2011 Bowl Predictions: Rutgers BCS Hopes Crushed By UConn

The Rutgers University football program committed six turnovers and totaled minus-nine yards of rushing yards Saturday in a 40-22 loss to the University of Connecticut in a Big East Conference game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. The loss dropped the Scarlet Knights (8-4, 4-3 Big East) out of the league-title race and erased any chances at a Bowl Championship Series bowl berth.

For a few weeks, bowl projections had Rutgers earning the Big East's automatic qualifying spot for the BCS' Orange Bowl. Now, that it is no longer possible for that to happen, my best guess is that the Scarlet Knights will be asked to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, Dec. 31.

Updated College Football Rankings

If so, Rutgers would play a member of the Big 12 Conference. Likely candidates could be: Baylor University, the University of Missouri or the University of Texas.

Last year, Syracuse University earned an invitation to the inaugural game that featured the Orange defeating Kansas State University, which more than likely will not be invited back.

Meanwhile, the Orange are still searching for their sixth victory that would allow them to become bowl eligible -- On Saturday, SU lost to the University of Cincinnati, 30-13.

2011 Bowl Predictions: Rutgers Appears Orange Bowl Bound

There are no Big East teams in the AP Top 25 Poll this week, but that doesn't mean that doesn't mean there will be no local teams in big bowl games. Let's break down the 2011 college football bowl schedule and take a look at some BCS and bowl predictions in the New York region.

Rutgers, which is currently ranked No. 33 in the BCS Standings, has the inside track on the Big East title and an automatic berth into the Orange Bowl. This bowl projection has SB Nation's BCS guru Samuel Chi less than excited: "Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Rutgers - Another ACC-Big East snoozer. Wake me when this is over." That game would be played in Miami on Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET and televised on ESPN.

If staying local is more your thing, check out the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 30. In the latest 2011 bowl projections from SB Nation's Jason Kirk, he has Missouri and Louisville meeting at Yankee Stadium.

Stay tuned to SB Nation New York for the latest news and opinion on local college football and get the latest updates with our comprehensive BCS Rankings and Bowl Projections StoryStream. For more on Rutgers football, check out SB Nation's On The Banks.

BCS Rankings: Rutgers, Big East Are Shut Out

Rutgers University made some noise among Top 25 pollsters, getting some support but falling short. The 8-3 Scarlet Knights also got left out of the BCS Rankings for Week 13, as did all of the other Big East Conference schools.

Rutgers is No. 33 overall in the BCS Standings. West Virginia (No. 26) just missed cracking the BCS Top 25.

The BCS Rankings:

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Oklahoma State
5. Virginia Tech
6. Stanford
7. Boise State
8. Houston
9. Oklahoma
10. Oregon
11. Kansas State
12. South Carolina
13. Georgia
14. Michigan State
15. Michigan
16. Wisconsin
17. Clemson
18. Baylor
19. Penn State
20. TCU
21. Nebraska
22. Notre Dame
23. Georgia Tech
24. Auburn
25. Texas

— See SB Nation’s College Football Hub for full coverage

Rutgers, though, can still win the Big East Title and earn the Big East’s automatic BCS bowl berth, which would be to the Orange Bowl.

College Football Rankings, Week 13: Rutgers Nearly Cracks USA Today Top 25

The Rutgers University football program, which defeated the University of Cincinnati, 20-3, in a decisive Big East Conference contest Saturday, nearly earned a spot in the latest college football rankings Sunday, earning 54 votes in the USA Today/Coaches Poll. The vote total helped the Scarlet Knights (8-3, 4-2 Big East) earn a No. 26 ranking. Last week, in the same poll, Rutgers earned just six votes.

Meanwhile, West Virginia University, ranked No. 23, is the only Big East school ranked in either the AP or USA Today polls.

Here's the latest USA Today Top 25:

1 LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Stanford
5. Oklahoma State
6. Virginia Tech
7. Boise State
8. Houston
9. Oregon
10. USC
11. Michigan State
12. Oklahoma
13. Georgia
14. South Carolina
15. Wisconsin
16. Kansas State
17. Michigan
18. Clemson
19. TCU
20. Penn State
21. Baylor
22. Nebraska
23. Notre Dame
24. Virginia
25. Georgia Tech

-- For more on Rutgers football, check out SB Nation's On The Banks.

College Football Rankings, Week 13: Rutgers Earns Votes, But Not Ranked In AP Poll

The Rutgers University football program earned a big victory Saturday, 20-3, over the University of Cincinnati. The win was big in the league standings, but still didn't help the Scarlet Knights crack the top 25.

College Football Rankings, Week 13: Rutgers Making Bid For BCS Bowl Berth

Rutgers is tied for first in the Big East, and a BCS bowl berth is a possibility.