke +6.5)
Western Kentucky 34, North Texas 17 (Western Kentucky -11.5)
UTSA 26, Texas State 21 (UTSA +1.5)
Baylor 48, Texas Tech 35 (Baylor -2.5)
Utah State 52, Idaho 7 (Utah State -38.5)
NC State 27, Boston College 17 (Boston College +14.5)
North Carolina 45, Maryland 10 (North Carolina -24.5)
Oregon 41, Oregon State 27 (Oregon -9.5)
Wisconsin 28, Penn State 26 (Wisconsin +2.5)
Fresno State 45, Air Force 21 (Fresno State -16)
Houston 44, Tulane 28 (Houston -12)
Alabama 38, Auburn 14 (Auburn +31)
Vanderbilt 31, Wake Forest 10 (Vanderbilt -11.5)
Oklahoma 40, Oklahoma State 39 (Oklahoma State +7)
Michigan State 17, Minnesota 13 (Minnesota +8.5)
Florida State 26, Florida 14 (Florida State -8)
BYU 41, New Mexico State 7 (BYU -29)
San Diego State 34, Wyoming 31 (Wyoming +7)
Middle Tennessee 37, Troy 30 (Middle Tennessee -3)
Memphis 27, Southern Miss 21 (Memphis -4)
LA-Lafayette 31, South Alabama 16 (South Alabama +18)
LA-Monroe 38, FIU 23 (ULM -5)
Stanford 24, UCLA 20 (Stanford -2)
New Mexico 27, Colorado State 24 (New Mexico +3.5)
Ole Miss 30, Mississippi State 24 (Ole Miss -1)
Clemson 35, South Carolina 20 (Clemson -4)
Texas A&M 42, Missouri 31 (Missouri +22)
Rice 41, UTEP 31 (Rice +1)
Notre Dame 24, USC 21 (USC +5.5)
Louisiana Tech 34, San Jose State 24 (Louisiana Tech +3.5)
UNLV 35, Hawaii 21 (UNLV -3.5)
Tuesday Game:
Toledo 31 , Akron 23 (Akron +19) WIN
Thursday Game:
Texas 41, TCU 24 (Texas -8)
Friday Games:
Syracuse 34, Temple 24 (Syracuse -7.5)
Kent State 38, Ohio 31 (Ohio +9.5)
Nebraska 37, Iowa 14 (Nebraska -15)
Ball State 37, Miami OH 21 (Ball State -7)
Northern Illinois 51, Eastern Michigan 20 (Northern Illinois -21)
East Carolina 45, Marshall 35 (East Carolina -7)
Bowling Green 27, Buffalo 13 (Bowling Green -9.5)
LSU 37, Arkansas 17 (LSU -12.5)
Utah 34, Colorado 19 (Colorado +22.5)
Central Michigan 35, Massachusetts 16 (Central Michigan -10.5)
Washington 28, Washington State 6 (Washington -13.5)
West Virginia 41, Iowa State 26 (West Virginia -1.5)
Cincinnati 37, South Florida 10 (Cincinnati -13)
Arizona 42, Arizona State 34 (Arizona -3)
Saturday Games:
Purdue 23, Indiana 20 (Indiana +5.5)
Tulsa 37, SMU 24 (Tulsa -5)
Northwestern 33, Illinois 17 (Illinois +19)
Louisville 27, Connecticut 10 (Louisville -11.5)
Georgia 41, Georgia Tech 31 (Georgia Tech +13)
Michigan 24, Ohio State 23 (Michigan +3.5)
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 19 (Virginia +10)
Rutgers 23, Pittsburgh 13 (Rutgers +2)
UCF 33, UAB 17 (UAB +21.5)
Tennessee 41, Kentucky 21 (Tennessee -13)
Duke 31, Miami FL 30 (Duke +6.5)
Western Kentucky 34, North Texas 17 (Western Kentucky -11.5)
UTSA 26, Texas State 21 (UTSA +1.5)
Baylor 48, Texas Tech 35 (Baylor -2.5)
Utah State 52, Idaho 7 (Utah State -38.5)
NC State 27, Boston College 17 (Boston College +14.5)
North Carolina 45, Maryland 10 (North Carolina -24.5)
Oregon 41, Oregon State 27 (Oregon -9.5)
Wisconsin 28, Penn State 26 (Wisconsin +2.5)
Fresno State 45, Air Force 21 (Fresno State -16)
Houston 44, Tulane 28 (Houston -12)
Alabama 38, Auburn 14 (Auburn +31)
Vanderbilt 31, Wake Forest 10 (Vanderbilt -11.5)
Oklahoma 40, Oklahoma State 39 (Oklahoma State +7)
Michigan State 17, Minnesota 13 (Minnesota +8.5)
Florida State 26, Florida 14 (Florida State -8)
BYU 41, New Mexico State 7 (BYU -29)
San Diego State 34, Wyoming 31 (Wyoming +7)
Middle Tennessee 37, Troy 30 (Middle Tennessee -3)
Memphis 27, Southern Miss 21 (Memphis -4)
LA-Lafayette 31, South Alabama 16 (South Alabama +18)
LA-Monroe 38, FIU 23 (ULM -5)
Stanford 24, UCLA 20 (Stanford -2)
New Mexico 27, Colorado State 24 (New Mexico +3.5)
Ole Miss 30, Mississippi State 24 (Ole Miss -1)
Clemson 35, South Carolina 20 (Clemson -4)
Texas A&M 42, Missouri 31 (Missouri +22)
Rice 41, UTEP 31 (Rice +1)
Notre Dame 24, USC 21 (USC +5.5)
Louisiana Tech 34, San Jose State 24 (Louisiana Tech +3.5)
UNLV 35, Hawaii 21 (UNLV -3.5)
College Football 2012 - Week 12 Bowl Projections
New Mexico Bowl - Arizona State Sun Devils vs Nevada Wolfpack
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Arizona Wildcats
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs San Jose State Spartans
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Central Michigan Chippewas
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - USC trojans vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Armed Forces Bowl - Rice Owls vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Washington Huskies vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Kansas State Wildcats
Pinstripe Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Bowling Green Falcons
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Northwestern Wildcats
Sun Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Liberty Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Iowa State Cyclones
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - South Carolina Gamecocks vs NC State Wolfpack
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Purdue Boilermakers vs Baylor Bears
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs LSU Tigers
Outback Bowl - Wisconsin Badgers vs Florida Gators
Gator Bowl - Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Michigan State Spartans
Cotton Bowl - Texas A&M Aggies vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Missouri Tigers
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Georgia Bulldogs
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Ball State Cardinals
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Toledo Rockets
New Orleans Bowl - East Carolina Pirates vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Arizona Wildcats
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs San Jose State Spartans
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Central Michigan Chippewas
Belk Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - USC trojans vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Independence Bowl - Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Armed Forces Bowl - Rice Owls vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Washington Huskies vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs Kansas State Wildcats
Pinstripe Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Vanderbilt Commodores vs Bowling Green Falcons
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Northwestern Wildcats
Sun Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Liberty Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Iowa State Cyclones
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - South Carolina Gamecocks vs NC State Wolfpack
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Purdue Boilermakers vs Baylor Bears
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs LSU Tigers
Outback Bowl - Wisconsin Badgers vs Florida Gators
Gator Bowl - Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Michigan State Spartans
Cotton Bowl - Texas A&M Aggies vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Missouri Tigers
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Stanford Cardinal vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Oregon Ducks
Sugar Bowl - Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers
BCS National Championship - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Georgia Bulldogs
College Football 2012 - Week 12 Bowl Breakdown
2012 may finally be the year the NCAA realizes they have one too many bowls. CNN Jabesblog is projecting that only 69 of the 70 necessary teams will be bowl-eligible in 2012, and that 69 will include a waiver for a 6-7 Georgia Tech team that has no business playing in the ACC Championship Game. Missouri, Ole Miss, Wake Forest, Marshall, SMU and Troy have the ability to flip this with wins that I am not currently projecting. Of course, Michigan State, Purdue, Baylor, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Rice and Central Michigan all have to secure projected wins to even reach that 69 number. In this case, the 5-7 teams with the top AQ scores will be available for selection.
PAC-12
The PAC-12 is locked in with 8 bowl-eligible teams. UCLA clinched the South Division berth in the PAC-12 Championship Game. Stanford clinches the North Division berth with a win over UCLA this week or an Oregon loss. Oregon can still claim the North Division berth with a win over Oregon State and a Stanford loss to UCLA. My current projection has Stanford beating UCLA twice and Oregon also getting a BCS bid with one loss.
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 10-1 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Stanford Cardinal, 9-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. UCLA Bruins, 9-2 (Alamo Bowl)
4. Oregon State Beavers, 8-2 (Sun Bowl)
5. Arizona Wildcats, 7-4 (Las Vegas Bowl)
6. USC Trojans, 7-4 (Holiday Bowl)
7. Washington Huskies, 7-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
8. Arizona State Sun Devils, 6-5 (New Mexico Bowl)
9. Utah Utes, 4-7
10. California Golden Bears, 3-9
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-9
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-10
Big 10
The Big 10 currently has 5 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 2 more. I am projecting both Purdue and Michigan State to win next week and give the conference 7 bowl-eligible teams. Nebraska clinches the Legends Division berth in the Big 10 Championship Game with a win over Iowa or a Michigan loss to Ohio State. Wisconsin will represent the Leaders Division in that game.
Purdue (5-6) - Indiana (W) - projected record 6-6 (Purdue has played with some fight the past two weeks and Indiana is not playing for anything)
Michigan State (5-6) - at Minnesota (W) - projected record 6-6 (Raise your hand if you thought Sparty would need to win this one to be bowl-eligible)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 11-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 9-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Michigan Wolverines, 8-3 (Capital One Bowl)
4. Wisconsin Badgers, 7-4 (Outback Bowl)
5. Penn State Nittany Lions, 7-4
6. Northwestern Wildcats, 8-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings)
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-5 (Texas Bowl)
8. Michigan State Spartans, 5-6 (Gator Bowl)
9. Purdue Boilermakers, 5-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-7
11. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-7
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-9
(currently not filling Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
The SEC got their help and may even monopolize the BCS National Championship Game if all falls right. I picked Georgia to be there in the pre-season, so I am going to project them to beat Alabama and represent the SEC. If Notre Dame loses, Florida would be in line to join them, but I project the Gators to fall this week to Florida State. The SEC currently has 8 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 10. I am projecting a 5-7 Missouri team to be selected based on their AQ score to play in the BBVA Compass Bowl.
