Mainstay Independence Bowl, Dec. 27, Shreveport
LSU would be an ideal choice for the Mainstay Independence Bowl. However Independence Bowl Executive Director Gary Krupica is doubtful the Tigers will be spending their Christmas vacation in northern Louisiana.
“We certainly are interested, but we don’t think they’ll be available,” Krupica said.
The Independence Bowl and Music City Bowl are the last bowls to select among bowls that are required to take SEC teams. Both must wait behind Cotton, Outback and Peach.
Krupica believes the Cotton Bowl will select LSU in large part because of the LSU fan base in Texas and the fact LSU has not gone to the Cotton Bowl since 1966.
Krupica said if LSU is still available when the Independence Bowl makes its selection, then the Tigers would be the automatic choice because of the great tradition and fans.
“I think we’d jump all over them,” he said.
Other candidates: Arkansas, Ole Miss, Auburn
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Dec. 31, Atlanta
The Tigers used an outstanding second half, in which it outscored Georgia Tech 25-0, to hammer the Yellow Jackets in the 2000 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. A return trip to the Georgia Dome is certainly among the possibilities this season.
Should the Tigers get selected for the Peach Bowl, they will play Maryland from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Other candidates: Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas
SBC Cotton Bowl, Jan. 1, Dallas
The Cotton Bowl seems to be the most likely postseason destination for LSU. Having not hosted the Tigers since 1966, the Cotton Bowl had LSU on its wishlist in both the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2000, the Tigers blew their chance at the Cotton Bowl when they lost to Arkansas. In 2001, the Tigers wrecked the Cotton Bowl again but this time it was because they won the SEC championship.
It is likely if the Tigers make the Cotton Bowl, they will play Big XII powerhouse Texas, who is projected to go to the bowl by numerous Web sites and publications.
Other candidates: Arkansas, Auburn
Gaylord Hotels, Music City Bowl, Dec. 30, Nashville, Tenn.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Executive Director Scott Ramsey also is doubtful the Tigers will go anywhere but the Cotton Bowl.
Ramsey said the Music City Bowl is interested in a number of teams but because they are among the last to pick, they do not have a set list in stone.
“Would LSU be a perfect fit for the Music City Bowl? Yes they would,” Ramsey said. “I’ll be surprised if they are available.”
Other candidates: Arkansas, Auburn, Tennessee
The Capital One Bowl (formerly the Citrus Bowl) and the Outback Bowl are likely out of the running. Florida and Michigan accepted bids to the Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay.