South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER
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Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 5 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Projected 11-1, fill-in for Pac-12) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Projected 11-2, Big Ten champions)
Dear lord, could you imagine the Irish playing in the grand daddy of them all?
Now relax, you may be wondering why they are not listed in the BCS title, but I still foresee them losing to the Trojans and or getting ranked third behind a Ducks team (who still looks better, sorry).
The reason this spot works is because the BCS is all about their cash (hello entertainment too) and the Golden Domers in Pasadena is essentially college football in paradise.
Now, a lot still has to be decided with USC and Oregon State still getting a crack at the Ducks, which would land them here over ND.
Still, with so many games remaining at the moment we can at least currently point the finger at the Golden Domers perhaps landing in Pasadena at the end of the day.
Orange Bowl (Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Florida State Seminoles (Projected 12-1, ACC Champions) vs. Boise State Broncos (11-1, #3 at-large bid)
The Seminoles are by far the worst team ranked in the top 10 of the BCS according to those six computer rankings, and that may frankly be a travesty.
Still, at the very worst they can play on New Year’s night in the Orange Bowl. They have been dominant on defense and would give whoever their opponent is a tough time in the BCS.
Boise State may be a shocking pick here, but they will likely crack the top 16 and finish ahead of the Big Ten or Big East champion.
That would give them a berth in one of the five prestigious bowls, with the Orange being the most obvious since it is the final selection in the at-large process.
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Georgia Bulldogs (Projected 11-2, SEC tie-in) vs. Louisville Cardinals (Projected 11-1, Big East Champions, #2 selection)
Some may have the Gators, Tigers or Gamecocks slotted here. That isn’t far off although all three of those teams will have at least two losses when the season is over.
Barring a disaster Georgia will be ranked in the top 5 and 11-1 heading into their SEC title game.
As long as they do not suffer another 30-point beatdown they will almost certainly be a mortal lock to play in the Sugar Bowl.
Louisville is slotted here as the projected Big East champions and their fanbase gives them an edge over a team like Boise State, so the Sugar Bowl is the obvious pick for now.
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 3, 8:30p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Kansas State Wildcats (Projected 11-1, Big 12 Champions) vs. Clemson Tigers 11-1, #1 at-large bid)
This would be one hell of an entertaining game that could outperform any electricity that another game brings all season long, excluding the BCS bowls.
Collin Klein certainly should win the Heisman if they run the table, but even a one-loss Wildcat may end up being more than enough for the award.
This squad has a ton of talent on defense and they have proven to be a balanced offensive machine that is finally starting to hit its stride.
Clemson could hang 30-40 points on many BCS teams whether they are from the ACC or not. Tahj Boyd is simply sensational and his future NFL skill players would give a darn good K-State all they could handle.
BCS National Championship (Jan. 7, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0, #1 Overall BCS Team) vs. Oregon Ducks (13-0, #2 Overall BCS Team)
The two best teams in the country are still the Crimson Tide and the Ducks. Oregon has obliterated every team they have faced, and at the end of the day the two will be selected regardless of what the results are.
Alabama is in a conversation of their own, whereas the Ducks will have to continue to climb up in the computer rankings with Notre Dame and Kansas State both ranked ahead.
Still, the ultimate defense against the most electric offense is not only a matchup featuring the two best teams in the country, but also a once in a lifetime dream.
The most relevant question is if the SEC will ever be stopped when it matters the most?
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