The vast majority of college football's current top 50 teams are going to play this bowl season.
But where?
This list runs down the top 50 teams at this juncture in the season, as well as their best and worst case scenario for bowl games.
Keep in mind, this is a realistic attempt at gauging a certain team's prospects.
It seems card stunts weren't the only tricks that Iowa had up its sleeve in its 41-31 win over Northwestern.
Consider the following statistics: Northwestern converted 16 of 22 third downs. Iowa went 1-for-7.
Northwestern ran 92 to plays. Iowa ran 50.
Northwestern held the ball for 38:23. Iowa had possession for 21:37.
The first edition of the 2011 BCS rankings were released Sunday night and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are No. 13 in the poll.
Nebraska should climb higher in these rankings with a win over Minnesota on Saturday. After the game against the Gophers, the Cornhuskers’ schedule becomes more difficult with games against Michigan and Michigan State.
We have a new front-runner in the Legends Division. Does that also mean we have a new favorite to claim the Big Ten's second BCS spot?
Michigan State asserted itself as the team to beat in the Legends with a 28-14 victory over previously unbeaten Michigan on Saturday. That win lifted the Spartans up in our latest Big Ten bowl projections, as we now have them ticketed for a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl appearance. However, Michigan State has to play Wisconsin this week, and if it were to lose to the Badgers now and in the Big Ten title game but win out, that would mean a 10-3 final record. That might not be good enough for a BCS at-large bid, and it might crack the door open for another team -- like Nebraska, Penn State or even Michigan -- to grab the bid. If there is a second bid. Remember, teams that lose league title games are often shut out of BCS at-large berths.
CHICAGO - When the Iowa football team opens fall camp next Friday, coach Kirk Ferentz expects fullback Brad Rogers to be on the field with the Hawkeyes.
A sophomore who saw action in 11 games last season before a heart condition forced him off the field as Iowa prepared for the Insight Bowl, Rogers is listed as the Hawkeyes' second-team fullback on the preseason depth chart but has not participated in workouts since December.
The 2007 Indiana University Hoosiers, currently the last team to make an appearance in a bowl, pose for a team picture prior to the 2007 Insight Bowl.
In the final installment of a look back at the bowl history of the Indiana Hoosiers football squad, we review their last three appearances -- a 24-0 win over Baylor in the 1991 Copper Bowl, a 45-20 loss to Virginia Tech in the 1993 Independence Bowl and their latest appearance a 49-33 loss to Oklahoma State in the 2007 Insight Bowl.
Missouri's Henry Josey (left) dives for the end zone and a touchdown as Iowa's Micah Hyde tries to trip hime up during the second quarter of the 2010 Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, in Tempe, Ariz. (Jim Slosiarek/SourceMedia Group News)
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed first- round picks quarterback Blaine Gabbert and guard/center Will Rackley to contracts on Thursday.
Gabbert, who left following his junior season at Missouri, was taken with the 10th overall pick. He finished his collegiate career with 578 completions for 6,822 yards and 40 touchdowns, going 18-8 as a starter.
Iowa's Micah Hyde (18, left) escapes Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham (3) for a touchdown on an interception in the first quarter of their game on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)
CHICAGO — Micah Hyde finished spring practice as the No. 1 free safety, moving over from cornerback.
Ferentz conducts whirlwind media tour at the Big Ten Football Media Days
University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said he would love to have an opportunity to play Ohio State this season because that means the Hawkeyes are in the Big Ten title game.
Return to bowl game part of Oregon State incentive
The Portland Tribune, Jul 28, 2011 , Updated 5.8 hours ago
The anticipated return of James Rodgers, Oregon State receiver, from a season-ending knee injury in 2010, would bolster the Beavers’ hopes of making a 10th bowl appearance in the past 13 seasons.
Families may swim for free Saturday morning at the Marriott Starr Pass Resort, as long as they call in advance because space is limited.
The event, arranged by the Ward 1 City Council office, runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the resort, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
Call the council office at 791-4040 to make a "Free Family Fun Swim Day" swimming reservation.
CHICAGO - The Fiesta Bowl made a strong case here Saturday to stay in college football's prestigious Bowl Championship Series, hoping that promises to clean up self-disclosed financial mismanagement, potentially illegal conduct and lax board oversight will be enough to keep it in play.
The bowl, during a roughly four-hour private meeting before a seven-member BCS task force, went through the myriad policy changes it has made since the March 29 release of a 276-page report revealing embarrassing problems uncovered during an internal investigation. That same day, it fired longtime Chief Executive John Junker and announced it had accepted the forced resignations of two other top executives.
Just as the 2010 college football season ended with Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers celebrating, so began the look ahead to 2011.
Many college football voices offered their insight on teams that could contend for a BCS championship in 2011, and players who will either stay in school or run to the greener pastures of the NFL.
Heading into the 2011 college football season, there are sure to be some surprise teams that crack the Top 25 once again. But, at the same time, expect many of the regulars to return to the polls.
In 2010, we saw upstart teams such as Mississippi State and Nevada achieve greatness and finish the college football season ranked. At the same time, many of the traditional powers faltered last season, ending the 2010 campaign unranked.
The Bowl Championship Series, or BCS, is the single most criticized thing in college football. When the BCS makes its selection, there are always one or two teams that are very unhappy. College football is a changing game that now revolves around money.
Which players will emerge as stars? How will unbalanced schedules help Iowa and hurt Nebraska? Which teams will meet in the first Big Ten championship game? We've got your answers (and a lot more).
The emergence of Taylor Martinez gave Nebraska a promising start and a top-10 ranking. But things fell apart the last four games, bottoming out with a 19-7 loss to Washington in the Holiday Bowl. The Huskers just missed a Big 12 championship for the second straight year.
Turner Gill had a tough first season, will year two be better? Jamie Squire/Getty Images
(Originally published in The Kansas City Star's "Upon Further Review" page.)
"This is going to kill me," says Ashton Kutcher, on a couch before the TV in a Four Seasons suite. The Packers-Eagles playoff game is going to kick off in minutes, just as his next series of interviews is scheduled to begin. "I had all morning to watch that crap Baltimore-Kansas City game (a 30-7 Ravens blowout) and this is the one that affects who the Bears are going to play next week."
This is arguably the best NFL weekend of the year. You get four divisional playoff games between Saturday and Sunday. It's not too little. It's not too much. It's the perfect amount of great football, plus it gives you plenty of time for good conversation.
So here's a few talking points for whatever porch you are chillin on today.
