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2009-2010 bowl projections
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It's about that time of year again. Time to look at Big 12 bowl projections.
The conference could sneak in eight teams this season, but that's more a testament to the Big 12's mediocrity than its depth.
Last season, a more top-heavy and deeper Big 12 had seven teams make bowls. The conference went 4-3. The best mark in the 13-year history of the conference is 5-3 in bowl games.
Rivals/Yahoo Sports released its latest bowl predictions today. Here's where Big 12 teams were placed. See if you agree:
BCS Championship Game: Texas vs. Alabama (Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Pasadena, Calif.)
My take: Any SEC vs. Big 12 game for all the marbles gets my seal of approval. Texas' schedule should enable it to coast to this game. The SEC is different. Alabama will likely meet Florida for the SEC Championship. The winner will likely meet Texas.
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Nov/04/Oklahoma_Texas_Football1-1.jpg
Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin
Texas vs. Florida is the title game I'd love to see, though. The Gators have captured two of the last three BCS titles. Can Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and Co. make it three of four? Then, there's what happened last year with Florida handling Oklahoma. If they handle Texas, the Gators (and the SEC, for that matter) could really have bragging rights on owning the Big 12.
Also, both teams are ranked in the country's top 11 in scoring offense and scoring defense. Talk about balance.
Alamo Bowl: Nebraska vs. Michigan (Jan. 2, 8 p.m., San Antonio)
My take: It would be a fascinating clash of two historical powers. The Alamo Bowl takes the Big 12 No. 4 vs. the Big Ten No. 4.
I'm wondering why Texas Tech was left out of this spot. The Red Raiders may be fourth-best in the Big 12 South, but they're better than every team in the North, including Nebraska. Remember that 31-10 TTU victory in Lincoln?
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Nov/04/Nebraska_Texas_Tech_Football-3.jpg
Nebraska receiver Chris Brooks (1) tries to hold on
I guess Nebraska fans travel better than Tech's, but the product on the field is another story.
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Auburn (Jan. 2, 1 p.m., Dallas)
My take: It's still tough to believe Auburn coach Gene Chizik is only one year removed from going 0-8 in Big 12 play with Iowa State. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has lost five of his past six bowl games. Three of those losses have come in the BCS Championship game.
This season, Oklahoma is the Big 12's clear No. 2 and should be able to achieve a Cotton Bowl berth.
Insight Bowl: Missouri vs. Michigan State (Dec. 31, 5 p.m., Tempe, Ariz.)
My take: In terms of a winter vacation, the weather probably won't get any better than Arizona. The Big 12 went 3-0 against the Big Ten in bowl games last season.
The conferences are 1-1 against each other this year. Missouri beat Illinois and Iowa crushed Iowa State. The Insight Bowl takes the Big 12 No. 6 vs. the Big Ten No. 6.
Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Navy (Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m., Houston)
My take: The Aggies wouldn't have to drive far (under two hours) to play in this bowl. It would be a nice accomplishment for A&M coach Mike Sherman, who went 4-8 (2-6 Big 12) last year in his first season in College Station, Texas.
The Texas Bowl takes Navy vs. the Big 12 No. 8.
Sun Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Arizona (Dec. 31, 1 p.m., El Paso, Texas)
My take: The Pac-10 went an undefeated 5-0 in bowl games last season. It should be interesting to see how Tech (6-3 overall, 3-2 Big 12) finishes its season, especially since . Taylor Potts and Seth Doege have been inconsistent with Sheffield sidelined.
The Sun Bowl takes the Big 12 No. 5 vs. the Pac-10 No. 3.
Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. California (Dec. 30, 7 p.m., San Diego)
My take: It's looking like the second consecutive appearance for the Cowboys in the Holiday Bowl. Oregon beat Oklahoma State pretty soundly (42-31) last year in San Diego.
The Holiday Bowl takes the Big 12 No. 3 vs. the Pac-10 No. 2.
Independence Bowl: Kansas vs. Georgia (Dec. 28, 4 p.m., Shreveport, La.)
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Nov/04/KU_FBO_Texas_Tech_1.jpg
Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing (5) tries to escape Texas Tech's Rajon Henley
My take: This bowl takes the Big 12 No. 7 vs. the SEC No. 8.
Both teams probably expected to be playing in more prominent bowls before the season. Georgia entered the season ranked No. 13, while Kansas was No. 25 to start the year. Georgia has already faced a Big 12 team this season. It lost that game to Oklahoma State, 24-10, on Sept. 5 in Stillwater, Okla.
What are your guys' thoughts on these projections?
As always, discuss.
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