Dawgs to Face Michigan State in Outback Bowl

Kick off is 1pm Eastern on January 2nd from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  ABC will cover the game with Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden (who still won't be coaching in college by then) in the booth and Lisa Salters on the sideline..

Michigan State got a way worse deal than Georgia did in the bowl selections, with two teams they beat in the regular season (Wisconsin and Michigan) making BCS games.  Of course, they did lose to Wisconsin last night in the B!G championship game.

Very tough defensive team to face. More on that later.

TD

Where Will Georgia Go Bowling?

No matter how the BCS Championship shakes out, LSU and Alabama are going to be BCS teams.  That leaves Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia left for the CapitolOne, Outback and Cotton bowls. For purposes of discussion, I assume those three bowls wouldn't pick a 7-5 team over a 10 win team (and I am not sure they can by rule, now that I think about it).

The CapitolOne has first pick of SEC teams after BCS teams are off the table. Outback and Cotton pick next, working together.

Conventional wisdom has Arkansas going to Dallas for the Cotton.  There is no rule requiring a West team, but only Tennessee in 2001 and 2005 has played in the Cotton Bowl from the East since the SEC tie in started. The West just makes more sense, given proximity of fan base.

However, for that to happen, CapitolOne has to pick either Georgia or South Carolina over Arkansas. Do you think that'll happen?  I don't. It looks like the B!G rep will be Nebraska, so matching Bobby Petrino and Bo Penlini is a pretty compelling opportunity. If Michigan doesn't get a BCS bid, you can expect them to play in Orlando, by the way. There is a chance they pick Georgia, since we played in the SECC or South Carolina because they are stupid, but given the match-ups and getting a top 5-6 BCS ranked team, they'll pick Arky.

So that leaves the Outback and Cotton picking between Georgia and South Carolina. I don't have anything more than a hunch, but I think we'll go to Dallas and face Oklahoma.   If I am wrong, we'll face Michigan State (or Nebraska if they don't go to Orlando).

Where would you like us to go/see us going?
TD

Georgia's Bowl Outlook

Raise your hand if you thought Georgia would be looking at no worse than the Outback Bowl back on September 12th?  Anyone?

But here we are on November 15th and that is where we are. Here are my thoughts on Georgia's bowl chances:

BCS National Championship: This ain't 2007, y'all.

Sugar: Clearly, this is the crown jewel of bowl talk for the Georgia fan. The path is simple, but not easy. Beat Kentucky this week, then beat the SEC West Champion in Atlanta. We'll likely get Houston or the loser of the OU vs Oklahoma State game.

CapitolOne and Cotton (updated to reflect reality, not my perception..see comments): CapOne picks immediately after the BCS picks are off the table, and is obligated to take the top remaining team or a team within one game of that team. Traditionally, CapOne picks the top non-BCS team from the East and the Cotton the top non-BCS team from the West. Last year, 'Bama was picked over South Carolina, due to their better record.  2005 was the last Cotton Bowl to feature a team from the East (Tennessee). In fact, Tennessee is the only team from the East to play in the Cotton Bowl under the current bowl alignment agreement.

So where does that leave us?  A combination of 'Bama, LSU and Arkansas are BCS teams, with the other West team going to the Cotton Bowl. However, there is a rumor growing consensus that if the CapOne can get Arkansas, they will. If Georgia doesn't finish with a game of them, they have to take Arkansas. I think the CapOne grabs the Dawgs if Arkansas is a BCS team, unless somehow LSU isn't in the BCS. If Arkansas goes to Orlando, the Dawgs will likely go to the Cotton Bowl, since rumors/consensus has the Outback and Cotton working together to get the Gamecocks to Tampa and Dawgs to Dallas.

In the Cotton Bowl, we'd get Kansas State, Texas or Baylor, unless Oklahoma or Oklahoma State don't get a BCS nod. My money is on KState.

In the CapOne, we'd play some combination of Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska, or Michigan State. My money is on Wisconsin.

