2011 Bowl Predictions: Andrew Luck and Stars That Will Struggle in Big Games

One of the reasons that the BCS games get more attention than all the other bowl games is because they feature the best players in the country. But just because these stars are going to play in the game does not mean that they are going to shine. 

On the contrary, some players are going to have a difficult time succeeding in the BCS, either because of a bad matchup or the pressure to perform will drag them down. 

This year's crop of BCS games will be all about the unsung heroes for their respective team, and not the superstars that have been on magazine covers and featured in primetime games throughout the year. 

The biggest star in college football this year was Andrew Luck. He had all the pressure in the world on his shoulders after deciding to go back to Stanford, and he more than lived up to the hype. 

Going up against Oklahoma State's defense used to guarantee that everyone on the opposing offense was going to have a great game. But this year has been different for the Cowboys. They still aren't great, but they do enough and are able to force turnovers to make up for their lack of athleticism. 

Luck has already gone up against a team like Oklahoma State when the Cardinals hosted Oregon in early November. That was easily his worst game of the year, with just 256 yards passing, three touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Oklahoma State is going to score, which means that Stanford's offense is going to be one-dimensional. That is when the Cowboys play their best and that is exactly what will happen in the Fiesta Bowl.

Here are other superstars that will struggle in their team's BCS game. 

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide

This one is almost too easy to predict because LSU's defense is so dominant, but Richardson was able to rack up 169 yards against them in their first meeting back in November. 

But to expect him to duplicate that performance is asking too much. LSU has only allowed 125 rushing yards in its last two games combined.

The Tigers know that they have to gear up to stop Richardson if they want to win the BCS championship and they will be much better prepared to do it this time around. 

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan Wolverines

While he has still been one of the better dual-threat players in the country this season, Robinson took a step back in 2011. His passing, in particular, was not as strong as it was last year. His completion percentage dropped from 62.5 to 56.1.

Now, because Michigan's defense was significantly better, Robinson did not have to do as much as he did in 2010. 

Going up against Virginia Tech's defense is going to test his mettle as a passer. He has to be able to throw the ball if Michigan is going to win the game. 

Given his inconsistencies as a drop back passer, I expect Frank Beamer to exploit that and force him into making a lot of mistakes. 

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia Mountaineers

Perhaps I am still bitter about West Virginia being given a spot in the BCS, ahead of TCU, Boise State or Houston, and that is why I am hoping Clemson wipes the floor with them. 

I believe that is going to happen because I don't trust Smith in a big game. He puts up terrific numbers overall—3,978 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, completing 65 percent of his passes in 2011—but he has moments where he looks lost. 

In the Mountaineers' last game against South Florida, Smith threw no touchdowns and two interceptions. 

What is he going to do on the big stage of the Orange Bowl? I can't see him being a lot better than that and all those stories about West Virginia being an embarrassment will be proven right. 

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