Bowl Season Speculation Heats Up as Conference Contenders Take Shape

Strategic Insights -

The bowl season has unofficially kicked off as conference contenders begin to take shape, with several teams and programs vying for a spot in the Bowl Coalition's eight-team lineup. Boston College and Syracuse, both linked to the Big East, are expected to be key players in the outcome of the Eagles' game against the Orange at Chesnut Hill, Mass. The Bowl Coalition will supply teams for the Cotton, Fiesta, Gator, John Hancock, Orange, and Sugar bowls, with new additions Colorado State, Duke, Oregon, Rice, and Texas Tech joining the mix.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Big East conference champion, Miami, is expected to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, with a chance at the mythical national title.
  • Boston College and Syracuse are serious bowl contenders in the Big East, with Virginia Tech also in the running.
  • Florida State, the probable Atlantic Coast Conference champion, has nonconference games against Notre Dame and Florida, with a likely bowl spot in the Cotton Bowl.
  • The Big Eight conference contenders, including Colorado, Kansas State, and Oklahoma, are vying for a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.
  • The Big Ten conference top four teams, including Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan, will go to the Rose, Citrus, Holiday, and Hall of Fame bowls by conference agreement.
  • Oregon has the inside track to the Pac-10 title, with Stanford and Oregon State remaining in the standings.
  • Alabama and Florida are anticipated as opponents in the Southeastern divisional title game, with the winner hosting in the Sugar Bowl.
  • Notre Dame could be the foe in the Sugar Bowl, despite finishing with a 6-5 record.

Statistics:

  • Boston College has a 5-2-1 record and is linked to the Bowl Coalition.
  • Syracuse has a 6-2 record and is listed as a serious bowl contender.
  • The Bowl Coalition will supply teams for the Cotton, Fiesta, Gator, John Hancock, Orange, and Sugar bowls.
  • Colorado State, Duke, Oregon, Rice, and Texas Tech are new additions to the national bowl mix this season.
  • Miami is expected to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, with a chance at the mythical national title.

Sources:

  • Unknown (newspaper article from November 1989)
  • Big East conference standings
  • Atlantic Coast Conference conference standings
  • Big Eight conference conference standings
  • Big Ten conference conference standings
  • Pac-10 conference conference standings
  • Southeastern conference conference standings
  • Southwest conference conference standings
  • Western Athletic conference conference standings
  • Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington Huskies box score (November 1989)
  • Navy Midshipmen vs. Tulane Green Wave box score (November 1989)
  • Maryland Terrapins vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack box score (November 1989)
  • Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers box score (November 1989)
  • C.W. Post Pioneers vs. Hampton Pirates box score (January 1989)