2011 Bowl Games: Predicting the Outcomes of Remaining Bowl Games

We are 10 bowl games down and...25 to go.

The absurd amount of bowl games gives us an absurd amount of football to enjoy.

Things are going to happen fast and furious, and in the next four days alone, as there are 13 games to watch. Then, following New Year's Day, there are 12 more to enjoy including the five BCS games.

Here is a prediction for each and every one of those games.

Dec. 28

Military Bowl -- Pres. By Northrop Grumman - Toledo vs. Air Force - ESPN

Toledo's passing attack has to hope its defense can get Air Force off the field. 

Air Force 31, Toledo 21

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl - California vs. Texas - ESPN

The Golden Bears and Longhorns meet in a battle of classic powers down on their luck. Texas is still trying to figure out its identity on offense but they have superior talent.

Texas 31, California 17

Dec. 29

Champs Sports Bowl - Florida State vs. Notre Dame - ESPN

Battle of the over-hyped will be also be a battle of some of 2012's best. FSU has superior athletes, but the Irish have the better offense.

Whoever limits mistakes will come out on top in this one.

Notre Dame 28, Florida State 24

Valero Alamo Bowl - Washington vs. Baylor - ESPN

This game should be a high-scoring affair with a lot of fun from Heisman Trophy winner RG3. The Huskies defense will give up some points to the potent Bears attack, but they can score some themselves too.

Ultimately, Baylor has the best player on the field and he's going to be the best player in this game.

Baylor 45, Washington 28

Dec. 30

Bell Helicopter Bowl Armed Forces Bowl - BYU vs. Tulsa - ESPN

Battle of balanced offenses comes down to which quarterback can make plays when it counts. Senior G.J. Kinne of Tulsa has the advantage, but the Cougars' defense is better than the Golden Hurricane.

BYU 28, Tulsa 24

New Era Pinstripe Bowl - Rutgers vs. Iowa State - ESPN

A conflicted Rutgers team will rely on its defense and star receiver Mohamed Sanu to make plays. Iowa State is used to top competition though and will not be scared by anything the Knights can do.

Rutgers 28, Iowa State 27

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl - Miss. State vs. Wake Forest - ESPN

This battle of 6-6 teams features a preseason ranked Bulldogs team against a surprising Demon Deacons team. SEC vs. ACC leads to only one outcome.

Miss. St 24, Wake Forest 21

Insight Bowl - Iowa vs. Oklahoma - ESPN

The Sooners will be very upset about the pre-New Year's Day bowl appearance and extremely disappointed with how they finished the season. Injuries had a lot to do with it, but they still have completely superior talent on the field. Iowa is happy to be where they are, but if Oklahoma shows up and wants to play they're in trouble.

Oklahoma 45, Iowa 21

Dec. 31

Meineke Car Care Bowl - Texas A&M vs. Northwestern - ESPN

The Aggies are playing their last game as a member of the Big 12 and Northwestern would love nothing more than to spoil it. The Wildcats can play ball, but the Aggies are one of the most disappointing teams of the season. They continually jump out to leads and blow them in the second half.

With NFL draft status and a number of other things in the air, they won't allow that to happen this time around.

Texas A&M 42, Northwestern 31

Hyundai Sun Bow - Georgia Tech vs. Utah - CBS

Georgia Tech's run game will test Utah early and often. If they establish it Utah stands no chance.

Georgia Tech 45, Utah 24

AutoZone Liberty Bowl - Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt - ABC

The Bearcats were in the hunt for the dismal Big East for quite some time, but eventually stumbled. Vandy has been one of the better surprises of the season, but their no match for Cincy's offense.

Cincinnati 38, Vandy 24

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Illinois vs. UCLA - ESPN

The "How Did We Get Here Bowl" features two teams that were a surprisingly big part of the conference races until they hit the meat of their schedule. Illinois has lost six straight and UCLA, who played in the Pac-12 title game basically by default, lost three of their last four.

Illinois 24, UCLA 20

Chick-Fil-A-Bowl - Virginia vs. Auburn - ESPN

Again, ACC vs. SEC means trouble. The Cavaliers are an interesting team though and can make things happen. Auburn will be a little down, but they still have talent.

