UPDATE: The Pac-12’s bowl projections are heating up as Championship Saturday approaches, with the College Football Playoff field set to be revealed at 9 a.m. Pacific this Sunday. Sports fans are eager to learn where their teams will land, as a wave of bowl announcements follows the playoff selection.
For the eight remaining Pac-12 legacy teams, the stakes couldn’t be higher. By mid-afternoon on Sunday, we will have clarity on their postseason destinations. The urgency is palpable as bowl officials finalize arrangements, even as the conference itself dissolved in 2024.
This year, the selection process remains relatively unchanged. Bowl officials, in conjunction with remaining Pac-12 executives, have opted to maintain ties with traditional bowl games rather than adjust to the new conference realignment. This decision aims to simplify arrangements, particularly for teams like Washington State and Oregon State, still associated with the former Pac-12.
The selection criteria have shifted slightly: overall records will now dictate the order of selection, rather than conference performance. However, the “one-win-down rule” still applies, allowing bowls to prioritize teams with a record just one game better than another.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest projections for the bowl-eligible Pac-12 teams:
College Football Playoff
– **Date:** December 20/21
– **Team:** Oregon vs. Group of Five Champion
– **Comment:** The Ducks (11-1) are on track for a favorable No. 5 seed, setting the stage for a home playoff game against a Group of Five champion, potentially facing teams like North Texas or Tulane.
Alamo Bowl
– **Team:** USC vs. Big 12
– **Date:** December 30 at 6 p.m.
– **Comment:** USC has a staggering 99% chance of heading to San Antonio, thanks to a combination of stats and coach Lincoln Riley’s long Texas ties.
Las Vegas Bowl
– **Team:** Utah vs. Big Ten
– **Date:** December 31 at 12:30 p.m.
– **Comment:** With 10 wins this season, the Utes could draw significant fan interest, especially if this becomes coach Kyle Whittingham’s final game.
Holiday Bowl
– **Team:** Arizona vs. ACC
– **Date:** January 2 at 5 p.m.
– **Comment:** The Wildcats (9-3) are in a prime position but may face competition from Washington for the spot.
Sun Bowl
– **Team:** Arizona State vs. ACC
– **Date:** December 31 at 11 a.m.
– **Comment:** The Sun Devils (8-4) look set for El Paso, contingent on Arizona’s placement.
LA Bowl
– **Team:** Washington vs. Mountain West
– **Date:** December 13 at 5 p.m.
– **Comment:** The Huskies (8-4) are likely to face Boise State or UNLV, with a crucial loss to Wisconsin affecting their options.
ESPN Bowl/At-Large
– **Team:** California
– **Comment:** The Bears (7-5) could be designated to ESPN-operated games or potentially sent to fill openings in Hawaii or Boise.
ESPN Bowl/At-Large
– **Team:** Washington State
– **Comment:** The Cougars (6-6) have clinched their bowl spot, looking to continue their streak of nine bowl appearances in ten years.
Non-Qualifiers
– **Colorado:** The Buffaloes (3-9) face a challenging 2024 season ahead with only two non-conference road games.
– **Oregon State:** The Beavers (2-10) are seeking a fresh start under new leadership.
– **Stanford:** The Cardinal (4-8) look to rebound under new coach Tavita Pritchard.
– **UCLA:** The Bruins (3-9) are hoping for a turnaround with new coach Bob Chesney.
As the bowl announcements draw near, fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason. Stay tuned for live updates on Selection Sunday as the future of these teams is unveiled.
For real-time updates and insights, follow the conversation on social media and get involved in the buzzing college football community!