Ole Miss (5-6) - Mississippi State (L), projected record 5-7 (A valiant effort almost got it done at LSU. The same effort will get it done against Missisippi State)
Missouri (5-6) - at Texas A&M (L), projected record 5-7 (The Tigers blew their best chance and now must derail Johhny Football in his own yard)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 10-1 (Sugar Bowl)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 10-1 (BCS National Championship)
3. Florida Gators, 10-1 (Outback Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 9-2 (Capital One Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 9-2 (Cotton Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 9-2 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Gator Bowl)
8. Vanderbilt Commodores, 7-4 (Music City Bowl)
9. Missouri Tigers, 5-6 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
10. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-6
11. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-7
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-7
13. Auburn Tigers, 3-8
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 2-9
(currently not filling Liberty, BBVA Compass** and Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
The Big 12 had their BCS Championship hopes dashed and currently sit at 7 bowl-eligible teams. After beating Kansas State, I am projecting Baylor to add a 6th win and give the Big 12 9 bowl-eligible teams. I am also projecting Texas to beat Kansas State and provide the automatic BCS berth to Oklahoma.
West Virginia (5-5) - at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (better effort, same results)
Baylor (5-5) - Texas Tech (W), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 6-6 (Texas Tech seems vulnerable, but will their be a Baylor letdown)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 10-1 (Alamo Bowl)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 8-2 (Fiesta Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-4 (Texas Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-4 (Pinstripe Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-5 (Holiday Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 6-5 (Liberty Bowl**)
9. Baylor Bears, 5-5 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-10
ACC
The ACC is a mess. With the self-imposed bowl ban by Miami, the conference currently sits at 5 bowl-eligible teams. One of those 5, Georgia Tech, will have to beat either Georgia or Florida State to avoid a 6-7 record. I am projecting Virginia Tech to garner a 6th bid for a conference that on the bright side, will place two teams in the BCS if Clemson beats South Carolina.
Virginia Tech (5-6) - Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (uncharted territory for the Hokies)
Georgia Tech (6-5) - at Georgia (L), vs Florida State in ACC Championship (L) projected record 6-7 (UCLA was allowed into the bowl a year ago, I am guessing Georgia Tech will get the same treatment at 6-7)
Wake Forest (5-6) - Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (Having Vanderbilt at home gives them a shot)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 10-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 10-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 7-4
4. NC State Wolfpack, 6-5 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 6-5 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
6. Miami Hurricanes, 6-5 - self-imposed bowl ban
7. Duke Blue Devils, 6-5 (Belk Bowl)
8. Virginia Tech Hokies, 5-6 (Sun Bowl)
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-6
10. Virginia Cavaliers, 4-7
11. Maryland Terrapins, 4-7
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-9
(currently not filling Music City, Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
The Big East has 4 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 6. I do not believe Pitt or UConn has the horses to qualify for another bid in this conference. I am projecting Rutgers over Louisville next week to secure the BCS bid from the Big East.
Pittsburgh (4-6) - Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 5-7 (Pitt just lost their margin for error, gets a week off to prepare for Rutgers)
Big East Reset:
1. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 9-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Louisville Cardinals, 9-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-3 (Belk Bowl)
4. Syracuse Orange, 6-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-6
6. Connecticut Huskies, 4-6
7. Temple Owls, 4-6
8. South Florida Bulls, 3-7
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Marshall (5-6) - at East Carolina (L), projected record 5-7
SMU (5-6) - Tulsa (L), projected record 5-7
Rice (5-6) - at UTEP (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (5-6) - at UMass (W), projected record 6-6
Troy (5-6) - at Middle Tennessee (L), projected record 5-7
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 11-0 (BCS National Championship)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 10-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
3. Kent State Golden Flash, 10-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
4. Boise State Broncos, 9-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
5. Utah State Aggies, 9-2 (Famous Idaho Potato)
6. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 9-2 (Liberty Bowl)
7. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 9-2 (Independence Bowl**)
8. San Diego State Aztecs, 8-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
9. Fresno State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
10. UCF Golden Knights, 8-3 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
11. Ohio Bobcats, 8-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
12. Toledo Rockets, 8-3 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
13. Ball State Cardinals, 8-3 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
14. Bowling Green Falcons, 7-4 (Music City Bowl**)
15. San Jose State Spartans, 9-2 (Hawaii Bowl**)
16. Arkansas State Redwolves, 8-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
17. Nevada Wolfpack, 7-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
18. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 7-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
19. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 7-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
20. BYU Cougars, 6-5 (Poinsettia Bowl)
21. Navy Midshipmen, 7-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
22. East Carolina Pirates, 7-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
23. Air Force Falcons, 6-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
24. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 6-4 (Independence Bowl**)
25. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-5 (Military Bowl**)
26. Rice Owls, 5-6 (Armed Forces Bowl)
27. Central Michigan Chippewas, 5-6 (Military Bowl**)
PAC-12
The PAC-12 is locked in with 8 bowl-eligible teams. UCLA clinched the South Division berth in the PAC-12 Championship Game. Stanford clinches the North Division berth with a win over UCLA this week or an Oregon loss. Oregon can still claim the North Division berth with a win over Oregon State and a Stanford loss to UCLA. My current projection has Stanford beating UCLA twice and Oregon also getting a BCS bid with one loss.
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 10-1 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Stanford Cardinal, 9-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. UCLA Bruins, 9-2 (Alamo Bowl)
4. Oregon State Beavers, 8-2 (Sun Bowl)
5. Arizona Wildcats, 7-4 (Las Vegas Bowl)
6. USC Trojans, 7-4 (Holiday Bowl)
7. Washington Huskies, 7-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
8. Arizona State Sun Devils, 6-5 (New Mexico Bowl)
9. Utah Utes, 4-7
10. California Golden Bears, 3-9
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-9
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-10
Big 10
The Big 10 currently has 5 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 2 more. I am projecting both Purdue and Michigan State to win next week and give the conference 7 bowl-eligible teams. Nebraska clinches the Legends Division berth in the Big 10 Championship Game with a win over Iowa or a Michigan loss to Ohio State. Wisconsin will represent the Leaders Division in that game.
Purdue (5-6) - Indiana (W) - projected record 6-6 (Purdue has played with some fight the past two weeks and Indiana is not playing for anything)
Michigan State (5-6) - at Minnesota (W) - projected record 6-6 (Raise your hand if you thought Sparty would need to win this one to be bowl-eligible)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 11-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 9-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Michigan Wolverines, 8-3 (Capital One Bowl)
4. Wisconsin Badgers, 7-4 (Outback Bowl)
5. Penn State Nittany Lions, 7-4
6. Northwestern Wildcats, 8-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings)
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-5 (Texas Bowl)
8. Michigan State Spartans, 5-6 (Gator Bowl)
9. Purdue Boilermakers, 5-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-7
11. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-7
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-9
(currently not filling Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
The SEC got their help and may even monopolize the BCS National Championship Game if all falls right. I picked Georgia to be there in the pre-season, so I am going to project them to beat Alabama and represent the SEC. If Notre Dame loses, Florida would be in line to join them, but I project the Gators to fall this week to Florida State. The SEC currently has 8 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 10. I am projecting a 5-7 Missouri team to be selected based on their AQ score to play in the BBVA Compass Bowl.
Ole Miss (5-6) - Mississippi State (L), projected record 5-7 (A valiant effort almost got it done at LSU. The same effort will get it done against Missisippi State)
Missouri (5-6) - at Texas A&M (L), projected record 5-7 (The Tigers blew their best chance and now must derail Johhny Football in his own yard)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 10-1 (Sugar Bowl)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 10-1 (BCS National Championship)
3. Florida Gators, 10-1 (Outback Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 9-2 (Capital One Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 9-2 (Cotton Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 9-2 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Gator Bowl)
8. Vanderbilt Commodores, 7-4 (Music City Bowl)
9. Missouri Tigers, 5-6 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
10. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-6
11. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-7
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-7
13. Auburn Tigers, 3-8
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 2-9
(currently not filling Liberty, BBVA Compass** and Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
The Big 12 had their BCS Championship hopes dashed and currently sit at 7 bowl-eligible teams. After beating Kansas State, I am projecting Baylor to add a 6th win and give the Big 12 9 bowl-eligible teams. I am also projecting Texas to beat Kansas State and provide the automatic BCS berth to Oklahoma.
West Virginia (5-5) - at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (better effort, same results)
Baylor (5-5) - Texas Tech (W), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 6-6 (Texas Tech seems vulnerable, but will their be a Baylor letdown)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 10-1 (Alamo Bowl)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 8-2 (Fiesta Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-4 (Texas Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-4 (Pinstripe Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-5 (Holiday Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 6-5 (Liberty Bowl**)
9. Baylor Bears, 5-5 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-10
ACC
The ACC is a mess. With the self-imposed bowl ban by Miami, the conference currently sits at 5 bowl-eligible teams. One of those 5, Georgia Tech, will have to beat either Georgia or Florida State to avoid a 6-7 record. I am projecting Virginia Tech to garner a 6th bid for a conference that on the bright side, will place two teams in the BCS if Clemson beats South Carolina.
Virginia Tech (5-6) - Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (uncharted territory for the Hokies)
Georgia Tech (6-5) - at Georgia (L), vs Florida State in ACC Championship (L) projected record 6-7 (UCLA was allowed into the bowl a year ago, I am guessing Georgia Tech will get the same treatment at 6-7)
Wake Forest (5-6) - Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (Having Vanderbilt at home gives them a shot)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 10-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 10-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 7-4
4. NC State Wolfpack, 6-5 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 6-5 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
6. Miami Hurricanes, 6-5 - self-imposed bowl ban
7. Duke Blue Devils, 6-5 (Belk Bowl)
8. Virginia Tech Hokies, 5-6 (Sun Bowl)
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-6
10. Virginia Cavaliers, 4-7
11. Maryland Terrapins, 4-7
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-9
(currently not filling Music City, Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
The Big East has 4 bowl-eligible teams with the potential for 6. I do not believe Pitt or UConn has the horses to qualify for another bid in this conference. I am projecting Rutgers over Louisville next week to secure the BCS bid from the Big East.
