AsUdUdE
ASFN Lifer
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2005
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Arizona's Bowl Possibilities Endless
First the good news for the University of Arizona. The Bowl selecting process is not an exact science and match-makers DO take into account geographical location/fan base/match-up/previous years while make their choice.
To that end, even after the ugly night that was called a football game, Arizona would seem like a natural fit, especially if Saturday's game turn out chalk.
But history is against UA, not just because they lost, but how they lost.
Since 1992, when the Fiesta Bowl became a top bowl, 3 teams have played in the Fiesta after losing their final game/championship game:
1993- Syracuse lost to #1 Miami by 6
2004- Ohio St los by 14 @ #6 Michigan
2008- West Virginia lost by 4 to Pitt
Ironically it was a Rich Rod led a WV squad that was the #1 ranked team in 2008 and all they had to do is beat a mediocre Pitt team (they were favored by 28 points that game) to get to the national title. Alas, they didn't, but trounced #3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta bowl to redeem themselves, somewhat.
Here is the point, the average margin of loss with those teams was 8.
Conversely, the average margin of victory for the final game before teams are selected to play in the Fiesta bowl is 19.25.
Translation: Tradition says the Fiesta Bowl likes winners and momentum when it comes to picking participants.
For those who are wondering out loud if there is THAT big of difference playing in the Fiesta Bowl rather than the Alamo bowl, as Lee Corso would put it, not-so-fast my friend. What makes Saturday's games for Arizona so nerve racking is just how far they could potentially fall.
For example, if the Fiesta Bowl decides to pass on Arizona, the next bowl to pick would be the Alamo Bowl played on January 2nd in San Antonio. This match-up would be a juicy one against the Big-12 #2 (possibly Baylor/K-State), but there has been strong rumors that Alamo officials strongly prefer UCLA and will opt for the Bruins over Arizona (and to a lesser extent Arizona State and USC)
Next up would be the Holiday Bowl. This would seem to be the least likely landing spot for Arizona. All signs are pointing USC heading down south to San Diego to be in the bowl for the first time. Holiday bowl officials have raved about the possibility to get USC.
So if the Fiesta, Alamo, and Holiday Bowl's pass, Arizona would be automatically selected to play in the Foster's Farms Bowl on December 30th. Their opponent would be from the BIG 10 conference most likely Iowa or Rutgers.
Not a bad bowl by any means, but would certainly be seen as bitterly disappointing for a team that had national championship aspirations just 16 hours ago.
Sunday morning 10:30 local time can not get here soon enough for Wildcat fans, and while the taste from last night may still linger, there is one thing that Rich Rod has done, people are talking Wildcat Football, and THAT is a big step in the right direction.
First the good news for the University of Arizona. The Bowl selecting process is not an exact science and match-makers DO take into account geographical location/fan base/match-up/previous years while make their choice.
To that end, even after the ugly night that was called a football game, Arizona would seem like a natural fit, especially if Saturday's game turn out chalk.
But history is against UA, not just because they lost, but how they lost.
Since 1992, when the Fiesta Bowl became a top bowl, 3 teams have played in the Fiesta after losing their final game/championship game:
1993- Syracuse lost to #1 Miami by 6
2004- Ohio St los by 14 @ #6 Michigan
2008- West Virginia lost by 4 to Pitt
Ironically it was a Rich Rod led a WV squad that was the #1 ranked team in 2008 and all they had to do is beat a mediocre Pitt team (they were favored by 28 points that game) to get to the national title. Alas, they didn't, but trounced #3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta bowl to redeem themselves, somewhat.
Here is the point, the average margin of loss with those teams was 8.
Conversely, the average margin of victory for the final game before teams are selected to play in the Fiesta bowl is 19.25.
Translation: Tradition says the Fiesta Bowl likes winners and momentum when it comes to picking participants.
For those who are wondering out loud if there is THAT big of difference playing in the Fiesta Bowl rather than the Alamo bowl, as Lee Corso would put it, not-so-fast my friend. What makes Saturday's games for Arizona so nerve racking is just how far they could potentially fall.
For example, if the Fiesta Bowl decides to pass on Arizona, the next bowl to pick would be the Alamo Bowl played on January 2nd in San Antonio. This match-up would be a juicy one against the Big-12 #2 (possibly Baylor/K-State), but there has been strong rumors that Alamo officials strongly prefer UCLA and will opt for the Bruins over Arizona (and to a lesser extent Arizona State and USC)
Next up would be the Holiday Bowl. This would seem to be the least likely landing spot for Arizona. All signs are pointing USC heading down south to San Diego to be in the bowl for the first time. Holiday bowl officials have raved about the possibility to get USC.
So if the Fiesta, Alamo, and Holiday Bowl's pass, Arizona would be automatically selected to play in the Foster's Farms Bowl on December 30th. Their opponent would be from the BIG 10 conference most likely Iowa or Rutgers.
Not a bad bowl by any means, but would certainly be seen as bitterly disappointing for a team that had national championship aspirations just 16 hours ago.
Sunday morning 10:30 local time can not get here soon enough for Wildcat fans, and while the taste from last night may still linger, there is one thing that Rich Rod has done, people are talking Wildcat Football, and THAT is a big step in the right direction.
