“Bowl Eligible” Ain’t What it Used to Be
filed in Opinion on Oct.31, 2007 by Hawk
Just as you were starting to think that “Bowl Eligible” really sounds great when it is said with the word “Buffalo,” the stats come out, the schedules are analyzed, and the realities set in. Long time Buffs fanatic and part time local sports media mogul Adam Dormuth shares the following guest commentary with Buffs.tv:
If it seems like every week the Buffs are taking on the cream-of-the-crop, you may not be that far off. According to the computerized Sagarin ratings, Colorado (5-4; 3-2) has played the third most difficult schedule the nation behind only Notre Dame and Washington. And this is prior to CU’s showdown this Saturday against #9 Missouri (7-1; 3-1) in Boulder.
Colorado has played five teams this year currently ranked in the top 30 and is a combined 1-4 against them (Oklahoma, Kansas, Arizona State, Florida State and Kansas State). Combined record for Buffs opponents so far this year: 47-28.
The Buffs are also just one win away from becoming bowl eligible after missing out on a bowl game last year. However, one more win does not guarantee CU a bowl game. The Big 12 could wind up with 10 bowl eligible teams and only 8 conference bowl tie-ins. Six Big 12 teams (Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech) are already bowl eligible with six or more wins. Three teams (Colorado, Kansas State and Oklahoma State) all need just one more win, and Nebraska is two wins away.
If all 10 teams finish with the necessary six wins two teams could be left out of the bowl picture. Then it could come down to which schools the bowl committees feel would be the biggest draws. After all it’s all about money. One potential savior for whoever may be left out is that a conference like the Pac-10 may not have enough bowl eligible schools to fill commitments, and that bowl could pick up the remaining Big 12 teams.
Big 12 Bowl Tie-Ins:
Gator Bowl Jan 1 Jacksonville, Fla. Big 12 No. 4 vs. ACC
Cotton Bowl Jan 1 Dallas Big 12 No. 2 vs. SEC
Insight Bowl Dec. 31 Tempe, Az. Big 12 No. 6 vs. Big 10
Independence Bowl Dec. 30 Shreveport, La. Big 12 No. 7 vs. SEC
Alamo Bowl Dec. 29 San Antonio Big 12 No. 5 vs. Big Ten
Texas Bowl Dec. 27 Houston Big 12 No. 8 vs. USA
Holiday Bowl Dec. 27 San Diego Big 12 No. 3 vs. Pac-10
BCS Game (TBD) TBD TBD Big 12 No. 1 vs. TBD
Related posts:
October 31st, 2007 on 4:49 pm
So… Anybody want to rank where CU is on that all precoius “money” or “draw power” chart?
Since most of the bowls are down south (not on the coasts).. I would put CU down below each and everyone of those teams if we play in any game besides the Holiday bowl.
October 31st, 2007 on 4:49 pm
also worth noting in this conversation is that:
A) Bowls are obligated to choose ANY 7-5 team before EVERY 6-6 team.
B) The SEC also figures to have more bowl eligible teams than their bowl tie-ins allow for.
October 31st, 2007 on 5:01 pm
all i have to say if hope to who ever your god is that we win 2 more games! i have been to the last 4(champs, houston, alamo and Fiesta) CU bowl games and frankly it was embarassing on the low turn out the only game we had some support was obviously the Fiesta. but i am thinkin the Insight or Texas are realistic but with a little luck hopefully the Holiday! what do you all think?
October 31st, 2007 on 5:08 pm
All I know is that if it is the Holiday, I am there without a doubt. I got my tickets to the Nebraska game yesterday, and I hope to god CU goes west. I really would love to watch this team twice in person this year. We got a LOT of alumni out west and San Diego is one hell of a city. Screw Texas!
2 out of our last three is definitely possible. Lets hope they start with this Sat!
October 31st, 2007 on 5:22 pm
The only way I see the holiday Bowl as even remotely viable is:
Missouri wins out, loses to OU in the Champeenship game, BCS takes both OU and a 1 loss Kansas team.
This would drop the Cotton and Holiday down a peg, leaving Holiday to choose CU over either Texas or Mizzou. Of course, this also means we lose on Saturday and end up at 7-6.
SO I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t see the Holiday Bowl as a possibility
October 31st, 2007 on 5:48 pm
You can take your “logical argument” and “reason” and stuff it. STUFF IT! I want the Buffs to play a “mere” 6 hour drive from me dammit!
The next closes is the Insight, and that is 11 hours away!
October 31st, 2007 on 8:08 pm
ha! believe me- I’m right there with you. I’m in LA and drove to Tucson for the ASU abomination. I would LOVE to go to the Holiday Bowl- I just don’t see it happening. I’ll think about Insight again, but that might be it. There’s no way in hell I’m going to Shreveport.
November 1st, 2007 on 10:20 am
“Beware the Ides of November collapes”. Lets all keep in mind how the Buffs got on their 10 game losing streak, right after the 42-12 asskicking of Mizzou in ‘05. Can you believe in Voodoo Mojo? So maybe the Buffs lose on Sat, Then go on a 10 game WIN Streak? Not likely, I am with you, I will take a win in hand Saturday, versus 10 in the bush. Where is ARBY’s? I would be happy dropping the next 2, if we were guaranteed a Nebraska win.
November 1st, 2007 on 9:13 pm
“Screw Texas.” Easy now, there’s one guy in here from the Lone Star State that bleeds black and gold!! Would love to see the Buffs in ANY bowl game! Won’t be picky, but I will be there!!