The nine major conference schools needing wins to reach bowl game
With 40 bowl games once again on the postseason docket, it might again not be a must to reach six wins to get a bid. But reaching the half-dozen mark does just about guarantee one. That is especially true if you’re fortunate enough to reside in one of the major conferences.
In the power-five leagues, there are nine teams sitting on 5-6 with one game to go. Here’s the list with a quick assessment of their chances to claim that automatic postseason ticket.
ACC (2) — Boston College stayed alive in the six-win quest by blanking UConn last week. But the Eagles still have just one conference win on their resume, and they’ll have to get another on the road at Wake Forest to salvage something from a forgettable season. N.C. State, BC’s lone ACC victim, now finds itself in need of a win at archrival North Carolina after a promising start. The tar Heels, however, still harbor hopes of winning the Coastal Division and will certainly give their best effort against the Wolfpack.
Big 12 (1) — In a league that has long since sorted its haves from its have-nots, Texas finds itself squarely on, well, the horns. They had hoped for much more, of course, and a win Friday against TCU to get to 6-6 might not alter the future for embattled coach Charlie Strong, but it might at least help the Longhorns’ players going forward.
Big Ten (3) — All the 5-6 teams in the B1G will be solid home favorites to pick up that sixth ‘W’ Saturday. Indiana will look to secure the Old Oaken Bucket from rival Purdue, Maryland takes on hapless Rutgers, and Northwestern closes with Illinois.
Pac-12 (1) — Arizona State’s 5-1 start now seems like a distant memory. But at least the Sun Devils won’t finish in the Pac-12 South cellar. That dubious honor has already been clinched by Friday night’s opponent, Territorial Cup rival Arizona. The Wildcats are winless in the conference and haven’t been close in well over a month. They’ll be pumped for their home finale, but ASU should be able to handle any early challenges in Tucson.
SEC (2) — Ole Miss certainly didn’t expect to be in this position when Egg Bowl week rolled around. But injuries and a brutal schedule took their toll on the Rebels, who must now beat Miss State just to get back to .500. For Vanderbilt, a 6-6 finish would be much bigger accomplishment. The Commodores will try to get there on their home field at the expense of in-state foe Tennessee.
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