Going bowling

Published: November 26, 2006

Here are the Big 12's bowl projections by George Schroeder. Records are assumed once the regular season and conference championship games are completed:

• Fiesta Bowl (BCS), Jan. 1, 7 p.m., Glendale, Ariz. � Oklahoma (11-2) or Nebraska ( 9-3) vs. Boise State (12-0)

The math here is simple. The Big 12 champion will face Boise State, which crashed the BCS party Saturday by completing a perfect regular season. No other Big 12 team will play in a BCS bowl.

• Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, Noon, Jacksonville, Fla. � Oklahoma (10-3) or Texas (9-3) (Big 12 runner-up) vs. Boston College (9-3)

The Gator, which can pick ahead of the Cotton once in four years, would love to get Oklahoma. Nebraska might also be attractive, but would have four losses. Texas would be an enticing pick for the bowl, too. West Virginia would have received consideration instead of a Big 12 team, but was upset Saturday by South Florida.

• Cotton Bowl, Jan. 1, 10:30 a.m., Dallas � Nebraska (8-4) or Texas A&M (9-3) vs. Arkansas (10-3) or Auburn (10-2)

The Cotton has been gearing up to get Nebraska, and still might. But Texas A&M's upset of Texas has thrown a wrench into the works. The Aggies might slip into Dallas. If Arkansas loses in the SEC championship game, the Hogs might be headed west.

• Holiday Bowl, Dec. 28, 7 p.m., San Diego � Texas A&M (9-3) or Texas (9-3) vs. California (9-3)

A&M would figure to have the edge here because of their win over the 'Horns � and because the 'Horns have been here plenty. Meanwhile, Cal's loss to USC has the Bears traveling downstate.

• Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m., San Antonio � Missouri (8-4) or Texas Tech (7-5) vs. Iowa (6-6)

The Alamo will choose the team it feels will sell the most tickets. Tech might get the nod. On the other side, the Alamo took Iowa with the fifth choice in the Big 10 pecking order, over Minnesota. OSU would have been in the mix with a win over OU.

• Sun Bowl, Dec. 29, 1 p.m., El Paso, Texas � Missouri (8-4) or Texas Tech (7-5) vs. Oregon State (8-4).

The Sun Bowl is only involved if the Gator doesn't take a team. In that case. it's either Missouri or Texas Tech again.

• Insight Bowl, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m., Tempe, Ariz. � Texas Tech (7-5) or Missouri (8-4) vs. Minnesota (6-6).

This one's simple enough. Whichever team doesn't get to San Antonio (or El Paso) will head to the desert to play the Big Ten's No. 6 pick.

• Independence Bowl, Dec. 28, 3:30 p.m., Shreveport, La. � Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Alabama (6-6)

The good folk in Shreveport want a Big 12 South team bad, and they like OSU's explosive offense and their loyal fans. Alabama is in if LSU receives a BCS at-large berth, which is likely.

• Texas Bowl, Dec. 28, 7 p.m., Houston � Kansas State (7-5) vs. West Virginia (10-2 or 9-3) or Rutgers (10-2).

Despite a better record than OSU, Kansas State gets pushed to the Big 12's last bowl slot. The Wildcats could play West Virginia, the Big East's No. 3 team. And that could be a tough matchup for the Wildcats.

By George Schroeder