Outback: If we lose to Kentucky, this is the very best we can hope for. If we lose to Tech after beating Kentucky, it gets murkier. The more likely scenario, of course, is beat Kentucky, lose to Tech and have the CapOne and Cotton pass on us. Go to the Outback and we face some crappy B1G team, likely Michigan, which is far better than Nashville facing some crappy ACC team.  I think this is the 'worse' bowl game we'll go to if we beat Kentucky, but lose to Tech.

There is one other way we end up in Tampa: if Arkansas is the only BCS team from the SEC, which is frankly not very plausible.  If that happens, LSU and Bama will go to the CapOne and Cotton.

Peach...or worse: Lose both of the remaining games. Face regret and the Dawg Vent crashing. It is possible, but not conceivable, given the other options, that the Dawgs could win one/both regular season games, then lose the SECCG and end up getting South Carolina'ed, but considering that'd mean three bowls would have passed over a 9-10 win Georgia for 7 win teams, I don't see it happening.

Right now, let's win this week and see what happens in Atlanta.  Win the first one in Atlanta and we are nearly assured at least the Cotton/CapOne.  Lose both in Atlanta, CapOne is the very best we can hope for and are likely looking at Outback.

I'd love to go to Dallas if we aren't in New Orleans.  Wouldn't you?
TD

SEC Bowl Predictions from Us

Below are the Bowl Predictions from three of your friendly hosts.



Westerdawg Picks

Sugar	Alabama
Fiesta	LSU
CapitalOne	S. Carolina
Outback	Georgia
Cotton	Arkansas
Peach	Auburn
Gator	Florida
Music City	Miss State
Liberty	Tennessee
B'ham Bowl	Ole Miss

Tyler Dawgden

MNC Game	Alabama
Sugar	LSU
CapitalOne	Georgia
Outback	Florida
Cotton	Miss State
Peach	S. Carolina
Gator	Arkansas
Music City	Kentucky
Liberty	Tennessee
B'ham Bowl	Auburn

Dawgnoxious

Sugar	LSU
Fiesta	Alabama
CapitalOne	Georgia
Outback	Florida
Cotton	Arky
Peach	Auburn
Gator	S. Carolina
Music City	Kentucky
Liberty	Tennessee
B'ham Bowl	Ole Miss

What are your picks? What's your reaction?



PWD

Bowl Chaos Update

SEC and ACC Bowls are getting progressively more nuts and unpredictable by the minute. Here's the latest:

• LSU to the Capital One - This is still pretty much a go.

• Ole Miss to Cotton - Multiple reports including the Dallas Morning News are saying that Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma State is pretty much a done deal for the Cotton Bowl.

• Auburn to Outback Bowl - The Outback Bowl may officially announce this afternoon that Auburn is invited to the Tampa bowl. Tennessee media outlets agree that AU is likely to get that invite instead of the Vols.

• FSU to the Gator Bowl - The Gator gets the second pick of ACC teams, and the Tallahassee Democrat says the Gator will select FSU vs. West Virginia for Bowden's final game if/when the retirement is finalized. The Gator also selected UGA for Dooley's last game.
  

• Virginia Tech to the Chick-Fil-A - The Chick-Fil-A Bowl should update their blog later today with their latest leanings, but 9-3 Va Tech looks like a distinct possibility. If the Chick-Fil-A takes VT, the loser of the ACC Title game could fall all the way to the Champ Sports Bowl. Update Per the Tallahassee Democrat:

  According to the Gator Bowl's contract with the ACC, the team only has to invite the ACC title game loser once in four years, which it did with Georgia Tech in 2007. Without speculating on the matchup, Gator Bowl general chairman Dan Murphy told the Times-Union late Monday that it's the GBA's interpretation of the contract that the league's one-loss rule (a team cannot be passed for consideration by an ACC bowl partner for a team more than one loss behind in the conference standings) does not apply if the Gator Bowl decides not to invite the championship game loser. (emphasis added)
  

  Georgia Tech attended the Chick-fil-A last year. Va Tech would be making their third trip to Atlanta in one season, and Clemson would be riding a two game losing streak at 8-5. All three ACC teams have hair on them.
  

