Written by Chris O’Dell
Like every college football season, there was controversy in the BCS selections this year. With five undefeated teams ranked in the top six in the country, only two could play for a shot at the national title. While you could make a case for nearly every one of the five teams with a perfect record, only two truly stand out above the rest — and that’s why they are playing in Pasadena come Jan. 7.
Although Alabama vs. Texas might be the game for all the marbles, there are certainly other intriguing matchups in this year’s BCS bowl season. So without further ado, here is my list of the top bowl games this season and my predictions to go with them.
1. BCS National Championship Game (Jan. 7):
It’s the first-ever matchup of two 13-0 teams. The undefeated Crimson Tide versus the unbeaten Longhorns. The SEC versus the Big 12. Nick Saban versus Mack Brown. One Heisman finalist versus another Heisman finalist. You might want to tune in for this one.
No matter what many SEC fans think, this is anyone’s game. Each team comes into the game with stellar defenses that could rank as No. 1 and 2 in the country. Alabama has its ground game, led by running back Mark Ingram, and Texas has its passing attack, led by quarterback Colt McCoy. If either team has a true weakness, it would have to be Bama’s passing attack and Texas’ running game. The deciding factor in this game could be which team can have consistent success in these two areas.
Despite Texas being the underdog heading into this matchup, I like the Longhorns’ chances in this game. Too many times football games are decided by quarterback play, and only one No. 12 (Colt McCoy) is the most winning quarterback in college football history. And Texas has to like its position — last time it played in Pasadena as the underdog, Vince Young ran the Longhorns past USC to win the national title.
No one knows if this year’s national championship will be another instant classic, but what we do know is that Texas is 8-0 against Alabama in the previous eight matchups between the two teams. Texas is 3-0 in BCS bowl games, while Alabama is 0-2 in such games, with a humiliating loss to Utah last season.
I will stick with my preseason pick and choose the Longhorns winning another close game with both defenses coming up big. Prediction: Texas 24, Alabama 17.
2. Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1):
The undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats against the defending national champion Florida Gators. This game could be a letdown for the Gators, considering Florida had nothing but repeat on its mind before last weekend’s beat down by the Crimson Tide.
Now Tim Tebow has to prepare to play in his last game as a Gator and will try to avoid ending his career on a two-game losing skid. I’ll take the Gators to by two touchdowns over Tony Pike and the Bearcats. Prediction: Florida 31, Cincinnati 17.
3. Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 4):
TCU was one second away from playing Alabama in the national championship. It had to settle for Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. This is the second consecutive season these two teams have met in a bowl game.
Although it is a different season, I see the same result in the end. The 12-0 Horned Frogs and its first-ranked defense will win big over the 13-0 Broncos. Prediction: TCU 35, Boise State 14.
4. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1):
Ohio State and Oregon both come in as 10-2 teams and both come in with dual-threat quarterbacks. Ohio State might be glad it avoided playing another SEC team in the postseason but won’t be too happy to face an Oregon team just as fast as any team in the SEC. The biggest anticipation heading into this game could be finding out what uniforms the Ducks will wear in the game. Oregon’s ever-changing wardrobes are as fascinating to watch as the team itself.
Putting the fashion talk aside, I like Oregon’s offense winning this game by at least two touchdowns. Ohio State will have to wait at least one more season to win another bowl game. Prediction: Oregon 38, Ohio State 24.
5. Orange Bowl (Jan. 5):
11-2 Georgia Tech comes into the game with a triple-option offense and 10-2 Iowa comes into the game with loads of experience in winning close games. That experience would come in handy if Iowa had any sign of an offense. Prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Iowa 14.
So there you have it: the five biggest games of the college football postseason. Some of the games are about as mysterious as the whole Tiger Woods scandal. One thing you can count on though … no matter the outcome of the games, there will once again be BCS controversy at season’s end.
