The NCAA and Bowl Championship Series has tied down its 35 bowl games. Most of the bowl games are terrible, i.e. the “Kraft Fight for Hunger Bowl,” so here is a look at the five BCS bowl games.
Rose Bowl: Jan. 1, No. 3 TCU vs. No. 5 Wisconsin
The Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University fell short of their title dreams after posting the third best undefeated record in college football. TCU finished its season routing the talents of the 1-11 New Mexico Lobos. They will square off against the Badgers of Wisconsin whose only shortcoming came by way of the loss to the Michigan State Spartans.
TCU has the nation’s best defense, but they have not faced a rushing attack as stacked as the three-headed monster of Clay, White and Ball, who have accounted for over 2700 yards and 44 touchdowns. Look for Wisconsin to pound the ball and wear out the overrated Horned Frog front.
Fiesta Bowl: Jan. 1, No. 7 Oklahoma vs. Connecticut
Sometimes it’s a shame that the Big East receives an automatic bid to a BCS Bowl Game. They do not stand a chance against OU.
Orange Bowl: Jan. 3, No. 4 Stanford vs. No. 13 Virginia Tech
This may very well be the most competitive matchup of all the bowl games. After stumbling out of the gates and falling to Boise State and FCS’s James Madison in consecutive weeks, the Hokies went on a tear, winning 11 straight and salvaging their season.
They face off against Heisman Trophy finalist Andrew Luck, whose only blemish was a loss to No. 2 Oregon. When the final whistle blows, Luck’s potent offensive attack will be too much for the Hokies and they will win by a slim margin.
Sugar Bowl: Jan. 4, No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Arkansas
A very intriguing matchup with a look at two great quarterbacks, as Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet will take on Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor. History will once again repeat itself, however, and the Buckeyes will fall to an SEC school for the 10th consecutive time in bowl games.
Tostitos BCS National Championship Game: Jan. 10, No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 1 Auburn
This game really won’t be as close as many experts are predicting. It will be an exciting matchup with tons of fireworks, no doubt, but Heisman finalist Cam Newton will take the game over much like he did against South Carolina and lead the Tigers to its first national championship since 1957.
It will be the first time these two teams meet on the football field, and Oregon will be hoping it’s the last.
Kyle Bennett can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.