Pittsburgh (4-6) - Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 5-7 (Pitt just lost their margin for error, gets a week off to prepare for Rutgers)
Big East Reset:
1. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 9-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Louisville Cardinals, 9-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-3 (Belk Bowl)
4. Syracuse Orange, 6-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-6
6. Connecticut Huskies, 4-6
7. Temple Owls, 4-6
8. South Florida Bulls, 3-7
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Marshall (5-6) - at East Carolina (L), projected record 5-7
SMU (5-6) - Tulsa (L), projected record 5-7
Rice (5-6) - at UTEP (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (5-6) - at UMass (W), projected record 6-6
Troy (5-6) - at Middle Tennessee (L), projected record 5-7
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 11-0 (BCS National Championship)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 10-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
3. Kent State Golden Flash, 10-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
4. Boise State Broncos, 9-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
5. Utah State Aggies, 9-2 (Famous Idaho Potato)
6. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 9-2 (Liberty Bowl)
7. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 9-2 (Independence Bowl**)
8. San Diego State Aztecs, 8-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
9. Fresno State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
10. UCF Golden Knights, 8-3 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
11. Ohio Bobcats, 8-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
12. Toledo Rockets, 8-3 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
13. Ball State Cardinals, 8-3 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
14. Bowling Green Falcons, 7-4 (Music City Bowl**)
15. San Jose State Spartans, 9-2 (Hawaii Bowl**)
16. Arkansas State Redwolves, 8-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
17. Nevada Wolfpack, 7-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
18. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 7-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
19. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 7-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
20. BYU Cougars, 6-5 (Poinsettia Bowl)
21. Navy Midshipmen, 7-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
22. East Carolina Pirates, 7-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
23. Air Force Falcons, 6-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
24. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 6-4 (Independence Bowl**)
25. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-5 (Military Bowl**)
26. Rice Owls, 5-6 (Armed Forces Bowl)
27. Central Michigan Chippewas, 5-6 (Military Bowl**)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
College Football 2012 - Week 12 Jabesblog Picks
Instead of picking every game straight up this year, I thought I would go more Vegas-style and select certain games each week to pick against the spread. Last weeks record: 33-23. Season record: 88-67-2. Lock of the Week: 8-4.
Wednesday through Friday Games:
Northern Illinois 48, Toledo 34 (Northern Illinois -10) LOSS
Ohio 34, Ball State 30 (Ohio +6.5) LOSS
North Carolina 37, Virgnia 31 (North Carolina -3.5) WIN
Florida Atlantic 34, Florida International 24 (Florida Atlantic -1.5) LOSS
Air Force 35, Hawaii 20 (Hawaii +22.5) WIN
Saturday Games:
Florida State 33, Maryland 7 (Maryland +31) WIN
Nortwestern 24, Michigan State 20 (Northwestern +7) WIN
Michigan 34, Iowa 13 (Michigan -16.5) WIN
Bowling Green 21, Kent State 20 (Kent State +2.5) WIN
Central Florida 26, Tulsa 24 (Central Florida +1.5) LOSS
Penn State 31, Indiana 20 (Indiana +17.5) LOSS
Marshall 45, Houston 28 (Marshall -3.5) LOSS
Army 22, Temple 21 (Temple +3.5) WIN
Cincinnati 24, Rutgers 13 (Cincinnati -6) LOSS
Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 20 (Mississippi State -6) WIN
Virginia Tech 28, Boston College 14 (Virginia Tech -10) LOSS
Miami OH 38, Central Michigan 34 (Miami OH +4.5) LOSS
Washington 42, Colorado 10 (Washington -20.5) WIN
UAB 41, Memphis 21 (UAB -10) LOSS
Western Michigan 38, Eastern Michigan 30 (Eastern Michigan +13.5) WIN
Miami FL 20, South Florida 17 (South Florida +6.5) LOSS
Arizona State 40, Washington State 10 (Arizona State -22) WIN
Buffalo 31, Massachusetts 14 (Buffalo -11) LOSS
UCLA 41, USC 38 (UCLA +3.5) WIN
Georgia Tech 45, Duke 28 (Georgia Tech -13.5) WIN
Middle Tennessee 34, South Alabama 19 (Middle Tennessee -7.5) WIN
LSU 27, Ole Miss 17 (Ole Miss +19) WIN
Boise State 43, Colorado State 10 (Boise State -29.5) LOSS
Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 27 (Ohio State +2.5) WIN
SMU 34, Rice 33 (Rice +3.5) WIN
Clemson 44, NC State 24 (Clemson -17) LOSS
Oklahoma State 37, Texas Tech 31 (Texas Tech +10) LOSS
Nebraska 31, Minnesota 17 (Minnesota +20) LOSS
Nevada 38, New Mexico 31 (New Mexico +10) WIN
Navy 27, Texas State 17 (Texas State +13.5) WIN
Purdue 26, Illinois 16 (Purdue -6) LOSS
Notre Dame 27, Wake Forest 9 (Wake Forest +24) LOSS
Arkansas State 41, Troy 28 (Arkansas State -3) WIN
East Carolina 44, Tulane 42 (Tulane +10) WIN
Louisiana Tech 30, Utah State 27 (Louisiana Tech +3.5) LOSS
Louisiana-Monroe 35, North Texas 20 (ULM -10.5) WIN
Wyoming 31, UNLV 27 (Wyoming -1) WIN
UTSA 30, Idaho 20 (UTSA -6) WIN
Iowa State 19, Kansas 17 (Kansas +5) LOSS
Vanderbilt 34, Tennessee 27 (Vanderbilt -3.5) WIN
Oklahoma 42, West Virginia 24 (Oklahoma -11) LOSS
Louisiana-Lafayette 33, Western Kentucky 31 (Western Kentucky +4.5) WIN
Missouri 31, Syracuse 24 (Missouri -5.5) LOSS
Kansas State 37, Baylor 31 (Baylor +12) WIN
Oregon 41, Stanford 28 (Stanford +20.5) WIN
UTEP 24, Southern Mississippi 14 (UTEP -3.5) LOSS
Utah 37, Arizona 28 (Utah -1) LOSS
Oregon State 30, California 10 (Oregon State -14.5) WIN
San Jose State 19, BYU 17 (San Jose State +3) WIN
Record for the Week: 30-24
Wednesday through Friday Games:
Northern Illinois 48, Toledo 34 (Northern Illinois -10) LOSS
Ohio 34, Ball State 30 (Ohio +6.5) LOSS
North Carolina 37, Virgnia 31 (North Carolina -3.5) WIN
Florida Atlantic 34, Florida International 24 (Florida Atlantic -1.5) LOSS
Air Force 35, Hawaii 20 (Hawaii +22.5) WIN
Saturday Games:
Florida State 33, Maryland 7 (Maryland +31) WIN
Nortwestern 24, Michigan State 20 (Northwestern +7) WIN
Michigan 34, Iowa 13 (Michigan -16.5) WIN
Bowling Green 21, Kent State 20 (Kent State +2.5) WIN
Central Florida 26, Tulsa 24 (Central Florida +1.5) LOSS
Penn State 31, Indiana 20 (Indiana +17.5) LOSS
Marshall 45, Houston 28 (Marshall -3.5) LOSS
Army 22, Temple 21 (Temple +3.5) WIN
Cincinnati 24, Rutgers 13 (Cincinnati -6) LOSS
Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 20 (Mississippi State -6) WIN
Virginia Tech 28, Boston College 14 (Virginia Tech -10) LOSS
Miami OH 38, Central Michigan 34 (Miami OH +4.5) LOSS
Washington 42, Colorado 10 (Washington -20.5) WIN
UAB 41, Memphis 21 (UAB -10) LOSS
Western Michigan 38, Eastern Michigan 30 (Eastern Michigan +13.5) WIN
Miami FL 20, South Florida 17 (South Florida +6.5) LOSS
Arizona State 40, Washington State 10 (Arizona State -22) WIN
Buffalo 31, Massachusetts 14 (Buffalo -11) LOSS
UCLA 41, USC 38 (UCLA +3.5) WIN
Georgia Tech 45, Duke 28 (Georgia Tech -13.5) WIN
Middle Tennessee 34, South Alabama 19 (Middle Tennessee -7.5) WIN
LSU 27, Ole Miss 17 (Ole Miss +19) WIN
Boise State 43, Colorado State 10 (Boise State -29.5) LOSS
Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 27 (Ohio State +2.5) WIN
SMU 34, Rice 33 (Rice +3.5) WIN
Clemson 44, NC State 24 (Clemson -17) LOSS
Oklahoma State 37, Texas Tech 31 (Texas Tech +10) LOSS
Nebraska 31, Minnesota 17 (Minnesota +20) LOSS
Nevada 38, New Mexico 31 (New Mexico +10) WIN
Navy 27, Texas State 17 (Texas State +13.5) WIN
Purdue 26, Illinois 16 (Purdue -6) LOSS
Notre Dame 27, Wake Forest 9 (Wake Forest +24) LOSS
Arkansas State 41, Troy 28 (Arkansas State -3) WIN
East Carolina 44, Tulane 42 (Tulane +10) WIN
Louisiana Tech 30, Utah State 27 (Louisiana Tech +3.5) LOSS
Louisiana-Monroe 35, North Texas 20 (ULM -10.5) WIN
Wyoming 31, UNLV 27 (Wyoming -1) WIN
UTSA 30, Idaho 20 (UTSA -6) WIN
Iowa State 19, Kansas 17 (Kansas +5) LOSS
Vanderbilt 34, Tennessee 27 (Vanderbilt -3.5) WIN
Oklahoma 42, West Virginia 24 (Oklahoma -11) LOSS
Louisiana-Lafayette 33, Western Kentucky 31 (Western Kentucky +4.5) WIN
Missouri 31, Syracuse 24 (Missouri -5.5) LOSS
Kansas State 37, Baylor 31 (Baylor +12) WIN
Oregon 41, Stanford 28 (Stanford +20.5) WIN
UTEP 24, Southern Mississippi 14 (UTEP -3.5) LOSS
Utah 37, Arizona 28 (Utah -1) LOSS
Oregon State 30, California 10 (Oregon State -14.5) WIN
San Jose State 19, BYU 17 (San Jose State +3) WIN
Record for the Week: 30-24
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
College Football 2012 - Week 11 Bowl Projections
New Mexico Bowl - Arizona Wildcats vs Nevada Wolfpack
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Toledo Rockets
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - San Jose State Spartans vs East Carolina Pirates
New Orleans Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Stanford Cardinal
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs Arizona State Sun Devils
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Bowling Green Falcons
Belk Bowl - Georgia Tech YellowJackets vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Miami Hurricanes
Independence Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Armed Forces Bowl - SMU Mustangs vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Washington Huskies vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - USC Trojans vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Missouri Tigers
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Northwestern Wildcats
Sun Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Vanderbilt Commodores
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - South Carolina Gamecocks vs NC State Wolfpack
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Purdue Boilermakers vs Utah Utes
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Gerogia Bulldogs
Outback Bowl - Wisconsin Badgers vs Florida Gators
Gator Bowl - Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Michigan State Spartans
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Ball State Cardinals vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Texas A&M Aggies vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Sugar Bowl - Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers
BCS National Championship - Oregon Ducks vs Kansas State Wildcats
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Utah State Aggies vs Toledo Rockets
Poinsettia Bowl - San Diego State Aztecs vs BYU Cougars
Beef O'Brady's Bowl - San Jose State Spartans vs East Carolina Pirates
New Orleans Bowl - Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Las Vegas Bowl - Boise State Broncos vs Stanford Cardinal
Hawaii Bowl - Fresno State Bulldogs vs Arizona State Sun Devils
