Sunday, November 27, 2011

Post Season for Utah's Football Teams...November 27.

BYU

The Cougars have accepted a invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl.  Here is an update on who their opponent could be.  Houston defeated Tulsa and will host Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA championship.  If the Bayou Cougars hold on, they will bust the BCS.  If the Eagles win, they will earn a spot in the Liberty Bowl.  If Houston earns a trip to the BCS, the Liberty Bowl has the freedom to pick whatever C-USA team they deem worthy.  Who BYU will play in Dallas depends on the outcome of the game in Houston on Saturday.

If Houston Wins...C-USA bowls

Sugar...Houston
Liberty...Tulsa
Hawaii...Southern Mississippi
Armed Forces...SMU
New Orleans...Marshall
Beef 'O' Brady's...someone else

If Southern Mississippi wins

Liberty...USM
Hawaii...Houston
Armed Forces...Tulsa
New Orleans...SMU
Beef 'O' Brady's...Marshall

Utah

The Utes lost to Colorado, but will get a nice bowl trip regardless.  The real controversy is that UCLA is likely to finish 6-7 and still get a chance to play in a bowl game.  I think that the NCAA should deny the waiver to the Bruins and let Air Force or someone else take that slot.  UCLA is applying for an exception because they are, in fact, eligible were it not for the PAC-12 championship.  Here is the likely PAC-12 scenario...

BCS Bowls

Championship...LSU vs Alabama
Rose...Oregon vs Michigan State
Sugar...Houston vs Michigan...but Boise State is more deserving
Orange...Virginia Tech vs Louisville
Fiesta...Oklahoma State vs Stanford

Assuming there is not a colossal upset in Eugene on Saturday.

Rose Bowl...Oregon
Fiesta...Stanford
Alamo...Washington
Holiday...California
Sun...Utah
Las Vegas...Arizona State
Kraft Fight Hunger...UCLA...if a waiver granted.  But I will argue that Air Force belongs here.
New Mexico...none...bid goes to the MAC.

Of note: Utah, Washington and California all have 7-5 records.  The Alamo bowl can select either team.  The Holiday bowl selects 1 of the 2 that the Alamo bowl does not select.  And the Sun bowl will get the remaining team.  I put this selection in place because if there were a tie breaker, it would belong to Washington and the second tie breaker belongs to California.  But, there are no tie breakers for second place.  I, personally, am hoping for the Holiday Bowl.  If UCLA happens to upset Oregon, the PAC-12 should still get 2 BCS selections.  If that happens, Utah could end up in the Las Vegas Bowl.  There is a lot left to be determined next week.

Utah State

Yes, the Aggies are bowl eligible.  This is the second time in history that all three FBS teams from the Beehive State will be bowl eligible.  The last time was 1993 when BYU went to the Holiday Bowl, Utah went to the Freedom Bowl and Utah State went to the Las Vegas Bowl.  BYU was the lone loser that season.  If Utah State wins next week, and BYU beats Hawaii, then the Aggies should be invited to the Hawaii Bowl.  Otherwise, it will likely be the Smurf Turf Bowl.  The only thing we know for certain is that Louisiana Tech is the WAC champion and will play in the Poinsettia Bowl

Expected WAC bowl games.

Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Utah State
Idaho FP...Nevada

What the experts predict...

Will be updated on Monday.

No comments: