Bowl Destination Guide: Where Will The Mountain West Teams Land?

soporte.com.ar Team Editor

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Feb 08, 2025

64 visitor like this post

Share

Bowl Destination Guide: Where Will the Mountain West Teams Land?

The Mountain West Conference (MW) football season is winding down, and the anticipation is building: where will these teams end up in bowl games? Predicting bowl destinations is always a fun, albeit speculative, exercise. This guide breaks down the likely scenarios for MW teams based on current standings and projected performance.

Understanding Bowl Projections

Several factors influence bowl selections. The most significant are:

• Conference Championship Results: A strong showing in the conference championship drastically improves bowl placement.
• Overall Record: A higher win-loss record almost always translates to a more prestigious bowl invitation.
• Academic Performance: The NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) plays a role, albeit a less prominent one, in bowl selection.
• Geographic Location: Bowl organizers prefer teams that are geographically closer to minimize travel costs and maximize attendance.
• Team Appeal: A team with a strong following and media appeal is more attractive to bowl organizers.

Predicting Mountain West Bowl Games

Predicting the exact destination is tough, but we can categorize teams into likely bowl tiers based on their current performance. This is a fluid situation, and upsets can dramatically shift these projections.

Tier 1: Top Tier Bowl Contenders

These teams are likely to snag some of the more desirable bowl games, potentially including New Year's Six bowl games (though unlikely for MW teams unless they have an exceptional season).

• Team X (Example: San Diego State): If they maintain their current strong performance, a spot in a bowl like the Las Vegas Bowl or potentially even a higher-profile game isn't out of the question. Their location makes them attractive to several West Coast bowls.

• Team Y (Example: Boise State): Boise State, with its historical success and strong fan base, typically receives an invitation to a high-profile bowl game. The Hawaii Bowl or a similar game could be in the cards depending on their final record.

Tier 2: Mid-Tier Bowl Projections

These teams are likely to land in mid-level bowls, often with attractive destinations.

• Team Z (Example: Air Force): Air Force's consistent performance and unique triple-option offense make them an interesting draw for many bowls. Games like the Armed Forces Bowl or the New Mexico Bowl are possibilities.

• Team A (Example: Fresno State): Their performance dictates their placement, but likely within this mid-tier range, potentially landing in games like the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl or a similar game.

Tier 3: Lower-Tier Bowl Possibilities

These teams will likely receive invitations to the lower-tier bowl games. However, even these games offer valuable experience and exposure.

• Team B (Example: Nevada): Depending on their final record, a game like the Arizona Bowl or a similar lower-tier game is a distinct possibility. Location factors can come into play.

• Team C (Example: Wyoming): A team with a below-.500 record might find itself in a lower-tier bowl, or potentially miss out entirely if their performance significantly falters.

Factors Affecting Bowl Projections

Remember that unexpected wins and losses significantly impact the final bowl picture. Injuries, coaching changes, and even late-season upsets can drastically alter these predictions. Keep a close eye on the Mountain West Conference standings as the season progresses for the most accurate projections.

Conclusion: The Bowl Season Buzz

The Mountain West Conference consistently produces competitive teams, and this year is no different. While pinpointing exact bowl destinations remains challenging, this guide provides a framework for understanding the factors involved and predicting where these teams might end up. The excitement of bowl season is just around the corner – get ready for the action!