Little Caesars Bowl - Northern Illinois Huskies vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Military Bowl - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Bowling Green Falcons
Belk Bowl - Georgia Tech YellowJackets vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Holiday Bowl - UCLA Bruins vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Russell Athletic Bowl - Louisville Cardinals vs Miami Hurricanes
Independence Bowl - Ohio Bobcats vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Texas Bowl - TCU Horned Frogs vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Armed Forces Bowl - SMU Mustangs vs Air Force Falcons
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Washington Huskies vs Navy Midshipmen
Alamo Bowl - USC Trojans vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Pinstripe Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones vs Syracuse Orange
Music City Bowl - Duke Blue Devils vs Missouri Tigers
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Northwestern Wildcats
Sun Bowl - Oregon State Beavers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Liberty Bowl - UCF Golden Knights vs Vanderbilt Commodores
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - South Carolina Gamecocks vs NC State Wolfpack
Heart of Dallas Bowl - Purdue Boilermakers vs Utah Utes
Capital One Bowl - Michigan Wolverines vs Gerogia Bulldogs
Outback Bowl - Wisconsin Badgers vs Florida Gators
Gator Bowl - Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Michigan State Spartans
Cotton Bowl - LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns
BBVA Compass Bowl - Ball State Cardinals vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
GoDaddy Bowl - Kent State Golden Flash vs Arkansas State Red Wolves
Rose Bowl - Oklahoma Sooners vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Orange Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Fiesta Bowl - Texas A&M Aggies vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Sugar Bowl - Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers
BCS National Championship - Oregon Ducks vs Kansas State Wildcats
College Football 2012 - Bowl Breakdown - Week 11
PAC-12
Arizona State (5-5) - Washington State (W), at Arizona (L), projected record 6-6 (A bit surprising it has taken this long)
Utah (4-6) - Arizona (W), at Colorado (W), projected record 6-6 (Arizona on the road looks like a different team)
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 10-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Stanford Cardinal, 8-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
3. Oregon State Beavers, 7-2 (Sun Bowl)
4. UCLA Bruins, 8-2 (Holiday Bowl)
5. USC Trojans, 7-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. Washington Huskies, 6-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
7. Arizona Wildcats, 6-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
8. Arizona State Sun Devils, 5-5 (Hawaii Bowl**)
9. Utah Utes, 4-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl**)
10. California Golden Bears, 3-8
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-8
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-9
Big 10
Indiana (4-6) - at Penn State (L), at Purdue (L), projected record 4-8 (the Hoosiers looked like a team that hasn't played many big games against Wisconsin)
Iowa (4-6) - at Michigan (L), Nebraska (L), projected record 4-8 (Not a good year in Iowa City)
Purdue (4-6) - at Illinois (W), Indiana (W) - projected record 6-6 (out of these three, Purdue has the best shot, especially with Indiana coming to West Lafayette)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 10-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 8-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Michigan Wolverines, 7-3 (Capital One Bowl)
4. Wisconsin Badgers, 7-3 (Outback Bowl)
5. Penn State Nittany Lions, 6-4
6. Northwestern Wildcats, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings)
7. Michigan State Spartans, 5-5 (Gator Bowl)
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-4 (Texas Bowl)
9. Purdue Boilermakers, 4-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-6
11. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-6
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-8
(currently not filling Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
Tennessee (4-6) - at Vanderbilt (L), Kentucky (W), projected record 5-7 (Vandy just seems better than Tennessee right now)
Ole Miss (5-5) - at LSU (L), Mississippi State (L), projected record 5-7 (will likely have to beat rival Mississippi State, which is possible, but not sure how probable)
Missouri (5-5) - Syracuse (W), at Texas A&M (L), projected record 6-6 (step one is complete, now they need to beat a Syracuse team that is not as good on the road but is playing good football)
Arkansas (4-6) - at Mississippi State (L), LSU (L), projected record 4-8 (will likely be a fitting end to a disappointing season for the Razorbacks)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 9-1 (Sugar Bowl)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 9-1 (Capital One Bowl)
3. Florida Gators, 9-1 (Outback Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 8-2 (Fiesta Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 8-2 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 7-3 (Gator Bowl)
8. Vanderbilt Commodores, 6-4 (Liberty Bowl)
9. Missouri Tigers, 5-5 (Music City Bowl)
10. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-5
11. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-6
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-6
13. Auburn Tigers, 2-8
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 1-9
(currently not filling BBVA Compass and Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
West Virginia (5-4) - Oklahoma (L), at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (you never know what happens when a team starts heading in this direction)
Iowa State (5-5) - at Kansas (W), West Virginia (L), projected record 6-6 (this is the week and unfortunately for the Cyclones, Kansas is playing better)
Baylor (4-5) - Kansas State (L), Texas Tech (L), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 4-8 (even in the Big 12 you need to play defense some of the time)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 10-0 (BCS National Championship)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 7-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 6-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-4 (Texas Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-3 (Holiday Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 5-4 (Pinstripe Bowl)
9. Baylor Bears, 4-4
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-8
(currently not filling Heart of Dallas Bowl slot)
ACC
Virginia Tech (4-6) - at Boston College (W), Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (may need to win a rivalry game to be bowl-eligible)
Maryland (4-6) - Florida State (L), at North Carolina (L), projected record 4-8 (a team on their 5th quarterback doesn't beat these teams)
Georgia Tech (5-5) - Duke (W), at Georgia (L), projected record 6-6 (Things have turned around for Georgia Tech just in time)
Wake Forest (5-5) - at Notre Dame (L), Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (Vanderbilt at home will be the opportunity)
Virginia (4-6) - North Carolina (L), at Virginia Tech (L), projected record 4-8 (probably an accomplishment to force themselves on to the list for the week)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 9-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 9-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 6-4
4. NC State Wolfpack, 6-4 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. Duke Blue Devils, 6-4 (Music City Bowl)
6. Miami Hurricanes, 5-5 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 5-5 (Belk Bowl)
8. Virginia Tech Hokies, 4-6 (Sun Bowl)
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-5
10. Virginia Cavaliers, 4-6
11. Maryland Terrapins, 4-6
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-8
(currently not filling Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
Pittsburgh (4-6) - Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 5-7 (Pitt just lost their margin for error, gets a week off to prepare for Rutgers)
Syracuse (5-5) - at Missouri (L), at Temple (W) projected record 6-6 (need a road split, playing really well)
Big East Reset:
1. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 8-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Louisville Cardinals, 9-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-2 (Belk Bowl)
4. Syracuse Orange, 5-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-6
6. Connecticut Huskies, 4-6
7. Temple Owls, 3-6
8. South Florida Bulls, 3-6
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Houston (4-6) - at Marshall (L), Tulane (W). projected record 5-7
Marshall (4-6) - Houston (W), at East Carolina (L), projected record 5-7
SMU (5-5) - at Rice (W), Tulsa (L), projected record 6-6
Miami(OH) (4-6) - at Central Michigan (W), Ball State (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (4-6) - Miami(OH) (L), at UMass (W), projected record 5-7
Air Force (5-5) - Hawaii (W), at Fresno State (L), projected record 6-6
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 10-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 9-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 9-1 (Independence Bowl)
4. Kent State Golden Flash, 9-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
5. UCF Golden Knights, 8-2 (Liberty Bowl)
6. Boise State Broncos, 8-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 8-2 (New Orleans Bowl)
8. Utah State Aggies, 8-2 (Famous Idaho Potato**)
9. Ohio Bobcats, 8-2 (Independence Bowl**)
10. Toledo Rockets, 8-2 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
11. San Diego State Aztecs, 8-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
12. Fresno State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
13. Ball State Cardinals, 7-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
14. Bowling Green Falcons, 7-3 (Military Bowl**)
15. BYU Cougars, 6-4 (Poinsettia Bowl)
16. San Jose State Spartans, 8-2 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
17. Arkansas State Redwolves, 7-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
18. Nevada Wolfpack, 6-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
19. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 7-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
20. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 6-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
21. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-4 (Military Bowl**)
22. Navy Midshipmen, 6-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
23. East Carolina Pirates, 6-4 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
24. Air Force Falcons, 5-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
25. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 5-4 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
26. SMU Mustangs, 5-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
Currently, Miami OH is the only other bowl-eligible projected team.
