[NU Sports] 2011 Bowl Projections

[neonrye at aol.com]

Now that we have bowl eligibility in our sights, I broke down and started researching online projections, as I did last year (when we broke through much earlier).

Here's a site that is picking us for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albequerque on Dec. 17 vs. Wyoming:  http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/11/14/2560547/college-bowl-projections-predictions-2011-week-12  Of course, I never even heard of this bowl before--have any of you?

ESPN splits its predictions "ballot", with one vote putting us in NYC at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Rutgers (which might work for me, as I will be returning from vacation earlier that day), while the other places us in New Orleans at the R+L Carriers Bowl.  In the latter we are predicted to face Arkansas State, and if that ever came to pass, and if we didn't get off the "schneid" and get our first bowl win since 1949, then I guess we are fated to never get another one.   http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls

CBSSPORTS.com has this interesting match-up:  NU v. Cal in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco on December 31st.  That game would literally be a home game for the Golden Bears, as they are playing their "home" games this season at AT&T Park, since their stadium is undergoing renovations.  http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions

I don't like this one, as it has us going nowhere:  http://collegebowlprojections.com/ncaa-college-football-bowl-predictions/

Isn't this fun?  

I just hope I haven't fatally jinxed Fitz and his "young men" by posting this information, but I find these bowl projections fascinating, especially when NU is arguably in the mix.  And after last night's J-E-T-S trainwreck vs. the Patriots, I need the 'Cats to cheer me up with hope and inspiration.:-)  

Paul Levinson