As we approach Selection Sunday, it’s only fitting that I try and beat the committee and come up with my own predictions. Keep in mind: My focus is on Arizona State and Arizona, but I’ll take a stab at a few of the others.
With regard to Arizona State (6-6) and Arizona (6-6) and the current 12-game schedule, I could start by arguing that a team with just six wins doesn’t deserve a bowl bid. I’ve argued that ever since college football moved from an 11- to 12-game schedule, but there are simply too many bowl games to fill, so we’re stuck with mediocre teams playing in bowl games.
That said, there’s certainly reason to believe Arizona will play in the newly created Nova Home Loans Bowl in Tucson on Dec. 29 and could face a team like Colorado State. It’s also an easy pick to go with Arizona State in the Cactus Bowl in Tempe on Jan. 2, hosting a team like Kansas State or West Virginia.
But that’s too easy, so let’s take a look at a couple of other possibilities for the two teams from the desert.
Although it might be a stretch, let’s go with the Arizona Wildcats taking on Virginia Tech in the Camping World Independence Bowl on Dec. 26, while the Arizona State Sun Devils travel to Dallas for the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on the same day, taking on Southern Mississippi or Western Kentucky.
I know those sound like to heart-stoppers of bowl games, but they are games that both teams could easily win and get that seventh win of the season, which does make for a winning season when all is said and done!
Enough about our two mediocre teams from Arizona; what about the national championship, which will be played in Glendale on January 11?
I’m sticking with Oklahoma vs. Alabama after both win their semifinal games on Dec. 31. The Sooners will beat Clemson and the Tide will put Michigan State away.
Nothing left to do now but sit back and wait for the bowl selection committee to do their work and see if I’m even close on my predictions. Enjoy!
