In a single regard, the Pac-12 hasn’t splintered: All 12 colleges stay tied to the bowls which have been affiliated with the convention in recent times. Exceptions are made for groups that qualify for the Faculty Soccer Playoff as convention winners or at-large entrants. In any other case, what’s previous is current for the 2024-25 seasons.
The Hotline will present weekly projections for the groups all through the common season.
Please word: We additionally unveil our weekly CFP picks every Monday.
The stretch run to an unprecedented faculty soccer season is quick approaching, with all of the accompanying conjecture, debate and tribal messaging. Earlier than we plunge into the most recent Hotline projections for Pac-12 bowl bids, just a few important reminders:
— The primary Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings will likely be launched Nov. 5 — sure, Election Day — adopted by 4 weekly Tuesday editions. The one rankings that really matter will likely be unveiled on the morning of Dec. 8.
— Bowl invites will likely be prolonged hours after the 12-team CFP area is introduced.
— The choice course of for Pac-12 bowls mirrors that of earlier seasons, with one exception: General file, not convention file, will decide the order of groups.
— The plus-one rule stays in place. Workforce B can leapfrog Workforce A within the choice course of so long as there is no such thing as a greater than a one-game distinction in file. If Colorado finishes 7-5, for instance, the Buffaloes may bounce a staff that’s 8-4 however not a staff that’s 9-3. And with coach Deion Sanders’ star energy, the Buffs will likely be a scorching commodity if they’re eligible.
To the projections …
(Remaining opponents are listed in chronological order.)
Faculty Soccer Playoff
Workforce: Oregon (Huge Ten champion)
Schedule: vs. Illinois, at Michigan, vs. Maryland, at Wisconsin, vs. Washington
Remark: The Geese (7-0) are the closest factor to a CFP lock that exists throughout the panorama — partly due to their undefeated file and conquest of Ohio State and partly as a result of the upcoming schedule is stocked with mediocre opponents.
Alamo Bowl
Workforce: Washington State
Schedule: at San Diego State, vs. Utah State, at New Mexico, at Oregon State, vs. Wyoming
Remark: The Cougars (6-1) have a schedule constructed for stacking wins and distancing themselves from the groups (Colorado, USC) that would bounce them within the choice course of. If WSU reaches the 11-win mark, which is lots practical, it ought to obtain the college’s first invitation to the Alamo Bowl because the days of Mike Leach and Gardner Minshew.
Vacation Bowl
Workforce: Colorado
Schedule: vs. Cincinnati, at Texas Tech, vs. Utah, at Kansas, vs. Oklahoma State
Remark: It’s far simpler than anticipated to examine the Buffaloes (5-2) rolling via the stretch run and successful 9 video games, if not 10. However this being the Huge 12, the place mayhem is king, it’s almost as simple to see them stumbling a number of instances and ending 7-5.
Las Vegas Bowl
Workforce: USC
Schedule: vs. Rutgers, at Washington, vs. Nebraska, at UCLA, vs. Notre Dame
Remark: It has been a mere 51 days because the Trojans (3-4) rallied in to beat LSU. Since then, they’ve blown 4 fourth-quarter leads and entered desperation mode. We see three victories on the upcoming schedule however, admittedly, needed to squint to do it.
Solar Bowl
Workforce: Arizona State
Schedule: at Oklahoma State, vs. UCF, at Kansas State, vs. BYU, at Arizona
Remark: The Solar Devils (5-2) are getting ready to an unlikely bowl berth, however the last victory could be tougher than the earlier 5 mixed if quarterback Sam Leavitt isn’t wholesome, the kicking sport doesn’t enhance and the schedule is as rugged as we foresee.
LA Bowl
Workforce: Washington
Schedule: at Indiana, vs. USC, at Penn State, vs. UCLA, at Oregon
Remark: The Huskies (4-3) seem to have caught a serious break with the damage to Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke. In the event that they win in Bloomington, then a victory over one of many L.A. colleges could be sufficient to safe a bowl berth, leaving the journeys to Eugene and State Faculty freed from postseason strain.
Independence Bowl
Workforce: Arizona
Schedule: vs. West Virginia, at UCF, vs. Houston, at TCU, vs. Arizona State
Remark: The season’s trajectory has taken an unimaginably dangerous flip for the Wildcats (3-4), however right here’s the excellent news: There are three wins obtainable on the stretch-run schedule, they usually don’t must play at an elite degree to safe them. They simply have to be competent.
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ESPN bowl
Workforce: Cal
Schedule: vs. Oregon State, at Wake Forest, vs. Syracuse, vs. Stanford, at SMU
Remark: The final sport of the season (at SMU) is probably going the one occasion wherein the Bears (3-4) will likely be a considerable underdog. However with 4 ACC losses coming by a complete of 9 factors, Cal has repeatedly proven an experience in snatching defeat from the brink of victory.
At-large bowl
Workforce: Utah
Schedule: at Houston, vs. BYU, at Colorado, vs. Iowa State, at UCF
Remark: Not on our bingo card this season: Vanderbilt beating Alabama; Military and Navy being undefeated in mid-October; and the Utes (4-3) having a precarious path into the postseason. Their stretch-run schedule is much harder than it might sound.
Non-qualifier
Workforce: Oregon State
Schedule: at Cal, vs. San Jose State, at Air Drive, vs. Washington State, at Boise State
Remark: The Beavers (4-3) should win at the least two of the ultimate 5 to safe a bowl berth. At first look, the San Jose State and Air Drive video games provide one of the best path ahead. However the Spartans are 5-2, and the Falcons’ triple choice could possibly be problematic for an OSU protection that may’t cease the run.
Non-qualifier
Workforce: Stanford
Schedule: vs. Wake Forest, at NC State, vs. Louisville, at Cal, at San Jose State
Remark: Barring an damage, freshman quarterback Elijah Brown ought to take each snap the remainder of the season for the Cardinal (2-5), each snap via the offseason and each snap for the foreseeable future.
Non-qualifier
Workforce: UCLA
Schedule: at Nebraska, vs. Iowa, at Washington, vs. USC, vs. Fresno State
Remark: Relative to expectations, the Bruins (2-5) are performing higher than the staff throughout city. So it’s not all dangerous in Westwood.
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