• UGA or UT in the Chick-Fil-A - The best thing for all bowl partners would be UGA in the Chick-Fil-A and UT in the Music City. That would sell the greatest number of total bowl tickets. However, UT vs. VT is an incredibly compelling regional game as is Georgia vs. Clemson, or Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee. The Atlanta Sports Council has a tough call on their hands.

• UGA, UT or SC in the Music City? - The Nashville Bowl has a variety of incredibly compelling potential games as South Carolina, Tennessee or Georgia would all offer a great game against North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.
  

• UGA to the Independence Bowl? - If UT goes to the Chick-Fil-A and SC faces UNC in the Music City, Georgia could fall all the way to the Independence Bowl. We are hearing that this is still a scenario that is very much on the table. The Liberty Bowl isn't in play as that bowl will not pass on Arkansas. Texas A&M is a strong candidate for the opponent in Shreveport.
  

PWD

Bowl Projections for UGA

As of tonight, Chris Low, Mark Schlabach and Bruce Feldman all think we're going to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl likely vs. Virginia Tech. Sportsline thinks we're still heading to Birmingham, but I just can't see that happening. Mark Bradley is waffling, but leaning towards Nashville.

The ESPN folks who think we're coming to Atlanta are basing that on the idea that Ole Miss and Tennessee are going to some combination of the Outback and the Cotton Bowls. That is likely the best case for UGA from a bowl prestige standpoint.

Here are some of the complicating factors that could make our destination murky until the final hour:

• Cotton Bowl + SWC Relationships: It's not unreasonable for the Cotton Bowl to pass on Ole Miss making a return visit. They are allowed to slip down a notch and pick up a team like Arkansas. The Hawgs went to Dallas after the 2007 and 2001 seasons, and the bowl committee likes having the Hawgs. An Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State match-up would sell a ton of tickets. If they take the Razorbacks, the Outback would take Ole Miss. At that point, the Chick-Fil-A has to choose between UGA, SC and UT. Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee would be a very compelling game, and that could slip us to the Music City or lower.
  
  
• Outback Bowl + UK Relationships: The founder of Outback Steakhouse is a UK Alum, and he was instrumental in developing the Outback Bowl into what it is today. He was also the key factor in bringing the 1998 Wildcat team to Tampa despite their 7-4 record, despite coming off a 59-21 blowout loss to Tennessee and despite UGA having a better record at 8-3 and a head to head win. A much easier case could be made for bringing UK in 2009 back to Tampa. They've gone the longest between visits to Tampa compared to UGA, UT and SC, and they would be fairly excited about the trip. If UK goes here and Ole Miss is in the Cotton Bowl, we're back to the Chick-Fil-A bowl choosing between UGA and UT. This could also send us to the Music City or lower. I see this as a remote possibility.
  

All we do know at this point is:

1. Bama and UF are obviously BCS bound.

2. LSU is a near mortal lock for the Capital One Bowl

3. South Carolina isn't going to the Outback again.

4. Ole Miss isn't slipping past the Outback.

5. Tennessee won't slip past the Liberty or Music City (which pick simultaneously)

6. UK is going to have problems getting into the Liberty and PapaJohn's Bowls. Those games are the same date as UK vs. Louisville in basketball with near overlapping time slots. If UK were to end up in B'ham, it would be because no one else wanted them.

7. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl is unlikely to put together a rematch between UGA/GT or Clemson/SC.

The only bad scenarios to me are playing Northwestern in the Outback or Boston College in the Music City Bowl. Facing VT in the Chick-Fil-A, UNC or FSU in the Music City or Wisconsin in the Outback works for me.

Where do you think we end up?

PWD

The Bowl Picture

Since every Georgia fan I know is either indifferent to the Tech game, conceding defeat, or actively cheering for Tech to score in economy size bunches so the defensive staff can be lit ablaze at midfield after the game, I'm going to take a glance at the bowl picture.  If I assume death by a thousand stings Saturday, it looks like the possibilities are Memphis, Shreveport, or Birmingham.  Nashville could be a possibility, but only if we beat Tech.  Assuming South Carolina and Auburn lose this weekend, I think they are our primary competition.

