Updated Division I-A Bowl Analysis (Long)

[Jim Johnson]

Western Athletic Conference

Bowl Eligible (6 wins or more)

Boise State (7-0, 10-0) – The Broncos will finish undefeated, but won’t crack the BCS.  Remaining Game: @ Nevada.

Texas-El Paso (5-2, 7-3) – Mike Price has gone a long way from ‘Bama to UTEP.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s rolling, baby!† Remaining Game: @ Tulsa.

Fresno State (4-3, 7-3) – The Bulldogs are on their way to another bowl game.  Remaining Game: @ San Jose State.

Almost Out of it (5 losses)

Hawaii (4-4, 4-5) – The Warriors may not make it to their own bowl game, needing to win two of their last 4 games – which means beating a Big Ten team.  Remaining Games: vs Idaho, vs Northwestern, vs Michigan State.

Planning for 2005 (6 losses or more)

Nevada (3-4, 5-6) – The Wolfpack didn’t get it done.  Can they spoil Boise’s season?

Louisiana Tech (3-4, 4-7) – The Bulldogs are out.

Southern Methodist (3-5, 3-8) – The Mustangs are slowly coming back from the dead. Very slowly.

Rice (2-5, 3-7) – Will the Owls find it easier in Conference USA?

Tulsa (2-5, 3-8) – At least the Golden Hurricane won’t have to play on Boise’s blue carpet any more.

San Jose State (1-6, 2-8) – While they did push Boise State, the Spartans are still hoping that adding Idaho, New Mexico State, and Utah State will push them out of the WAC basement.

Summary

Probable Bowl Eligible Teams

Boise State (Liberty)

UTEP (MPC Computers)

Fresno State (Silicon Valley)

<OPEN SLOT> (Hawaii)

[Jim Johnson]

Sun Belt Conference

Bowl Eligible (6 wins or more)

North Texas (7-0, 7-4) – The Eagles have won 24 straight Sun Belt games and have won the Sun Belt Conference.  No Remaining Games.

Troy (4-2, 7-4) – The Trojans look strong in their first season in a I-A conference – and might get a bowl slot, if someone invites them.

Planning for 2005 (6 losses or more)

New Mexico State (4-3, 5-6) – The Lobos are in their last year in the Sun Belt, so they might do better in the WAC.

Middle Tennessee State (4-4, 5-6) – The Blue Raiders are still in the middle of the Sun Belt pack.  Not much to brag about there.

Louisiana-Monroe (4-3, 5-6) – The Indians did better than is expected for a Louisiana-directional school.

Arkansas State (3-4, 3-8) – At least two more Florida schools will make for fun road trips for the Indians.

Louisiana-Lafayette (2-5, 4-7) – The Ragin’ Cajuns didn’t do much ragin’ this season.  Next year they get FAU & FIU as conference foes, so it might get easier.

Idaho (2-5, 2-9) – Finally, the Boise State game will be a conference match-up for the Vandals.

Utah State (2-5, 3-8) – The Aggies get to play the Utes from the WAC next season, that’s something to shoot for.

Summary

Probable Bowl Eligible Teams

North Texas (New Orleans)

Troy

[Jim Johnson]

The South Carolina – Clemson fight has opened up another slot, and removed the extra ACC team.  This gives 6 slots for what may only be 7 teams – will USF be on the outside looking in??

Open Slots & At Large Teams

Projected Open Slots: (6)

Emerald – Pac 10 Slot (vs MWC)

Hawaii – WAC Sot (vs C-USA)

Houston – SEC Slot (vs Big 12)

Independence – SEC Slot (vs Big 12)

MPC Computers – Big 12 Slot (vs ACC)

Vegas – Pac 10 Slot (vs MWC)

Projected At-Large Teams: (7)

Akron

Bowling Green

Connecticut

Marshall

Navy

South Florida

Troy