Bowl Projections for Jan. 1 and Beyond

Here comes the most fun you can have before college football season arrives: The predicting of who will win the National Championship and who will go to which bowl.

Based upon personal meetings and information gathering, please allow a self-indulgence in this ceremonial rite of Autumn.

10) Liberty Bowl—Tennessee vs. Tulsa

Gee, I hope Lisa is wrong about Steve Spurrier, but I sense the Gamecocks are headed for 7-5, and the Volunteers slide across the state to Memphis for a tussle with the CUSA Champion Hurricanes.

9) Outback Bowl—Alabama vs. Michigan State

The classic pairing of the Tide and the school where Nick Saban made his name.  Have to put 'Bama in here since I've made so many friends with the Red Elephant faithful.  Smile, Timothy.

8) Gator Bowl—West Virginia vs. Florida State

You know the fans would come out for this one.  Bobby Bowden left West Virginia in 1976 to become the Seminole coach.

7) Cotton Bowl—LSU vs. Texas

Now Justin, you know this makes sense.  Two of the past three National Champions in a death grip.  The glorious old Cotton Bowl will be rocking.

6) Capital One Bowl—Auburn vs. Penn State

We have so many Tiger pals, I hate to see them have to take on this underrated team.  It should be a superb Big Ten-SEC battle.

5) Orange Bowl—Wake Forest vs. South Florida

The Demon Deacons win the ACC again and are back in the Orange Bowl for the second time in three seasons.  They will take on the Big East Champion Bulls, who bring the fans that little Wake cannot.

4) Sugar Bowl—Florida vs. Clemson

Tim Tebow is the best player in the country, and he leads the Gators to another SEC championship.  The opponent will be Tommy Bowden, who finally gets his 10-win season behind the brilliant Spiller, Kelly, Davis, and Harper.

3) Fiesta Bowl—Missouri vs. Brigham Young

Notre Dame may sing "Wake up the echoes," but this game will be "light up the scoreboard," as Big 12 connections put salve on the Tigers being overlooked by the BCS in 2007.  The Cougars go unbeaten and crash the party.

2) Rose Bowl—Southern California vs. Georgia

You wanted it last year, but you'll get it this year.  A mind-numbing matchup of superstars and future pros.  Pasadena will pout, but Penn State will not qualify for the BCS as the No. 2 team in the Big Ten, and Georgia will.

1) BCS TITLE GAME IN MIAMI—Ohio State vs. Oklahoma

This is all about redemption.  The Sooners were blown out the last time they played for the title, and the Buckeyes have lost two in a row.  Expect a classic between two proud programs.

I know, I know.  I agree Texas Tech is the sleeper of the year.  I also recognize Dennis Erickson's coaching ability.  Yes, Notre Dame and Nebraska will be better.  The Hawkins family will bring Colorado back to power.

Look at it this way: We always have the Jimson Poll!