Arizona State (5-5) - Washington State (W), at Arizona (L), projected record 6-6 (A bit surprising it has taken this long)
Utah (4-6) - Arizona (W), at Colorado (W), projected record 6-6 (Arizona on the road looks like a different team)
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 10-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Stanford Cardinal, 8-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
3. Oregon State Beavers, 7-2 (Sun Bowl)
4. UCLA Bruins, 8-2 (Holiday Bowl)
5. USC Trojans, 7-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. Washington Huskies, 6-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
7. Arizona Wildcats, 6-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
8. Arizona State Sun Devils, 5-5 (Hawaii Bowl**)
9. Utah Utes, 4-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl**)
10. California Golden Bears, 3-8
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-8
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-9
Big 10
Indiana (4-6) - at Penn State (L), at Purdue (L), projected record 4-8 (the Hoosiers looked like a team that hasn't played many big games against Wisconsin)
Iowa (4-6) - at Michigan (L), Nebraska (L), projected record 4-8 (Not a good year in Iowa City)
Purdue (4-6) - at Illinois (W), Indiana (W) - projected record 6-6 (out of these three, Purdue has the best shot, especially with Indiana coming to West Lafayette)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 10-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 8-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Michigan Wolverines, 7-3 (Capital One Bowl)
4. Wisconsin Badgers, 7-3 (Outback Bowl)
5. Penn State Nittany Lions, 6-4
6. Northwestern Wildcats, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings)
7. Michigan State Spartans, 5-5 (Gator Bowl)
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-4 (Texas Bowl)
9. Purdue Boilermakers, 4-6 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
10. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-6
11. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-6
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-8
(currently not filling Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
Tennessee (4-6) - at Vanderbilt (L), Kentucky (W), projected record 5-7 (Vandy just seems better than Tennessee right now)
Ole Miss (5-5) - at LSU (L), Mississippi State (L), projected record 5-7 (will likely have to beat rival Mississippi State, which is possible, but not sure how probable)
Missouri (5-5) - Syracuse (W), at Texas A&M (L), projected record 6-6 (step one is complete, now they need to beat a Syracuse team that is not as good on the road but is playing good football)
Arkansas (4-6) - at Mississippi State (L), LSU (L), projected record 4-8 (will likely be a fitting end to a disappointing season for the Razorbacks)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 9-1 (Sugar Bowl)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 9-1 (Capital One Bowl)
3. Florida Gators, 9-1 (Outback Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 8-2 (Fiesta Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 8-2 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 7-3 (Gator Bowl)
8. Vanderbilt Commodores, 6-4 (Liberty Bowl)
9. Missouri Tigers, 5-5 (Music City Bowl)
10. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-5
11. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-6
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-6
13. Auburn Tigers, 2-8
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 1-9
(currently not filling BBVA Compass and Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
West Virginia (5-4) - Oklahoma (L), at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (you never know what happens when a team starts heading in this direction)
Iowa State (5-5) - at Kansas (W), West Virginia (L), projected record 6-6 (this is the week and unfortunately for the Cyclones, Kansas is playing better)
Baylor (4-5) - Kansas State (L), Texas Tech (L), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 4-8 (even in the Big 12 you need to play defense some of the time)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 10-0 (BCS National Championship)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 7-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 8-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 6-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-4 (Texas Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-3 (Holiday Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 5-4 (Pinstripe Bowl)
9. Baylor Bears, 4-4
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-8
(currently not filling Heart of Dallas Bowl slot)
ACC
Virginia Tech (4-6) - at Boston College (W), Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (may need to win a rivalry game to be bowl-eligible)
Maryland (4-6) - Florida State (L), at North Carolina (L), projected record 4-8 (a team on their 5th quarterback doesn't beat these teams)
Georgia Tech (5-5) - Duke (W), at Georgia (L), projected record 6-6 (Things have turned around for Georgia Tech just in time)
Wake Forest (5-5) - at Notre Dame (L), Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (Vanderbilt at home will be the opportunity)
Virginia (4-6) - North Carolina (L), at Virginia Tech (L), projected record 4-8 (probably an accomplishment to force themselves on to the list for the week)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 9-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 9-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 6-4
4. NC State Wolfpack, 6-4 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. Duke Blue Devils, 6-4 (Music City Bowl)
6. Miami Hurricanes, 5-5 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 5-5 (Belk Bowl)
8. Virginia Tech Hokies, 4-6 (Sun Bowl)
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-5
10. Virginia Cavaliers, 4-6
11. Maryland Terrapins, 4-6
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-8
(currently not filling Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
Pittsburgh (4-6) - Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 5-7 (Pitt just lost their margin for error, gets a week off to prepare for Rutgers)
Syracuse (5-5) - at Missouri (L), at Temple (W) projected record 6-6 (need a road split, playing really well)
Big East Reset:
1. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 8-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Louisville Cardinals, 9-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-2 (Belk Bowl)
4. Syracuse Orange, 5-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-6
6. Connecticut Huskies, 4-6
7. Temple Owls, 3-6
8. South Florida Bulls, 3-6
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Houston (4-6) - at Marshall (L), Tulane (W). projected record 5-7
Marshall (4-6) - Houston (W), at East Carolina (L), projected record 5-7
SMU (5-5) - at Rice (W), Tulsa (L), projected record 6-6
Miami(OH) (4-6) - at Central Michigan (W), Ball State (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (4-6) - Miami(OH) (L), at UMass (W), projected record 5-7
Air Force (5-5) - Hawaii (W), at Fresno State (L), projected record 6-6
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 10-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 9-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 9-1 (Independence Bowl)
4. Kent State Golden Flash, 9-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
5. UCF Golden Knights, 8-2 (Liberty Bowl)
6. Boise State Broncos, 8-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 8-2 (New Orleans Bowl)
8. Utah State Aggies, 8-2 (Famous Idaho Potato**)
9. Ohio Bobcats, 8-2 (Independence Bowl**)
10. Toledo Rockets, 8-2 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
11. San Diego State Aztecs, 8-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
12. Fresno State Bulldogs, 8-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
13. Ball State Cardinals, 7-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
14. Bowling Green Falcons, 7-3 (Military Bowl**)
15. BYU Cougars, 6-4 (Poinsettia Bowl)
16. San Jose State Spartans, 8-2 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
17. Arkansas State Redwolves, 7-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
18. Nevada Wolfpack, 6-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
19. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 7-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
20. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 6-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
21. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-4 (Military Bowl**)
22. Navy Midshipmen, 6-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
23. East Carolina Pirates, 6-4 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
24. Air Force Falcons, 5-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
25. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 5-4 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
26. SMU Mustangs, 5-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
Currently, Miami OH is the only other bowl-eligible projected team.
Friday, November 9, 2012
College Basketball 2012-13 Pre-Season Field of 68
The College Basketball season starts this week as we embark on 4 months of jockeying that ultimately leads to 68 teams dancing in March. Who will those 68 teams be? If the past couple years are any indication, then it will be approximately 44 of the 68 teams I have below. Their is beauty in collegiate sports, as we never know which freshman is going to make the biggest impact, or which upper-classmen is going to make that huge off-season leap from role-player to star.
Once again this season, Jabesblog will attempt to inform and lead you through the happenings of College Basketball. It starts right now with my pre-season Field of 68.
Midwest
1. Louisville
16. Savannah State/USC Upstate
8. Texas
9. Butler
5. Michigan State
12. New Mexico
4. North Carolina
13. South Dakota State
6. Memphis
11. BYU
3. Missouri
14. Valparaiso
7. Cincinnati
10. Stanford
2. Michigan
15. Lehigh
East
1. Indiana
16. Coastal Carolina/Texas Southern
8. St. Mary's
9. Miami FL
5. Arizona
12. Temple/Arkansas
4. Notre Dame
13. Ohio
6. Kansas State
11. Davidson
3. Florida
14. Utah State
7. VCU
10. Georgetown
2. Duke
15. LIU-Brooklyn
South
1. Kentucky
16. North Texas
8. Minnesota
9. St. Joseph's
5. UNLV
12. Pittsburgh/Marshall
4. Florida State
13. Drexel
6. Wisconsin
11. Illinois State
3. Syracuse
14. Princeton
7. California
10. Murray State
2. Kansas
15. Oral Roberts
West
1. North Carolina State
16. Vermont
8. Marquette
9. West Virginia
5. Creighton
12. Nevada
4. UCLA
13. Long Beach State
6. Gonzaga
11. Baylor
3. San Diego State
14. Montana
7. Tennessee
10. St. Louis
2. Ohio State
15. Manhattan
Once again this season, Jabesblog will attempt to inform and lead you through the happenings of College Basketball. It starts right now with my pre-season Field of 68.
Midwest
1. Louisville
16. Savannah State/USC Upstate
8. Texas
9. Butler
5. Michigan State
12. New Mexico
4. North Carolina
13. South Dakota State
6. Memphis
11. BYU
3. Missouri
14. Valparaiso
7. Cincinnati
10. Stanford
2. Michigan
15. Lehigh
East
1. Indiana
16. Coastal Carolina/Texas Southern
8. St. Mary's
9. Miami FL
5. Arizona
12. Temple/Arkansas
4. Notre Dame
13. Ohio
6. Kansas State
11. Davidson
3. Florida
14. Utah State
7. VCU
10. Georgetown
2. Duke
15. LIU-Brooklyn
South
1. Kentucky
16. North Texas
8. Minnesota
9. St. Joseph's
5. UNLV
12. Pittsburgh/Marshall
4. Florida State
13. Drexel
6. Wisconsin
11. Illinois State
3. Syracuse
14. Princeton
7. California
10. Murray State
2. Kansas
15. Oral Roberts
West
1. North Carolina State
16. Vermont
8. Marquette
9. West Virginia
5. Creighton
12. Nevada
4. UCLA
13. Long Beach State
6. Gonzaga
11. Baylor
3. San Diego State
14. Montana
7. Tennessee
10. St. Louis
2. Ohio State
15. Manhattan
Thursday, November 8, 2012
College Football 2012 - Week 11 Jabesblog Picks - Full Week
Instead of picking every game straight up this year, I thought I would go more Vegas-style and select certain games each week to pick against the spread. Last weeks record: 9-7. Mid-Week Record 2-3 Season record: 57-47-2. Lock of the Week: 8-2 (including an exact score last week).