Here's how the top bowls shake out: BCS - Gators and Tide, Capital One - Ole Miss, Cotton - winner of LSU and Arkansas, Outback - winner of UK and UT, Peach - loser of LSU and Arkansas, Music City - loser of UT and UK.  That leaves Auburn, the Dawgs, and the Cocks to fight it out for the lower bowls. 

If I'm the Liberty Bowl, I can select a team with a new coach, a relatively energized fanbase, and a team with the closest geographic proximity (but still requires a hotel stay) in Auburn.  I'd get a Gus Malzahn's offense against Houston, a potential offensive explosion, to draw a TV crowd.  Imagine our secondary against the Cougars.  I think I'd take Auburn in that game before I'd select Georgia, despite the head-to-head win.

Which leaves the Indy Bowl with the next pick.  If it's between us and Carolina, my guess is that we'd get the edge.  We beat them in September, they're going to likely be riding a four game losing streak, and they have been to Shreveport recently.  Plus, look at the Big 12 candidates the Indy Bowl might select.  A UGA-Oklahoma game would draw a nice TV audience, even though both teams have fallen on hard times.  I'd think a Georgia-A&M game would draw as well, just based on the name value of the two teams.  Those Big 12 teams should bring a crowd and offset the attendence problems created by the distance factor for Georgia fans.

The only real threat to this is if Oklahoma State ends up in the BCS.  Then Iowa State likely comes into play for Shreveport.  An Auburn vs. Iowa State game would have serious appeal because of Gene Chizick.  Maybe the SEC and the Liberty allow that game and Georgia goes to Memphis instead of Auburn. 

So, is a match up with Oklahoma or Texas A&M exciting enough to get you to buy a ticket?

Quinton

Bowl Projections

My overall reaction to Saturday's game is one of relief mixed with joy mixed with four fingers in the air in honor of the first four game winning streak over Auburn in 61 years.

My secondary reaction is "Whew, I don't have to go to Shreveport." Northern Louisiana isn't completely off the table, but a win over the Wildcats on Saturday will push that possibility totally out of the picture.

Some of this week's Bowl Predictions are in:

Mark Schlabach - Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Clemson
Bruce Feldman - Music City vs. FSU
Chris Low - Music City vs. ACC Team
Sportsline - Liberty vs. Houston
Scout.com - Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Clemson

I think it's a mild stretch to have us in the Liberty right now against Houston since the Cougars don't even lead their division in CUSA. That distinction shockingly belongs to SMU.

The long and short of it is this. If we win out, we're going to the Outback or Chick-Fil-A Bowl. If we lose, we could end up in a variety of places from Atlanta (unlikely) to Nashville to Memphis. Personally, I think a split in the next 2 games puts us into Nashville against UNC.

Some games that would help us include LSU over ARK, Clemson over SC, and maybe UK over UT. Although, the biggest piece of the puzzle is clearly beating a very tough Georgia Tech team.

PWD

Bowl Rumblings for Georgia

We're apparently going to wait til the last minute to find out if we're going to the Capital One or Outback Bowl. The official announcements are slated for roughly 4:00 EST today. UGASports.com thinks it's a near lock that we're going to the Capital One Bowl. I agree with them.

The Orlando Sentinel also thinks we're heading to Orlando. That's a pretty strong indicator. Both projections have us playing Michigan State. Sportsline also agrees.

CFN, in their continuing effort to be unreadable, have us in the Outback Bowl. If they are right, then that'll be news in its own right.

PWD

Bowl Rumblings for Georgia

We're apparently going to wait til the last minute to find out if we're going to the Capital One or Outback Bowl. The official announcements are slated for roughly 4:00 EST today. UGASports.com thinks it's a near lock that we're going to the Capital One Bowl. I agree with them.

The Orlando Sentinel also thinks we're heading to Orlando. That's a pretty strong indicator. Both projections have us playing Michigan State. Sportsline also agrees.

CFN, in their continuing effort to be unreadable, have us in the Outback Bowl. If they are right, then that'll be news in its own right.

