ACC: Champs SPorts Bowl
1. Allstate Sugar Bowl: Virginia Tech will have the best chance to make a statement in the ACC against No. 13 Michigan. It's a chance for the Hokies to prove that they can win on a big stage outside of the ACC.
2. Discover Orange Bowl: The Tigers should beat West Virginia, but it's not a guarantee. The Mountaineers' offense, which is No. 19 in the country in scoring, will give Clemson some problems.
3. Champs Sports Bowl: The ACC is 0-3 against Notre Dame so far this season, but Florida State will be the league's best chance at changing that. They're going to need more offensively, though, than they've shown in recent weeks.
4. Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia will have a chance to take advantage of an Auburn team that looks nothing like its 2010 form. Auburn hasn't put together back-to-back wins since the last weekend in September.
5. Hyundai Sun Bowl: This game will pit the nation's No. 3 rushing offense against the No. 7 rushing defense, and Georgia Tech will try to snap a six-game losing streak in bowl games.
6. AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: North Carolina will get Missouri's last performance as a member of the Big 12 before moving to the SEC next year, and the Tar Heels will be looking to send interim coach Everett Withers out with a win.
7. Belk Bowl: This is a matchup between two teams that finished on hot streaks. NC State had two of the ACC's most memorable wins of the season with an upset of Clemson and the school's biggest comeback in school history against Maryland.
8. Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Wake Forest and Mississippi State are two 6-6 teams who struggled down the stretch. The Bulldogs lost two of their last three, and the Deacs lost four of their last five.
Stepping up in the bowls: NC State
In order for that to happen, who needs to step up?
NC State’s offensive line: Yes, the defense is going to have to play better than it did in the regular-season finale loss to Maryland, but in order to win this game, the guys up front are going to have to give their magic man time to work. West Virginia has two standout pass-rushers in defensive ends Julian Miller (8.0) and Bruce Irvin (12.0), who have combined for 20 sacks this year. The Mountaineers’ 3.3 sacks per game ranks third nationally, just ahead of NC State, which ranks fourth with 3.25. Against Maryland, quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked on fourth down from the Maryland 8-yard line. NC State is tied for 104th in the country in sacks allowed with 2.83 per game and 34 total.
Maturity, consistency next step for Canes
AP Photo/John RaouxRandy Shannon has compiled a record of 21-16 in three seasons.Harris was sacked four times when Wisconsin rushed four or fewer players and once when the Badgers brought five or more, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He didn't get the protection he needed, but he also contributed a few of his own mistakes. Because Miami couldn't run the ball, though, it was up to Harris to win the game with his arm. Meanwhile, the defense couldn't get the Badgers off the field, and Wisconsin had the ball for almost 20 more minutes than the Canes.
The frustrating thing for Miami fans had to be the fact that Miami played poorly and still had a chance to win. They won the turnover battle. They had fewer penalties. They showed those flashes of electric plays -- the reverse on the opening kickoff and recovering the onside kick -- that championship teams make. But the Canes were just 2-of-11 on third downs.
It was a deflating loss for both the ACC and Miami, as a win would've likely pushed the Canes into the top 10 heading into 2010, but that doesn't mean Miami won't finish there next season. This program has improved each season under coach Randy Shannon, and the loss to Wisconsin doesn't erase that progress. But it is time to raise the level of expectations again. Harris will be a junior. The majority of the team will be coming back. It will be the second season under the new coordinators. Youth and coaching transitions should no longer be an excuse.
The bottom line from the Champs Sports Bowl is that Miami still isn't where anyone associated with the program wants it to be. It's not a shocker. Miami had enough up and down performances this year to know that. But that consistency will come with maturity. It's just time for the Baby Canes to finally grow up.
In 1999, Miami lost close games at eventual national champion Florida State, Penn State (in the final minutes), at East Carolina (squandered a fourth-quarter lead) and then was blown out at Virginia Tech (which played for the national title).
This season, Miami lost by 24 at Virginia Tech, then dropped an overtime game to Clemson (ahem, throwing away that famous fourth-quarter lead again) and lost a close game at North Carolina. A win in the bowl game would give Miami 10 wins, and with potentially 16 or 17 returning starters (and 34 of the top 44 on the two-deep), it could mean a top 5 or top 10 preseason ranking in 2010.
Miami was ranked No. 5 in the 2000 preseason AP poll and finished No. 2 in country.