Wisconsin 28, Indiana 26 (Indiana +7.5) LOSS
Michigan 26, Northwestern 24 (Northwestern +9.5) WIN
Rutgers 30, Army 17 (Army +17) LOSS
Louisville 41, Syracuse 34 (Louisville -1.5) LOCK OF THE WEEK LOSS
Cincinnati 35, Temple 17 (Cincinnati -9.5) WIN
Texas 38, Iowa State 23 (Texas -10.5) WIN
Miami FL 27, Virginia 20 (Miami FL +2) WIN
Iowa 19, Purdue 16 (Purdue +5) WIN
South Carolina 30, Arkansas 27 (Arkansas +13.5) LOSS
Texas Tech 38, Kansas 17 (Kansas +25.5) WIN
Tennessee 34, Missouri 28 (Tennessee -3) LOSS
Florida 31, UL-Lafayette 13 (UL-Lafayette +26.5) WIN
North Carolina 38, Georgia Tech 33 (Georgia Tech +8.5) WIN
Western Kentucky 41, Florida Atlantic 14 (Western Kentucky -16.5) LOSS
Kent State 35, Miami OH 20 (Kent State -6.5) WIN
Central Michigan 38, Eastern Michigan 34 (Central Michigan -2.5) WIN
Arizona 37, Colorado 14 (Colorado +30.5) WIN
Akron 34, Massachusetts 14 (Akron -17) LOSS
Oregon State 23, Stanford 20 (Oregon State +3.5) LOSS
USC 38, Arizona State 24 (USC -9) WIN
NC State 21, Wake Forest 19 (Wake Forest +7.5) LOSS
Nebraska 27, Penn State 24 (Penn State +7.5) LOSS
Oklahoma State 44, West Virginia 41 (West Virginia +9) LOSS
Oklahoma 48, Baylor 33 (Baylor +21.5) WIN
Wyoming 38, New Mexico 31 (Wyoming -1.5) WIN
Clemson 52, Maryland 14 (Clemson -31.5) WIN
San Diego State 41, Air Force 24 (San Diego State -7.5) WIN
San Jose State 41, New Mexico State 10 (San Jose State -21.5) WIN
Navy 35, Troy 30 (Navy -1) LOSS
Alabama 31, Texas A&M 19 (Texas A&M +13.5) WIN
Minnesota 24, Illinois 17 (Minnesota -3) WIN
Western Michigan 28, Buffalo 20 (Western Michigan -3) LOSS
Marshall 45, UAB 35 (Marshall -3) LOSS
Tulsa 31, Houston 27 (Tulsa -3.5) WIN
North Texas 27, South Alabama 23 (South Alabama +8) LOSS
Tulane 35, Memphis 32 (Tulane pick'em) LOSS
Georgia 41, Auburn 20 (Georgia -14.5) WIN
UNLV 24, Colorado State 16 (UNLV -1.5) LOSS
LSU 34, Mississippi State 10 (LSU -15) WIN
Boise State 48, Hawaii 14 (Boise State -28.5) WIN
Ole Miss 20, Vanderbilt 17 (Vanderbilt +3.5) WIN
UCF 37, UTEP 17 (UCF -13) LOCK OF THE WEEK II LOSS
Louisiana Tech 49, Texas State 21 (Louisiana Tech -20) LOSS
Kansas State 38, TCU 21 (Kansas State -7) WIN
SMU 41, Southern Miss 17 (SMU -14.5) WIN
Notre Dame 27, Boston College 13 (Boston College +19) WIN
BYU 37, Idaho 3 (Idaho +40) WIN
Washington 20, Utah 16 (Washington +1 ) WIN
UCLA 34, Washington State 14 (UCLA -16.5) LOSS
Oregon 48, California 13 (Oregon -28) WIN
Fresno State 44, Nevada 38 (Fresno State -3.5) WIN
Saturday Record: 31-20 (after reviewing final line of games pushed)
Wisconsin 28, Indiana 26 (Indiana +7.5) LOSS
Michigan 26, Northwestern 24 (Northwestern +9.5) WIN
Rutgers 30, Army 17 (Army +17) LOSS
Louisville 41, Syracuse 34 (Louisville -1.5) LOCK OF THE WEEK LOSS
Cincinnati 35, Temple 17 (Cincinnati -9.5) WIN
Texas 38, Iowa State 23 (Texas -10.5) WIN
Miami FL 27, Virginia 20 (Miami FL +2) WIN
Iowa 19, Purdue 16 (Purdue +5) WIN
South Carolina 30, Arkansas 27 (Arkansas +13.5) LOSS
Texas Tech 38, Kansas 17 (Kansas +25.5) WIN
Tennessee 34, Missouri 28 (Tennessee -3) LOSS
Florida 31, UL-Lafayette 13 (UL-Lafayette +26.5) WIN
North Carolina 38, Georgia Tech 33 (Georgia Tech +8.5) WIN
Western Kentucky 41, Florida Atlantic 14 (Western Kentucky -16.5) LOSS
Kent State 35, Miami OH 20 (Kent State -6.5) WIN
Central Michigan 38, Eastern Michigan 34 (Central Michigan -2.5) WIN
Arizona 37, Colorado 14 (Colorado +30.5) WIN
Akron 34, Massachusetts 14 (Akron -17) LOSS
Oregon State 23, Stanford 20 (Oregon State +3.5) LOSS
USC 38, Arizona State 24 (USC -9) WIN
NC State 21, Wake Forest 19 (Wake Forest +7.5) LOSS
Nebraska 27, Penn State 24 (Penn State +7.5) LOSS
Oklahoma State 44, West Virginia 41 (West Virginia +9) LOSS
Oklahoma 48, Baylor 33 (Baylor +21.5) WIN
Wyoming 38, New Mexico 31 (Wyoming -1.5) WIN
Clemson 52, Maryland 14 (Clemson -31.5) WIN
San Diego State 41, Air Force 24 (San Diego State -7.5) WIN
San Jose State 41, New Mexico State 10 (San Jose State -21.5) WIN
Navy 35, Troy 30 (Navy -1) LOSS
Alabama 31, Texas A&M 19 (Texas A&M +13.5) WIN
Minnesota 24, Illinois 17 (Minnesota -3) WIN
Western Michigan 28, Buffalo 20 (Western Michigan -3) LOSS
Marshall 45, UAB 35 (Marshall -3) LOSS
Tulsa 31, Houston 27 (Tulsa -3.5) WIN
North Texas 27, South Alabama 23 (South Alabama +8) LOSS
Tulane 35, Memphis 32 (Tulane pick'em) LOSS
Georgia 41, Auburn 20 (Georgia -14.5) WIN
UNLV 24, Colorado State 16 (UNLV -1.5) LOSS
LSU 34, Mississippi State 10 (LSU -15) WIN
Boise State 48, Hawaii 14 (Boise State -28.5) WIN
Ole Miss 20, Vanderbilt 17 (Vanderbilt +3.5) WIN
UCF 37, UTEP 17 (UCF -13) LOCK OF THE WEEK II LOSS
Louisiana Tech 49, Texas State 21 (Louisiana Tech -20) LOSS
Kansas State 38, TCU 21 (Kansas State -7) WIN
SMU 41, Southern Miss 17 (SMU -14.5) WIN
Notre Dame 27, Boston College 13 (Boston College +19) WIN
BYU 37, Idaho 3 (Idaho +40) WIN
Washington 20, Utah 16 (Washington +1 ) WIN
UCLA 34, Washington State 14 (UCLA -16.5) LOSS
Oregon 48, California 13 (Oregon -28) WIN
Fresno State 44, Nevada 38 (Fresno State -3.5) WIN
Saturday Record: 31-20 (after reviewing final line of games pushed)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
College Football 2012 - Jabesblog Picks - Mid-Week 11 Edition
Instead of picking every game straight up this year, I thought I would go more Vegas-style and select certain games each week to pick against the spread. Last weeks record: 9-7. Season record: 55-44-2. Lock of the Week: 8-2 (including an exact score last week).
There are 5 games on the Tuesday through Friday docket this week, so here is a bonus 5 picks from Jabesblog...
Toledo -6.5 vs Ball State - Both teams have played well of late, but it is time for Toledo to make the final push toward a MAC Title. The Rockets are actually 0-4 ATS in their last 4 on Tuesday's, but I am going against the trend in what should be a high-scoring game (Toledo played 63-60 and 66-63 games on Tuesday last season). Toledo has won the last three match-ups with the Cardinals by 7 points or more and will do it again tonight...Toledo 59, Ball State 48. Loss
Bowling Green +3 at Ohio - The Falcons have the defense cranked up to a championship level while the Bobcats appear to have peaked in September. Ohio has not last at home, but has been outgained by Buffalo and Akron this season. I like the defensive team to roll in and pull off the Wednesday night upset...Bowling Green 22, Ohio 21. WIN
Arkansas State -7 vs Louisiana-Monroe - With the uncertain status of ULM quarterback Kolton Browning I have to lean toward the Redwolves. Arkansas State is starting to get it rolling with 4 wins in a row by an average of 15.5 points. All indications are that Browning is out for a while, which will either rally or deflate a team that had high hopes of a Sun Belt Title...Arkansas State 40, LA-Monroe 28. WIN
Florida State -13.5 at Virginia Tech - The Seminoles have not won by this margin on the road, but the Hokies looked like a team without a sense of urgency last week against Miami FL. The Seminoles are off a bye and will be prepared for Logan Thomas and his one-man show. FSU ranks highly in almost every offensive and defensive category, its a shame they blew the game against NC State...Florida State 34, Virginia Tech 10. Loss
Pittsburgh -3 at Connecticut - The bottom line is that the Huskies cannot score. With just over 8 ppg in their last 4 things have been brutal for the UConn offense. Pitt lost a heartbreaker against Notre Dame last week and is in prime position to be upset here. Pitt plays well on Friday nights and against teams they should beat...Pittsburgh 21, Connecticut 10.
There are 5 games on the Tuesday through Friday docket this week, so here is a bonus 5 picks from Jabesblog...