PWD

Georgia's Bowl Situation and other Projections

It is not a total lock that Georgia would go to the Capital One Bowl if we lost to Georgia Tech. If South Carolina and Ole Miss close their seasons at 8-4 with a win over a heated rival, that might make them as attractive as a Georgia fan base coming off a loss to the Jackets. However, it does look like a high probability either way that we'll end up in Orlando.

Saturday is a bigger game for Tech's bowl opportunities. A Tech win puts them squarely into Peach or Gator with the obvious shot at the Orange Bowl if they back door the ACC Title game. A Tech loss would devastate their bowl opportunities. Tech will never win an ACC Title game coming off a loss to UGA. Plus, their fans are notoriously weak travelers following a loss to the Dawgs. They could fall to the Champ Sports or Music City Bowl with a loss.

Other Bowl News:

• BCS Bowls: No SEC Championship game loser has ever made a BCS Bowl before. That will change this year unless Florida were to lose to both FSU and Alabama. In that scenario, it is possible that Georgia (if we beat Tech) would make the Sugar Bowl (likely against Utah) over the Gators who would have 3 losses. Most pundits predict Florida in the title game and Bama in the Sugar. The Tide hasn't been to the Sugar Bowl since Jan. 1, 1993.
  
  
• Capital One Bowl - Georgia is most likely destined for Orlando. Oddly, the game to watch for UGA fans is the Oregon State vs. Oregon game. If the Beavers beat the Ducks, Ohio State will likely be bumped from a BCS at-large birth. The Buckeyes would be ranked 9th or 10th and Georgia would likely be ranked 11th or 12th heading into that game. If the Beavers lose, Georgia will likely face Michigan State. One local Spartan newspaper thinks a date with UGA would be bad news for MSU.
  
  
• Outback Bowl - The State in Columbia says that the Gamecocks may be headed to Tampa regardless of the outcome of their date with Clemson. Michigan State and Iowa seem to be front runners for the Big 10 spot. (See Also - Mandel on the Big 10 Bowls)
  
  
• Cotton - the Dallas Morning News would love to see UGA vs. Texas Tech. It ain't gonna happen. They say it's more likely to be Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss in a gross mismatch, but good for the Rebels. If they get Croomed by Mississippi State on Friday, then LSU will slide into this slot.
  
  
• Chick-Fil-A Bowl - If the Atlanta Sports Council finds LSU vs. Florida State under their Christmas Tree, it would be the luckiest break their bowl has caught in a while. Any combo of LSU vs. FSU or Georgia Tech would draw well. Boston College vs anyone would be a ticket fiasco.
  
  
• Music City - The Music City Bowl has stated that it isn't opposed to selecting Vanderbilt. After back to back trips to Nashville by Kentucky, it would seem that Vandy staying local wouldn't be a bad idea. The Music City and Liberty Bowls actually pick at the same time. They both make a list of the teams they want in order 1-3, and the SEC works with those lists (plus the desires of the teams affected) to place the teams. Vandy or UK will end up here barring a combo of UK beating UT and LSU falling to Arkansas. The ACC is too complex to know where anyone will land this far down their pecking order.
  
  
• Liberty - See the comments above. Vanderbilt vs. the Conference USA Champ is my prediction, but UK could end up here as well.
  
  
• Independence - The fellas in Shreveport need Auburn to beat Alabama, Notre Dame to beat Southern Cal (and the Cotton to take ND instead of Ole Miss) or some other calamity in order for the SEC to have enough bowl eligible teams for the Independence Bowl. The Bowl also needs Colorado to beat Nebraska in Lincoln in order to have a Big 12 team for the other slot. A match-up of UL-L vs. Northern Illinois isn't out of the question.
  
  
• PapaJohns.com - There's no SEC team for this bowl. Their best hope is to squeeze Troy into their game vs. a Big East also-ran.