Could this be the same set up? First, the Canes have to beat Wisconsin for it to matter, but check out this comparison of 1999 vs. 2009, thanks to ESPN Stats & Information department:
Size vs. speed in Champs Sports Bowl?
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireWisconsin's offense leans heavily on John Clay and the Badger running backs.“Everybody recruits speed,” Shannon said. “It’s not going to be a situation where we’re going to be faster than those guys or they’re going to be faster than us. We have a big offensive line, they have a big offensive line. They have big guys on defense, we have big guys on defense. It’s going to work itself out. It’s just a myth that if you’re down south you run faster.”
These teams do play a different style of football, though, and bruising Wisconsin running back John Clay -- at 6-foot-1, 248 pounds -- is heftier than Miami’s Graig Cooper, who is 6-foot, 205 pounds. Clay is “a big guy who runs angry,” according to Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, and he’s obviously the Badgers' first option. Clay has rushed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns this year. Wisconsin has run the ball 539 times this year compared to Miami’s 440.
“They can run the football,” Shannon said. “They are a big, hard-nosed team that believes in establishing the run and they’re not going to bend in the run game. They are not going to sit up and go, “OK, if we can’t run the ball in the first 20 plays then we’ll start throwing it.’ They’re going to come out and still establish the run.”
Miami believes in that philosophy, too, but Cooper is just one of three running backs who has at least 450 rushing yards this year. Miami also has six receivers with at least 200 yards each. Seventeen different players have caught a pass for Miami this year, and 10 of those 17 have double-digit catches. Miami is taller than Wisconsin at receiver, where the Canes have four players at 6-foot-3 or taller.
Bielema said he is good friends with Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and called it a “unique matchup.”
“I think the matchup in itself will be neat because everyone is going to talk about the Florida speed versus the Midwest size of Wisconsin," Bielema said, "and we have big people, but I think a couple of our guys can run as well.”
Dec. 29, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
The Canes get to stay in their home state, which they wanted, and they’ll face a Wisconsin team that boasts the Big Ten’s offensive player of the year in John Clay, who finished the season with 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Clay’s 172 yards and three touchdowns in the Badgers’ 51-10 romp of Hawaii in the regular-season finale helped push Wisconsin back into the national rankings this week, but Miami is at No. 17 in the BCS standings and wrapping up its best season since 2005. Clay is a major reason the Badgers have the No. 15 rushing offense in the country and the No. 1 unit in the Big Ten, but Wisconsin is a more one-dimensional team than Miami.
Miami’s defense will be tested in this game, but so will Wisconsin’s, as both teams will present different styles of offense. The Canes, led by quarterback Jacory Harris, have relied more heavily on their passing game, but can turn to several running backs to mix it up. The Badgers have the No. 8 rushing defense in the country, but haven’t been spectacular against the pass. The Canes had ample time to rest and heal and enter the postseason off of back-to-back wins. It’s the second bowl appearance in the third season under Randy Shannon.
The Hurricanes are 2-1 all-time against the Badgers, with the last meeting coming in 1989 when UM defeated Wisconsin, 51-3, in Madison.
The Hokies played Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff earlier this year, and also visited Atlanta for a regular-season game against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets were in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last year.
"Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are definitely in our selection process," Stokan said. "We'd be happy and ecstatic to have either one play in this year's Chick-fil-A Bowl. Virginia Tech has a great reputation of being a great bowl team on the field, as well as their fans traveling, and certainly we saw that with the Kickoff game, where they came down in huge numbers for the game against Alabama. We would have no doubt in the case of Virginia Tech coming back to Atlanta. We would welcome Georgia Tech as well, should they be the runner-up in the championship game."
The ACC bowl picture is hardly settled with two weeks still remaining in the regular season. Because the Chick-fil-A Bowl pits an ACC team against an SEC team, there are still games which will have ramifications on the selection process for both sides. The Clemson-South Carolina regular-season finale is one of them. Georgia and Georgia Tech could also come into play. Stokan said there are still about seven SEC teams the bowl is considering, while the ACC has been narrowed down to Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and possibly North Carolina, should the Tar Heels finish on a hot streak.
Steve Hogan, executive director of the Champs Sports Bowl, said he'll be paying particular attention to the game in Chestnut Hill this week, where UNC will face Boston College. The outcome of that game will make the cut line for conference records at either 6-2, or 5-3. The Champs Sports Bowl can pick any team within one win of the best available team, and the selection becomes wider with a list of 5-3 and 4-4 teams. That will be the scenario if UNC wins this weekend. If BC wins, the Champs Sports Bowl will be looking at a smaller pool of 6-2 or 5-3 teams.
