UW, OSU and UO headed for bowls
Despite a wild two weeks—not just for the Pac-12, but the FBS in general—the BCS and bowl schedule is starting to take shape. The conference will be well represented, as will the northwest with Washington, Oregon State and Oregon lined up for bowl bids.
As it stands, here are the projected landing spots for each NW team.
Washington (unranked, fifth Pac-12)
Projected Bowl: Sun vs. N.C. State
With a stunning loss to Washington State in this year’s Apple Cup, the Huskies fall to 7-5 on the season, projected to finish in fifth place in the Pac-12.
If they had won, the combined loss to Oregon State could have propelled UW to third place in the Pac-12.
Now the Dawgs become destined for the Sun Bowl, where they’ll play the No. 4 team in the ACC. Because Florida State should nab the ACC spot in the Orange Bowl—and Miami has a self imposed bowl ban for the season—their opponent looks to be N.C. State.
The Wolfpack previously pulled off a huge win over the Seminoles, but have overall stumbled to a 7-5 record (4-4 in conference). They do feature a pretty good passing attack that could test the Husky secondary.
Despite the disappointing finish for Washington, this should still be a pretty good matchup.
Oregon State (No. 15, third Pac-12)
Projected Bowl: Holiday vs. Texas Tech
With their loss to Stanford in Week 11, the Beavers essentially sealed their fate. Their only hope for a Rose Bowl bid was two Stanford losses, a win over Oregon in the Civil War and the Ducks still getting an at large bid.
Instead, Stanford won their next two and OSU lost to UO. The Beavers—with a win in Week 13—will finish their season 9-3 (an inverse of last year’s record).
That’s good enough for third place in the Pac-12, with Oregon and Stanford inevitably heading for BCS bowls.
The Beavers’ fate aligns with the Holiday Bowl, where they’ll take on the Big 12′s fifth place team. As long as Kansas State and Oklahoma take care of business this week, Texas Tech should pan out as Oregon State’s opponent.
Bowl bids seem sealed for these two NW teams. (Photo: Thomas Boyd / Oregonian)
The Red Raiders feature the Nation’s second best passing attack, so this should be a great shootout.
Oregon (No. 5, second Pac-12)
Projected Bowl: Fiesta vs. Kansas State
With the BCS Championship Game out of reach, and a Rose Bowl bid squandered by Stanford, Oregon settles for the next best thing.
That will be an at large bid into one of the other major BCS bowl games. The Ducks should land in the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll take on the winner of the Big 12.
As long as they beat Texas at home, that will be the Kansas State Wildcats. However, a KSU loss—as far fetched as that seems—combined with an Oklahoma win would land the Sooners this spot.
If Oregon takes on the Wildcats, it projects to be a huge offensive bout. This game was schedule for the 2012 season, but was later canceled before the season started. That became a controversial topic when KSU was ranked No. 2 and Oregon No. 3.
Now both teams could have their chance to prove whose offense reigns supreme.
If Oregon faces Oklahoma, it too should be a shootout. Both teams feature different attacks, and the matchup would pit Oregon’s running (3rd in FBS, 323.3 yards per game) against Oklahoma’s passing (5th in FBS, 350.2 yards per game).
Either way, looks like Oregon is headed for a high scoring affair.
