No no no... First off, I didn't say there were four....only two spots are available. If you look under where I listed all the bowls I listed "other guaranteed teams: big east champ and Boise State." Furthermore, it is most definitely not assured that the Big East champ would go to the Orange Bowl. Secondly, at-large in this case signifies that the bowls get to choose from a pool of 4 teams to play against the teams already in the bowls. Thirdly, the BCS bowls, for the 2 available at-large spots, must pick from the two highest-ranked non-automatic bid teams in the BCS rankings. No one else, period. It does not make any sense whatsoever to take LSU if they are the 3rd non-automatic bid team, when there are two others ahead of them. The selection order of the four at-large team goes as follows (Assuming Michigan goes to NCG...if USC goes, Rose gets first two replacement picks, if Florida goes, Sugar gets second pick and Rose gets first): Tournament of Roses Allstate Sugar Bowl FedEx Orange Bowl Tostitos Fiesta Bowl And the four teams: Big East Champ (Rutgers or Louisville), Boise State, and two of the following: Notre Dame, West Virginia, LSU Note: if Notre Dame ranks 8 or above in final BCS standings, they garner an automatic berth. What is probably going to happen (if LSU garner at-large bid) Tournament of Roses USC v. LSU Allstate Sugar Bowl Florida v. Notre Dame FedEx Orange Bowl ACC Champ v. Boise State or Big East Champ Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Texas v. Boise State or Big East Champ
Thanks for the info, I wasn't aware that the bowls had to pick between the 2 teams with the highest BCS ranking that have yet to be chosen. For some reason, I thought that they could pick from anyone that finished in the top 12 in the BCS. So ultimately the last spot is between LSU and WVU (or LSU and Louisville should Rutgers upset WVU and win Big East). Damn, that's a scary proposition. Go USC! Take Notre Dame out of the equation. Now I understand your post about it not mattering if Arkansas or Florida win the SEC CG, since LSU ends up higher in the BCS than either losing team in the end.
Sorry, but they don't have to take the two highest ranked. The just have to select from the teams that qualify as at-large.
Boise St will not go to a BCS bowl even if they do go undefeated. LSU needs to just take care of business against Arkansas and then hope they get an AT Large Bid to go to one. No matter who we would play, I would much rather LSU get an at large bid then settle for a none BCS bowl. :lsup: :helmet: :lsup:
Boise State is guaranteed a spot if they finish in the top 12 in the BCS standings. And they will if they go undefeated (currently 11th). Texas will probably pass them but that still puts Boise State at #12. No other team is within reach of overtaking Boise State in the BCS.
See, that's what I thought. Dammit, someone make up my mind. psolutions, what say you? strinbj, I lost my link to the BCS selection criteria....you have a link?
Here it is. The statement is under Team Selection Section. http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/eligibility
Yeah I just found it before you posted, thanks. I thought it was the top 12 would be considered, but its the top 14, which makes things murkier for LSU. That probably leave Notre Dame with a loss to USC, still in the mix, as well as Florida if Arkansas should beat them in the SEC CG. That's why I think we need USC to route ND in order for them to fall far enough in the human polls (15th/16th much like Auburn did after its loss to Georgia) to knock them down to 15th in the BCS. Probably won't happen, even then.