"If for nothing more, it changes the amount of teams available to you," Hogan said. "I just don't believe Virginia Tech will fall to us. They probably go to either Atlanta or Jacksonville, but if Clemson loses, who knows?"
At this point, nobody for sure.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Good morning, ACC fans. Sorry for the late start today. One thing I can address without finishing my coffee is squashing the rumor that Boston College and Georgia Tech might switch divisions. Not gonna happen. Now, without further delay ...
Luis, a Cane stuck in Virginia, wrote: Heather, just wanted to know what you thought about Mark Whipple potentially being promoted to HEAD COACH at the U if the canes have another lackluster season. I was never a fan of the Coker hire, I wasn't a fan of the Shannon hire either (at least Shannon has had success in recruiting), and Whipple just comes off as a guy who knows what he's doing when it comes to running a football team. Do you think this is even remotely a possibility? Or just a pipe dream for some of us cane fans?
Heather Dinich: If the Canes have another lackluster season, why would Kirby Hocutt want to promote anyone on staff? What if the offense is the reason they struggle? Here are my thoughts on Miami: I have no question about Mark Whipple's abilities as a coach, and I've heard he's a heckuva guy, too. It's only a matter of how quickly his players can learn -- and execute -- the offense. From what I'm told, they're doing well with it. If Miami struggles this year, it certainly won't be for a lack of talent, that's for sure.
John in New York writes: Should we take it as a vote of no-confidence in Dominique Davis and Justin Tuggle that Codi Boek was moved back from FB to QB? What is Gary Tranquill looking for in a QB? Does his scheme emphasize athleticism and running ability as much as Logan's did? Thanks!
Heather Dinich: Definitely not. That move will help the depth at the position AND the competition. Boek was a dual-threat quarterback in high school. I talked to Montel Harris recently and he said they're opening up the playbook a bit, there's a wider variety of plays to choose from, and that it's been pretty difficult to learn. I'll have more from that conversation for you later.
Greg in Greenville writes: Heather would like to know what you think of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this year and for years to come. You think we have a chance at winning the ACC this year?
Heather Dinich: Yes, definitely. I spoke with the Jackets' D-line coach, Giff Smith, recently, and he seems confident in the guys who will be taking over there. Georgia Tech's success (much like everyone else) will be determined by how they fare up front. They've got to replace three of four starters on defense, and the offensive line simply has to get better. Other than that, they've got all of the ingredients they need.
Somebody wrote: Heather Is the ACC losing the Champs bowl to the Big East?
Heather Dinich: No, that relationship is as solid as ever. However, the conference is expected to announce soon a new bowl partnership to replace the Humanitarian Bowl. The EagleBank Bowl will move up to the No. 8 spot and a ninth bowl will be added.
ACC helmet stickers: Bowl edition
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Now that that national championship game is over, ESPN.com is officially putting a cap on the 2008 season. We're kicking it off today with a bowl edition of helmet stickers. The ACC won four of its 10 bowl games, with Virginia Tech, Florida State, Maryland and Wake Forest earning postseason victories.
Here are the ACC's top performers during the bowls:
Virginia Tech's backups: Offensive guard Jaymes Brooks, linebacker Barquell Rivers and defensive end Nekos Brown filled in for Tech's missing starters and the Hokies didn't miss a beat. Brooks played all 78 snaps as the Hokies put up nearly 400 yards of total offense. Brown and Rivers helped limit the high-powered Cincinnati offense to just one touchdown and Rivers had a key stop on fourth-and-goal at the 1 to help seal the game.
Virginia Tech tailback Darren Evans: Evans ran for 153 yards and a score, earning FedEx Orange Bowl MVP honors in the Hokies' 20-7 win over Cincinnati.
Virginia Tech's defense: The Hokies grabbed four interceptions, held Cincinnati to 71 yards rushing and 310 yards of offense. They didn't allow any touchdowns after the first drive.
UNC wide receiver Hakeem Nicks: In what became the final game of his career, Nicks caught eight receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns, including ESPN's No. 1 bowl play of the season -- a behind-the-back catch. It was a standout performance in a losing effort, as the Tar Heels fell, 31-30, to West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Florida State kicker Graham Gano: He averaged 48.2 yards on five punts and had three downed inside Wisconsin's 5-yard line to earn MVP honors. Gano placed three first-quarter punts inside the 4-yard line, including two at the 1.
Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder: He threw for 199 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 42-13 romp over Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl. It was a dramatic improvement from the last 10 games of the regular season during which he threw six touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott: After being benched for 2 1/2 quarters for a curfew violation, Scott came in and ran 14 times for 174 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Terps' 42-35 win over Nevada. His 49-yard touchdown run with 12:21 left put Maryland ahead 35-28, and Scott became the seventh back in Maryland history to top 1,000 yards.
Wake Forest offensive lineman Jeff Griffin: After starting 11 games at right tackle, Griffin moved to right guard and graded out at 94 percent (65 offensive plays, 61 plays graded positive), led the team with 18.5 knockdown blocks and didn't have one missed assignment. Wake Forest rushed for a season-high 239 yards and outrushed Navy 239-221 in the 29-19 win over Navy in the EagleBank Bowl. Griffin paved the way for Kevin Harris to rush for 136 yards, the most by a Demon Deacon this season. Wake Forest did not allow a sack.
Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner: He completed all 11 pass attempts against Navy for 166 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 29 yards. Trailing Navy 19-14 with 12:30 to play in the game, Skinner drove the Deacons 80 yards in nine plays and finished it off with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight Ben Wooster. Skinner was named the game's MVP.
Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers: Bowers had three tackles for loss, the most ever by a Clemson freshman in a bowl game. He finished with five total tackles and three quarterback pressures in the Tigers' 26-21 loss to Nebraska. He was named Clemson's MVP of the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl by the media attending the game.
Champs Sports Bowl: ESPN's second-largest bowl
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
On Dec. 27, Florida State's 42-13 thumping of Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl drew ESPN's second-largest bowl audience ever. The game reached an average of 5,098,000 homes, based on a 5.2 rating. (ESPN's most-watched bowl game ever was the Alamo Bowl on December, 30, 2006, between Iowa and Texas. It was watched by an average of 5,521,000 homes, based on a 6.0 rating.)
And that was one of the worst bowl games of the season. FSU laid the smack down on Wisconsin. It was a snoozer. Over in the third quarter. And yet everyone still watched. Why? Because it's still FSU, and Bobby Bowden is still coaching. Because people want to see how far away they are from returning to their glory days. Because they were good enough to play in the more prestigious Gator Bowl, which chose Clemson instead (whoops).
Florida State might not be quite ready for primetime on the national stage yet, but there certainly doesn't seem to be a lack of fans interested in watching the Noles work their way back.
Breaking down the Champs Sports Bowl
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
It's not quite the holiday vacation yet, and there are still plenty of ACC bowls to talk about. Today we'll focus on the Champs Sports Bowl and the Emerald Bowl. Let's start with the Seminoles.
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Here are three reasons why Florida State will win:
1. Speed. The Seminoles have it, and Wisconsin isn't used to seeing it. Badgers quarterback Dustin Sherer, who replaced Allan Evridge as the starter in October, will get up close and personal with FSU defensive end Everette Brown, one of the best pass-rushers in the country. And the Badgers' scoring defense has been friendly, allowing 25 points per game. FSU has plenty of speedy playmakers ready to take advantage of a veteran defensive line that has underperformed this season.
2. Home turf. Florida State has never lost a game in Orlando (6-0-2), and is 2-0 in bowl games there. Bobby Bowden played -- and won -- the first bowl game of his career in Orlando, a 40-17 win over Texas Tech in the 1977 Tangerine Bowl.
3. Special teams. The Seminoles have Lou Groza award winner Graham Gano, and Wisconsin has the worst kickoff return unit in the country. FSU's Michael Ray Garvin leads the country in kickoff returns, and Gano leads the country in field goals. Gano is averaging 41.1 yards per punt, and Wisconsin is 48th in the country in punt returns.
Here are three reasons why FSU won't win:
1. Momentum. Wisconsin enters this game on a three-game winning streak while Florida State is trying to regroup after losing two of its last three, including that pounding the Noles took from Florida.
2. The Big Ten's No. 1 rushing offense. This is obviously the Badgers' strength, as they lead the Big Ten with 212 rushing yards per game, good for 14th in the country. It's the best the program has been on the ground since 1999. Junior P.J. Hill and redshirt freshman John Clay combined to run for 1,866 yards this season. Over the past four games, Hill and Clay each went over the 100-yard mark three times and combined to total 773 yards (an average of 193.3 ypg). They also scored 13 touchdowns over that span. Wisconsin will try to pound the ball and control the clock.
