Bowl Predictions Week 5

Every week I will be putting up an updated bowl prediction out there. It will include all the BCS and Big Ten bowls. Every few weeks I will include all of the bowls. The selection order for the BCS is


1) National Championship
2) National Championship
3) Bowl that lost a representative to the first NC pick
4) Bowl that lost a representative to the second NC pick
5) Sugar Bowl
6) Orange Bowl
7) Fiesta Bowl


Remember that the Rose Bowl, if it loses the Big Ten or Pac 10 representative must take the first non-AQ school.

BCS National Championship: Oregon v. Alabama

Call this reactionary but I don't see any team in the Pac 10 capable of beating Oregon.  Ditto for Alabama in the SEC.

Rose Bowl Game: Boise State vs. Ohio State

With Nevada going strong and Virginia Tech getting its' groove back, I think Boise State is a lot less likely to be jumped by TCU which put them here.  Ohio State looked sloppy at times Saturday but they still look like the class of the Big Ten.

Sugar Bowl: Florida v. Oklahoma

Whoever losses the SEC title game more than likely ends up here and that is still the Gators.  Oklahoma took care of its' biggest roadblock by dispatching Texas Saturday so, barring any major upsets, the Sooners still likely end up here.

Orange Bowl: Miami v. TCU

Despite having four Orange Bowl commitee representatives at the Iowa-Penn State game, I think the bowl caves in to the political pressure and picks up undefeated TCU.  Miami had a solid win on the road over Clemson this week and I still think they are the class of the ACC.

Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska v. South Florida

West Virginia is impressive but I still like the Bulls to win the Big East.  Nebraska starts conference play next week but it is the Texas game a week from Saturday and the Big XII Championship game against Oklahoma that will decide if they belong.

Capital One Bowl: Iowa v. Auburn

LSU is a ticking time bomb and it showed in yet another play clock blunder against Tennessee Saturday.  With that in mind I am going with Auburn who has been fairly solid all year.  Iowa looks like the number two team in the Big Ten right now and if they get past the Michigan schools they will end up here.

Outback Bowl: Michigan State v. South Carolina

Sparty needs to get past Michigan this week to maintain this spot but I think they can do it.  South Carolina gets the nod here since Arkansas will likely be sent to the Cotton Bowl.

Gator Bowl: Michigan v. LSU

I will start buying the Wolverines depending on how they fare against Michigan State and Iowa in the next two weeks.  The Spartans have weaknesses in the secondary and Iowa typically has problems with this kind of spread offense so there is potential to move up.  LSU is here despite an unbeaten record since I think they have at least 4 losses forthcoming on their schedule.

Insight Bowl: Wisconsin v. Kansas State

I still think the Wildcats will get the nod here over Missouri so they stay.  Wisconsin is just too battered and bruised this season so I pick them and their likely five losses to spend the bowl season in Tempe.

Texas Bowl: Penn State v. Missouri

Penn State looks like it could have a hard time getting above .500 with games against Michigan, Northwestern, Michigan State, and Ohio State still on the docket.  Their fan base ensures they at least end up here.  Missouri is my pick to fall here but it is hard to tell since they haven't played a conference game yet.

Dallas Football Classic: Northwestern v. Baylor

Northwesterrn is here still simply because I think the TV ratings and attendance for Penn State will get them jumped.  Baylor destroyed a woeful Kansas team Saturday and I think there are just enough breaks on this schedule to make bowl eligibility possible.

Little Caesers Pizza Pizza Bowl: Indiana v. Western Michigan

Even though they lost this week I still think Indiana can go to a bowl game since all they have to do is go 4-0 in non-conference play (they are3-0 currently) and defeat Minnesota and Purdue which looks doable.  Western Michigan remains my pick here for now but that will likely change in the coming weeks.