Pac-12 Bowl Projections 11/27: Nine Pac-12 teams make bowls

Rose Bowl - Stanford vs. Michigan State

I am so very tempted to think that the Sun Devils will beat Stanford in a rematch in Tempe in the Pac-12 Championship Game but just can't get myself to do it as I still wouldn't be surprised if the Sun Devils slip up against Arizona and end up having to go back to Palo Alto. I'll play it safe right now, but if the Sun Devils avoid the upset in the Territorial Cup, I might have to swing in Arizona State's way as I generally like the team that lost the first game in rematches as long as the teams are relatively evenly matched.

Ohio State also seems like the safe and obvious choice here, but I just don't think they can go undefeated for the second-straight regular season and I see them getting upset in one of their two remaining games against the Michigan schools - I think the Spartans have the better chance of doing that.

Alamo Bowl - Oregon vs. Oklahoma

This would be a very disappointing destination for the Ducks, but I don't see them getting into the BCS as an at-large selection unless a bunch of undefeated or one-loss teams ahead of them slip up and Northern Illinois and Fresno State slip up too. This would be the first time since 2008, that the Ducks didn't make a BCS, which probably not coincidently, was the year before Chip Kelly became head coach.

I think Oklahoma State can pull out their finale at home against Oklahoma and get themselves into the Fiesta Bowl, and I think Baylor wins out, but doesn't get into a BCS bowl and slides the Sooners into the third spot in the Big 12.

Holiday Bowl - USC vs. Kansas State

The Trojans getting here wouldn't be fair to the Sun Devils, but I think the Trojans beat the Bruins and the Holiday Bowl would be crazy to pass on them with how local, prestigious and hot they are. This would be an amazing turnaround for the Trojans in a season where it seemed like they were once headed towards one of their worst seasons ever.

With the slots, I think the Holiday Bowl will get to choose between Kansas State and Texas Tech and I would swing towards the Wildcats as I think they will finish the season on a higher note.

Sun Bowl - Arizona State vs. Virginia Tech

Unless the Sun Devils can upset the Cardinal in the Pac-12 Championship Game, I think they will slide quite a bit due to marquee programs like Oregon and USC being available. It's not fair (Personally, I think bowls should have to take teams strictly based on standings), but unless they can win the conference, I think it is how it will shake out for the Sun Devils.

I could see a number of different ACC teams here, but I think the Hokies will likely be the most attractive team available, sliding up a spot because I think Florida State and Clemson get into BCS bowls.

Las Vegas Bowl - UCLA vs. San Diego State

It's going to be quite a second half slide this season for the Bruins that ends up putting them in Vegas if they get beat by USC like I think they will.

I changed my mind and now think Fresno State wins out and gets into the Fiesta Bowl so the Las Vegas Bowl will be able to pick any other team in the Mountain West and I think the red hot Aztecs would be the most attractive choice, especially with how many times Boise State has been in Vegas recently, and set up a southern California showdown in Vegas.

Fight Hunger Bowl - Washington vs. BYU

The Huskies breathed some life into their season by annihilating Oregon State in Corvallis, but still will have a tough time getting a very good bowl, even if they beat Washington State like they should with how strong the conference is at the top. It is a testament to just how much stronger the conference has gotten, but in this scenario, the best team of Steve Sarkisian's tenure at Washington will play in the worst bowl he has gotten them too during his tenure.

BYU is already locked into this bowl, and unfortunately for Washington, is a very tough opponent for such a lower-tier bowl.

New Mexico Bowl - Arizona vs. Colorado State

This would be a disappointing destination for the second-straight year for the Wildcats, but unless they can upset Arizona State in Tempe, it would be hard to argue with it, given that they lost to every team above them over than Oregon.

With their slots, I think UNLV would generally be the most attractive from the Mountain West available, but I think they would take the Rams over them since UNLV and Arizona already played in a lopsided affair in September.

Heart of Dallas Bowl - Oregon State vs. North Texas

The Beavers are falling apart, but with the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and AAC producing less bowl teams than expected someone will pick them up and right now the Heart of Dallas Bowl looks like the most likely destination since they don't have a backup conference affiliate like the MAC or Sun Belt. This would be a strange destination for the Beavers, but with how much they have struggled to finish out the season, it would be a great opportunity for them.

North Texas isn't as good as this slot suggests, but the Heart of Dallas Bowl would assuredly reach to take them and give them almost a quasi home game.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl - Washington State vs. Buffalo

I think the Potato Bowl will get to choose between Washington State and Oregon State and I think they will give the nod to the Cougars since they finished the season stronger and have a fan base that hasn't had the chance to go to a bowl game in 10 years. Obviously this isn't the Rose Bowl, but getting to a bowl in Mike Leach's second season is a huge accomplishment for the Cougars.

I think whoever wins the Buffalo vs. Bowling Green game this weekend gets selected and with the game in Buffalo, I will go with them.