College Football: Way Too Early SEC Bowl Predictions for ’15
By Lee Wardlaw
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27) runs past Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Steve Miller (88) during the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
While some may say projecting the bowl games at this time of the year would be a silly and unproductive venture, Southbound and Down uses three categories to attempt to uncover each SEC school’s possible destination.
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The first factor that goes into projecting a school’s potential postseason destination is the team’s strength. That’s obvious and self-explanatory.
A conference contender from ’14 who returns a star quarterback and a host of starters on both sides of the ball shouldn’t be surprised to be projected in a top tier game.
Team strength isn’t the only factor that goes into postseason bowl selections. Scheduling is equally as important. For example, many schools non-conference schedules can make or break a shot at a bowl game.
It’s not that hard to qualify for bowl eligibility, but schools such as Mississippi State are prepared for the worst.
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Because the Dogs play in a minefield Western Division, athletic Scott Stricklin scheduled four non-conference pasties to basically guarantee a spot for State in the postseason.
Finally, the last factor for most bowl selections is subjective politics. While the playoff selection committee is asked to choose the nation’s four best teams, other games are in it for the money. That could mean the team that fits best geographically, or the school that provides increased ticket sales or television ratings.
It’s six months from the postseason, but in light of the newly released College Football Bowl schedule, Southbound and Down takes a crack at projecting the postseason.
Next: Independence Bowl