The Pac-10 conference has been rated as one of the best college football conferences in the country this season (rated the best entering today by Jeff Sagarin, for instance), and its strength is shown by having two of the top four teams in the nation. The Oregon Ducks, rated No. 2 in the BCS standings last week, completed its undefeated regular season with a 37-20 win over Oregon State today, all but guaranteeing a spot in the BCS national title game. The Stanford Cardinal was idle this week, but if it stays ranked at No. 4, it will be guaranteed a bid in a BCS bowl game as well.
The Pac-10 hasn't had two teams play in BCS bowls since the 2002 season, when Washington State played in the Rose Bowl and USC played in the Orange Bowl. However, after Oregon and Stanford, the conference has just two other bowl eligible teams. Here are the likely Pac-10 bowl scenarios, which become official on Sunday:
Oregon Ducks (12-0, 9-0)
Bowl Game: BCS Championship Game vs. Auburn
Oregon is a lock to face Auburn in Glendale, AZ on January 10, 2011
Stanford Cardinal (11-1, 8-1)
Bowl Game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma
The Rose Bowl appears set with TCU vs. Wisconsin, and the BCS selection order after the Rose Bowl this year is Sugar, Orange, then Fiesta Bowl. The Sugar Bowl will almost certainly select Arkansas to replace national title game participant Auburn, leaving automatic bid Stanford to either the Orange or Fiesta.
Arizona Wildcats (7-5, 4-5)
Bowl Game: Alamo Bowl vs. Nebraska
The Alamo Bowl normally gets the second place team in the Pac-10, but with Stanford in the BCS and USC bowl ineligible this year, Arizona could slide right in if remembered by the Alamo.
Washington Huskies (6-6, 5-4)
Bowl Game: Holiday Bowl vs. Missouri or Oklahoma State
The Huskies ended their season with three straight wins, including a 35-28 nail-biter in the Apple Cup tonight against Washington State.
Official bowl invitations will be announced on Sunday.