See how Pac-12 bowl lineup should shake out
There are two general scenarios for bowl selection day today for the Pac-12 — one with Washington State in the New Year’s Six and the other with the Cougars in a Pac12-affiliated bowl — and bowl officials have had a week to discuss their options. Here’s the Pac-12 Hotline’s best guess …
If Washington State doesn’t make the New Year’s Six
ROSE >> Washington
First appearance since the 2000 season.
ALAMO >> Washington State
Record, ranking and head-to-head wins over Stanford, Oregon and Utah make the Cougars an easy pick for San Antonio. Plus, Mike Leach back in Texas! HOLIDAY >> Oregon
Ducks haven’t participated in a decade and bring brand appeal and (presumably) a solid contingent to San Diego. Bowl officials would hope for the best with Justin Herbert. (Note: We’re not discounting the possibility of Utah landing here, but Oregon seems more likely.) REDBOX >> Stanford
Back in Levi’s Stadium to (probably) face one of its recent Rose Bowl counterparts, Michigan State or Wisconsin. Bowl must hope for a better turnout from Stanford fans.
SUN >> Utah
With Holiday leaning green and the Redbox off the table — the Utes were just in Levi’s for the title game — the conference runner-up falls all the way to the No. 5 bowl. LAS VEGAS >> Arizona State
Devils must be selected above Cal because of conference record, but they probably would be anyhow with the convenience for fans and the appeal of Herm Edwards. CHEEZ-IT >> Cal
A bit of Golden Bear symmetry: First bowl game of the Jeff Tedford era was in Phoenix. Don’t think Cal’s quarterback will throw for 400 yards this time. Or become a Hall of Famer.
If Washington State jumps into the New Year’s Six
ROSE >> Washington
If it’s Michigan, then for the second UW game in a row: first team to 10 wins. FIESTA/PEACH >> Washington State
Committee will make the best pairing with serious consideration given to geography/travel.
ALAMO >> Oregon
Last time in San Antonio, in the 2015 season, the Ducks lost to TCU 47-41 in triple-overtime.
HOLIDAY >> Utah
In this scenario, Utes jump Stanford into the Holiday based on division title, head-to-head result and the prospect of a sea of red in San Diego. REDBOX >> Stanford
Seems locked in regardless.
SUN >> Cal
Time for some deal-making …
LAS VEGAS >> Arizona State
Per conference policy, ASU should be Sun-bound by virtue of having a better record than Cal (5-4 vs 4-5). except the Devils were just in El Paso last year. If all parties agree (the conference, both schools and both bowls), the teams could flip to avoid a repeat for ASU.
Pac-12 Hotline Newsletter:
Jon Wilner brings you everything you need to know, and a lot of what he thinks, about the Pac-12, both on and off the field. MERCURYNEWS.COM/TAG/PAC-12-HOTLINE