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The season is almost here. During the season, I don't start bowl projections until late-October, but it's always fun to see how they might look going into the season.
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs. Ohio State - I really want to pick someone else other than Stanford to win the Pac-12 and go to the Rose Bowl or Playoff, but I just can't do it. I will play it safe and say they win the conference and face the second-best Big Ten team with Harbaugh taking Michigan to the Playoff.
Alamo Bowl - USC vs. Baylor - The Trojans won't get back to the Rose Bowl, but they will get close again. They will be a very attractive candidate for the top Pac-12 bowl after the Rose, especially since they have yet to play in the Alamo. They will get the perpetual quasi Big 12 home game for a Texas school though.
Holiday Bowl - Oregon vs. Penn State - A 8-10-win Duck team would be a huge score for the Holiday Bowl and I'm sure the bowl would jump on them. I think they would be temped to pit them against Wisconsin, but would pick another team to avoid back-to-back for the Badgers.
Foster Farm's Bowl - Washington vs. Wisconsin - I think the Oregon, UCLA, Washington school pack will have about the same record so the Foster Farm's bowl and the Huskies and their fan base would be a very nice draw here to put against a Big Ten power.
Sun Bowl - UCLA vs. Pittsburgh - The Bruins could win more games than the Huskies and Ducks, but poor recent showings in the bowls in their home state may hurt them. Their punishment could be a trip to El Paso against a random ass ACC team.
Las Vegas Bowl - Washington State vs. San Diego State - This seems disappointing for the Cougars, but it's better than going to the Sun Bowl again in my opinion. This would be a very fun bowl for the Cougs.
Cactus Bowl - Utah vs. Kansas State - The Utes will be good in 2016, but the top of the conference is crowded so this won't be a horrible destination.
Arizona Bowl - Arizona State vs. Nevada - The Sun Devils will get bowl eligible, but won't get a Pac-12 slot bowl. A home state bowl who needs a team like the Arizona Bowl will take them.