3. Wisconsin's secondary. Niles Brinkley, Allen Langford and Shane Carter have combined for eight interceptions this season, and Jay Valai has developed a reputation as a hard hitter. If the Badgers can force quarterback Christian Ponder to throw the ball, this group is capable of making game-changing plays.
Bowl update: Close, but not quite
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Nothing is finalized yet, but it looks like the Gator Bowl wants Clemson and the Chick-fil-A Bowl wants Georgia Tech. That announcement could come as early as tomorrow.
As for North Carolina playing in Charlotte, it depends on who wins the ACC championship game and what the Champs Sports Bowl does.
If Virginia Tech wins, the Champs Sports Bowl is likely to take FSU, Boston College would fall to Music City, and North Carolina would go to Charlotte. If Virginia Tech loses but puts on a good showing, Champs might take the Hokies over FSU, which would likely send North Carolina to the Music City Bowl, and the Meineke Car Care Bowl would have Maryland, Miami or Florida State to choose from.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
There are 10 bowl-eligible teams for nine ACC tie-ins. Messy, just like the season was. There is an NCAA rule that forces bowls to select seven-win teams over six-win teams, and that could mean trouble for NC State. More likely, it means an at-large selection. While ACC officials try to figure that one out, here are this week's predictions for everyone:
BOSTON COLLEGE -- BC fans shouldn't have to worry about being slighted by the bowl selection committees this season. The Eagles have everything they need to make it to the Orange Bowl, including confidence from the fact they've already beaten Virginia Tech this season.
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Music City Bowl
Prediction: Orange Bowl
CLEMSON -- The Tigers threw the bowl picture out of whack when they became bowl eligible with their win over South Carolina. Their addition means everyone else is likely to get bumped a notch.
Possibilities: Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Emerald Bowl, Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Eagle Bank Bowl
Prediction: Music City Bowl
FLORIDA STATE -- The Noles took a pounding from Florida, but they're still an attractive eight-win team that should be one of the top picks. A trip to Jacksonville to face Nebraska makes sense at the expense of Georgia Tech.
Possibilities: Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl
Prediction: Gator Bowl
GEORGIA TECH -- This team deserves to be in one of the top bowls, especially after beating rival Georgia, but FSU would bring a "home" crowd and be a lucrative matchup for the Gator Bowl folks.
Possibilities: Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl
Prediction: Champs Sports Bowl
MARYLAND -- In a matter of two weeks, the Terps went from contender to pretender. Instead of seeing orange, they're more likely to see blue, as in Smurf Turf blue. You get what you play for. They can't play in the Eagle Bank Bowl because the date conflicts with their exam schedule.
Possibilities: Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Emerald Bowl, Roady's Humanitarian Bowl.
Prediction: Roady's Humanitarian Bowl.
MIAMI -- The Hurricanes didn't finish strong, but they still had a much better season than a year ago, and the fact they're even playing in a bowl game proves it. An invitation from the Champs Sports Bowl would be surprising.
Possibilities: Champs Sports Bowl, Music City Bowl, Emerald Bowl
Prediction: Emerald Bowl
NC STATE -- This is where the confusion comes in, because of the NCAA rule. There should be a few bowls out there, though, still looking for a team. Count the Motor City Bowl among them, since Ohio State should be in a BCS Bowl.
Possibilities: Meineke Car Care Bowl, Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Eagle Bank Bowl, Independence Bowl, Texas Bowl, Motor City Bowl,
Prediction: Motor City (at-large)
NORTH CAROLINA -- The Tar Heels won't be home for Christmas, but they might be very close. This is where the pecking order will come into play, with Music City, Meineke Car Care and Emerald either having to agree, or going in that order. Since Music City can go first, odds are it scoops up Clemson.
Possibilities: Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Emerald Bowl
Prediction: Meineke Car Care Bowl
VIRGINIA TECH -- The Chick-fil-A Bowl doesn't have to pick the ACC runner-up, but in this case it would make sense. LSU and South Carolina would both be good matchups.
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl
Prediction: Chick-fil-A Bowl
WAKE FOREST -- The Demon Deacons and Miami seem like the two most likely candidates for this inaugural bowl, and a rematch against Navy could be interesting. It would also be a no-win situation for the Deacs, who should have beaten the Middies the first time around.
Possibilities: Meineke Car Care Bowl, Emerald Bowl, Humanitarian Bowl, Eagle Bank Bowl
Prediction: Eagle Bank Bowl
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
With one week remaining in the regular season, every team in the ACC is either bowl eligible or playing for it on Saturday, with the exception of Duke. NC State, Virginia and Clemson could all become eligible with wins this week.
