Bowl Scenarios Becomes Clearer

Yesterday, we did a big analysis outlining some potential bowl scenarios of ACC teams (with, of course, a primary focus on NC State).

Today, it seems that some of the events that we expected have come to fruition and the ACC’s bowl picture seems to be lining up pretty clearly. The key variable now becomes this weekends football games — if North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia, &/or Florida State were to pull unexpected upsets in their games against Virginia Tech, Georgia, Miami, and/or Florida then the picture could shuffle somewhat.

– Word spread yesterday and last night that was clear that the ACC office has exercised its muscle and told the Champs Bowl that they need to take Boston College over the obviously preferred Clemson Tigers (who would have sold significantly more tickets in Orlandao).

– Clemson is now going to Charlotte. where they were highly coveted.

– This leaves Georgia Tech at 7-4, Viginia 6-5, NC State or Maryland 6-5.

– Georgia Tech officials have indicated that they would turn down an invitation to Boise.

– Since Virginia played in Boise last year, it now appears that winner of Saturday’s Maryland @ NC State game is Boise bound.

– If Georgia Tech is heading to the Music City Bowl in Nashville, then Virginia is most likely going to face Utah in the Emerald Bowl, unless the Liberty Bowl or some other option is more attractive. I highly doubt that would happen since the ACC enters into a contracted agreement with the Emerald Bowl next season. It would not be good for the relationship to screw the Emerald as they are seeking an at-large team.

Currently, here is what I see:

(1) BCS Virginia Tech is assumed to be ACC Champ

(2) Gator (Jacksonville)Miami The in-state Canes won’t play in Jacksonville the ACC Championship

(3) Peach (Atlanta)Florida State The Peach has been salivating for years to get FSU. Rumor has it that Peach wants Spurrier & South Carolina to battle Bowden’s boys, which would also eliminate any thought of Clemson

(4) Champs Sports (Orlando)Boston College Despite free-market forces that say otherwise, the ACC Office supports the Eagles for a bid comprable with what they have earned.

(5) Meineke Car Care (Charlotte)Clemson Charlotte’s Bowl will have another successful year (as long as weather cooperates).

(6) MPC Computers (Boise) – Winner of NC State vs Maryland

(7) Music City (Nashville) – Georgia Tech To be fair, this bowl is better than Boise and the Yellow Jackets deserve a better bowl than the Pack or the Terps.

(8) Virgina (at-large) – Emerald Bowl?

Potential Wrinkle?
I guess the Champs Sports Bowl could justifiably take Georgia Tech over Boston College. This would become even more justifiable if Tech were to beat Georgia this weekend. IMHO, a GT win this weekend is still not enough to propel them into the Peach. (Not much will ever work towards GT playing a bowl game in their home town.)

Charlotte will not move off Clemson for anything. That is a done deal. Therefore, GT to Orlando would ultimately drop Boston College to Boise, who would love to have the Eagles. This would work well for State & Virginia to split the Music City and Emerald Bowls.

General NCS Football

12 Responses to Bowl Scenarios Becomes Clearer

  1. Trout 11/23/2005 at 10:09 AM #

    From the Washington Post:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/22/AR2005112201785.html

    [quote]Terps Note: Georgia Tech’s victory over Miami appears to have lessened the chances of the Terps winding up in Boise’s MPC Computers Bowl. That game’s executive director, Gary Beck, said yesterday that his two top choices are 8-3 Boston College and 7-3 Georgia Tech, which faces Georgia this weekend. A Georgia Tech win would raise the possibility of Boston College falling to the MPC Computers Bowl, which has the sixth choice of ACC teams. If that happens, the winner of the N.C. State-Maryland game would likely go to either Nashville or San Francisco.[/quote]

  2. Jeff 11/23/2005 at 10:31 AM #

    Thanks for the great find!

    I’m not sure that the Washington Post has factored into their analysis the role of the ACC office in bowl conversations. I’m SURE the MPC Bowl’s choices are BC and GT. I bet they also include Miami, VPI, and FSU. But, if those teams aren’t available, I don’t know how they would play there.

    We would all LOVE for State to avoide Boise. But, if Boise thinks Boston College is an option for them…then WHO is going to the Champs and Charlotte?

  3. Mr. O 11/23/2005 at 11:01 AM #

    Jeff: Also, your assumptions above have UVa at 6-5. They are 6-4 right now with a chance to beat Miami this weekend…right?

  4. Trout 11/23/2005 at 11:10 AM #

    Anyone besides me feel all this bowl talk, from the NC State perspective, will die down Saturday at around 3:30. How the heck can we beat Maryland. They ran all over BC, yet had 4 TOs (2 that were led to direct TDs by BC). We couldnt move the ball against BC or MTSU.

    I think Jeff’s analysis is right, and the MPC bowl director is talking “wishes” rather than realities. The winner of NC State/MD will be in Boise.

  5. TVP 11/23/2005 at 11:30 AM #

    ^I agree. I am less than confident about our chances Saturday.

    If we can somehow win, I’ll take whatever is out there.

    Boise might not be terrible for the team actually if they perform well there. It would be a road game against a good, hungry mid-major in the cold (which seemed to affect us at BC). If we were actually able to win it could be a great building block for next season.

  6. Jeff 11/23/2005 at 12:22 PM #

    ^ I agree. My ONLY reason for not throwing up all over the thought of going to Boise is to get Daniel Evans & Mike Greco more practice time.

  7. Trout 11/23/2005 at 12:43 PM #

    College Football News has these projections (has GT moved up into strong consideration by the Peach? Knowing the Peach Bowl committee personally, I dont see ANY way they would bypass a chance for FSU.

    Orange:Virginia Tech vs. Penn State
    Gator: Miami vs. Louisville
    Peach:Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina
    Champs:Florida State vs. Nebraska
    Meinke:Clemson vs. South Florida
    MPC:Boise State vs. Boston College
    Gaylord Hotel Music City:Northwestern vs. Virginia
    Emerald: Utah vs. NC State/Maryland winner

  8. BJD95 11/23/2005 at 12:52 PM #

    CFN is batshit crazy if they believe the Peach would pass up FSU for GT.

    Boise would also hardly seem like a “reward” for the players, and could be a good motivator for next year.

  9. Mr. O 11/23/2005 at 1:18 PM #

    IMO, our players would enjoy any trip we get. Heck, I enjoy any trip for a football game. Making a bowl would be good for us in every way, so hopefully it will somehow happen. Beatin Maryland is not going to be easy. Why are we favored?

  10. Trout 11/23/2005 at 1:42 PM #

    CNNSI’s projections: (I guess they assume we will beat MD)

    Orange:Virginia Tech (ACC champ) vs. Penn State (Big Ten champ)
    Gator:Miami (ACC No. 2) vs. Louisville (Big East No. 2)
    Peach:Florida State (ACC No. 3) vs. South Carolina (SEC)
    Champs:Georgia Tech (ACC) vs. Nebraska (Big 12)
    Meinke:Clemson (ACC) vs. USF (Big East)
    MPC:Boise State (WAC) vs. Boston College (ACC)
    Music City:Northwestern (Big Ten No. 6) vs. Virginia (at-large*)
    Emerald: N.C. State (at-large**) vs. Utah (MWC No. 2)

  11. Jeff 11/23/2005 at 2:17 PM #

    ^ I guess the Champs could justifiably take Georgia Tech (if the ACC stays out of their mix) and that would naturally push Boston College down to Boise. I like that thought!!

  12. Nashville Apartment Rentals 02/02/2006 at 1:07 PM #

    Seee!!! Great Oportunity!!!!!

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