Auburn 35, Virginia 28

Jan. 2

Ticketcity Bowl - Houston vs. Penn State - ESPNU

Two BCS hopefuls that fell short make for a great opportunity for fans. Houston's dominant offense vs. Penn State's stifling defense will definitely be worth the watch. If Penn State can find any way to score points this will be a great game.

Houston 31, Penn State 24

Outback Bowl - Michigan State vs. Georgia - ESPN

Another battle between BCS hopefuls, this Spartans and Bulldogs matchup makes for one of the best non-BCS games on the schedule. A battle of defensive wills, whichever quarterback—Aaron Murray or Kirk Cousins—can make more plays will ultimately lead their team to victory.

Georgia is one to watch for next year too.

Georgia 31, Michigan State 28

Capital One Bowl - Nebraska vs. South Carolina - ESPN

This matchup plays heavily into the hands of South Carolina. Their run defense will cause some trouble for the Cornhuskers and it will force Taylor Martinez to beat them. The problem is the Gamecocks' offense doesn't know who to trust.

This game is completely dependent on who makes the least amount of mistakes.

South Carolina 28, Nebraska 24

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl - Ohio State vs. Florida - ESPN 2

The Urban Meyer Bowl features an Ohio State simply waiting for Meyer to find the sideline and a Florida team trying to close out their coach's first year on campus with a win. That makes this game easy.

Florida 28, Ohio State 17

Rose Bowl Game Presented By Vizio - Wisconsin vs. Oregon - ESPN

Touchdowns, running games and dual-threat quarterbacks. This game comes down to which quarterback—Russel Wilson or Darron Thomas—makes more plays. The advantage goes to Wilson, but the Badgers haven't fared very well away from Camp Randall.

Oregon 45, Wisconsin 35

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl - Stanford vs. Oklahoma State - ESPN

Is there any way Stanford's offense can keep up with Oklahoma State's? We'd have to see the best of the best from Andrew Luck and hope the Cardinal defense can limit big plays.

Like their games with Oregon the past two years, the Cardinal will be in it, but ultimately something will go awry at the wrong time.

Oklahoma State 42, Stanford 38

Jan. 3

Allstate Sugar Bowl - Michigan vs. Virginia Tech - ESPN

Two of the least deserving BCS berths in some time, the Wolverine defense will be the key to this game. If they can dominate and force some turnovers it will be trouble for the Hokies.

But, if Virginia Tech starts moving the ball and forces Denard Robinson to use his arm rather than his legs then the Hokies will take this game.

Virginia Tech 31, Michigan 21

Jan. 4

Discover Orange Bowl - Clemson vs. West Virginia - ESPN

The battle of the ACC and Big East winners makes for an ugly, do-they-really-deserve-an-automatic-bid showdown between Clemson and West Virginia.

Both quarterbacks will play a big part in this one and whichever doesn't make the mistake will decide this game.

Clemson 38, West Virginia 28

Jan. 6

AT&T Cotton Bowl - Kansas State vs. Arkansas - FOX

The two biggest BCS snubs will take the field at the historic Cotton Bowl in a game featuring two completely different offensive philosophies.

The Wildcats and quarterback Colin Klein will try to win this game on the ground while Tyler Wilson and his veteran receiving unit will look to attack the Wildcat secondary.

This one could be a shootout.

Arkansas 38, Kansas State 35

Jan. 7

BBVA Compass Bowl - SMU vs. Pittsburgh - ESPN 

The Panthers were a bit of a disappointment this season and a lot of it has to do with quarterback play. SMU has been better, but the one thing that will separate these two teams won't even be on the field. 

Pittsburgh's players are mad about their former coach's heinous departure and they're going to play like it.

Pittsburgh 35, SMU 21

Jan. 8

GoDaddy.com Bowl - Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois - ESPN

These two very successful teams feature two very dominant quarterbacks. Both of them lead their teams, not only in passing, but rushing as well.

This should be one of the better bowls of the season and this game comes down to how the Wolfpack's defense holds up.

Arkansas State 42, Northern Illinois 41

Jan. 9

Allstate BCS Championship Game - Alabama vs. LSU - ESPN

This is relatively easy. The Crimson Tide left at least 12 points on the field in the first meeting between these two teams; Nick Saban won't make those mistakes again.

The Tide's defense will be the bigger factor this time around and they won't be surprised by anything except a potential gadget play.

Look for Alabama to play at a different level this time around.

Alabama 24, LSU 14