Thanks to the new kids on the SEC block, the Discover BCS National Championship Game will likely be the first BCS title game to feature two non-SEC teams since 2005. Alabama's 29-24 loss to Texas A&M did more than just show that the Aggies are for real in this league. It also showed that the rest of the country might not have to hear from the big, bad SEC at season's end.
SEC enthusiasts had to have a bittersweet feeling inside when they saw Texas A&M possibly ruin things for the conference. The league was so nice to bring the Aggies in, and this is how they repay it? Still, what a game and what a team Kevin Sumlin has over in College Station. This team should be good for quit some time.
But the SEC won't get shut out of the BCS. It'll likely still send two teams to BCS bowls, which would be two pretty big wins for the conference.
Also, the SEC might not fill its 10 bowl spots this year. While the SEC should get two in the BCS to give the conference 10 bowl teams, it might not get 11 eligible teams, which means there wouldn't be an SEC representative in the Autocare Independence Bowl.
Ole Miss still has to win one more, meaning the Rebels will have to beat either LSU or Mississippi State. This team has come too far not to get one last win, right? And Tennessee has to win out. That means beating Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Vandy is on the road, while Kentucky is at home. Right now, it just doesn't look like the Vols can get two more wins this year.
Making projections on the bowls now is even more of a careless shot in the dark after Saturday, but we're willing to give it our best shot:
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 3: Texas A&M
Allstate Sugar Bowl, Jan. 2: Alabama
Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1: Georgia
AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 4: LSU
Outback Bowl, Jan. 1: Florida
Chick-fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31: South Carolina
Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl, Jan. 1: Mississippi State
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Dec. 31: Vanderbilt
AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31: Ole Miss
BBVA Compass Bowl, Jan. 5: Missouri