The ACC Bowl Picture
by T.H. on Nov 21, 2009 6:31 PM EST
in Football
6 comments
With Florida State's win and Duke's loss today, the flight to bowl eligibility has officially pulled away from the gate. The conference will have seven teams in the postseason, which given that there are agreements with nine bowls, leaves the EagleBank Bowl in D.C. and the GMAC in Mobile out in the cold. The teams going bowling are Georgia Tech, Clemson, UNC, Virginia Tech, Miami, Boston College and FSU.
I think the best the Heels can hope for is the Champs Sports Bowl. The Orange obviously goes to team that wins in Tampa. The Peach will take Clemson if they lose, and if they pass on Georgia Tech - which they'll only be able to do if the Hokies win out - they'll certainly grab Virginia Tech. The Gator will take whichever Tech is still available, leaving the Champs to pick from two Florida teams, UNC, or Boston College. No idea how the last three spots shake out, although I'd think BC as the smallest name and thinnest fan base will be the last kid picked on the playground. Ironically, that's the better destination, as I'd rather see San Francisco than Nashville or Charlotte.
The Champs, which Carolina last played in back in 1995 when it was the Carquest Bowl, is now located in Orlando. This is the last year of their agreement with the Big Ten, where the get the fourth pick in that conference as well. Likely teams are Wisconsin, Michigan State, or Northwestern.
0 recs |
6 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
great win over b.c yesterday
who does champs sports bowl take as opponent? sec, big east?
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 22, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions
Nashville
TH,
I’m thinking Nashville. I know we won’t come back to charlotte after being here this year. San Francisco gets the last pick out of everyone and the Champs Sports bowl is going to go ahead and lock up FSU or Miami if the Canes are available. Here’s how I see it shaking out.
If GT wins its pretty simple; GT-Orange, Clemson-Chic-Fil-A, VT-Gator, Miami-Champs Sports, UNC-Nashville, FSU/BC-Emerald or Meineke depending on what Meineke goes for.
If GT loses but ends up still ranked top 12; Clemson-Orange, GT-Fiesta or Sugar, VT-Chic-Fil-A, Miami-Gator, UNC-Champs, FSU-Nashville, BC-Meineke
If GT loses and doesn’t get an at-large BCS bid; Clemson-Orange, GT/VT Chicfila and Gator (depending on GT’s desire to go to Atlanta and play LSU again haha), Miami-Champs, UNC-Nashville, FSU-Meineke, BC-Emerald
Just my two cents from what I understand. Nashville pays more, they know FSU won’t travel because of the turmoil and the lack of national pull now, plus it sets up a UNC-Tenn, UGA or possibly an LSU if they lose to Arkansas Saturday. Give me an SEC match up anyday over playing the crappy Big 10 team.
ItsFELDER
I hadn’t thought of a losing GT still making the BCS, but that is quite possible. I don’t think the Champs would take FSU for a second straight year, even if the optics of taking a 6-6 team over three 8+ win teams weren’t so bad.
The big question is would the Champs take Miami? That’s a lot of lost hotel revenue I’d think, but Charlotte’s fond of UNC and the drive to Orlando is a bit farther than I originally expected. But if the Champs passes, then it’s definitely Nashville.
Money too
There are some interesting repercussions overall, we’re looking at a “take the same team” scenario in the SEC with the Chic-Fil-A and Cotton bowl as LSU and Ole Miss are right there in the same position they were in last year essentially. Also with FSU finishing at 4-4 in the conference they’re within that “one game range” that makes them a pick over UNC or other 5-3 teams.
The drive to Orlando is not much further than Nashville about an hour or so.
Orlando to Miami is still almost a 4 hour drive so I don’t know that they’d lose a ton of hotel money in the grand scheme of things. The Big 10 school will still bring people unless its N’Western and Miami fans will just be glad they’re in a bowl local enough to attend.
As I stated earlier, I’d rather play an SEC school. It has a lot to do with fan turn out, atmosphere and truly measuring ourselves. Granted it will be a Tenn, UK, UGA, Arkansas caliber team but still that’s a better and more attractive match up.
ItsFELDER
by MichaelFelder on Nov 23, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
I still can’t see the Champs tempting the veritable shitstorm that would erupt from picking a (barring a miracle) 6-6 team over three 9-3 or 8-4 teams solely to take an FSU team whose they just had in Orlando last year.
To be honest I’d rather see UNC play a Big Ten school, just for novelty’s sake. They’ve only played Indiana and Wisconsin in the last 20 years. I figure there will be plenty of bowl opportunities in the coming years for SEC opponents.
Big 10
Unless its Penn State, Iowa or Ohio State I’d just as soon skip the Big 10 all together. Personally if its not an SEC school I’d take the Pac 10 on; except playing the Emerald would absolutely suck.
ItsFELDER
by MichaelFelder on Nov 25, 2009 12:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
