Published December 22, 2011 - 11:08am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Heading into bowl season, the SEC is usually the favorite amongst all the bowl game selections. Here are the teams that could possibly get upset in bowl season, as well as play spoiler in their particular bowl game:
Liberty Bowl – Cincinnati* vs. Vanderbilt
The favorite heading into this game will most likely be Cincinnati; however, Vanderbilt can play with anyone in the SEC East this year, and Tennessee thrashed Cincinnati early this season. The Vols barely beat the Commodores as well. Now, I know that any team can beat anyone on any day, but this Vanderbilt team is no slouch. This is definitely a possible upset waiting to happen because the Commodores are not your father’s Commodores.
Chick-fil-A Bowl – Virginia vs. No. 25 Auburn*
Auburn will be the favorite heading into this game because of their ranking of No. 25 in the country; however, let’s think about what this team and program has been through in such a short time between the Iron Bowl and now. The Tigers have lost their defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and Michael Dyer. Dyer is the backbone of this offense, and I’m just not sure, with all the turmoil and changes within the program, the Tigers can win this football game. I could be wrong.
Capital One Bowl – No. 20 Nebraska vs. No. 9 South Carolina*
The Gamecocks have had a marvelous season in Columbia, and not many thought the Gamecocks could win 10 games in the SEC this year. However, they did just that, and it was due to playing exceptionally good defense. This will be a low-scoring game I suspect, and sometimes the Gamecocks can get one-dimensional with Connor Shaw running the football a lot, as he can struggle passing at times. Also, with Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson taking the Southern Miss head coaching job, he will not be coaching in this game – so, there could be a lapse there. South Carolina will play well, but can they play well enough to beat Nebraska? I think so, but this game could go either way.
BCS National Championship – No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 LSU*
This game could go either way from the start; however, LSU will be the favorite, and the majority of the money will be on the Tigers to get the victory. I think they’re the best football team in the country playing against the second best team in Alabama, but LSU, to me, is one of the best teams I’ve ever seen. However, this game could go either way, and it is very plausible that Alabama wins this football because of their defense and Trent Richardson.
* Denotes favorite
Hey Knucklehead, what about the Music City Bowl?