Toledo -6.5 vs Ball State - Both teams have played well of late, but it is time for Toledo to make the final push toward a MAC Title. The Rockets are actually 0-4 ATS in their last 4 on Tuesday's, but I am going against the trend in what should be a high-scoring game (Toledo played 63-60 and 66-63 games on Tuesday last season). Toledo has won the last three match-ups with the Cardinals by 7 points or more and will do it again tonight...Toledo 59, Ball State 48. Loss
Bowling Green +3 at Ohio - The Falcons have the defense cranked up to a championship level while the Bobcats appear to have peaked in September. Ohio has not last at home, but has been outgained by Buffalo and Akron this season. I like the defensive team to roll in and pull off the Wednesday night upset...Bowling Green 22, Ohio 21. WIN
Arkansas State -7 vs Louisiana-Monroe - With the uncertain status of ULM quarterback Kolton Browning I have to lean toward the Redwolves. Arkansas State is starting to get it rolling with 4 wins in a row by an average of 15.5 points. All indications are that Browning is out for a while, which will either rally or deflate a team that had high hopes of a Sun Belt Title...Arkansas State 40, LA-Monroe 28. WIN
Florida State -13.5 at Virginia Tech - The Seminoles have not won by this margin on the road, but the Hokies looked like a team without a sense of urgency last week against Miami FL. The Seminoles are off a bye and will be prepared for Logan Thomas and his one-man show. FSU ranks highly in almost every offensive and defensive category, its a shame they blew the game against NC State...Florida State 34, Virginia Tech 10. Loss
Pittsburgh -3 at Connecticut - The bottom line is that the Huskies cannot score. With just over 8 ppg in their last 4 things have been brutal for the UConn offense. Pitt lost a heartbreaker against Notre Dame last week and is in prime position to be upset here. Pitt plays well on Friday nights and against teams they should beat...Pittsburgh 21, Connecticut 10.
Monday, November 5, 2012
College Football 2012 - Bowl Breakdown Week 10
PAC-12
Washington (5-4) - Utah (W), at Colorado (W), at Washington State (W), projected record 8-4 (the Huskies can breathe easier after upsetting Oregon State)
Arizona (5-4) - Colorado (W), at Utah (L), Arizona State (L), projected record 6-6 (like the Huskies, Arizona's upset of USC should send them bowling, especially with Colorado remaining)
Utah (4-5) - at Washington (L), Arizona (W), at Colorado (W), projected record 6-6 (Arizona on the road looks like a different team)
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 9-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Oregon State Beavers, 7-1 (Rose Bowl)
3. Stanford Cardinal, 7-2 (Sun Bowl)
4. UCLA Bruins, 7-2 (Holiday Bowl)
5. USC Trojans, 6-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. Washington Huskies, 5-4 (Las Vegas Bowl)
7. Arizona State Sun Devils, 5-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
8. Arizona Wildcats, 5-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
9. Utah Utes, 4-5 (Heart of Dallas Bowl**)
10. California Golden Bears, 3-7
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-7
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-8
Big 10
Minnesota (5-4) - at Illinois (W), at Nebraska (L), Michigan State (L), projected record 6-6 (not a great road team, the Gophers will have to win at Illinois or get to 20 and beat Michigan State at home)
Indiana (4-5) - Wisconsin (L), at Penn State (L), at Purdue (W), projected record 5-7 (the Hoosiers are one of few over-achieving Big 10 teams. Win at home vs Wisconsin and they might be playing in the Big 10 championship game)
Iowa (4-5) - Purdue (W), at Michigan (L), Nebraska (L), projected record 5-7 (this team doesn't seem good enough to win 2 more games)
Purdue (3-6) - at Iowa (L), at Illinois (W), Indiana (L) - projected record 4-8 (the Boilermakers have let the season get away from them)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 10-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 7-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Penn State Nittany Lions, 6-3
4. Michigan Wolverines, 6-3 (Capital One Bowl)
5. Northwestern Wildcats, 7-2 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
6. Wisconsin Badgers, 6-3 (Outback Bowl)
7. Michigan State Spartans, 5-4 (Gator Bowl)
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 5-4 (Texas Bowl)
9. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-5
10. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-5
11. Purdue Boilermakers, 3-6
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-7
(currently not filling Heart of Dallas or Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
Tennessee (4-5) - Missouri (W), at Vanderbilt (W), Kentucky (W), projected record 7-5 (With Kentucky at home, it really comes down to splitting the Missouri/Vandy games.)
Vanderbilt (5-4) - at Ole Miss (L), Tennessee (L), at Wake Forest (W) - projected record 6-6 (the schedule is there for at least one more win)
Ole Miss (5-4) - Vanderbilt (W), at LSU (L), Mississippi State (L), projected record 6-6 (would be nice to take care of things vs Vandy and not have to beat the rival Bulldogs)
Missouri (4-5) - at Tennessee (L), Syracuse (W), at Texas A&M (L), projected record 5-7 (have to figure out a way to beat Tennessee or A&M on the road)
Arkansas (4-5) - at South Carolina (L), at Mississippi State (L), LSU (L), projected record 4-8 (will likely be a fitting end to a disappointing season for the Razorbacks)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 9-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 8-1 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
3. Florida Gators, 8-1 (Capital One Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 7-2 (Sugar Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 7-2 (Cotton Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 7-2 (Outback Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 7-2 (Gator Bowl)
8. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-4 (Music City Bowl)
9. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-5 (Liberty Bowl)
10. Vanderbilt Commodores, 5-4 (BBVA Compass Bowl)
11. Missouri Tigers, 4-5
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-5
13. Auburn Tigers, 2-7
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 1-9
(currently not filling Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
Oklahoma State (5-3) - West Virginia (W), Texas Tech (W), at Oklahoma (L), at Baylor (W), projected record 8-4 (The Cowboys might be contenders for the Big 12 title)
West Virginia (5-3) - at Oklahoma State (L), Oklahoma (L), at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (you never know what happens when a team starts heading in this direction)
Iowa State (5-4) - at Texas (L), at Kansas (W), West Virginia (L), projected record 6-6 (with Kansas on the remaining schedule, a bowl bid is almost locked in)
Baylor (4-4) - at Oklahoma (L), Kansas State (L), Texas Tech (L), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 4-8 (if they can figure out how to play better, the offense is capable of leading them)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 9-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 6-2 (Alamo Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 7-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5-3 (Holiday Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-3 (Texas Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-3 (Pinstripe Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 5-4 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
9. Baylor Bears, 4-4
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-8
ACC
Virginia Tech (4-5) - Florida State (L), at Boston College (W), Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (may need to win a rivalry game to be bowl-eligible)
Maryland (4-5) - at Clemson (L), Florida State (L), at North Carolina (L), projected record 4-8 (a team on their 5th quarterback doesn't beat these teams)
Georgia Tech (4-5) - at North Carolina (L), Duke (W), at Georgia (L), projected record 5-7 (huge game this week at North Carolina, a win not out of the realm)
Wake Forest (5-4) - at NC State (L), at Notre Dame (L), Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (BC was one, where is the other?)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 8-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 8-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 6-3
4. Miami Hurricanes, 5-4 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. NC State Wolfpack, 5-4 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
6. Virginia Tech Hokies, 4-5 (Sun Bowl)
7. Duke Blue Devils, 6-4 (Belk Bowl)
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 4-5
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-4
10. Maryland Terrapins, 4-5
11. Virginia Cavaliers, 3-6
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-7
(currently not filling Music City, Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
Pittsburgh (4-5) - at Connecticut (W), Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 6-6 (I am giving Pitt the benefit of the doubt, but they have no margin for error)
Temple (3-5) - Cincinnati (L), at Army (W), Syracuse (W), projected record 5-6 (regretting not scheduling an FCS team for a 12th game)
Syracuse (4-5) - Louisville (L), at Missouri (L), at Temple (L) projected record 4-8 (improved, but just not a good road team)
Big East Reset:
1. Louisville Cardinals, 9-0 (Orange Bowl)
2. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 7-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 6-2 (Belk Bowl)
4. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Syracuse Orange, 4-5
6. Temple Owls, 3-5
7. South Florida Bulls, 3-6
8. Connecticut Huskies, 3-6
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Houston (4-5) - Tulsa (L), at Marshall (L), Tulane (W). projected record 5-7
Marshall (4-5) - at UAB (W), Houston (W), at East Carolina (L), projected record 6-6
SMU (4-5) - Southern Miss (W), at Rice (W), Tulsa (L), projected record 6-6
Western Michigan (4-6) - at Buffalo (W), Eastern Michigan (W), projected record 6-6
Miami(OH) (4-5) - Kent State (L), at Central Michigan (W), Ball State (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (3-6) - at Eastern Michigan (W), Miami(OH) (L), at UMass (W), projected record 5-7
Air Force (5-4) - at San Diego State (L), Hawaii (W), at Fresno State (L), projected record 6-6
New Mexico (4-6) - Wyoming (W), Nevada (L), at Colorado State (W), projected record 6-7
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 9-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 9-1 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 8-1 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
4. Kent State Golden Flash, 8-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
5. Ohio Bobcats, 8-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
6. Toledo Rockets, 8-1 (Military Bowl**)
7. UCF Golden Knights, 7-2 (Liberty Bowl)
8. Boise State Broncos, 7-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
9. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 7-2 (Hawaii Bowl)
10. Utah State Aggies, 8-2 (Independence Bowl**)
11. San Diego State Aztecs, 7-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
12. Fresno State Bulldogs, 7-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
13. Nevada Wolfpack, 6-3 (New Mexico Bowl)
14. Ball State Cardinals, 6-3 (Music City Bowl**)
15. Bowling Green Falcons, 6-3 (Independence Bowl**)
16. BYU Cougars, 5-4 (Poinsettia Bowl)
17. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 6-3 (New Orleans Bowl)
18. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
19. San Jose State Spartans, 7-2 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
20. Arkansas State Redwolves, 6-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
21. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 6-3 (Military Bowl**)
22. Navy Midshipmen, 6-3 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
23. East Carolina Pirates, 6-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
24. Air Force Falcons, 5-4 (Armed Forces Bowl)
25. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 5-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
Other Projected Bowl Eligible Teams:
Marshall Thundering Herd, 4-5 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
SMU Mustangs, 4-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
Washington (5-4) - Utah (W), at Colorado (W), at Washington State (W), projected record 8-4 (the Huskies can breathe easier after upsetting Oregon State)
Arizona (5-4) - Colorado (W), at Utah (L), Arizona State (L), projected record 6-6 (like the Huskies, Arizona's upset of USC should send them bowling, especially with Colorado remaining)
Utah (4-5) - at Washington (L), Arizona (W), at Colorado (W), projected record 6-6 (Arizona on the road looks like a different team)
PAC-12 Reset:
1. Oregon Ducks, 9-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Oregon State Beavers, 7-1 (Rose Bowl)
3. Stanford Cardinal, 7-2 (Sun Bowl)
4. UCLA Bruins, 7-2 (Holiday Bowl)
5. USC Trojans, 6-3 (Alamo Bowl)
6. Washington Huskies, 5-4 (Las Vegas Bowl)
7. Arizona State Sun Devils, 5-4 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
8. Arizona Wildcats, 5-4 (New Mexico Bowl)
9. Utah Utes, 4-5 (Heart of Dallas Bowl**)
10. California Golden Bears, 3-7
11. Washington State Cougars, 2-7
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 1-8
Big 10
Minnesota (5-4) - at Illinois (W), at Nebraska (L), Michigan State (L), projected record 6-6 (not a great road team, the Gophers will have to win at Illinois or get to 20 and beat Michigan State at home)
Indiana (4-5) - Wisconsin (L), at Penn State (L), at Purdue (W), projected record 5-7 (the Hoosiers are one of few over-achieving Big 10 teams. Win at home vs Wisconsin and they might be playing in the Big 10 championship game)
Iowa (4-5) - Purdue (W), at Michigan (L), Nebraska (L), projected record 5-7 (this team doesn't seem good enough to win 2 more games)
Purdue (3-6) - at Iowa (L), at Illinois (W), Indiana (L) - projected record 4-8 (the Boilermakers have let the season get away from them)
Big 10 Reset:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 10-0
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 7-2 (Rose Bowl)
3. Penn State Nittany Lions, 6-3
4. Michigan Wolverines, 6-3 (Capital One Bowl)
5. Northwestern Wildcats, 7-2 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
6. Wisconsin Badgers, 6-3 (Outback Bowl)
7. Michigan State Spartans, 5-4 (Gator Bowl)
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 5-4 (Texas Bowl)
9. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-5
10. Iowa Hawkeyes, 4-5
11. Purdue Boilermakers, 3-6
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, 2-7
(currently not filling Heart of Dallas or Little Caesars bowl slot)
SEC
Tennessee (4-5) - Missouri (W), at Vanderbilt (W), Kentucky (W), projected record 7-5 (With Kentucky at home, it really comes down to splitting the Missouri/Vandy games.)
