CSNbbs - MAC fans: Root for Wash State!

From what Oddball has posted, I was wrong in thinking that BC would be the "odd man out" from the BE if ND was dropped from the BCS (presumably if WSU beats UCLA this weekend) and landed in the Gator Bowl. According to an East Coast newspaper, the most likely scenario then would be that V-Tech would be in the MCB...........now wouldn't that be "pulling a rabbit" from a hat for the MCB boys?

Also, potentially a great chance for MAC redemption after V-Tech blew out MAC East champ MUg earlier this year.

After making my post I happened upon the ESPN bowl projection site......even though they also have ND dropping down to the Gator Bowl they have V-Tech heading out to the SVB to face Fresno State.......with both USC and WSU in the BCS (in that scenario) then I guess the Pac 10 won't have a team left for the SVB, thus the MCB won't get a chance to land the Hokies.

Now, I know even San Jose is much better than Detroit (since SJ is near SF), but would the Hokies perhaps prefer Ford Field and a better team in Toledo to play? I dunno, but it is a lot closer for their fans and leaves you to wonder what might happen.

OTOH, CBS is saying that the PAC10 does have the SVB covered, (even if ND is Gator Bowl bound) and thus Texas A&M fills the MWC slot in Seattle, with BC in the MCB (and V-Tech in the SF Bowl where BC was slated). According to the Boston Globe article Oddy posted, the SF Bowl is committed to BC and BC has finals on Dec. 20th and don't want to plan in Detroit on the 26th. Either way it's a great "coup" for the MCB if in this day of 6-6 bowl teams they could land either a 8-4 or a 9-4 Big East team.

At the end of the day, as I stated in Oddy's thread, I don't think BC would add that many fans to the MCB, but V-Tech would and either would be a very credible opponent for the MAC champ.

Even if the PAC10 sends two teams to the BCS (WashSt and USC), they will still have enough teams to cover all their bowl games - including the SVCB - so the bowl projectionists are a little confused (unless they expect the PAC10 to stiff the SVCB).

These are the other 5 bowl eligbles in the PAC10 and the bowls they may go to if they are picked strictly by the order of their finish:

2. (Holiday Bowl gets PAC10 #2) Arizona State 5-3 8-5
3. (Sun Bowl gets PAC10 #3) UCLA 4-3 7-4
4. (insight.com Bowl gets PAC10 #4) Oregon State 4-4 8-4
5. (Las Vegas Bowl gets PAC10 #5) Washington 4-4 7-5
6. (SVCB gets PAC10 #6) Oregon 3-5 7-5

Personally, I can't see Notre Dame taking the Gator Bowl again - when they can take the Cotton Bowl in the SEC's 3/4/5 spot. I also can't see the Cotton Bowl not exercising the option for taking Notre Dame when they may get an SEC #5 instead.

So, Nert........what you are saying is that if WSU does indeed beat UCLA (no gimme I realize), then the MCB and the Rockets have a very legitimate hope of landing the Hokies in the MCB?

If so that would be just awesome! 04-cheers

Actually, no. If NotreDame does get the Cotton Bowl (as they should) it means the BigEast has 5 bowl teams for their 5 bowls - no extras.

It does free up an SEC team.

1. If Notre Dame does not get a BCS bid - they'll take the Cotton Bowl bid (which is an SEC slot) - not one of the BigEast slots because they've been to the Gator Bowl ad nausium and the insight.com bowl is a big step down in money and opponent. That opens up nothing and shifts all SEC teams down. This frees up Mississippi (or some other SEC team) - to fill the MotorCity Bowl - but they'll also get interest from the Hawaii bowl (if available) and the Seattle Bowl (if NDame being available to the Cotton means that the PAC10 got 2 BCS bids - which is probably the only way it could happen). Mississippi with Eli Manning and an SEC following becomes the prime target of all unfilled bowls.

2. If Cincinnati loses to ECU - the Hawaii bowl opens up as well and Hawaii is a prime destination and treat for any team to visit for a week in December. They'll go after an extra BCS team - and get one. USF will not get that slot unless C-USA goes to bat for them (unlikely) AND that would require that C-USA has any say in it at all (which I doubt). Look for Mississippi or a Big12 team (if nobody decides to stay home - or if they add the Hawaii bowl to their list and leave the H-Bowl open) to take this spot.

