[Bruce Wang]

What bowls will we go to depending on the outcome of Oregon v Arizona?

[Bruce Wang]

What bowls will we go to depending on the outcome of Oregon v Arizona?

[stupac2]

I don't think there's any way to predict. The bowls go somewhat sequentially, but can skip around somewhat (I believe by 2 wins but I'm not sure if that's overall or conference). So it all depends on what the bowl wants. We'd probably be the last team picked, frankly, since this is a down year and we're definitely not past the "doesn't travel" tag yet. If Cal beats BYU we might not even get picked in a PAC-affiliated game, as I believe there will be one extra team. Who knows where we'd go then?

[stupac2]

I don't think there's any way to predict. The bowls go somewhat sequentially, but can skip around somewhat (I believe by 2 wins but I'm not sure if that's overall or conference). So it all depends on what the bowl wants. We'd probably be the last team picked, frankly, since this is a down year and we're definitely not past the "doesn't travel" tag yet. If Cal beats BYU we might not even get picked in a PAC-affiliated game, as I believe there will be one extra team. Who knows where we'd go then?

[washingtonismoney]

Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

[washingtonismoney]

Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

[yvonne]

Wilner's pregame blog item makes it seem like it's going to be Levi's (Foster Farms), as well.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...more-38114

[yvonne]

Wilner's pregame blog item makes it seem like it's going to be Levi's (Foster Farms), as well.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...more-38114

[OutsiderFan]

Throttling #8 UCLA with a great performance by Hogan, will make Stanford a coveted team for a bowl game.  This is when the value of the Stanford football brand crafted over the last five years, and winning the last two games by a combined 69-20, pays off.

[OutsiderFan]

Throttling #8 UCLA with a great performance by Hogan, will make Stanford a coveted team for a bowl game.  This is when the value of the Stanford football brand crafted over the last five years, and winning the last two games by a combined 69-20, pays off.

[stupac2]

Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.

[stupac2]

Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.

[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=11235.msg106806#msg106806 date=1417234209]Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.
[/quote]

The Foster Farms Bowl, soon to be known as: The Poultry Bowl, The Fowl Bowl, The Factory Farmed Chicken Bowl, The Drumstick Bowl, and other similar aliases.

[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=11235.msg106806#msg106806 date=1417234209]Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.
[/quote]

The Foster Farms Bowl, soon to be known as: The Poultry Bowl, The Fowl Bowl, The Factory Farmed Chicken Bowl, The Drumstick Bowl, and other similar aliases.

[oman]

Screw that, I hope they come east of the Rockies somewhere. 

[oman]

Screw that, I hope they come east of the Rockies somewhere. 

[fullmetal]

Might be best to end the season now, on this high note?

I know the win today felt great, but the extra practices help, and the extra TV time and exposure are invaluable to building the brand, etc.  Also, let's go stomp on some unsuspecting non-conference foe!  And we'll have a Cardboard meetup/reunion while we're at it :)

[fullmetal]

Might be best to end the season now, on this high note?

I know the win today felt great, but the extra practices help, and the extra TV time and exposure are invaluable to building the brand, etc.  Also, let's go stomp on some unsuspecting non-conference foe!  And we'll have a Cardboard meetup/reunion while we're at it :)

[CrazedZooChimp]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=11235.msg106806#msg106806 date=1417234209]Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.
[/quote]

So, I thought the bowls were free to pick any team that is within one conference loss of the best remaining team, but Wilner's update says that's not the case for the bottom 3 bowls (Sun, Vegas, Cactus).  Either way, we SHOULD be able to go to the SF bowl because we are 5-4, and every team above us is 6-3 (unless Arizona wins, but if that happens Oregon will definitely get a Fiesta Bowl bid).  I actually think ASU is probably the team that gets hosed.  My predictions, assuming UW, Utah, Kal, and Oregon win tomorrow:

Rose: Oregon
Fiesta/other "committee" bowl: Arizona
Alamo: UCLA
Holiday: U$C
Chicken: Stanford (they take us over 6-3 ASU because of the locality, ASU fans are now pissed that they've been passed over twice, which I think is allowed.  Someone correct me if it's not).
Sun: ASU (to be fair, should be a better match-up than the Foster Farms bowl, this is against the ACC #4 whereas SF is against the Big-10 #6.  I don't even know if the Big-10 has 6 eligible teams...)
Vegas: Utah
Cactus: UW
Other random bowl no one will care about by maybe some desperate 59er fans will be excited to go to: Kal.

I think the biggest threat to us not making the Foster Farms Bowl is if the Holiday doesn't screw ASU, and U$C is available.  I could see them going to SF, in which case I think we end up in Vegas, as Utah will have the better record than us and is more appealing to them than us (relatively closer, more likely to travel since their season was less of a disappointment).  There is also an ever so slight chance THREE Pac-12 teams go to "Committee" bowls (I think there are 5 at large spots), which could also confuse things, but should make it even more likely we stay in the Bay Area.  Of course, maybe this is wishful thinking since Vegas and Santa Clara are the two I am most likely to go to...


