Bowl projections

[redpony]

we need to get a really good bowl invite as it might be a few years before we earn another invite once we are in the ACC.

[Dukie]

we need to get a really good bowl invite as it might be a few years before we earn another invite once we are in the ACC.

I don't think so. Smart nonconference scheduling means a bowl with as few as 2-3 conference wins. Duke did that for years when Cutcliffe had lost his touch but we were still getting to bowl games most years. And the lowest ACC bowls are better than or equal to the highest (non-NY6) AAC bowls.

[CA Mustang]

we need to get a really good bowl invite as it might be a few years before we earn another invite once we are in the ACC.

I don't think so. Smart nonconference scheduling means a bowl with as few as 2-3 conference wins. Duke did that for years when Cutcliffe had lost his touch but we were still getting to bowl games most years. And the lowest ACC bowls are better than or equal to the highest (non-NY6) AAC bowls.

Conference realignment will require many of the bowl tie-ins to change.

Going forward, the top 6 spots in the ACC should yield a good bowl destination. Outside the top 6, a team could be bowl eligible but the destinations won't be premium.

[Dukie]

we need to get a really good bowl invite as it might be a few years before we earn another invite once we are in the ACC.

I don't think so. Smart nonconference scheduling means a bowl with as few as 2-3 conference wins. Duke did that for years when Cutcliffe had lost his touch but we were still getting to bowl games most years. And the lowest ACC bowls are better than or equal to the highest (non-NY6) AAC bowls.

Conference realignment will require many of the bowl tie-ins to change.

Going forward, the top 6 spots in the ACC should yield a good bowl destination. Outside the top 6, a team could be bowl eligible but the destinations won't be premium.

Are you suggesting the ACC tie-ins today will be worse? Or the AAC tie-ins will be better? Because … no.

[redpony]

dukie- with the new group of 18 I doubt if we will be in the top 12 and hard pressed to get a bowl bid. we will not be competitive with the clemsons, fl states etc. in fact even stanford and cal may beat us next year. Now if we knock it out of the park in the transfer portal and PS turnins into the second coming of Fran Tarkenton or Joe Montana we might be better than the middle of the pack. but that is unlikely

[EastStang]

Right now, we could compete with Syracuse, BC, Pitt, UVA, Stanford, CAL, and maybe GT. After that, it will be tough. VT, Clem, U, FSU, ND, LV, NCS, UNC, Duke, Wake are probably ahead of us. So can we eek out 2 or 3 wins? Maybe depending on the schedule. Can we win the conference? That's not likely to happen immediately.

[peruna81]

I could see SMU taking Syracuse, Wake, and BC if we played this year...beyond that it would be an uphill climb. FSU, Clemson and UNC would work us over, as would Duke this year.

BUT...we are now playing teams that we know their mascots, so there is that...

[CA Mustang]

Are you suggesting the ACC tie-ins today will be worse? Or the AAC tie-ins will be better? Because … no.

No, I'm saying some tie-ins will change because of realignment. Many (if not all) of the Pac-12 tie-ins will open up and I won't be surprised if the Big 12 loses a few. In contrast, look for the Big 10 and SEC to add a few more.

Here's the current lineup of ACC bowls. https://theacc.com/sports/2022/1/31/FB_0131224420.aspx

As other commenters have pointed out, it isn't reasonable to expect SMU to be in the top half of the league initially. So if SMU achieves six wins and is in the middle of the conference (at best), don't expect the bowl options to be dramatically different.

[Dukie]

Are you suggesting the ACC tie-ins today will be worse? Or the AAC tie-ins will be better? Because … no.

No, I'm saying some tie-ins will change because of realignment. Many (if not all) of the Pac-12 tie-ins will open up and I won't be surprised if the Big 12 loses a few. In contrast, look for the Big 10 and SEC to add a few more.

Here's the current lineup of ACC bowls. https://theacc.com/sports/2022/1/31/FB_0131224420.aspx

As other commenters have pointed out, it isn't reasonable to expect SMU to be in the top half of the league initially. So if SMU achieves six wins and is in the middle of the conference (at best), don't expect the bowl options to be dramatically different.

I agree with all of this post. The fallacy is that SMU needs to be top half of the ACC to bowl. That’s just not true.

[CA Mustang]

Are you suggesting the ACC tie-ins today will be worse? Or the AAC tie-ins will be better? Because … no.

No, I'm saying some tie-ins will change because of realignment. Many (if not all) of the Pac-12 tie-ins will open up and I won't be surprised if the Big 12 loses a few. In contrast, look for the Big 10 and SEC to add a few more.

Here's the current lineup of ACC bowls. https://theacc.com/sports/2022/1/31/FB_0131224420.aspx

As other commenters have pointed out, it isn't reasonable to expect SMU to be in the top half of the league initially. So if SMU achieves six wins and is in the middle of the conference (at best), don't expect the bowl options to be dramatically different.

I agree with all of this post. The fallacy is that SMU needs to be top half of the ACC to bowl. That’s just not true.

Correct, any year SMU reaches six wins they will be bowling. The question is just WHICH bowl.

[indianmustang]

ESPN has smu playing clemson

[Dukie]

No, I'm saying some tie-ins will change because of realignment. Many (if not all) of the Pac-12 tie-ins will open up and I won't be surprised if the Big 12 loses a few. In contrast, look for the Big 10 and SEC to add a few more.

Here's the current lineup of ACC bowls. https://theacc.com/sports/2022/1/31/FB_0131224420.aspx

As other commenters have pointed out, it isn't reasonable to expect SMU to be in the top half of the league initially. So if SMU achieves six wins and is in the middle of the conference (at best), don't expect the bowl options to be dramatically different.

I agree with all of this post. The fallacy is that SMU needs to be top half of the ACC to bowl. That’s just not true.

Correct, any year SMU reaches six wins they will be bowling. The question is just WHICH bowl.

You also implied the situation will be worse, then backed off to that it will be changing. Sure. Worse for some. Not worse for the ACC.

[Terry Webster]

ESPN has smu playing clemson

In the Military bowl. I would love that matchup!

[peruna81]

ESPN has smu playing clemson

In the Military bowl. I would love that matchup!

Yes, please!

[CA Mustang]

ESPN
Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
2 p.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Clemson vs. SMU
Schlabach: Clemson vs. Memphis

Thursday, Dec. 28
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
11 a.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Boston College vs. Tulane
Schlabach: Syracuse vs. SMU