We’re about 30 hours away from finding out all the BCS bowls, so we’re even closer to finding out who Navy plays in San Francisco in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. The PAC-12 title has been decided – Stanford edged out UCLA by scoring the game’s final 10 points, sending the Cardinal to the Rose Bowl. For our final look, we’re just going to run down all the bowl eligible teams and I’ll give you my best guess where they go.
Spoiler Alert: I’m picking Arizona State
Stanford (11-2, 8-1)
Last Game: Won PAC-12 Championship Game 27-24 over UCLA
It’s tough to beat a team twice in a season, let alone twice in 6 days, but the Cardinal did it. UCLA outgained Stanford 461-325, but missed a 52 yard field goal at the end of the game to force OT.
Projection: Rose Bowl
Oregon (11-1, 8-1)
Last Game: Won 48-24 at Oregon State
The Ducks got 6 touchdowns on 430 yards rushing to win the Civil War for the 5th year in a row. While the OT loss to Stanford cost Oregon a shot at the PAC-12 and national championships, they’ll still get an at-large BCS bid.
Projection: Fiesta Bowl
Oregon State (8-3, 6-3)
Last Game: Lost 48-24 vs. Oregon; Next Game: vs. Nicholls State (PAC-12 Network, 2:30pm)
Oregon State couldn’t stop the rush of Oregon, but this season was a huge improvement over last year’s 3-9 campaign. They have bonus football this weekend, playing the rescheduled the Nicholls State game that was delayed by Hurricane Isaac.
Projection: Alamo Bowl
UCLA (9-4, 6-3)
Last Game: Lost PAC-12 Championship Game 27-24 at Stanford
People yukked it up when Jim Mora Jr. was hired at UCLA. Then he went and beat USC and made the conference championship game (for real this time and not because of someone else being banned from it). I think the loss to Oregon State earlier in the season puts them lower in the bowl selection, though I could be wrong.
Projection: Holiday Bowl
USC (7-5, 5-4)
Last Game: Lost 22-13 vs. Notre Dame
Marqise Lee was held in check and Theo Riddick ran wild over the Trojans’ defense as the Fighting Irish locked up a trip to the BCS title game. USC lost 4 of its last 5 games, but I don’t think the brand slips any further in the pecking order.
Projection: Sun Bowl
Washington (7-5, 5-4)
Last Game: Lost 31-28 (OT) at Washington State
Rivalry games are a hell of a thing. Mike Leach got the Cougars their only PAC-12 conference win of the year in the Apple Cup. Washington might slip in the pecking order because of it, but a trip to Las Vegas instead of El Paso is a significant upgrade in destination.
Projection: Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona State (7-5, 5-4)
Last Game: Won 41-34 at Arizona
The Sun Devils notched 24 4th-quarter points to rally for the win against rival Arizona in the Territorial Cup. Credit goes to the ASU defense, who forced three interceptions and a fumble from Arizona QB Matt Scott.
Projection: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl vs. Navy
Arizona (7-5, 4-5)
Last Game: Lost 41-34 vs. Arizona State
Arizona had a tough PAC-12 schedule this year, facing all six teams listed here. They did notch two good OOC wins against Oklahoma State and Toledo, but in the end, a losing record in conference play is going to send the Wildcats to the 7th PAC-12 bowl tie-in.
Projection: New Mexico Bowl
Air Force v Rice in the Ken Hatfield Bowl!
AFFF to douse the Sun Devils?
PKP
Devils usually handled by exorcism. Recommend consider holy water over AFFF or PKP.
14.5 dogs
Right where we want them!