Final 2009 Bowl Projections – ACC

Had Georgia Tech not taken care of business in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson, the ACC bowl selections would have gotten very complicated.  Then again, thanks to the Gator Bowl, they already are.

The big story in the ACC postseason is not Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.  Instead, it centers on the story of Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden’s retirement and legacy.

The Gator Bowl gets the second selection of ACC teams after the BCS has selected, and they seem to have already made their selection.  The Gator Bowl intends on inviting 6-6 Florida State to face Big East representative West Virginia.  That may not seem like a problem on the surface, but it gets deeper.

Should this selection become official, Florida State, with a 6-6 record will have been chosen over four ACC teams with better overall records:  Miami at 9-3, North Carolina and Boston College at 8-4, and Clemson at 8-5.

I personally am strongly against this selection.  The reasoning for this selection seems to be to honor Bobby Bowden’s legacy.  I agree that he deserves being honored.  But at 6-6, Florida State should just be grateful they are going to a bowl game.  Regardless of how I, or perhaps others may feel, the Gator Bowl is entitled to its selection, assuming the ACC allows it.

With all of said, here is how I see the ACC bowl selection happening, with potential opponents:

Orange Bowl – Georgia Tech (vs. TCU)

Chick-Fil-A Bowl – Virginia Tech (vs. Tennessee)

Gator Bowl – Florida State (vs. West Virginia)

Champs Sports Bowl – Miami (vs. Michigan State)

Meineke Car Car Bowl – North Carolina (vs. Rutgers)

Music City Bowl – Clemson (vs. Kentucky)

Emerald Bowl – Boston College (vs. USC)

*Note – The ACC does not have enough bowl eligible teams to fill their bowls.  The EagleBank Bowl and GMAC Bowl will feature teams from different conferences, likely a MAC team and a Sun Belt team.