WSU Football: ESPN Gives Pac-12 Bowl Lineup, Can Cougs Make Postseason?

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Roses stamped with Oregon Ducks and Wisconsin Badgers logos prior to the game in the 2012 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

With one final season remaining of the “BCS”, the bowl system that we’ve known for a little more than a decade is in place for one last year. It doesn’t initially look like the system will change a whole lot in the near future with only 4 playoff teams coming in 2015, but it’s worth thinking about as the playoffs possibly expand. Either way, let’s look at the Pac-12 lineup for this year.

According to ESPN, the Pac 12 Bowl Lineup is as follows:

• Dec. 21, Gildan New Mexico Bowl, 2 p.m. Pac-12 vs. MWC, ESPN
• Dec. 21, Las Vegas Bowl, 3:30 p.m. Pac-12 vs. MWC. ABC
• Dec. 27, Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, 9:30 p.m. Pac-12 vs. BYU (if bowl eligible), ESPN
• Dec. 30, Valero Alamo Bowl, 6:45 p.m. Pac-12 vs. Big 12, ESPN
• Dec. 30, Holiday Bowl, 10:15 p.m. Pac-12 vs. Big 12, ESPN
• Dec. 31, Hyundai Sun Bowl, 2 p.m., Pac-12 vs. ACC, CBS
• Jan. 1, Rose Bowl Game Presented by VIZIO, 5 p.m., ESPN
• Jan. 6, VIZIO BCS National Championship (at the Rose Bowl), 8:30 p.m., BCS 1 vs. BCS 2, ESPN

That’s at least 6 bowl games with a possibility of 8. The question that immediately comes to mind for Washington State fans is; Will the Cougs be able to finally fight their way into one of these post season match-ups? It’s been a painful decade, since December 30th, 2003, since the Cougars have tasted postseason gratitude.

If they can find 6 wins among their 2013 schedule they will find themselves somewhere, unlike the last time they earned eligibility in 2006 but got snubbed, thanks to a 3 game losing streak to end the season. Even if the same thing were to happen, the schedule is much more difficult this year and I think Mike Leach is a good draw for any bowl rep.

Go Cougs!