The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets applied for a waiver on Monday that would allow the Yellow Jackets to participate in a bowl game if Georgia Tech finishes with a 6-7 record, just as UCLA did last year -- if the waiver is approved by the NCAA.
Georgia Tech bowl exemption would not be popular
Georgia Tech applied for a waiver with the NCAA on Monday that would allow the Yellow Jackets to participate in a bowl game -- even if Georgia Tech finishes with a 6-7 record.
Per NCAA rules, teams are deemed bowl eligible if they finish with a 6-6 record or better. Georgia Tech currently has a 6-6 record, but will likely finish 6-7 -- assuming they lose in the ACC Championship game against the Florida State Seminoles.
Per ESPN, "several conferences" would be upset if the NCAA approved Georgia Tech's waiver, which would rob a bowl berth for a 6-6 team from another conference -- such as a MAC or Sun Belt team. Still, bowls are still considering inviting the Yellow Jackets, even if Georgia Tech finishes with a 6-7 record.
Georgia Tech finished in a three-way tie with North Carolina and Miami atop the ACC Coastal division. The Tar Heels, however, are not eligible for postseason play. The Hurricanes levied self-imposed sanctions, and will not participate in the postseason in 2012.
Consequently, the Yellow Jackets are playing in the ACC title game against the Seminoles, and a loss would put the Yellow Jackets at 6-7.
Currently, including Georgia Tech at 6-6, there are 70 bowl eligible teams. If the Connecticut Huskies defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats in East Hartford, Conn. on Saturday, then the Huskies would become bowl eligible with a 6-6 record, and become the 71st bowl-eligible team.
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