Well folks, it's almost official and for the first time in a bunch of years, if not ever, all four major colleges in the state will receive bowl bids.

Of course everyone knows about Auburn and their futile quest to be included in the Orange Bowl. But, they are not the only team that will be going bowling. According to ESPN.com on Monday, UAB has accepted a bid to the Hawaii Bowl to face an opponent that is yet to be named. Which in theory could be the Troy Trojans. On Tuesday the voters from the Independence Bowl had two names left as possible teams to enter; the Trojans and the University of Virginia Cavaliers.

By a narrow margin, the 'Hoos got the nod.

Back to the UAB connection.

Despite Troy failing to get the bid for Shreveport, they are still being considered for other bowls. ESPN.com reported that those bowls are the MPC Computer Bowl, formerly the Humanitarian Bowl, the Silicon Valley Classic and the Hawaii Bowl, formerly the Aloha Bowl. If Troy were to get an invitation to the islands, they would face UAB.

The only potential pairing that has come to the forefront besides UAB for the Trojans is in Boise, Idaho at the MPC Computer Bowl.

If invited, the Trojans would be making their first ever trip to the Potato State and with that comes the first ever chance to play on the "Smurf Turf."Boise State's field is blue AstroPlay Turf and it freezes.

If the Trojans went up there then they would more than likely face Fresno State or Northern Illinois.

If they take the bid to play in Silicon Valley, their opponents could be Bowling Green or a rematch with the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Now, let's shift focus from the smaller schools in the state to the big two.

The Crimson Tide is projected to roll into the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl and face Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are a lock for the bowl and have already accepted their bid. They've even started wearing blue suede shoes to get ready for the game. ESPN.com has not projected the Crimson Tide in any other bowl but this one. Which brings up the team with the biggest headache right now, the Auburn Tigers.

The Tigers are fired up and ready to play for a national championship. The question at hand however, is will they get the shot? Right now, much to the chagrin of this writer and many people in the Tiger Nation, the answer is a resounding no.

ESPN.com's pigskin prognosticators have all agreed on a USC vs. Oklahoma Orange Bowl. But, all this could change on Saturday.

USC is not guaranteed to finish the season unbeaten however, the Trojans will end their season with "Battle for the Bell" against UCLA.

Both the Tigers and the Boomer Sooners have to play in their conference's respective championship games this weekend as well.

For the Tigers it's a rematch with my Vols who are currently No. 15 in the nation. For the Boomer Sooners it's a meeting with the Colorado Buffs who have finished the season 7-4.

Here's an interesting point; everyone is complaining now about how the BCS doesn't work , just think what will happen if all three teams lose this weekend.

Can you say Utah vs. Boise State for the national title? That would make the BCS computer implode.

It's that simple.

Griffin is the Sports Editor of the Greenville Advocate. He can be reached by email

griffin.pritchard@greenvilleadvocate or by phone at 382-3111 ext. 122