BCS Bowl Game Predictions

Rose Bowl: (#5) Wisconsin Badgers vs. (#3) TCU Horned Frogs

Adam: This game is all about how TCU's highly touted defense deals with Wisconsin's punishing ground attack.  Wisconsin pushed everybody around in Big Ten play this year, even great defenses like Ohio State's and Iowa's.  TCU's marquee win came against a now three-loss Utah team.  I don't think TCU has the size up front–they average 270 pounds across their defensive line while the Badgers' offensive linemen average 320 pounds–to reign in the Badger rushing attack.  Wisconsin's quarterback Scott Tolzien is the most accurate passer the Badgers have had in years, and with the running game cruising along, he will have time to find a group of nice targets.  I think the Badgers are legitimately in the conversation as the best team in college football.

Prediction: Wisconsin 31 – TCU 20

Eric: Without a doubt, two of the best teams in all of college football have been matched up here.  There aren't a lot of glowing deficiencies on either team.  Both teams average over 40 points per game on offense and give up 20 or less on defense.  Both teams feature punishing running games and it will be interesting to see which team's rushing attack gains ground against the stout defense it will face.  I give the edge to Wisconsin's big boys up front going up against TCU's untraditional 4-2-5 defense.  Even with an undefeated season, we need to look at who they played coming out of a non-BCS conference.  The biggest of TCU's non-Mountain West wins came in the season opener at home against an Oregon State team that was ranked #24 at the time, but finished the season 5-7.  They have not seen anyone like this talented, senior-laden Badger team and will be overmatched for the roses.

Prediction: Wisconsin 36 – TCU 34

Fiesta Bowl: (UR) Connecticut Huskies vs. (#7) Oklahoma Sooners

A: The only way this game is competitive is if OU doesn't want to be there and UConn plays inspired football because everyone thinks they will get blown out.  Personally, I think Oklahoma will be amped to go out and shake off what has been a slightly disappointing year.

Prediction: Oklahoma 38 – UConn 14

E: Other than the idea of computers deciding who gets to play for a National Title, my next biggest quibble with the BCS is these automatic tie-ins.  Who wouldn't want to see a rematch of one of the greatest bowl games ever, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl?  Let this year's #10 ranked team, Boise State, come here and face off against Oklahoma instead of playing in some lame-o, pre-Christmas bowl.  Give me a break.  Plus, the four-loss Huskies didn't even have to win a Conference Championship Game.  The sports world's East coast bias raises its ugly head once again.

Prediction: Oklahoma 48 – UConn 13

Orange Bowl: (#13) Virginia Tech Hokies vs. (#4) Stanford Cardinal

A: Virginia Tech has won eleven straight games after starting the season with two crushing loses.  Stanford has been good all year and only lost to #2-ranked Oregon.  Andrew Luck will be the difference in this game as he will outduel Tyrod Taylor.  Virginia Tech's rushing attack may keep this close, but ultimately Luck will be the best player on the field.

Prediction: Stanford 27 – Virginia Tech 20

E: Even though there are more one-loss teams deserving to go to a big bowl, I'm satisfied with the two-loss Hokies' body of work.  They went 8-0 in their conference, which includes a win in the ACC Conference Championship Game.  Stanford is excellent on both sides of the ball and beat everyone on their schedule save for the team playing in the National Title Game, Oregon.  I look for the Cardinal to keep rolling.

Prediction: Stanford 24 – Virginia Tech 20

Sugar Bowl: (#8) Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (#6) Ohio State Buckeyes

A: Ohio State will be eager to shake off the bad press they've been getting lately, and Arkansas needs a marquee win to continue building their program.  I've been impressed with Arkansas every time I've seen them this year, and I think they have the athletes to matchup with the Buckeyes.  Then it will come down to the quarterbacks, and I like Ryan Mallett more than Terrelle Pryor.

Prediction: Arkansas 30 – Ohio State 27

E: Terrelle Pryor and his buds have been getting a lot of publicity the last few days for all the wrong reasons.  I look for the Razorbacks to be the more focused team in this game and say that Ryan Mallett will do something he never could have done had he not transferred from Michigan, beat Ohio State.

Prediction: Arkansas 33 – Ohio State 27

BCS National Championship Game: (#2) Oregon Ducks vs. (#1) Auburn Tigers

A: This should be a great one, and I really have no idea who will win.  Cam Newton seems to tip the scales toward Auburn for most people, but I'll go with Chip Kelly, who I think is a better coach than Gene Chizik.  Oregon's pace gives everyone trouble, and I think Auburn's biggest weakness, their secondary, will be exposed.  Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley will have something to say about the outcome of this one, but I'll bet even he gets worn down by the Ducks' frenetic pace.  Newton will put up plenty of points, but I think the Ducks will take the ball away a few times and that will be the difference.

Prediction: Oregon 48 – Auburn 39

E: We know all about these explosive offenses so it's going to be who's defense slows the other team down just enough.  Sorry Duck fans, but Cam Newton's one man wrecking crew will not be stopped.

Prediction: Auburn 45 – Oregon 38