If anyone knows if I'm totally off on how the process works, please let me know.  Apparently it isn't the same as last year, but I couldn't find it with a quick google search.

[CrazedZooChimp]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=11235.msg106806#msg106806 date=1417234209]Todd Husak was saying on twitter that the most likely outcome is the bowl at Levi's Stadium, whatever they're calling it these days.

That bowl would make sense I'm just not 100% that they can actually pick us. I guess we'll find out. Would be nice to be able to easily attend one, though I don't know if I'll be back from San Diego by then.
[/quote]

So, I thought the bowls were free to pick any team that is within one conference loss of the best remaining team, but Wilner's update says that's not the case for the bottom 3 bowls (Sun, Vegas, Cactus).  Either way, we SHOULD be able to go to the SF bowl because we are 5-4, and every team above us is 6-3 (unless Arizona wins, but if that happens Oregon will definitely get a Fiesta Bowl bid).  I actually think ASU is probably the team that gets hosed.  My predictions, assuming UW, Utah, Kal, and Oregon win tomorrow:

Rose: Oregon
Fiesta/other "committee" bowl: Arizona
Alamo: UCLA
Holiday: U$C
Chicken: Stanford (they take us over 6-3 ASU because of the locality, ASU fans are now pissed that they've been passed over twice, which I think is allowed.  Someone correct me if it's not).
Sun: ASU (to be fair, should be a better match-up than the Foster Farms bowl, this is against the ACC #4 whereas SF is against the Big-10 #6.  I don't even know if the Big-10 has 6 eligible teams...)
Vegas: Utah
Cactus: UW
Other random bowl no one will care about by maybe some desperate 59er fans will be excited to go to: Kal.

I think the biggest threat to us not making the Foster Farms Bowl is if the Holiday doesn't screw ASU, and U$C is available.  I could see them going to SF, in which case I think we end up in Vegas, as Utah will have the better record than us and is more appealing to them than us (relatively closer, more likely to travel since their season was less of a disappointment).  There is also an ever so slight chance THREE Pac-12 teams go to "Committee" bowls (I think there are 5 at large spots), which could also confuse things, but should make it even more likely we stay in the Bay Area.  Of course, maybe this is wishful thinking since Vegas and Santa Clara are the two I am most likely to go to...


If anyone knows if I'm totally off on how the process works, please let me know.  Apparently it isn't the same as last year, but I couldn't find it with a quick google search.

[OutsiderFan]

At this time of year, all I'm interested in is the best match-up for program bragging rights and brand credibility, and an opponent that avoids the "yawn factor" that plagues so many disappointed teams in bowl games.  This means preference in order of the most better team by record or ranking possible, then by program traditional power perception.  This pretty much rules out any desire to go to the Las Vegas bowl.  No Pac-12 program ever gets any residual value from knocking off a MWC team, and frankly, it's not much of a reward for the Pac-12 team; it has a high "yawn potential."

For starters, is there any way Stanford can be matched up against a ranked team?  It would be pretty cool for Stanford to lay claim to the fact it is I'm guessing the only program in the country that played seven ranked opponents in 2014.  It may be the only one to have played six as well, but knocking off 2/7 ranked opponents, including two in a row, can salvage the season.
Then, are there any 8-4 or even 9-3 teams Stanford can play? 

What about chances to get matched up with traditional power like Oklahoma, Texas, Clemson, or Miami? 

Avoid Las Vegas at all costs.  Doing so would open up the opportunity to play a Power 5 conference team in the bowl game.

All things considered, the best matchup IMO, would be potentially #23ish Minnesota in the Drumstick Bowl.  You get a ranked team (especially if they play Wisconsin close), the B1G West runner-up (against the Pac-12 North runner-up), teams that play similar styles, basically a home game in a great new stadium, and an opponent Stanford should handle well.

[OutsiderFan]

At this time of year, all I'm interested in is the best match-up for program bragging rights and brand credibility, and an opponent that avoids the "yawn factor" that plagues so many disappointed teams in bowl games.  This means preference in order of the most better team by record or ranking possible, then by program traditional power perception.  This pretty much rules out any desire to go to the Las Vegas bowl.  No Pac-12 program ever gets any residual value from knocking off a MWC team, and frankly, it's not much of a reward for the Pac-12 team; it has a high "yawn potential."

For starters, is there any way Stanford can be matched up against a ranked team?  It would be pretty cool for Stanford to lay claim to the fact it is I'm guessing the only program in the country that played seven ranked opponents in 2014.  It may be the only one to have played six as well, but knocking off 2/7 ranked opponents, including two in a row, can salvage the season.
Then, are there any 8-4 or even 9-3 teams Stanford can play? 

What about chances to get matched up with traditional power like Oklahoma, Texas, Clemson, or Miami? 

Avoid Las Vegas at all costs.  Doing so would open up the opportunity to play a Power 5 conference team in the bowl game.

All things considered, the best matchup IMO, would be potentially #23ish Minnesota in the Drumstick Bowl.  You get a ranked team (especially if they play Wisconsin close), the B1G West runner-up (against the Pac-12 North runner-up), teams that play similar styles, basically a home game in a great new stadium, and an opponent Stanford should handle well.

