Pac-12 bowl projections: Oregon to the playoff, UW to the Fiesta and Arizona jumps into the Holiday
The second-place Ducks may face UW (again) in the ac-12 championship game.
Before we get into the latest Pac-12 bowl forecast, here are some helpful reminders about the postseason selection process:
— The College Football Playoff semifinals will be held in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, leaving the Pac-12 champion to compete in the Fiesta, Peach, or Cotton bowls unless it qualifies for the CFP.
This season, the Pac-12 is contractually bound to seven games: the New Year’s Six, Alamo, Las Vegas, Holiday, Sun, LA, and Independence bowls. If there are more qualified teams than available spots, the conference will try to secure invitations to other bowl games that have openings.
Sugar Bowl/College Football Playoff
Team: Oregon (7-1)
Home games (three): Cal, USC, Oregon State
Road games (one): Arizona State
Comment: With their most difficult games at home and all
The Ducks, with their efficient units, are our pick to win the conference. As the one-loss champion of the country’s toughest league,
They should have a resume that qualifies them for the playoffs.
Fiesta Bowl/New Year’s Six
Team: Washington (8-0)
Home games remaining (two): Utah, WSU
Road games remaining (two): USC, Oregon State
Comment: We anticipate the Huskies to step up their game. following two poor performances. But will they be able to make it through November?
No more than one defeat? Is their defense strong enough to take on Oregon?
In Las Vegas, is there a neutral field? A bid for the New Year’s Six is more likely than not.
Even with the 8-0 start, it’s not a sure thing.
The Alamo Bowl
Team: Utah (6-2)
Home games (two): Arizona State, Colorado
Road games (two): Washington, Arizona
Comment: The most important game for Utah? It could very well be the
The trip to Tucson on November 18th now appears to be far more difficult than it was before.
I used to do it. The path into the New Year’s Six is barely navigable.
Las Vegas Bowl
Team: USC (7-2)
Home games (two): Washington, UCLA
Road games (one): Oregon
Comment: Consider the Pac-12’s selection procedure: The
The Alamo, Las Vegas, and Holiday Bowls all have a selection of teams as long as
The conference record difference is no more than one game. As a
As a result, the Trojans may land in a better bowl than their previous performance.
suggests.
Holiday Bowl
Team: Arizona (5-3)
Home games (two): UCLA, Utah
Road games (two): Colorado, Arizona State
Comment: The surging Wildcats would be a sought-after team.
Given the likelihood of ticket sales, participants for the Holiday Bowl
and hotel reservations. They require the resume to back up an invitation.
However, that depends on winning at least two of the final four games.
Sun Bowl
Team: Oregon State (6-2)
Home games (two): Stanford, Washington
Road games (two): Colorado, Oregon
Comment: We predict two more Beaver victories.
However, the loss to Arizona could have an impact on the bowl.
If the Beavers and Wildcats are grouped together in the
Standings in the conference.
Los Angeles Bowl
Team: UCLA (6-2)
Home games (two): Arizona State, Cal
Road games (two): Arizona, USC
Comment: No team faces a greater risk of failure than the
Bruins: Withdrawing from the Holiday in 2021 at the last minute (due to injuries).
positive COVID tests) indicates that bowl executives would most likely only extend an invitation.
If they have no other option, they should accept the invitation. Last year, UCLA was featured in the Sun.
At-large bowl
Team: Washington State (4-4)
Home games (two): Stanford, Colorado
Road games (two): Cal, Washington
Comment: The September Cougars would win three of their four games.
The October Cougars, on the other hand, would lose three of their final four games.
We’ll split the difference in November and forecast two more victories.
Another bowl spot. This time, however, it will not be a game associated with
The Pac-12 Conference.
Non-qualifier
Team: Colorado (4-4)
Home games (two): Oregon State, Arizona
Road games (two): WSU, Utah
Comment: The Buffaloes are more likely at this point.
to lose all of their remaining games rather than winning two of four (and
secure a bowl berth). They are unable to protect or stop their quarterback.
opponents.
Non-qualifier
Team: Cal (3-5)
Home games (one): WSU
Road games (three): Oregon, Stanford, UCLA
Comment: We don’t see Cal changing coaches, and we don’t think it’s necessary, but next year will be the year for the Justin Wilcox era.
Non-qualifier
Team: Stanford (2-6)
Home games (two): Cal, Notre Dame
Road games (two): WSU, Oregon State
Comment: The Pac-12’s November is all about laying the groundwork for the ACC’s September.
Ineligible
Team: Arizona State (2-6)
Home games (two): Oregon, Arizona
Road games (two): Utah, UCLA
Comment: Change the outcome of a few plays in
the three-point losses to Colorado and California, as well as the near-upset at
Washington and the Sun Devils would both be above.500.
