Author's note: You will notice that I do not use the sponsor names for the bowl games in question. The reason for this is that I think you, the reader, know which games I'm talking about more by their proper bowl name than by who sponsors them, considering the sponsors change constantly and mainly are nothing but a source of annoyance to you, the football fan.
Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. TCU
Can I say that this is the game I am most looking forward to without sounding blasphemous?
In a year where the BCS got it right (or as right as is possible) at the top, I am still looking forward to the Rose Bowl more than any other game, including the national championship.
Here's why:
1. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are when bowl games are supposed to be played.
2. I love seeing teams from power conferences matchup against the cinderellas.
3. It's just a good matchup.
While the first two are self-explanatory, the third calls for some commentary.
TCU and Wisconsin are tied for fourth in points scored, averaging 43.3 points a game with neither team scoring less than 20 points in a single game throughout the season.
TCU is a defensive monster, allowing only 11.4 points per game. Something has got to give. I don't think there is any question that this will be a close game. The question is will the defenses reign or will they fail to show up?
Prediction: TCU creates some drama by beating the Badgers, 24-20.
Fiesta Bowl: Connecticut vs. Oklahoma
People all around are shouting about how UConn doesn't deserve to be in a BCS bowl game and well, I'm one of them. Having four losses does not speak elite college football team. It would be one thing if said losses were to powerhouse teams, even good teams, but they were not. UConn's four losses came at Michigan, at Temple, at Rutgers, and at Louisville. Those are teams with a combined record of 25-21. Ouch.
That being said, UConn didn't lose a single game at home this year. The Fiesta Bowl, however, is at a neutral site quite a long ways from the Huskies' happy home in Connecticut. And it should be noted that none of UConn's home wins came against a top 25 team. The Fiesta Bowl will actually be the first game UConn will play against a top 25 team. Wow. What an elite team.
Oklahoma is a team that certainly had its share of scares early. In their first four games, the Sooners won one game by more than a touchdown, that being against the (at the time) No. 17 Florida State Seminoles. Their wins against Utah State (by 7 points), Air Force (by 3 points), and Cincinnati (by 2 points) didn't exactly stir confidence.
But Oklahoma won the tough games down the stretch to clinch the Big 12 title and deserve to be where they are. Although, as we've already established, they perhaps deserved better competition.
That being said, the Sooners have had a history of struggling in bowl games where they were heavily favored, though you probably don't need reminding of that.
This game comes down to the Huskies being too one dimensional on offense and the Sooners being too overwhelming offensively for the Huskies to keep up.
Prediction: Oklahoma doesn't let the Huskies get started and wins, 41-10.
Orange Bowl: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech
This game will have plenty of eyes on Mel Kiper's dream boy Andrew Luck, who has led his team at Stanford to a pretty spectacular season, losing only once to the potential national champions, the Oregon Ducks.
The Hokies of Virginia Tech have won 11 straight games. Had they not laid an egg against James Madison in week two, they may be ranked as high as No. 4 in the country.
Both teams have quarterbacks looking to make it big at the next level, with Luck and Tyrod Taylor, yet neither of these teams is overly pass-happy. They are both balanced teams between the run and the pass and both have solid defenses taking the pressure off of these two gentlemen who may be playing on Sundays very soon.
This will be a game likely won by one future NFL quarterback or the other making a big mistake or making a big play. Who will come out on top? I'm not feeling Lucky (sorry, couldn't resist the pun, everybody else is doing them).
Prediction: Tyrod throws for two and runs for two as the Hokies win, 34-32.
Sugar Bowl: Ohio State vs. Arkansas
I'm not overly excited for this game. I feel like it is the only BCS game with no story. TCU can continue to prove the worthiness of non-power conference schools. UConn has a chance to prove it belongs. Virginia Tech can redeem their dismal start. Oregon vs. Auburn is as close as we'll come to a real, true national champion until a playoff comes along.
What's story for this game? Ohio State is playing another BCS game that they will probably lose to a team they probably should beat?
The Buckeyes have been in a BCS game since 2005, going 2-3 in that time span.
Yes, they have a great program. Nobody else can boast such a streak, but they have not followed through when they needed to, losing national championship games in 2006 and 2007.
I guess you have two good quarterbacks once again in Terrelle Pryor and Ryan Mallett, but I don't feel like the general population has anything to cheer for in this game unless they love or hate one of the teams involved.
It looks to be a good matchup and will likely be a good football game, but compared to the others, it comes off rather boring.
Prediction: Arkansas forces Pryor to make mistakes and the Hogs win, 38-24.
National Championship: Oregon vs. Auburn
This is a real solid college football game. It reminds me a bit of the Texas vs. USC Rose Bowl in early 2006. No. 1 and No. 2 with the Heisman Trophy winner playing in the game and someone who was rather overlooked for the Heisman standing on the other sideline.
Now I'm not saying that Newton didn't deserve the trophy statistically. He had the stats of a very good quarterback and a very good running back. All off-field high jinks aside, he deserved the trophy.
In 2006, Vince Young held high the trophy that mattered. Will LaMichael James get to do the same?
Both teams have a balanced offensive attack. It's just that what James and Darron Thomas do for Oregon together, Newton does (to quote my dad) "all by his lonesome."
It's amazing how remarkably similar the stats are of Newton by himself and Thomas and James together:
Passing
Newton: 2,589 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs
Thomas: 2,518 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing
Newton: 1,409 yards, 20 TDs, 5.8 avg
James: 1,682 yards, 21 TDs, 6.0 avg
Newton also has the added advantage of having freshman running back Michael Dyer, who rushed for 950 yards himself.
All in all, I think this will be the highest scoring of the BCS Bowl games and will give fans one last great game of the season.
Prediction: Oregon wins on a last second field goal, 48-45.
Leave a Comment