[Bruce Wang]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

[Bruce Wang]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

[OutsiderFan]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

Reaction 1:  Take this up with Larry Scott and whoever is going to run the SEC.
Reaction 2:  The SEC is afraid to play the Pac-12 in bowl games.

[OutsiderFan]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

Reaction 1:  Take this up with Larry Scott and whoever is going to run the SEC.
Reaction 2:  The SEC is afraid to play the Pac-12 in bowl games.

[Stymie]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

I fully agree, but I doubt that the SEC has the balls to risk having one of their stud farms lose to a 7-5 team full of nerds.

[Stymie]

I would like to see us test our mettle against an $E© opponent.

I fully agree, but I doubt that the SEC has the balls to risk having one of their stud farms lose to a 7-5 team full of nerds.

[Bruce Wang]

SCARED to ENGAGE against CALIFORNIANS

[Bruce Wang]

SCARED to ENGAGE against CALIFORNIANS

[thunder_chik]

If we do get the invite to the FF Chicken Bowl, we could end up playing Rutgers or Maryland...
The Big 10 (with 14 teams!) already has 9 bowl-eligible squads, with 3 others at 5 wins with 1 more game to play.
Standings link at http://espn.go.com/college-football/conf...conference

[thunder_chik]

If we do get the invite to the FF Chicken Bowl, we could end up playing Rutgers or Maryland...
The Big 10 (with 14 teams!) already has 9 bowl-eligible squads, with 3 others at 5 wins with 1 more game to play.
Standings link at http://espn.go.com/college-football/conf...conference

[stupac2]

The SEC isn't afraid to play the PAC, the problem here is geography. The PAC is completely fucked because we're so far away from everyone else, and while CA/AZ are decent vacation spots they can't support all that many bowls. The SEC, however, can have basically infinite bowls in footprint, since they're more football-crazy and have the same weather advantages in winter. The teams that get really screwed by bowls are the Big-10, but since they're geographically close to the SEC/ACC they at least get games against those teams.

Would it be nice if we had a tie-in with the SEC? Yeah, it would, especially because that game would probably pay out more. But it's not the least bit surprising that we don't.

[stupac2]

The SEC isn't afraid to play the PAC, the problem here is geography. The PAC is completely fucked because we're so far away from everyone else, and while CA/AZ are decent vacation spots they can't support all that many bowls. The SEC, however, can have basically infinite bowls in footprint, since they're more football-crazy and have the same weather advantages in winter. The teams that get really screwed by bowls are the Big-10, but since they're geographically close to the SEC/ACC they at least get games against those teams.

Would it be nice if we had a tie-in with the SEC? Yeah, it would, especially because that game would probably pay out more. But it's not the least bit surprising that we don't.

[Stymie]

I've lived in both the Bay Area and northern Florida, and trust me, the Bay Area beats the SEC regarding winter weather hands down.  The SEC is on a roll (football wise) but the last thing they want to do is compete with the only conference that has similar strength in depth that they do (e.g. the PAC-12).  The mainstream media mindlessly swallows the SEC's mantra that they are special.  How do we know if they only play each other, every year?

[Stymie]

I've lived in both the Bay Area and northern Florida, and trust me, the Bay Area beats the SEC regarding winter weather hands down.  The SEC is on a roll (football wise) but the last thing they want to do is compete with the only conference that has similar strength in depth that they do (e.g. the PAC-12).  The mainstream media mindlessly swallows the SEC's mantra that they are special.  How do we know if they only play each other, every year?

[OutsiderFan]

It used to be that local flights were much cheaper than longer ones.  But now, everything is expensive on short notice, so if you're going to plunk down $400 on a flight to say San Antonio, why not $600 to Orlando for a more compelling game?

In other words, I don't buy the distance excuse.  Pac-12 fans badly want to see games against SEC teams and will travel to get them.

[OutsiderFan]

It used to be that local flights were much cheaper than longer ones.  But now, everything is expensive on short notice, so if you're going to plunk down $400 on a flight to say San Antonio, why not $600 to Orlando for a more compelling game?

In other words, I don't buy the distance excuse.  Pac-12 fans badly want to see games against SEC teams and will travel to get them.

[stupac2]

Shrug. The bowls get to decide and the bowls in the southwest have decided that they don't want the PAC. The SEC doesn't have much to do with it, except if for some reason they really prioritized playing the PAC they could do it, but why would they? They have more than enough potential opponents with the closer leagues, and there's no worries (right or wrong) about the fans needing to travel 3000 miles to see the game.

I didn't say that this makes perfect sense, just that that's the logic. The bowl system is all kinds of fucked up and this just one manifestation.

[stupac2]

Shrug. The bowls get to decide and the bowls in the southwest have decided that they don't want the PAC. The SEC doesn't have much to do with it, except if for some reason they really prioritized playing the PAC they could do it, but why would they? They have more than enough potential opponents with the closer leagues, and there's no worries (right or wrong) about the fans needing to travel 3000 miles to see the game.

I didn't say that this makes perfect sense, just that that's the logic. The bowl system is all kinds of fucked up and this just one manifestation.