Oct. 18, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Brian: My question is, does SDSU need to win six or seven games to become bowl eligible?
We have had several questions about bowl game possibilities, and the number of wins necessary to be eligible for a bowl game. It is a bit confusing because all Division IA programs will increase from a normal 11 game season to a 12 game season next year, but we are playing 12 games this year, too.
The reason we are playing 12 this year is that current NCAA rules allow us to play one game beyond the maximum under certain circumstances. One of those exceptions is a game in Hawaii or Alaska. We play at Hawaii on December 3rd... Thus the 12th game.
The current NCAA rule regarding bowl eligibility requires 6 wins for an 11 game season and a winning record, so if a team plays 12 games, it needs 7 wins. Starting next year, under the new 12 game season, a team will still only need 6 wins, so as it stands now, a team can go 6-6 next year and be eligible for a bowl game. That rule is the subject of much debate these days, and it could be changed to require 7 wins. Stay tuned on that one!
This discussion highlights even more the incredible importance of this week's game against New Mexico! We have a chance to catapult all the way to second place in the Mountain West Conference with a win on Saturday. I don't usually like to talk beyond this week's game, but a win would set up a huge homecoming game against league-leading TCU the next week. I'm told this is the first time in a while that we have played such an important game this late in the season, and we need all of you fans and supporters in attendance to make a difference this Saturday! You can make a difference!
See you there!
GO AZTECS!