See Also:
-- ESPN's Bowl Projections
-- Sportsline.com Bowl Projections
-- Bowl Tickets to Any Game - Stubhub

PWD

Georgia's Bowl Situation and other Projections

It is not a total lock that Georgia would go to the Capital One Bowl if we lost to Georgia Tech. If South Carolina and Ole Miss close their seasons at 8-4 with a win over a heated rival, that might make them as attractive as a Georgia fan base coming off a loss to the Jackets. However, it does look like a high probability either way that we'll end up in Orlando.

Saturday is a bigger game for Tech's bowl opportunities. A Tech win puts them squarely into Peach or Gator with the obvious shot at the Orange Bowl if they back door the ACC Title game. A Tech loss would devastate their bowl opportunities. Tech will never win an ACC Title game coming off a loss to UGA. Plus, their fans are notoriously weak travelers following a loss to the Dawgs. They could fall to the Champ Sports or Music City Bowl with a loss.

Other Bowl News:

• BCS Bowls: No SEC Championship game loser has ever made a BCS Bowl before. That will change this year unless Florida were to lose to both FSU and Alabama. In that scenario, it is possible that Georgia (if we beat Tech) would make the Sugar Bowl (likely against Utah) over the Gators who would have 3 losses. Most pundits predict Florida in the title game and Bama in the Sugar. The Tide hasn't been to the Sugar Bowl since Jan. 1, 1993.
  
  
• Capital One Bowl - Georgia is most likely destined for Orlando. Oddly, the game to watch for UGA fans is the Oregon State vs. Oregon game. If the Beavers beat the Ducks, Ohio State will likely be bumped from a BCS at-large birth. The Buckeyes would be ranked 9th or 10th and Georgia would likely be ranked 11th or 12th heading into that game. If the Beavers lose, Georgia will likely face Michigan State. One local Spartan newspaper thinks a date with UGA would be bad news for MSU.
  
  
• Outback Bowl - The State in Columbia says that the Gamecocks may be headed to Tampa regardless of the outcome of their date with Clemson. Michigan State and Iowa seem to be front runners for the Big 10 spot. (See Also - Mandel on the Big 10 Bowls)
  
  
• Cotton - the Dallas Morning News would love to see UGA vs. Texas Tech. It ain't gonna happen. They say it's more likely to be Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss in a gross mismatch, but good for the Rebels. If they get Croomed by Mississippi State on Friday, then LSU will slide into this slot.
  
  
• Chick-Fil-A Bowl - If the Atlanta Sports Council finds LSU vs. Florida State under their Christmas Tree, it would be the luckiest break their bowl has caught in a while. Any combo of LSU vs. FSU or Georgia Tech would draw well. Boston College vs anyone would be a ticket fiasco.
  
  
• Music City - The Music City Bowl has stated that it isn't opposed to selecting Vanderbilt. After back to back trips to Nashville by Kentucky, it would seem that Vandy staying local wouldn't be a bad idea. The Music City and Liberty Bowls actually pick at the same time. They both make a list of the teams they want in order 1-3, and the SEC works with those lists (plus the desires of the teams affected) to place the teams. Vandy or UK will end up here barring a combo of UK beating UT and LSU falling to Arkansas. The ACC is too complex to know where anyone will land this far down their pecking order.
  
  
• Liberty - See the comments above. Vanderbilt vs. the Conference USA Champ is my prediction, but UK could end up here as well.
  
  
• Independence - The fellas in Shreveport need Auburn to beat Alabama, Notre Dame to beat Southern Cal (and the Cotton to take ND instead of Ole Miss) or some other calamity in order for the SEC to have enough bowl eligible teams for the Independence Bowl. The Bowl also needs Colorado to beat Nebraska in Lincoln in order to have a Big 12 team for the other slot. A match-up of UL-L vs. Northern Illinois isn't out of the question.
  
  
• PapaJohns.com - There's no SEC team for this bowl. Their best hope is to squeeze Troy into their game vs. a Big East also-ran.

See Also:
-- ESPN's Bowl Projections
-- Sportsline.com Bowl Projections
-- Bowl Tickets to Any Game - Stubhub

PWD

Kentucky is a MUST win for bowl selections

If UGA wins out, we're going to the CapitalOne Bowl in Orlando versus most likely Michigan State. There's an outside shot at facing Ohio State, but it requires several long shot scenarios to fall into place.

