That would be a major step up in terms of who the Utes have faced in recent bowls. Wouldn’t it be interesting to face another Pennsylvania University in a BCS bowl?

As a BYU Grad – I would love to see both BYU and Utah be undefeated on 11/22. THEN – I would love to see BYU WIN! Now I’m a HUGE Penn State fan – so bring it on! Penn State vs PSU! Life couldn’t be better! Of course – if Penn State won, my dad my not ever talk to me again… :)

Analysis:
SEC:

Alabama, LSU, Florida and Georgia all are in the running for a couple of BCS spots.

LSU is a game behind Alabama but still plays them and controls their own fate. They also have Georgia ahead and a loss their can ruin a win over Alabama. Alabama has the inside track to the championship game.

Florida and Georgia have losses to Mississippi and Alabama respectively. They play each other still and Georgia still has LSU ahead. Florida has the inside track, but not as solid as Alabama.

Alabama is in the title game if they win their remaining games. The winner of the Florida Georgia game would jump into the national title picture with a win over Alabama. Wins over Georgia and Alabama, followed by a win in the champioonship game would get LSU back into the picture as well.

Ironically, the loser of the Georgia Florida game might end up higher in the final BCS standings, assuming Alabama wins the conference game.

Alabama is a favorite for the NC. Georgia and Florida are equal at this point for an at large bid to the Sugar Bowl. LSU is in the running for an at large bid, but would have to unseat one of the cases above.

Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoam State, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri are all still in contention for a BCS spot. A large number of games between these teams shold shake things up.

Texas is in the lead but has a trecherous road ahead. I expect they will lose one of the next three, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, but recover and win the title game.

Oklahoma ends the season with Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. They could easily win out and even get to the title game without winning the conference championship.

Texas with 1 loss falls out of the top of the championship picuture and the Big 12 champion goes to the Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma, or one of the above mentioned teams as an alternate, would be eligible for an at large bid.

Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State are in contention for a BCS berth. They all still play each other. A single loss by Michigan State eliminates them from consideration, as does two loss by Ohio State. If Penn State wins both of these games they would have the inside track on the NC if Alabama or Texas lose.

I expect Penn State should win out and Ohio State should beat Michigan State. I am hopeful that I am wrong about Ohio State.

USC and California are still in the hunt and still play each other. I really think USC is up for another loss, eliminating them from NC consideration. I don’t think it will come to California as that is the biggest name ahead and the loss is more likely to be a let down rather than them being beat by a superior team.

NC: Alabama vs Penn State
Rose Bowl: USC vs Ohio State
Fiesta Bowl: Texas vs Utah
Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs Oklahoma
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs South Florida

Suppose Michigan State upsets Ohio State and USC finishes off California. The Rose Bowl would likely pick Oklahoma to face USC, but who would be left eligible? The SEC and Big 12 can only send 2 teams a peice. This could send a second MWC or WAC team to the Sugar Bowl. Georgia would be over confident from their win last year and ripe for the picking by a MWC team that is far superior to the Hawaii team they faced last year.