Football: A Look at Toledo's Bowl Possibilities
11/2/2000 12:00:00 PM | Football
Nov. 2, 2000
Toledo, OH - Since it appears doubtful that Toledo (7-1, 2-1 MAC West) will win the MAC's West Division and qualify for the MAC Championship Game, the Rockets' only hope for a bowl game would be to secure an at-large berth into a bowl. Unfortunately, there are only two bowls that have at-large berths, though there are a number of others that may be forced to delve into the at-large pool.
The following is a brief look at the bowls that might have an at-large berth to fill.
AT-LARGE BERTH AVAILABLE...
* Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas-Dec.21)
Mountain West #2 vs. at-large
Only one MW team (Colorado State) has at least six Division-IA wins. No other team has more than four wins against IA, so there is at least a chance the Mountain West will not be able to provide a team for this game, thus leaving two at-large berths for the Vegas Bowl to fill.
* Silicon Valley Bowl (San Jose-Dec. 31)
WAC #1 or 2 vs. at-large
One of only two bowls with at-large berths.
A CHANCE FOR AN AT-LARGE BERTH TO BE AVAILABLE...
* Jeep Oahu Bowl (Honolulu-Dec. 24)
Pac-10 #5 vs. ACC #5
The ACC has three teams with six wins, NC State has five wins with four games left to play. Virginia and Maryland each have four wins with three games left.
The Pac-10 has three teams with at least six I-A wins. Three more have five wins with three games left to play.
* Jeep Aloha Bowl (Honolulu-Dec. 25)
Pac-10 #4 vs. Big East #5
Only one Big East school (Virginia Tech) has at least six I-A wins. Pitt and Miami have five wins with four games to play. BC has five wins with three games to play. West Virginia has four wins with four games left. Temple has four wins with three games left.
The Pac-10 has three teams with at least six I-A wins. Three more have five wins with three games left to play.
* Motor City Bowl (Pontiac., MI-Dec. 27)
MAC Champ vs. C-USA #4
For C-USA, Southern Miss and East Carolina have five IA wins. Louisville, Cincinnati and UAB have four wins with three games left. It is questionable whether C-USA will be able to fill their No. 4 spot, which would create another at-large opening, though probably not from a MAC school since the MAC is already sending its champion there.
To become MAC champs, UT must win its final three games and hope that Western Michigan loses at least twice in three games, then win the MAC Championship Game.
* crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl (Boise, ID-Dec. 28)
Big West #1 vs. WAC #3
Two WAC teams have at least six IA wins, San Jose State has five wins with two games left.
ONLY A VERY SLIM CHANCE FOR AN AT-LARGE BERTH TO BE AVAILABLE...
* galleryfurniture.com Bowl (Houston-Dec. 27)
Big 12 #7 vs. CUSA #3
For C-USA, Southern Miss and East Carolina have five IA wins. Louisville, Cincinnati and UAB have four wins with three games left. It seems likely C-USA should be able to fill their obligation here.
For the Big 12, seven schools already have at least six IA wins.
* MicronPC.com Bowl (Ft. Lauderdale-Dec. 28)
ACC #4 vs. Big Ten #6
The Big Ten has four teams with at least six I-A wins. Minnesota has five wins with two games left. Wisconsin has five wins with three games left. They play each other, thus assuring that a fifth Big Ten team will have six wins. Minnesota's other game is a home game vs. Iowa (1-8), Wisconsin has to play Indiana and Hawaii. Michigan State and Illinois each have four wins with three games to play. It's very likely that the Big Ten will get six or even seven teams into a bowl game.
The ACC has three teams with six wins, NC State has five wins with four games left to play.
* Sanford Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA-Dec. 31)
Big 12 #6 vs. SEC #7
The SEC has three teams with at least six I-A wins. Ole Miss and Mississippi State have five wins with four games left. Georgia has five wins with three games to play. Tennessee has four wins with four games left.
For the Big 12, seven schools already have at least six IA wins.
