Let's get realistic: best and worst case scenerios for Bowl Game

Alright, I'm trying to get caught up on this stuff and thought I'd lay it all out. The biggest domino to fall, potentially, IMO is the issue of Kent State (visiting Tiger Stadium next year) going to the BCS by finishing in the top 16 and ahead of Big East Champ or ACC (Ga Tech) and pushing other teams down.

We have in official "order" five possibilities, with the most likely possibility being the Chick-Fil-A Bowl:

1. Capital One Bowl (SEC No. 2) vs. Big 10 No. 2

Georgia/Alabama is most often picked for this game and the Big 10 is awful with Michigan the common choice and possibly Northwestern. Should Wisconsin upset Nebraska, the Huskers could call to Cap One, bumping down the Big 10 order. However, I've also read the Cap One does not want NU since they were there last year. I'm guessing the SEC CG loser would have to lose in humiliating fashion for LSU to have a chance.

For LSU a tweet was sent out yesterday from the bowl: "@krisbrauner Michigan/Alabama rematch not likely; Michigan/LSU definitely possible"

Best Case: vs. No. 12 Nebraska
Worst Case: vs. No. 19 Michigan or No. 22 Northwestern.


2. Cotton Bowl (SEC, typically SEC West) vs. Big 12 No. 2

Texas A&M is common pick, however Dallas Morning News projects LSU. Opponents could be K-State/Oklahoma if either is passed by BCS or No. 23 Oklahoma State, or Texas.

I really depends on if the Big 12 gets two teams. Oklahoma would likely need to lose to TCU this week to slide. I'd like to be optimistic in thinking that the Capital One Bowl will want a Heisman-winning JFF happy to be in a new place instead of a beat down Georgia team unhappy to be there, and Texas politics will prevent at UT/A&M rematch, but all speculation. Of course LSU was just there and is going back again in August.

Best Case: LSU vs. No. 11 Oklahoma/No. 6 K-State
Worst Case: LSU vs. 23 Oklahoma State and really no loser here with Texas in the mix, although unranked.

2. Outback Bowl (SEC, typically SEC East) vs. Big 10 No. 3

Game typically goes to Eastern Division team. Since 1998, only one West Team (Auburn in 2009 game) has been selected. South Carolina is a common projection to play against No. 22. Northwestern. ESPN.com projects LSU to play in this game. Michigan could fall, and Wisconsin could also end up here. LSU played only once in this bowl, the 1989 game, so maybe they want someone fresh.

Best Case: LSU vs. No. 12 Nebraska or No 19 Michigan
Worst Case: LSU vs. No. 22 Northwestern or unranked Wisconsin

4. Chick-Fil-A Bowl (SEC No. 5) vs. ACC No. 2

We all know this is the common pick and is most often projected to go against ACC No. 2, projected as No. 14 Clemson. It is possible that if No. 13 FSU loses to 6-6 Georgia Tech, they could slide to CFA bowl. North Carolina and Miami are no eligible for post season, so ACC is even weaker than usual.

However, Scout projects a crazy scenario where Oklahoma losing could open the door for Clemson to get in as an at large BCS team, thus weakening the ACC further and giving LSU a huge drop off in opponents. LINK

Best Case: LSU vs. No. 14 Clemson or No. 15 FSU (after devastating ACC CG loss)
Worst Case: LSU vs. Unranked VaTech (going to Atl. to open season), Unranked NC State (just fired coach) or unranked Duke.

5. Gator (SEC 6) vs. Big 10 4/5It would seem highly unlikely LSU would fall this far, but most projections have Wisconsin as the opponent. Should Wisconsin win the B1G, maybe Northwestern would fall to this spot.

Best Case: LSU vs. No. 22 Northwestern
Worst Case: LSU vs. unranked Wisconsin (but a traditional power)


I'm not happy, but short of Oklahoma/K-State in Cotton or Nebraska in Cap One, which is unlikely, Clemson is not a bad matchup. If for some reason, Clemson goes to the BCS and we go to CFA, it's not good at all.