BCS Bowl Projections

I started this post a few weeks ago, and then the big weekend of upsets happened and I didn't get back to it. Since tomorrow night I'll be hitting the bottle pretty hard (Ticknor's bachelor party), I figure tonight is a good excuse to do some blogging about the upcoming (and final) announcement of BCS qualifying schools.

Basic rules are that no more than 2 teams from a single conference can be selected to the 5 BCS Bowls (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, BCS Title) unless the #1 and #2 teams in the final BCS rankings are from the same conference, and by some miracle, neither is the conference champion.

[Scenario for that last bit: If Arkansas beat LSU tonight (say 13-10) and the new rankings reflected Arkansas #1, LSU as #2, and Bama as #3. Then Arkansas then loses to Georgia in the SEC title game. 3 SEC schools in BCS bowls (Georgia for the automatic bid, and LSU & Bama in a rematch for the Championship).]

The SEC champion is tied to the Sugar Bowl; the Big Ten and Pac-12 to the Rose Bowl; the Big 12 to the Fiesta Bowl; the ACC to the Orange Bowl. The Big East champion is guaranteed a BCS bowl entry through 2013 but is not tied to a specific bowl.

Finally, assuming that the #1 and #2 ranked schools in the final BCS rankings represent 2 conference champions (as in 2010 with Auburn and Oregon), their corresponding tie-in bowl games receive 1st and 2nd choice of remaining automatic qualifiers and at-large teams, respectively. They cannot "steal" schools based on the previous qualifications above.

If Notre Dame finishes in the top 8 of the BCS, the Irish get an automatic bid. A top 12 finish gives them a chance at one of the at-large spots, but they have only cracked the BCS three times since its inception in 1998. Any other school from a non-major conference can crack the BCS with a few other stipulations. Boise State is the best explanation by example.

Enough talk, more NUMBERS!

Not the BCS - Week 1

What up SportsTemps blog followers?!

It's been 6 months since ANY blog posts. Yes, I gave up on NASCAR blogging almost as quickly as I started it, but the real surprise is that Anderson hasn't found the time or need in so long.

So here's my Top 10 for NCAA Football. Last year I did a top 25 each week, but that became a bit complicated to justify. Trying to simplify my life and this post....

1. Oregon - They beat legitimate Stanford a few weeks back...Ohio State hasn't beaten anyone other than a shaky Miami.
2. Ohio State - see above
3. Boise State - Giving them some respect that is long overdue. If I'm not mistaken, QB Kellen Moore has only 1 INT on the season (and about 15 TDs).
4. TCU - Similar story to Boise State. Kind of curious to see if the upset bug hits Oregon and Ohio State, could we actually have a BCS title with 2 non-majors?!
5. Nebraska - Not if the Big Red can help it. I'm a fan, but I'm still not 100% sold on this team yet. Our QB runs like Nebraska QBs of past, and the defense is strong, but something still feels off.
6. Oklahoma - The remaining schedule doesn't look too bad at this point. Could be a Big XII Championship game vs. Nebraska to decide which team plays for BCS glory.
7. Auburn - Tigers have had a few scares, including this week's road victory over Kentucky. They do have the victory over the recently amazing South Carolina Gamecocks.
8. South Carolina - Only Auburn has beaten them, and Spurrier is looking to take his 2nd SEC team to a BCS game...possibly a 2nd NCAA Championship.
9. Alabama - Let's face it. They are still a quality football team. Conference play in the SEC often favors the home team, and if this week's game was in 'Bama and not South Carolina, they may still be #1.
10. LSU - Nobody is impressed with the other Tigers of the SEC, but they are still undefeated, so they deserve this spot...for now.

See you next week!
-MT

NFL impact players in tonight's game

• Jermaine Gresham TE: Big receiving tight end that some scouts say is the best receiving tight end since Kellen Winslow.  He can't be covered by a linebacker and is too tall for most corners.  Buffalo could take him with the 11th pick but I'm hoping they go for a pass rushing defensive end.  Fantasy players take note.  This guy will have an impact.
• Percy Harvin SE: The dude can run and catch with the best of them.  Sorta reminds me of Reggie Bush.  Will he be a WR or be a 3rd down back in the NLF?  For fantasy players out there, remember this guy has trouble staying healthy in college.  Probably a late first or early second rounder.  I could see San Diego or Tennessee taking this guy. 
• Sam Bradford QB: Unlike Big12 Qb's Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, and Chase Daniels, Bradford has a skill set that appears will translate to the next level.  The Heisman winner is probably the first or second best pocket passer in college.  I don't think Detroit takes him with the first pick but I could see him going in the middle of the first round, possibly to the Texans or Jets.  What does Kiper say? (please post in the comments)
• Gerald McCoy DT:  Blows up blockers as soon as the ball is snapped.  Can rush the passer or stop the run.  Could be the new Tommie Harris.  Let's just hope he doesn't lose his passion after signing like Tommie did.  I think he goes in the top 10.  St. Louis would be a great fit.
• Tim Tebow: I don't see Tebow making a big impact in a statistical point of view, but he is perhaps the biggest name in this game.  I see three options for him in the NFL: Safety, fullback, or a piece in a wild-cat type offense.  His lack of accuracy will prevent him from being a quarterback and he's not nearly fast enough to be a feature running back.  Unfortunately for him he's just a product of the Gators offensive system.  Fortunately for him he was the perfect fit and it earned him a Heisman trophy and at least one national championship.