I thought about combining my bowl talk with a prediction of the USC Clemson game, but I'm going to hold off on that.
I'm currently watching Alabama and Mississippi State after Georgia lost to Auburn and wondering how it affects the Gamecocks Bowl possibilities, and I don't think it changes much.
We can rule out a return trip to Birmingham and the Independence Bowl as those two bowls are the bottom of the barrel so to speak.
After the playoffs and New Year's Six bowls make their selection, the Citrus Bowl has the next selection and then the Outback, Texas, Belk, Liberty, Music City and bowl formerly known as the Gator Bowl (I won't call it anything else) form a pool and decide between themselves and the SEC hanchos who goes where.
I think that whoever win the sec Championship between Georgia and either Alabama or Auburn goes to the playoffs and the other two get in the new years six.
If the Gamecocks can win out, beating Wofford and Clemson, I think a 9-3 Gamecock team is very attractive to the Citrus Bowl.
If not the Citrus, we will certainly be in the "pool of six".
I think the Belk Bowl in Charlotte is out because we started the season in Charlotte and it wouldn't be much of a reward for our players to go back, even if the Belk Bowl wants us. Our ties to Houston Texans owner Bob McNair might pull some strings, but I still think the Texas Bowl will chose an SEC West team. Jacksonville, Memphis and Nashville are good destinations, but I like the idea of playing on New Year's Day. So I'm setting my heart on a return to Tampa and the Outback Bowl and I'd like to play Michigan State as I've seen in one projection.
I've already requested and been granted January 1st off as well as December 29th and 30th, so I think I have all my bases covered. My prediction is we play on New year's Day, either in the Citrus or Outback Bowl.