3. The H-Bowl gets the Big12 #8 (unless they refuse to come or the Big12 adds another bowl above them in the pecking order) and the Big12 has 9 bowl eligible teams. The Big12 has no shot at an extra BCS bid now. Between IowaSt, OklaSt and TexasA&M - I think at least 2 will decide they want to go bowling and one of them will have to take it (unless they just screw the H-Bowl over and go somewhere else). With quality wins over Oklahoma - both TexasA&M and OklaSt ought to go bowling - even with marginal records and no head coach for TexasA&M. I agree TexasA&M looks like they plan on not going, after firing their coach. Did they release the rest of the coaches? That may be a key into their thinking about accepting a bowl bid.

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Bets bets:

If UCLA loses to WashSt, the BCS Bowls take USC and Iowa (to save their BSC butts, the BSC will lean heavy on the Orange Bowl to not screw the PAC10 for the chance to take a less deserving NDame) and the Rose Bowl will take a 4th ranked, 1-loss, Big11 co-champ in a heartbeat. NDame then takes the Cotton Bowl - freeing up an SEC team (Mississippi).

If UCLA beats WashSt, then NDame goes Orange (although Texas ought to) and Iowa goes to the Rose Bowl. This fills the Seattle Bowl with Washington.

This leaves the following teams available:
- BCS: Wake Forest, Washington (if NDame goes BCS) or Mississippi (if NDame goes Cotton), TexasA&M
- Non-BCS: 5 MAC teams, USF, NMSU and UConn

This means the following bowls are potentially available:
- Seattle (for 4th place MWC opening)
- Motor City (left open by Big11 getting 2 BCS bids)
- Hawaii Bowl (if Cincinnati loses to ECU)

Of these, Washington or Mississippi, and TexasA&M are the most attractive available invitees. If the Hawaii bowl is open, they'll get their pick (my guess is Texas A&M (if they're willing to go bowling) and then Mississippi will be on their wish list. Best Guess - Mississippi (they've been to Detroit before and would prefer the opponent and venue of Hawaii). If NDame goes BCS, then Mississippi is not available (Washington is) and Washington is prime for the Seattle Bowl (better opponent and home state). In that case, Hawaii will either take the available Big12 team (TexasA&M, if they'll go bowling) or work out a deal to take Big12 #8 from the H-Bowl.

An open Seattle slot is next in line in terms of attractiveness for a bowl team - they'll get Washington (if available) or a Big12 team (Texas A&M or Big12#8 in a deal that leaves the H-Bowl unfilled). Best Guess - Since the NCAA is allowing conferences to add bowls to their list - the Big 12 will ADD the Seattle Bowl as their 8th Bowl - down-grading the H-Bowl to the 9th slot (which probably doesn't get filled). This opens up the H-Bowl.

If Hawaii does not open up (Cincinnati beats ECU), and NDame goes to the Cotton Bowl (creating an extra SEC team) then the Seattle Bowl invites Mississippi. If the Hawaii Bowl does open up, and NDame goes to the Cotton Bowl (creating an extra SEC team - which goes to Hawaii) - they'll look to steal Big 12 #8 from the H-Bowl. If NDame goes BCS instead of a 2nd PAC10 team, Washington goes to the Seattle Bowl - no matter what happens to the C-USA Hawaii slot.

The MotorCity Bowl sees either TexasA&M (Big 12 #9 - if willing to go bowling) and Wake Forest available. They'll take TexasA&M in a heartbeat - but probably end up with Wake Forest.

If the H-Bowl does get screwed by the Big12/Seattle Bowl or Big12/Hawaii Bowl - their best options will be USF or NMSU. I think they'll opt for USF because of their record and because they'll fill the stand with BoiseSt anyway.

Yuck! I honestly think A&M may very well turn down a bowl this year, so in your scenarios we end up with Wake Forest?? I'd rather take USF to be honest.

Wonder why the Boston Globe seemed to think that a BE team would land in the MCB? Guess it's because they see ND ending up in the Gator, not the Cotton Bowl.