Painting the BCS Picture

EP gives you a look at the projected BCS Bowl Games 

By Brett Samuels

Heading into Saturday’s slate of games, there was plenty at stake for several teams. The SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten were all still up for grabs, as was one spot in the national title game. When the final whistle blew, the nation had a pretty good idea who would be playing where in the BCS landscape.

(AP Photo/Dave Goldman)

Alabama tipped Georgia in an SEC championship game for the ages. The Tide stopped the Bulldogs five yards short of the end zone to preserve the 32-28 victory, and all but secure a spot in the BCS title game against Notre Dame.

ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach wrote that the SEC title game set a high standard for what the BCS title game will have to live up to.

“We can only hope the contest between two of college football's most storied programs will be half as exciting as Saturday's SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome,” Schlabach said.

Other games across the country had a lot on the line, but not quite the same amount of drama as the matchup in Atlanta.

Wisconsin put up 70 points on Nebraska en route to a blowout win that earned the Badgers a trip to the Rose Bowl for the third year in a row. However ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg isn’t so sure that the Badgers big win is good for the league.

“While the Badgers undoubtedly saved their best for last, their advancement likely will increase criticism and mockery of the Big Ten after a rough season,” Rittenberg said.

The victory means 8-5 Wisconsin will take on Stanford in the Rose Bowl in a battle of two teams with big time running games.

The Big 12 was up for grabs at the start of the day, and when Oklahoma beat TCU they earned at least a share of the conference title. However Kansas State handled Texas in the second half to get a 42-24 win, which means the Wildcats will receive the conference’s automatic BCS berth.

In the ACC Florida State squeaked by Georgia Tech to win their conference and an automatic BCS bowl berth, leaving only a few at large bids for teams looking to sneak into the BCS picture.

Outside of the conference champions and Notre Dame, there are still a few teams that will likely earn a place in BCS games. Oregon, Florida, and Oklahoma are considered likely picks. However, if Northern Illinois jumps into the top 16 of the BCS standings, they will be given an automatic spot in a BCS bowl based on a technicality that says if a non automatic qualifier conference is ranked higher than a team from a major conference (in this case Louisville), they are guaranteed a BCS berth.

While the final standings will fully determine how that situation shakes out, the following matchups are likely at this point:

BCS National Championship: Notre Dame vs. Alabama

Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Oklahoma

Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State vs. Oregon

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Stanford

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Louisville

This could all change if Northern Illinois is ranked high enough, or if the bowl selection committees find certain at large teams more attractive. Regardless of how things shake out in the final standings, there are bound to be at least a few appetizing matchups in the BCS this year.