Again, not gonna happen. ACC has the exclusive championship tie-in with the Orange Bowl...so, you'd end up playing some crappy ACC team whether you go to the Chick-fil-a or Orange Bowl.
You know what's sad? Miami has to beat Boston College next week to become bowl eligible. Boston College has to beat Miami for even a chance at the ACC title. I think you know who I'm putting my pick in for.
All I want for Christmas is a New Year's bowl that is not at 10:30 in the morning (i.e. Cotton). BCS would be great, Cap One a nice alternative.
Ok, so I've ironed it out, and here is what has to happen for LSU to get a BCS at-large bid: (BTW, this takes the most likely path of everything falling in place...including the ranking numbers) BCS Championship Game- Jan 8 2007 Tempe AZ #1 Ohio State (Big Ten Champ) vs. #2 Michigan (Big Ten No. 2) Allstate Sugar Bowl- Jan 3 2007 New Orleans LA #3 Florida (SEC Champ) vs. AT-LARGE FedEx Orange Bowl- Jan 2 2007 Miami FL #14 Georgia Tech (ACC Champ) vs. AT-LARGE Tostitos Fiesta Bowl- Jan 1 2007 Tempe AZ #12 Texas (Big 12 Champ) vs. AT-LARGE Tournament of Roses- Jan 1 2007 Pasadena CA #6 USC (Pac 10 Champ) vs. AT-LARGE Other Guaranteed Teams: (Rutgers or Louisville (Big East Champ) and #10 Boise State This leaves two spots left. Now, we all know that LSU MUST beat Arkansas for them to have a shot at a BCS At-Large bid...so we'll assume this happens. What does this leave? There are, currently, three remaining teams ranked higher than LSU (we assume Arkansas drops because of LSU and SEC Champ games) for a BCS bid. They are: Notre Dame, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Since Wisc's season is over, LSU beating Arkansas will probably allow them to leapfrog Wisconsin. This leaves Notre Dame and West Virginia. It is possible that LSU would leapfrog WVU by beating Arkansas, but you have to remember that the week after the LSU/Ark game, WVU plays Rutgers. I say, if Notre Dame beats USC and WVU beats Rutgers, LSU has no chance at a BCS bid, unfortunately. So hope one of these teams loses their game.
A LSU/Georgia Tech in the Peach Bowl would be an awsome matchup old SEC battle. Or an LSU/ATM in the Cotton Bowl would be a classic. I personal would love to see ATM and LSU renew their heated rivialry now that ATM is back to playing football.
Remember, the BCS only allows two teams from any conference in BCS games... so Wisconsin is already out of the mix. If Notre Dame loses to USC in a close game, don't necessarily count them out. They then would have lost to the #2 and #3 team in the country, compared to LSU losing to Florida and Auburn. Voters may still be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Something odd will have to happen for LSU to get in, like FSU and Arkansas beating Florida or WV losing... or ND getting trounced. The good news would be... you would be an at large pick, almost ensuring a very good bowl match up. First thing first, beat Arkansas... and do it with some conviction... a squeak by win over a team who has already clinched may not be enough.
Also, there are not 4 at-large bids available, only 3. You are forgetting to insert the Big East Champ as an automatic berth (most likely going to the Orange Bowl). Michigan is essentially the 4th at-large whether they play in the BCS CG or in the Rose Bowl (should USC play Ohio State in the BCS CG instead). And your assumption is that the Bowls will use the final BCS rankings to decide whom to choose (i.e., best ranked BCS team). I don't think that has anything to do with it. They can pick whomever they want, within reason of course. Maybe someone can expound on this part of the selection process. Notre Dame winning guarantees them a spot. So you're down to LSU vs. WVU for that last remaining spot. I bet the house they pick LSU over WVU to play USC. Think about that for just a minute and you will see that's the obvious choice. Who wants to see USC vs. WVU? No one but WVU. I agree with Hawker that LSU may need to win going away against Arkansas. It would surely help.
