TCU to Memphis? Longhorns to NOLA? Bowl projections for Frogs and Big 12
TCU is going to a bowl game for the 16th time in Gary Patterson’s 18 seasons.
But where? The bowl projections have the Frogs landing in multiple spots and we’ll know for sure on Sunday.
A lot depends on how the Big 12 championship game between Texas and Oklahoma unfolds. OU is fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff, something that Patterson made clear the Sooners deserve if they’re a one-loss Big 12 champion.
If that holds true and OU finds itself among the final four with a win, Texas is the likely choice to represent the Big 12 in the Sugar Bowl. The other option would be West Virginia if it somehow jumps Texas in the final standings, but most within the college football world don’t believe the committee would penalize Texas for losing the Big 12 championship and keep it in front of West Virginia.
A Texas win in the Big 12 title game would guarantee the Longhorns a spot in the Sugar Bowl and OU would be an attractive at-large bid for another New Year’s Six game such as the Fiesta or Peach Bowl.
So here’s our projection of how it goes for TCU and the Big 12’s seven bowl eligible teams from the conference. Once the CFP and New Year’s Six games are set, the Big 12 bowl affiliates select (in order) by Alamo, Camping World, Texas, Liberty, Cheez-it, Armed Forces --
Oklahoma (College Football Playoff): The thought here is that Kyler Murray and the Sooners avenge the Red River loss in October and win the Big 12 title game. OU, thanks to Murray being one of college football’s must-see attractions, wins the debate over Ohio State for the final spot in the CFP.
Texas (Sugar Bowl): Win or lose the Big 12 title game, Texas seems destined for New Orleans. The Longhorns would surely embrace this trip as they haven’t been to this prestigious of a bowl game since the 2009 national championship.
West Virginia (Alamo): This decision ultimately comes down between West Virginia and Iowa State for the Alamo Bowl brass. Both schools are expected to travel well, and the nod goes to the Mountaineers with a Heisman hopeful in Will Grier.
Iowa State (Camping World): This Orlando, Florida bowl is more than happy to bring in Iowa State, which has a fan base that travels well and won’t hesitate to head for the warmer Florida temperatures.
Baylor (Texas Bowl): The Texas Bowl has an interesting decision to make between Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State. The thought here is that Baylor’s fan base is the most excited to be bowling after a one-win season a year ago and travel the best out of the three. If Texas A&M lands in this bowl game, though, don’t be surprised if Oklahoma State gets the nod so the Aggies avoid playing another Texas school (Baylor or TCU).
TCU (Liberty Bowl): Frog fans, dust off your Elvis Presley albums for this bowl game on New Year’s Eve. TCU went to this Memphis, Tennessee bowl game two years ago, losing to Georgia, but make a return trip to face another SEC team. This seems like the most likely destination for TCU unless only one Big 12 team makes it to a New Year’s Six game.
Oklahoma State (Cheez-it Bowl): The Cowboys had an unpredictable season, beating teams such as Boise State and West Virginia and taking Oklahoma down to the final seconds. But they also lost by multiple scores to teams such as K-State and Texas Tech. Finishing this season in a bowl played at an MLB stadium seems strangely fitting for Okie State.