No. 9 Baylor has won the Big 12 championship by knocking off Texas and will play in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day in Glendale, almost certainly against No. 16 UCF. This will be 11-1 Baylor’s first-ever BCS trip. The Fiesta Bowl announcement is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Baylor clinches Big 12 title and BCS Fiesta Bowl bid, likely vs. UCF
Oklahoma State’s loss to Oklahoma opened up the Big 12’s automatic BCS bid for the winner of Texas-Baylor.
The Bears, who were on pace to break national scoring records before a handful of key injuries and a toughened schedule slowed them down, will still take plenty of firepower to Arizona. UCF’s defense currently ranks No. 54 in Football Outsiders’ Defensive F/+ -- Baylor’s offense has ranked either No. 1 or 2 after just about every week this season.
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty entered Saturday ranked No. 2 in the country in passer rating, behind likely Heisman Trophy-winner Jameis Winston. He's joined by ace playmakers Lache Seastrunk and Antwan Goodley, a mammoth offensive line, and a legitimately good defense.
Central Florida won the American Athletic Conference championship Thursday, securing that league’s automatic BCS berth. Because of the order of selection for the non-championship BCS games, it looks likely that the Knights will be headed to Glendale. UCF finished its regular season by sneaking past SMU, 17-13.
UCF is all but locked into the Fiesta since the Orange and Sugar, which get to select first, will almost certainly take teams from power conferences with large fanbases and national followings. Alabama and Clemson appear likely for the Orange, while Oklahoma and Oregon looks like the battle to face the SEC champion in the Sugar. We’re updating our bowl projections here.
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