However, if we lose a variety of problematic scenarios start to unfold.

• Kentucky's Upside - If the Wildcats (6-3) win tomorrow, they are well positioned to finish 9-3. They host Vanderbilt next week, and they get a week off after that to get ready for a game in Neyland Stadium against a struggling Volunteer squad. UK has only played in one New Year's Day bowl since Bear Bryant left in the early 1950s. If they win out, they would be more attractive to the Capital One, Outback and Cotton Bowls than UGA because of fan enthusiasm. Additionally, Outback Steakhouse's founder (a UK Alum/Booster) is an active member of the Tampa sports group that created the Outback Bowl.
  
  
• South Carolina's Upside - The Gamecocks are currently 6-3 with games remaining vs Arkansas, at Florida and at Clemson. It's entirely reasonable to see the Chickens going 8-4 against that slate. As I understand it, the SEC Bowl selection rules will allow a bowl to pick a team with a lesser record as long as its only 1 conference loss behind the higher ranked team. That means the Outback Bowl could (and likely would) select South Carolina over UGA if LSU or UK were in the Capital One Bowl.
  
  
• The Bottom Dropping Out - A loss to the Wildcats could send an already disappointed UGA squad off the deep end, and set up an upset to the Yellow Jackets or Aubies.

The team still has a lot to play for in terms of bowl seeding. I'd wager that being in Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl is totally unappealing. To avoid that, we need to take care of business.

Besides...there's always the outside shot of tangling with The Ohio State Suckeyes in Orlando. If you want to see that, pull for Illinois to de-pants the tOSU again in two weeks.

See Also:
-- Bowl Implications for both teams - State Journal (KY)
-- UK Bowl Possibilities - Lexington Herald
-- SEC Bowl Situation - And the Valley Shook
-- Georgia vs. Auburn Tickets - Stubhub

PWD

Kentucky is a MUST win for bowl selections

If UGA wins out, we're going to the CapitalOne Bowl in Orlando versus most likely Michigan State. There's an outside shot at facing Ohio State, but it requires several long shot scenarios to fall into place.

However, if we lose a variety of problematic scenarios start to unfold.

• Kentucky's Upside - If the Wildcats (6-3) win tomorrow, they are well positioned to finish 9-3. They host Vanderbilt next week, and they get a week off after that to get ready for a game in Neyland Stadium against a struggling Volunteer squad. UK has only played in one New Year's Day bowl since Bear Bryant left in the early 1950s. If they win out, they would be more attractive to the Capital One, Outback and Cotton Bowls than UGA because of fan enthusiasm. Additionally, Outback Steakhouse's founder (a UK Alum/Booster) is an active member of the Tampa sports group that created the Outback Bowl.
  
  
• South Carolina's Upside - The Gamecocks are currently 6-3 with games remaining vs Arkansas, at Florida and at Clemson. It's entirely reasonable to see the Chickens going 8-4 against that slate. As I understand it, the SEC Bowl selection rules will allow a bowl to pick a team with a lesser record as long as its only 1 conference loss behind the higher ranked team. That means the Outback Bowl could (and likely would) select South Carolina over UGA if LSU or UK were in the Capital One Bowl.
  
  
• The Bottom Dropping Out - A loss to the Wildcats could send an already disappointed UGA squad off the deep end, and set up an upset to the Yellow Jackets or Aubies.

The team still has a lot to play for in terms of bowl seeding. I'd wager that being in Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl is totally unappealing. To avoid that, we need to take care of business.

Besides...there's always the outside shot of tangling with The Ohio State Suckeyes in Orlando. If you want to see that, pull for Illinois to de-pants the tOSU again in two weeks.

See Also:
-- Bowl Implications for both teams - State Journal (KY)
-- UK Bowl Possibilities - Lexington Herald
-- SEC Bowl Situation - And the Valley Shook
-- Georgia vs. Auburn Tickets - Stubhub

PWD