Vassallo: SEC Bowling Barometer

Although we’re still in early to mid October, several SEC teams are at the halfway point of their season. Therefore, anticipating the bowl invitations is not too early of an assignment. Assuming Bama makes one of the semifinal games, this would then leave ten possible bowls that have an SEC tie.

The problem with this scenario is there may be only 7 other SEC teams eligible.

Projecting the following season ending records, here is our current forecast:

Alabama 12-0 Semifinalist in either the Peach or Fiesta Bowl
Texas A&M 11-1 Sugar Bowl
Tennessee 10-2 Citrus Bowl
Ole Miss 9-3 Outback Bowl
Florida 8-3 Music City
Arkansas 8-4 Liberty Bowl
Auburn 8-4 Texas Bowl
Georgia 8-4 TaxSlayer Bowl
(LSU 5-6; KY 5-7; MO 5-7; SC 5-7; MSU 3-9; VU 3-9 not bowl eligible.)

The bowls then looking beyond the SEC should the aforementioned evolve, the Independence, Birmingham and Belk Bowls would all be in this dilemma.

The above forecast assumes Ole Miss wins out with the exception of the College Station showdown. What if, however, the Rebels prevail there? Then we’re probably looking at two possibilities which include either a return trip to New Orleans or entering the final four. With two losses it’s unlikely, but not impossible.

Each week forward we’ll revise this analysis. Bowl anticipation is always one of the more pleasant tasks of a winning season and an exciting team. Coach Freeze and his staff will likely be 5 for 5 following this year’s bowl invitations.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

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