Rose Bowl
Oregon (10-2) vs. Ohio State (10-2)
The Oregon – Ohio State matchup is an intriguing one. The Ducks come in the with the sixth best running attack in the country averaging over 200 yards per game, while the Buckeyes bring in a stout defense that ranks fifth in the country allowing less than 90 yards per game. So who prevails?
Ohio State is coming off a stellar November as they defeated two top-15 opponents. The deciding factor will be a combination of both the Ohio State defense and QB Terrelle Pryor.
The Buckeye offense cannot match the Ducks score for score. It will come down to the defense of Ohio State making a few big stops and Pryor stepping up and making a big play or two.
I expect The Buckeyes to continue their role and snap its current three-game BCS bowl skid and defeat the Ducks
Sugar Bowl
Cincinnati (12-0) vs. Florida (12-1)
SEC rival Alabama defeated Florida in the SEC championship game to snap a then 22 game win streak.
Cincinnati put up an impressive perfect season, making a push to be mentioned in the national championship game, but they will have to settle with playing the former national champion Florida Gators.
Florida looked unprepared and certainly not impressive against Bama. You can guarantee Urban Meyer will have his team better prepared with a month to prep for the Bearcats.
I do not expect this game to be close. Cincinnati has not played a defense as stout as the Gators.
A team full of Florida seniors will want to end its career on a win. I expect Cincinnati to be held under 24 points for the first time this season and Florida to win in blow-out fashion.
Oh, and don’t forget the distraction of Brian Kelly being the “leading candidate” to be the next coach at Notre Dame.
Fiesta Bowl
Boise State (12-0) vs. TCU (12-0)
This matchup is fairly uneventful and un-intriguing game, to me. Both teams bring in an undefeated record, but do little to impress me because of the soft schedules each team play.
TCU puts up obnoxious numbers; such as the less than 25 yards allowed per game on defense, while also posting a staggering 40+ point average per game.
Boise lost to TCU last year in the Poinsettia Bowl, and will do so again in the Fiesta Bowl, this time however the spread will be larger than one point. Last year TCU won 17-16.
Orange Bowl
Georgia Tech (11-2) vs. Iowa (10-2)
The question mark in this game is whether or not Iowa can stop the Georgia Tech offensive attack. In a word; no. Tech brings in the nation’s No. 2 rushing offense in the country and the No. 11 overall scoring offense.
To make matters worse, Tech is riding on adrenaline after defeating Clemson in the ACC Championship game, and Iowa has lost two of its past three games.
Give Georgia Tech the win.
National Championship Game
Texas (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-0)
I look forward to this game for one reason; to see the SEC reign supreme for another year.
The Alabama offense is going to take it to the Texas defense all game long.
McElroy slashed the defense of Florida for 32 points, a defense that had only given up 20 points once before they met.
On top of that, Texas barely beat Nebraska. Really…Nebraska? The O-line of Texas struggled mightily against the Nebraska D and forced Colt McCoy out of the pocket all game long.
You can bet with over a month to prepare Nick Saban will have his defense ready for blood as they take on Texas.
Chalk up another win for the SEC.
Kyle Bennett can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.