There are few absolutes created on this earth, but one of them is if your team finishes with an overall winning record in the SEC, that team is going to a bowl game in the postseason.
Ten (10!) teams from the Southeastern Conference posted above .500 records and are bowling against foes from the ACC, Big 10, Big XII, Big East, and even Conference USA. Here are brief capsules of each bowl game (all times EST) featuring an SEC team:
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Nashville, TN, LP Field, Dec. 27 @ 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)
Key to the game: What can Kentucky's defense do with the do-everything playmaker for Clemson, C.J. Spiller?
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Shreveport, LA, Independence Stadium, Dec. 28 @ 5 p.m. ESPN2
Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
Key to the game: With most of Georgia's defensive staff already dismissed the Bulldogs will have scramble to counter a group of young but talented players on the Aggies offense.
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Atlanta, GA, Georgia Dome, Dec. 31 @ 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Virginia (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5)
Key to the game: For Tennessee to win, they will need to capitalize on scoring opportunities against a very stingy Va. Tech defense. Additionally, they will have to contain a solid running game from the Hokies.
Outback Bowl
Tampa, FL, Raymond James Stadium, Jan. 1, @ 11 a.m. ESPN
Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)
Key to the game: Northwestern's defense grew up over the season and shut down a couple of ranked teams near the end of the year. Auburn didn't stop anyone from scoring this year and will need to light up the scoreboard again to win this game.
Capital One Bowl
Orlando, FL, Florida Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1 @ 1 p.m. ABC
Penn State (10-2) vs. LSU (9-3)
Key to the game: LSU needs to overcome the inconsistency that plagued this team all year in order to match wits with the playmakers on both sides of the ball for Joe Pa's Nittany Lions. Can Penn State finally beat a team with real speed?
AT&T Cotton
Arlington, TX, Cowboys Stadium, Jan. 2 @ 2 p.m. FOX
Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Ole Miss (8-4)
Key to the game: Oklahoma State's defense needs to contain Ole Miss playmaker Dexter McCluster in order to have a shot against an Ole Miss team that isn't terrible on defense.
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Article comments
1 - FCEtier
It's not unusual for the SEC to do a lot better than .500 in bowl games and this year should be no different.
GO SEC !!