2011 Bowl Games: 3 Clashes Guaranteed to Be Blowouts

While bowl matchups are normally made to create close and competitive games, it simply isn't possible to ensure that every game will be a good one. There will inevitably be a few games that end in blowout fashion, and while there haven't been many yet, there appear to be some on the horizon.

Some teams barely became bowl eligible with a 6-6 or 7-5 campaign, and while the bowl committee is usually good about trying to pit those teams against each other, sometimes they end up with extremely tough matchups. Here are three bowl games in the coming days that promise to be one sided.

Mississippi State over Wake Forest (Music City Bowl)

On paper this looks like an awfully competitive game as both the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Wake Forest Demon Deacons finished 6-6 this season. The fact of the matter is, however, that the Bulldogs had to run the gauntlet in the murderous SEC while Wake Forest had a pretty easy go in the ACC. On top of that, the Demon Deacons lost four of their last five games.

While Mississippi State wasn't exactly dominant in the latter stages of the season, it did go out on a high note in blowing out Ole Miss 31-3. The Bulldogs have a fairly stout defense that ranked 18th in the nation this season, and while their offense isn't great, they do average nearly 170 rushing yards per game. If the Mississippi State defense stands tall, then they should win easily on Friday.

Oklahoma over Iowa (Insight Bowl)

I realize that the Oklahoma Sooners have several key injuries on offense, including running back Dominique Whaley and wide receiver Ryan Broyles, and they were wiped out by Oklahoma State to end the season, but their talent level far exceeds that of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Despite all the adversity they faced, the Sooners still finished 9-3 in the difficult Big 12, while Iowa was only 7-5 despite playing a decidedly easier Big Ten schedule.

The Hawkeyes will be without running back Marcus Coker, meaning inconsistent quarterback James Vandenberg will be leaned upon heavily. On the other side quarterback Landry Jones may be playing his last game as a Sooner as there is a decent chance that he will declare for the NFL Draft. If that is the case, then Jones will want scouts to see one last impressive performance and he will want to leave the Oklahoma faithful with a nice parting gift on Friday.

Baylor over Washington (Alamo Bowl)

With all the hype surround Baylor and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III, there is certainly potential for them to disappoint against the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl. Griffin has been automatic this season, however, and with a move to the NFL very much in the cards, it is almost a guarantee that he will go out tonight with one of his signature performances.

Washington's defense was lit up by some of the Pac 12's top offenses this season in Stanford, Oregon and USC, and Baylor's offensive unit is certainly in that company. Griffin totaled over 4,500 yards and 45 all-purpose touchdowns this season, so he is essentially unstoppable in other words.

The Huskies will score some points thanks to a nice offense led by quarterback Keith Price and running back Chris Polk, but it won't be enough to keep pace with RG3 and co.