BCS Bowl Games: Star Players That Will Come Up Big in Losing Efforts

There is no greater stage to showcase your talents to NFL scouts than in a BCS bowl game. With millions of eyeballs watching, this is the opportunity to vault up the NFL draft’s big board.  

The problem with the game of football is that unless all 11 players are in sync, odds are you’re going to lose.

Here are three players who will become household names over the next week, but their teams will end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

It’s not Smith’s fault the Big East still gets an automatic BCS bid. Somebody had to go, and the Mountaineers used a miracle comeback against South Florida to get there. That’s why I’m expecting a drubbing at the hands of No. 15 Clemson, who has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2011 season.

It won’t be Smith’s fault.

The junior signal-caller has quietly had one of the best statistical seasons of any quarterback in the nation. His 3,978 passing yards, with 25 TDs, seven INTs and a 65 percent completion rate, are incredible, regardless of the competition he played (which does include No. 1 LSU).

I expect him to find plenty of scoring opportunities against a Tigers defense that is 62^nd in the nation in points allowed (26.2). The death wish for the Mountaineers will be their inability to stop the incredibly dynamic Clemson QB Tajh Boyd.

Andrew Luck, QB,Stanford

The Cardinal and Oklahoma State Cowboys are going to engage in one of highest-scoring games of the entire bowl season. The Fiesta Bowl is going to feature at least 80 total points.

Problem is, the Cowboys are the better overall team. They have a superior defense and a receiver that could start on most NFL team’s right now in Justin Blackmon. The Cowboys are going to prevail in what looks to be the most exciting bowl game of the bunch.

That doesn’t mean Luck won’t be aces. The Heisman finalist threw for 3,170 yards, 35 TDs and nine INTs while completing 70 percent of his passes during the season. If last year’s performance, (287 yards, four TDs, one INT) in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech is any indication, Luck is going to solidify the top pick in a losing effort.

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

The back with the best last name in the country has been the undisputed top running back in college this season (1,759 yards, 32 TDs) and shouldn’t have any problems against an Oregon run defense that struggles against players like Ball.

Bigger backs with the strength of Ball can physically punish the Ducks' front line and keep the chains moving. This guy is a shoe-in for at least 100 yards and a touchdown.

Unfortunately, there is no way the high-powered Ducks offense is losing the Rose Bowl. They have the best offense in the nation and the sort of speed to blow by Wisconsin defenders with ease.

Speed>bulk.

But that won’t prevent Ball from having a strong finish in what has been an incredible season for the junior back.