Vanderbilt (5-4) - at Ole Miss (L), Tennessee (L), at Wake Forest (W) - projected record 6-6 (the schedule is there for at least one more win)
Ole Miss (5-4) - Vanderbilt (W), at LSU (L), Mississippi State (L), projected record 6-6 (would be nice to take care of things vs Vandy and not have to beat the rival Bulldogs)
Missouri (4-5) - at Tennessee (L), Syracuse (W), at Texas A&M (L), projected record 5-7 (have to figure out a way to beat Tennessee or A&M on the road)
Arkansas (4-5) - at South Carolina (L), at Mississippi State (L), LSU (L), projected record 4-8 (will likely be a fitting end to a disappointing season for the Razorbacks)
SEC Reset:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 9-0 (BCS National Title Game)
2. Georgia Bulldogs, 8-1 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
3. Florida Gators, 8-1 (Capital One Bowl)
4. LSU Tigers, 7-2 (Sugar Bowl)
5. Texas A&M Aggies, 7-2 (Cotton Bowl)
6. South Carolina Gamecocks, 7-2 (Outback Bowl)
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 7-2 (Gator Bowl)
8. Ole Miss Rebels, 5-4 (Music City Bowl)
9. Tennessee Volunteers, 4-5 (Liberty Bowl)
10. Vanderbilt Commodores, 5-4 (BBVA Compass Bowl)
11. Missouri Tigers, 4-5
12. Arkansas Razorbacks, 4-5
13. Auburn Tigers, 2-7
14. Kentucky Wildcats, 1-9
(currently not filling Independence Bowl slot)
Big 12
Oklahoma State (5-3) - West Virginia (W), Texas Tech (W), at Oklahoma (L), at Baylor (W), projected record 8-4 (The Cowboys might be contenders for the Big 12 title)
West Virginia (5-3) - at Oklahoma State (L), Oklahoma (L), at Iowa State (W), Kansas (W), projected record 7-5 (you never know what happens when a team starts heading in this direction)
Iowa State (5-4) - at Texas (L), at Kansas (W), West Virginia (L), projected record 6-6 (with Kansas on the remaining schedule, a bowl bid is almost locked in)
Baylor (4-4) - at Oklahoma (L), Kansas State (L), Texas Tech (L), Oklahoma State (L) - projected record 4-8 (if they can figure out how to play better, the offense is capable of leading them)
Big 12 Reset:
1. Kansas State Wildcats, 9-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Oklahoma Sooners, 6-2 (Alamo Bowl)
3. Texas Longhorns, 7-2 (Cotton Bowl)
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5-3 (Holiday Bowl)
6. TCU Horned Frogs, 6-3 (Texas Bowl)
7. West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-3 (Pinstripe Bowl)
8. Iowa State Cyclones, 5-4 (Heart of Dallas Bowl)
9. Baylor Bears, 4-4
10. Kansas Jayhawks, 1-8
ACC
Virginia Tech (4-5) - Florida State (L), at Boston College (W), Virginia (W), projected record 6-6 (may need to win a rivalry game to be bowl-eligible)
Maryland (4-5) - at Clemson (L), Florida State (L), at North Carolina (L), projected record 4-8 (a team on their 5th quarterback doesn't beat these teams)
Georgia Tech (4-5) - at North Carolina (L), Duke (W), at Georgia (L), projected record 5-7 (huge game this week at North Carolina, a win not out of the realm)
Wake Forest (5-4) - at NC State (L), at Notre Dame (L), Vanderbilt (L), projected record 5-7 (BC was one, where is the other?)
ACC Reset
1. Florida State Seminoles, 8-1 (Orange Bowl)
2. Clemson Tigers, 8-1 (Sugar Bowl)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels, 6-3
4. Miami Hurricanes, 5-4 (Chick Fil-A Bowl)
5. NC State Wolfpack, 5-4 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
6. Virginia Tech Hokies, 4-5 (Sun Bowl)
7. Duke Blue Devils, 6-4 (Belk Bowl)
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 4-5
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 5-4
10. Maryland Terrapins, 4-5
11. Virginia Cavaliers, 3-6
12. Boston College Eagles, 2-7
(currently not filling Music City, Independence or Military Bowl slot)
Big East
Pittsburgh (4-5) - at Connecticut (W), Rutgers (L), at South Florida (W), projected record 6-6 (I am giving Pitt the benefit of the doubt, but they have no margin for error)
Temple (3-5) - Cincinnati (L), at Army (W), Syracuse (W), projected record 5-6 (regretting not scheduling an FCS team for a 12th game)
Syracuse (4-5) - Louisville (L), at Missouri (L), at Temple (L) projected record 4-8 (improved, but just not a good road team)
Big East Reset:
1. Louisville Cardinals, 9-0 (Orange Bowl)
2. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 7-1 (Russell Athletic Bowl)
3. Cincinnati Bearcats, 6-2 (Belk Bowl)
4. Pittsburgh Panthers, 4-5 (Pinstripe Bowl)
5. Syracuse Orange, 4-5
6. Temple Owls, 3-5
7. South Florida Bulls, 3-6
8. Connecticut Huskies, 3-6
(currently not filling BBVA Compass Bowl or Beef O'Brady's Bowl slots)
Other Conferences/Independents
Houston (4-5) - Tulsa (L), at Marshall (L), Tulane (W). projected record 5-7
Marshall (4-5) - at UAB (W), Houston (W), at East Carolina (L), projected record 6-6
SMU (4-5) - Southern Miss (W), at Rice (W), Tulsa (L), projected record 6-6
Western Michigan (4-6) - at Buffalo (W), Eastern Michigan (W), projected record 6-6
Miami(OH) (4-5) - Kent State (L), at Central Michigan (W), Ball State (W), projected record 6-6
Central Michigan (3-6) - at Eastern Michigan (W), Miami(OH) (L), at UMass (W), projected record 5-7
Air Force (5-4) - at San Diego State (L), Hawaii (W), at Fresno State (L), projected record 6-6
New Mexico (4-6) - Wyoming (W), Nevada (L), at Colorado State (W), projected record 6-7
Other Conferences/Independents Reset:
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 9-0 (Fiesta Bowl)
2. Northern Illinois Huskies, 9-1 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 8-1 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
4. Kent State Golden Flash, 8-1 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
5. Ohio Bobcats, 8-1 (Little Caesars Bowl)
6. Toledo Rockets, 8-1 (Military Bowl**)
7. UCF Golden Knights, 7-2 (Liberty Bowl)
8. Boise State Broncos, 7-2 (Las Vegas Bowl)
9. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 7-2 (Hawaii Bowl)
10. Utah State Aggies, 8-2 (Independence Bowl**)
11. San Diego State Aztecs, 7-3 (Hawaii Bowl)
12. Fresno State Bulldogs, 7-3 (Poinsettia Bowl)
13. Nevada Wolfpack, 6-3 (New Mexico Bowl)
14. Ball State Cardinals, 6-3 (Music City Bowl**)
15. Bowling Green Falcons, 6-3 (Independence Bowl**)
16. BYU Cougars, 5-4 (Poinsettia Bowl)
17. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 6-3 (New Orleans Bowl)
18. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 6-3 (GoDaddy.com Bowl)
19. San Jose State Spartans, 7-2 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl**)
20. Arkansas State Redwolves, 6-3 (Little Caesars Bowl**)
21. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 6-3 (Military Bowl**)
22. Navy Midshipmen, 6-3 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
23. East Carolina Pirates, 6-4 (New Orleans Bowl)
24. Air Force Falcons, 5-4 (Armed Forces Bowl)
25. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns, 5-3 (BBVA Compass Bowl**)
Other Projected Bowl Eligible Teams:
Marshall Thundering Herd, 4-5 (Beef O'Brady's Bowl)
SMU Mustangs, 4-5 (Armed Forces Bowl)
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