Miami coaching change a possible bowl selection game-changer

ACC bowl selection didn't seem like the most complicated thing for several weeks. Barring a run to a division title, it was simply difficult to see Maryland landing somewhere other than RFK Stadium.

And that may still wind up being the case.

But Miami's decision to fire coach Randy Shannon could damage the Hurricanes as a bowl target, and perhaps even help Maryland climb higher in the bowl pecking order.

Teams that change coaches before a postseason game have a way of being bowl kryptonite, and Miami could wind up slightly less appealing. But if a game --- like, say, the Sun Bowl --- is looking more for a national brand, the Hurricanes will be gobbled up fairly quickly despite their tailspin.

And that means the conventional wisdom throughout the rest of the bowl selection order would remain steady, and Maryland would be en route to East Capitol Street.

Is it fair that Maryland (8-4, 5-3 ACC) could wind up tumbling deep into the bowl selection order? In this year, it wouldn't be. The Terps probably deserve a better fate (read: a warmer place to spend a week) than to stay in D.C. It probably won't be a few more days, though, before everything starters to get clearer.

Comments

[Dave G]

Patrick, Maryland can't go to the Military Bowl. Thew Military get's the 8th pick out of the ACC.

The ACC has 9 bowl eligible teams, two of which are 6-6. (Ga Tech, Clemson) and can't be picked ahead of Maryland. I also wouldn't expect a bowl to pick Boston College ahead of us either.

[D1scourse]

Dave ---

The one-win rule applies only to conference games. So a 4-4 Georgia Tech or Clemson team can go ahead of a 5-3 Maryland team.

[Dave G]

Drat. I guess I was confused. I have no desire to watch them play in RFK.