Going Bowling: Hello November!

Happy November everyone! I hope you’re not watching Christmas movies already because it’s Thanksgiving season right now. (Just saying)

Earlier tonight, the CFP Committee will revealed its first of six top 25 rankings for the season and to say it was quite a shock was an understatement. For this this week’s edition of the Going Bowling. I said “Screw the rankings and went on my own path.” Enjoy!

Oklahoma- Cotton Bowl vs Cincinnati (CFP)

This week was probably the best Oklahoma has looked all season. Even though it was Texas Tech, the Sooners came out swinging and won in pretty dominating fashion. They’ll have a bye week this week. But the Sooners next three games are going to be what makes or breaks their season. (at Baylor, vs Iowa State, at Oklahoma State) Let’s see if the Sooners can live up to their moniker of “Championship November”

Cincinnati remains undefeated after beating Tulane 32-19. I have them here but I would be worried that the CFP screws them over if I’m a Cincinnati fan. Their remaining schedule looks light, with this week’s game being vs Tulsa (which College Gameday is going to be there for.), a Friday night game at USF, A showdown with SMU and then a game in the hectic environment of East Carolina. While this may look like an easy road but college football is a very very weird sport where you must always expect the unexpected.

Oklahoma State- Sugar Bowl vs Alabama

Now THAT’S how you bounce back from a loss Oklahoma State! Even though it was Kansas, this game was the best the offense has looked since the Cheez-It Bowl last December. The question is can they continue that offensive success down the homestretch. With games at West Virginia and Texas Tech, as well as hosting TCU and Oklahoma. The schedule looks lighter, (besides OU). But recent history tells us the Cowboys might lose before Bedlam however. You just never know what November brings for the Cowboys.

Alabama had a bye this week but finish the season with LSU (woof), New Mexico State (double woof), Arkansas and Auburn. That Auburn game is tricky because it’s at Auburn and the Tigers are rolling right now. The Iron Bowl could determine the SEC West Winner and who gets to go to Atlanta to face Georgia (who have already clinched their ticket to the SEC Championship game)

Baylor- Alamo Bowl vs Utah

To the shock of many, the Baylor Bears are 7-1 and in a really good spot at the moment. Already bowl eligible and a top 3 team in the Big 12. The sky’s the limit if they beat OU next week. However, they must first face rival TCU in the first game in the Post-Gary Patterson era. It’s a rivalry game where some weird things happen. The Bears can’t afford to sleep walk in this game.

The Pac-12 is an absolute crap chute. Right now, Utah has returned to the bowl from San Anton’ but things can easily change in the Pac-12. Oregon and Arizona are the only team that stands out. One for being really good, one for being really bad Everyone else is the same for the most part. But Utah could separate themselves from the Pac (get it), by winning out.

Iowa State- Cheez-It Bowl vs NC State

Iowa State more than likely squandered their Big 12 Championship hopes on Saturday with a loss at West Virginia. It puts the Cyclones at 5-3 which is still good. Just not the expectation Iowa State was hoping for this year. Their remaining games are vs Texas, at Texas Tech, at OU and vs TCU. Iowa State is good enough to win out in my opinion, but the question is will they?

The ACC is just like the Pac-12, a total crap chute. The Cheez-It Bowl can go to one of five teams. I put NC State in this spot for now. But that could easily change in the coming weeks.

Texas- Texas Bowl vs Mississippi State

Give it up for the Atlanta Falcons of college football! As the Longhorns blew another double digit lead this week to Baylor! Sitting at 4-4 puts the Longhorns in a weird predicament that most Longhorn fans were expecting. Will they even be bowl eligible? The Longhorns remaining schedule is this Saturday at Iowa State, next Saturday vs Kansas, November 20th at West Virginia and Black Friday vs Kansas State.

Iowa State is fresh off a loss against West Virginia. So odds are they’ll be fired up about that game. The Longhorns will very likely beat Kansas, putting them at 5-5 by that estimation. Meaning the final two games are very very critical and are against teams that we’re not exactly sure what side we’ll see of them. Which will make it very interesting down the stretch.

Mississippi State is currently 5-3 and fresh off beating the 12th ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Their schedule consists of Arkansas, Auburn, Tennessee State and Ole Miss. Mississippi State will likely finish somewhere between 6-6 & 9-3 which could be the difference between Orlando, Tampa or Birmingham and no one wants to go to the Birmingham Bowl.

Kansas State- Liberty Bowl vs Arkansas

Kansas State is currently 5-3 with a dominant win over TCU. They still have to play Kansas so they will without question, be bowl eligible this year. But they can easily improve their bowl destination with winning out against West Virginia, Baylor and Texas. The trifecta of West Virginia, Texas and Kansas State is so weird because you never know what team will show up for all three.

Arkansas is in the same spot as Mississippi State, except they still have to face big bad Alabama. The Hogs just need to win one game to make a bowl. But which one? They face Mississippi State, LSU, Alabama, and Missouri. They can easily go 3-1 or 0-4. We’ll find out soon enough.

West Virginia- Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs Rutgers

Well, that was unexpected. The Mountaineers shocked the Big 12 World by defeating Iowa State on Saturday 38-31, earning their 4th win of the season. They host Oklahoma State and Texas and travel to Kansas State and Kansas. They’ll beat Kansas but can they get one more win their games between OSU, UT and K-State.

Rutgers is 4-4 and look pretty decent. They have Wisconsin, Indiana, Penn State and Maryland. They could possibly go 2-2 and be bowl eligible. I also saw Maryland in this spot and because Maryland and West Virginia already played this season. I don’t want that matchup. How about another former Big East foe in Rutgers.

Teams that won’t make a bowl game

Texas Tech- The Red Raiders still have a winning record (for now) but with a 52-21 loss to Oklahoma and still having to play Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor. Things are not looking good for the Red Raiders. But then again, all they need is just one win...

TCU- With the loss to Kansas State on Saturday and the sudden resignation of longtime head coach Gary Patterson, the 3-5 Horned Frogs appear to be in a sticky situation when it comes to bowl eligibility. With Baylor, Oklahoma State and Iowa State still on the schedule. It’s looking like TCU will be staying home this bowl season.

Kansas- With the loss to Oklahoma State, The Jayhawks are 1-7 and are no longer bowl eligible. Not surprising, but still sad to be honest.