2013-2014 NCAA Football Bowl-A-Rama: The End of the BCS

Barring upsets next week, there will be three at-large BCS bids. Figure the SEC (Bama) is assured of one. Then it comes down to Michigan State (figure Ohio State gets one even if they lose), Clemson, Baylor, and Oregon (Stanford or ASU will knock themselves out with a loss). Big 12 should be interesting with Texas-Baylor and Bedlam.

Wouldn't mind seeing an SEC-Pac12 match-up somewhere. Stanford-Bama, Arizona State - Auburn

 

Unlikely to happen assuming Ohio State and Florida State are in the title game and Northern Illinois wins next week. The only place it could happen is the Orange Bowl.

Orange gets the No. 1 pick to replace FSU, so they take Alabama.

Rose gets the No. 2 pick to replace Ohio State, so they take Michigan State I assume for the treasured Big Ten/Pac-12 matchup against Stanford/Arizona State winner.

Orange gets its regular pick and could choose Oregon here to face Alabama, but probably goes the safe (ticket sales) route and chooses Clemson.

The last two picks are automatic qualifiers and thus couldn't take Oregon ...

The Sugar takes AAC champion Central Florida to face the Auburn-Missouri winner.

Fiesta goes last and gets stuck with Northern Illinois against Oklahoma State.

 

I'd go with UCF over Clemson if I were the Orange. And considering they'll already have one Big 10 team on the way, I could see the Rose going with Baylor, depending on how Michigan State looks.

 

No way Oregon gets picked to play in Miami. Ticket sales would be hideous even with Alabama.

 

If the Orange takes UCF, the Sugar would probably take Baylor over Clemson or Oregon.

 

True. If Oregon goes, it would figure to be the Fiesta (where they went last year) or the Sugar.

I think the Pac-12 winner is committed to the Rose Bowl, but the Rose Bowl might take Alabama (long shot).

If Northern Illinois blows the MAC championship to Bowling Green, or if either Baylor or Okie State get a second loss, that would open up another spot for Oregon, or maybe even two spots.

 

You THINK the Pac-12 winner is committed to the Rose Bowl? It's only been the case for about 50 years, even before it was the Pac-8.

As for the rest of what you posted, I explained it all above ...

The only way Oregon gets to the Fiesta is if Northern Illinois loses. Fiesta gets last pick among the at-large teams, and would have to take NIU (if the Huskies qualify automatically by finishing in the Top 16) to face the Big 12 winner, which is locked in unless it's in the championship game (which it won't be).

There are not many things I'm sure of, but one thing I would bet my entire savings on is Northern Illinois will be the last at-large selection if the Huskies are 12-0 and automatically qualify for a BCS bowl.

And lastly, the Rose Bowl doesn't have the option to take Alabama if Florida State is in the title game. The Orange Bowl gets first pick this year for losing FSU (its automatic tie-in as ACC champion) and would ALMOST CERTAINLY take Alabama.

Either way, it's not the Rose Bowl's option. They get 2nd pick after the Orange in the rotation this year and would presumably have to replace Big Ten champion Ohio State.

Assuming the Orange takes Alabama, the Rose's options to face the Pac-12 champion would be the AAC champion (presumably UCF), Northern Illinois and four at-large possibilities: Baylor, Clemson, Michigan State and Oregon. (The SEC championship game loser cannot go because the winner and at-large Alabama will get the SEC's two BCS slots).

Michigan State is an easy choice.

 

Although it pains me as a fanboi looser, I think Ohio State gets bumped off Saturday. Certainly, their weak defense is a major reason, but I can't help thinking they're just "due." 24 in a row is a ton & they're bound to drop a steamer at some point. This week is as good a time as any.

They wouldn't drop out of the BCS mix & considering how they travel, they'd be an attractive team. On ESPN.con, Slabach (picking them to lose on Sat.) has them slotted in the Orange, vs. UCF. For whatever that's worth....

 

Nine of to top 11 playing the final week of the season. Could be interesting.

 

This is what I'm waiting to happen.

Ohio State loses
Missouri wins

Alabama goes to the title game to play Florida State.

 

Check your username, man!

In some years I could buy this, but if you put their resumes next to each other, there is nothing Alabama would have done this year that would be better than what Missouri did. Tide's biggest win was home against three-loss LSU. Mizzou beating Auburn would trump that by a mile.