Update at 5:45 p.m.: Been told that the SEC will not make official announcement about bowl pairings, as was expected earlier in the day. But it does appear that Kentucky is headed to Music City to play probably North Carolina, or Miami.
Update at 5:20 p.m. Tom Leach says Rivals reporting that Georgia will go to Independence Bowl. That all but confirms that UK will go to Music City.
Update at 4:40 p.m.: I’m hearing that Music City will make an announcement (or leak something) at 5:30 and that Kentucky is the leader.
By the way, you can send a “tweet” to the Music City Bowl.
Update at 3:40 p.m.: What does Travis Haney know? The South Carolina beat reporter for Charleston Post-Courier just sent this Tweet: “Next: UGa in Nashville. UK in Indy. SC in B-Ham. @Vols_Beat: Source confirms #Vols and Virginia Tech to Chick-fil-A Bowl. More shortly.”
Update at 3:18 p.m., Knoxville News-Sentinel reporting that Chick-fil-A has chosen Tennessee and Virginia Tech. That leaves Music City to pick between UK and Georgia. Loser gets Independence Bowl, it appears.
Another update: Rivals reports that Auburn has accepted Outback Bowl bid. (Hat tip to Matt May.)
Update: Knoxville News-Sentinel now reporting that Tennessee is likely to end up in Chick-fil-A. if that’s the case, the Music City would choose between Georgia and Kentucky. UK beat the Bulldogs in Athens. However, Georgia is coming off a win over a Top 10 team in Georgia Tech last Saturday.
Here is my first post, before updates:
Bowl news is breaking this morning, and early afternoon, and it’s not good for Kentucky.
Strong reports continue that Auburn is headed to the Outback Bowl, which will upset the applecart.
That means that if the Chick-fil-A takes Georgia, then the Music City Bowl will likely take Tennessee.
The Liberty has already committed to Arkansas, it appears. And the Papajohns.com Bowl is on the same day as UK-U of L basketball game.
That leaves the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28 in Shreveport for Kentucky against a Big 12 team.
Nothing official, yet, but that appears to be the scenario at present.
How credible are these sources? I’ve heard 15 different things today it seems like. Are there really going to be announcements today?
SEC usually wants the bowls to wait until after the conference title game to make official announcement. But with Florida and Alabama both all-but-guaranteed BCS spots, the SEC is apparently ok with early announcements this year. Looks like Outback will make its announcement this afternoon.
It may be a stupid question to ask, but do you have any idea when they would make that announcement?
It could come officially as quickly as tomorrow.
I can’t imagine Outback taking a West team over either Kentucky or Tennessee, especially considering that both of those fanbases will surely travel to Tampa better than the Auburn fanbase. I won’t believe that report until I hear it from the horse’s mouth.
It should really be Kentucky in the Music City, Auburn in the papajohns and UT in the Outback.
Driving distances to Tampa:
Auburn — 483 miles
Athens — 504 miles
Knoxville — 696 miles
Lexington — 860 miles
Given that Auburn lost to Georgia, Kentucky, and Arkansas, it’s a little shocking that they got picked over those teams and Tennessee and South Carolina. Shreveport may be hard for me to commit to.
Sounds like bowls are worried about economy and are trying to take teams closest to home.
Take the teams closest to home? I love UK football more than most but I’m not so sure I’m willing to drive 12 hours for a 3 hour game. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the 6 hour drive to Birmingham!!
I wasn’t talking distance; I’m talking fanbases and their willingness to go a long way to watch their team play. When Auburn is good — like national title contender good — they’ll go to Mars to watch their guys. After a seven-win season they’re not going anywhere.
Want to make a bet that there will be more Cat fans in Shreveport than Tiger fans in Tampa?
I was never 100% confident we would get the MCB bid, but must admit never thought we’d get knocked down this way.
Is this the Clay Travis tweet we are all relying on? I like Clay, but let’s hope he’s wrong about this. If not, this is a stomach punch.
According to Matt May, Auburn’s Rivals site is now reporting that Auburn has accepted the Outback Bowl bid. Matt’s Twitter link is http://twitter.com/TCPMAY
If Auburn really is the Outback choice, I would think the Outback is going to be really disappointed with its choice, and there will be a Big Ten team out there licking its chops.