In order to do this blog post, predictions need to be made for the ACC championship game. It's down to Florida State and Boston College in the Atlantic, and Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech in the Coastal. As of right now, I'll stick with the home teams and say BC and Virginia Tech play for the ACC title on Dec. 6.
Here are educated guesses as to how the rest will shake out:
BOSTON COLLEGE -- The Eagles are down to their backup quarterback, but will face a Maryland team coming off a significant letdown this weekend. BC already beat Virginia Tech once this season, but can they do it with Dominique Davis at quarterback on Dec. 6?
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Music City Bowl
Prediction: Music City Bowl
CLEMSON -- The Tigers need to beat South Carolina at home in order for this not to be a moot point. That will be tough to do without injured bandit end Ricky Sapp, and against a stingy SC defense.
Possibilities: Emerald Bowl, Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Congressional Bowl, Music City Bowl
Prediction: The Tigers will be home for the holidays.
FLORIDA STATE -- The Seminoles have an outside shot of playing for the ACC title, but need Maryland to win in Chestnut Hill this weekend. An eight-win season is still impressive enough for one of the better bowls.
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl
Prediction: Chick-fil-A
GEORIGA TECH -- The Yellow Jackets need a Virginia Tech loss in order to have a shot at the Orange Bowl, but stranger things have happened this season. An eight-win season in Paul Johnson's first year makes this team attractive.
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl
Prediction: Gator Bowl
MARYLAND -- The Terps' chances of playing in the ACC championship game were sacked with Chris Turner last weekend, and now they're playing Boston College for bowl selection this weekend. The Meineke Car Care Bowl has been trying to get the Terps for a while now.
Possibilities: Champs Sports Bowl, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl
Prediction: Meineke Car Care Bowl
MIAMI -- The Hurricanes' five-game winning streak was snapped, and now there is also the possibility they'll have back-to-back losses, as NC State has something to play for this weekend.
Possibilities: Champs Sports Bowl, Emerald Bowl,
Prediction: Emerald Bowl
NC STATE -- The Wolfpack are one win away from bowl eligibility and they've got the momentum -- and the quarterback -- they need to do it this weekend against Miami.
Possibilities: Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Congressional Bowl
Prediction: Congressional Bowl
NORTH CAROLINA -- The Tar Heels have lost back-to-back games, dropped out of the rankings, and could very well lose to a much improved Duke team this weekend. How teams finish the season play a role in where they wind up.
Possibilities: Emerald Bowl, Music City Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl
Prediction: Champs Sports Bowl
VIRGINIA -- The Cavaliers need to beat rival Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium this weekend in order to become bowl eligible. Turnovers have been a costly trend all season, though, and the Hokies have had the upper hand in this rivalry in recent years.
Possibilities: Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Congressional Bowl
Prediction: The Cavs will be home for the holidays.
VIRGINIA TECH -- The Hokies looked woeful on offense again last weekend, but that hasn't stopped them all season from controlling their own destiny. A win over Virginia this weekend and the Hokies are in. If they face BC again in the ACC title game, they should have the edge in quarterbacks.
Possibilities: Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A, Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
Pediction: Orange Bowl
WAKE FOREST -- The Demon Deacons are bowl eligible, but the best they can finish is 7-5 with a win over Vanderbilt this weekend. Finding a lucrative bowl excited about a six-loss team isn't easy. Bundle up, Deacs.
Possibilities: Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Congressional Bowl, Emerald Bowl
Prediction: Humanitarian Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
It's the last year for Boise and the first year for D.C.
To be honest, it's a real toss-up after the first two. And it wouldn't surprise me if Gator Bowl folks went with an 8-4 team instead of a 9-3 Wake Forest team. And, no, I don't think nine ACC teams are going to be bowl-eligible this year. Nonetheless, here's an early look at who might wind up where in the postseason, in order of the bowl selection order:
1. BCS, Orange Bowl -- Clemson
2. Chick-fil-A -- Virginia Tech
3. Konica Minolta Gator Bowl -- Wake Forest
4. Champs Sports Bowl -- Maryland
5. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl -- Miami
6. Meineke Car Care Bowl -- North Carolina
7. Emerald Bowl -- Florida State
8. Roady's Humanitarian Bowl -- Boston College
9. Congressional Bowl - A MAC team vs. Navy.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
