Trent's Touchdown: Six BCS Bowls to Watch

It’s all come down to this. The last handful of bowl games and the end of the 2008 season is here. It seems like just yesterday I was reading some article in USA Today and some columnist was mentioning a possible Clemson/Georgia National Championship Game. Excuse me while I go cry in the corner.

Anyway, on to the last Touchdown of the year.

1) The FedEx National Championship Game – No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida – 1/8 at 8:00 on FOX

I know that once this game starts, I’ll be counting the minutes until ESPN actually gets the rights to the BCS Bowls.

Seriously though, is there anything I’m going to write here that hasn’t been covered, ad nauseam, somewhere else? Since each team's one loss, they have been treating their opponents like a red-headed stepchild. And these games haven’t been against pushovers either.

Oklahoma has one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, with two RB’s with over 1,000 yards rushing and four WR’s with over 600 yards receiving, and led by the Heisman Trophy winner at QB.

Florida, on the other hand, has last year’s Heisman Trophy winner at QB and Percy Harvin, the best all-purpose threat in the country. As much as I want to say this game is going to come down to defense (the speedy Florida D is something that Oklahoma hasn’t faced all year), I really think it comes down to Tebow.

Ever since the Ole Miss loss, he has been like a man possessed. He has thrown his team on his back and will do anything and everything to make sure Florida wins. Due to this, I think Florida does exactly that.


2) The Allstate Sugar Bowl – No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 6 Utah – 1/2 at 8:00 on FOX

A year after the Hawaii debacle, it’s good to see the Sugar Bowl taking another flier on a non-BCS school.

This game is going to be Alabama’s defense against Utah’s offense. Utah has a very balanced attack that can either take you out on the ground or shred you through the air. But they are going to need all the help they can get against one of the best defenses in the nation. I don’t care how many rushing yards you have, you are going to have trouble gaining ground against Alabama.

On the flip side, John Parker Wilson is probably one of the best game managers in the game. He realizes his many limitations and doesn’t let them hurt his team. Alabama may have some trouble with running lanes and protection with their All-American left tackle suspended for the game. However, I just can’t see Alabama losing this game.


3) The Rose Bowl – No. 5 USC vs. No. 8 Penn State – 1/1 at 4:30 on ABC

While Penn State and USC may feel slighted by not even entering into the National Championship talk; this is the perfect place for them.

If you look at this game rationally, Penn State really doesn’t stand much of a chance. Before all you Penn State fans jump all over me, when have I ever been one for rationality?

This game comes down to Penn State’s offense. USC is going to score, that’s a no brainer. Penn State’s defense will be able to contain them to a certain extent, that’s a no brainer too.

The main question is if Penn State’s sometimes pitiful offense can move the ball at all against what some experts are calling one of the best defenses of all time. Penn State needs to capitalize on turnovers and field position to make any sort of run at USC. They need to slow down the tempo and knock USC in the mouth. That being said, USC will win without much trouble.


4) The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – No. 10 Ohio State vs. No.3 Texas – 1/5 at 8:00 on FOX

Do you really want to be Ohio State in this one against a slighted and pissed Texas squad? Me neither.

Let’s break this down all-scientific like. The defensive weakness of Texas is pass defense. The offensive weakness of OSU is the pass. You see where I’m going with this one?

If Texas can control Beanie Wells and put the game in Pryor’s hands, they are in a very good position. Let’s not even get into the throwing and running ability of Colt McCoy. If OSU keeps this competitive past the first quarter, I’ll be shocked.


5) The FedEx Orange Bowl – No. 12 Cincinnati vs. No. 19 Virginia Tech – 1/1 at 8:30 on FOX

Welcome to the BCS Bowl that no one really cares about, unless you’re one of the water carriers for the ACC or Big East (and you know who you are). Since I write for everyone, so let me give this a go.

This is sort of like a poor man’s Rose Bowl, with the Cincy offense that can light it up, and the VT defense that pretty much carried them here. VT needs to be able to click offensively in order to win, which means limiting Tyrod Taylor’s mistakes, which is easier said than done.

Listen, VT is one shocking team, and if they won, I wouldn’t be surprised. However, all Cincy needs to do to win is do what they’ve done all year long. Put points on the board and limit the opponent’s offense. Therefore, I think Cincy wins it.


6) The Cotton Bowl – No. 25 Mississippi vs. No. 7 Texas Tech – 1/2 at 2:00 on FOX

I almost put this ahead of the Orange Bowl, just to be funny. And before any wise guy says anything, I know the Cotton Bowl isn’t a BCS game, but it’s close enough.

A little disclaimer here, I have been a Texas Tech apple polisher all year long, so don’t expect it to stop here. However, Texas Tech fans have to be a little scared of Ole Miss.

For one, they are the only team to beat Florida and they did it in the Swamp. As for another, they have a great defense. Remember what happened last time Harrell and Co. faced a great defense?

Ole Miss also has a balanced offense led by one-time Colt McCoy back-up Jevan Snead. Oklahoma wrote the book on how to beat Texas Tech. You pressure Harrell, early and often and never let up, and you play smart offensively.

There are only about five or so teams that can beat Texas Tech. Unfortunately, Ole Miss is built to be one of those teams. However, unlike Oklahoma, they aren’t built to do it consistently. I think Texas Tech ekes this one out.


Extra Point:

7) You know, I could sit here and rant and rave about how Ohio State doesn’t deserve a BCS Bowl bid or that the BCS rankings screwed Texas. I could go on about how they need to repeal the rule that only two conference teams can make BCS Bowls (in light of there being five bowls) or that there is more drama in the Outback Bowl than the Orange Bowl. I could also point out that Colt McCoy was my pick for the Heisman.

I’m not going to do any of that. I’m going to stay positive and wish everyone a Happy New Year. Enjoy the bowls and I’ll see you for next year’s installment of the Touchdown.