UK should have taken care of business and this discussion would be mute! Still dissappointed in the Coach’s lack of grit to go for a win versus settling for a tie and placing the game squarely on a tired defense! Sad our young guys paid the price for poor decision making by the Coaches. You would think that a chance to go 8-4 and an Outback Bowl bid, PLUS beating UT for the first time in 25 tries would warrant a gutsy play call? I guess not. Sorr y our guys have to go to Shreveport!! Maybe the Coach’s can go to Shreveport alone?
John: Are we being outpoliticked out there. How does all of this get “worked” out.
Bill, the SEC office plays a huge role in this. It works with the bowls to place teams. The schools list their preferences, but don’t always get what they want.
Here’s another thing to consider. The Music City bowl is a primetime Sunday night game for ESPN. Might the WWL be pushing for Georgia in Nashville over Kentucky because the Bulldogs would get better ratings?
I don’t know, John. The ratings for UK’s Independence Bowl might be through the roof because most of the fanbase will stay at home to watch.
Good point, Rob. Heard that SEC really doesn’t care about Independence Bowl, since it is replacing Shreveport with Gator Bowl for next year’s tie-ins.
I don’t think all the dominos will fall today. The Chick-Fil-A probably won’t decide until they see who wins the ACC Championship. If CFA picks Georgia, Georgia Tech is off their board (since they just played). Wouldn’t they want to see if Tech wins the ACC and is therefore unavailable (i.e. in the BCS) anyway?
Alex, if Chik-fil-a picks Tennessee, they won’t have to worry about a Georgia/Georgia Tech or South Carolina/Clemson rematch.
This just in: Knoxville News-Sentinel reporting Tennesse and Virginia Tech will play in Chick-fil-A Bowl. Twitter link: http://twitter.com/Vols_Beat
Our inability to score a TD from the 10 yard line Saturday night will now result in our inability to sell many tix to beautiful Shreveport. Sorry, I just don’t see many people going to this one.
This all sucks. I would have gone to Chick-fil-a game. As it is, I have to be in Baton Rougue on business on 12-28, but that’s a 4 hour drive and I’d be by myself.
Shreveport could be a great option – good food, great people, and they know how to party in Louisiana!
I live for these bowl trips, but heading to Shreveport is going to be hard to justify. It isn’t easy or cheap to get to. Granted, neither is Tampa, but the Independence is not the Outback, and Shreveport is not in central Florida.
Who in the heck wants another Music City Bowl. Who-Florida State on Bowden’s last game? Sure let’s do that!
FSU will not be the team we would play in the Music City Bowl. Bowden said in his retirement (fired) statement today (per ESPN) that he wants his last bowl game in FL. Check the worldwide leader.
They are trying to work a West Virginia-Florida State deal for Gator Bowl. Looks like Kentucky-North Carolina for Music City. Georgia may get short end of the stick.
Wow, I thought we would lose a head to head decision with Georgia. Thank goodness nobody will have to worry about Shreveport next year!
Which side of the stadium is the SEC in Nashville. Want to know for tickets.
Better than Shreveport.
Here is the Music City Bowl web site with ticket info, etc.: http://www.musiccitybowl.com/
It is a long fall from Tampa to Nashville… Lack of coaching courage really handicaps our team. These Seniors deserved better, and probably are not pleased with their coaches lack of grit and preparation. Nashville is very easy, but been there, done that(twice), and got the shirt. I will watch it on TV, as there are no good bowls on that day.
What a Joke! Why is a 4-4 6-6 Florida State team playing in the Gator Bowl, while Clemson 6-2 8-4 gets pushed all the way back to the Music City Bowl. I hope Bowden gets creamed!
On a similiar note why is Georgia getting the shaft by the Outback Bowl, who have selected a near bottom feeding 9-10th Place Auburn team over Georgia who also beat Auburn this season. Georgia is religated to the lower Independence Bowl, which is a good bowl, but like a 9th place SEC selection.
The worse is the Alamo that has taken a 6-6 Michigan State team over a 10-3 Wisconsin team. The Alamo has always been a joke bowl, and looks like a crappy place to see a Football game anyway!