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Post Week 7 SEC Bowl Projections For 2011

There is very little change at the top of the SEC Bowl picture as all signposts still point to the LSU Tigers- Alabama Crimson Tide matchup on November 5 to determine who will represent the SEC in the National Championship game (remember back when the SEC Championship Game had something to do with this?). Meanwhile, there is a lot of movement and infighting for the middle and bottom spots as several teams have suffered key injuries and there is a good chance the SEC will not fill all of its slots. 

Right now the Vanderbilt Commodores (3-3) appear to be on the outside looking in.  To get to 6-6, the 'Dores will probably need to win 3 of 4 against Army, Kentucky, @Tennessee and @Wake Forest.  Certainly not impossible. 

RIght now I'm predicting the 3-3 Tennessee Volunteers will sneak in with the wins coming vs. Middle Tennessee, Vandy and @Kentucky.  Still, the Vols may be without Tyler Bray for the season and are therefore holding on by a thread.  Speaking of which, Mississippi State is expected to make the bowl dance only because of remaining games against the Ole Miss Rebels and @Kentucky Wildcats.  The Bulldogs have lost some close ones, but there is no question their season has been a huge disappointment.

As a Kentucky fan, I take some solace in this: if the Cats can somehow get past Jacksonville State and avoid giving Mississippi State its first SEC win of the year, they are suddenly right back in the bowl hunt with Vandy, Mississippi and UT still on deck.  A 6-6 team UK team might sneak into a decent destination, as getting there will probably involve knocking a team or two out of the bowl hunt entirely, and turning around our season substantially.

Of course, we need to walk before we crawl. 

Here is how I see things stacking up at this point.

 

National Championship

Alabama v. Oklahoma Sooners

 

Sugar Bowl

LSU v. Boise St. Broncos

 

Capital One Bowl

Arkansas Razorbacks v. Nebraska Cornhuskers

 

Cotton Bowl

Auburn Tigers v. Texas A&M Aggies

 

Outback Bowl

Georgia Bulldogs v. Michigan St. Spartans

 

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

South Carolina Gamecocks v. Virginia Tech Hokies

 

Gator Bowl

Florida Gators v. Michigan Wolverines

 

Liberty Bowl

Mississippi St. Bulldogs v. Houston Cougars 

Music City Bowl

 

Tennessee Volunteers v. Virginia Cavaliers

 BBVA Compass Bowl

No eligible SEC team