Bowl Schedule 2012: Upset Picks and Predictions for BCS Matchups

With the BCS Games nearly upon us, it's time to take a look at what we can expect from the five games.

Oddsmakers expect all games to be good. There isn't a single one with a spread of more than one touchdown.

We'll get plenty of good action going into the National Championship Game, between SEC powers LSU and Alabama. We'll get plenty of action in that game, as well.

Still, we have to do more than say "It will be a good game." Let's take a look at what we can expect from all five BCS Games. Before we do that, take a look at when and where you can catch all of the games.

All spreads according to Bodava. 

Game	Date	Time (EST)	Watch	Spread
Rose Bowl (Oregon vs. Wisconsin)	Monday, Jan. 2	5 p.m.	ESPN	Oregon (-6)
Fiesta Bowl (Stanford vs. Oklahoma St.)	Monday, Jan. 2	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	Oklahoma State (-4)
Sugar Bowl (Michigan vs. Virginia Tech)	Tuesday, Jan. 3	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	Michigan (-3)
Orange Bowl (West Virginia vs. Clemson)	Wednesday, Jan. 4	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	Clemson (-3)
BCS National Championship Game (Alabama vs. LSU)	Monday, Jan. 9	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	LSU (-1)

Rose Bowl

We're going to get a heavy dose of offense in this one. Statistically, Wisconsin has one of the best scoring defenses in the country. But when going against the top offenses on the schedule, they have allowed a lot of points. 

None of those teams have the offense that Oregon has. That's going to show in this one. LaMichael James and Darron Thomas will have too much speed for the Badgers' defense to handle. 

On the offensive side of the ball, Russell Wilson and Montee Ball will move the ball and score, but it won't be enough. 

Prediction: Oregon 37, Wisconsin 28

Fiesta Bowl

Monday's BCS Games are going to give us a lot of points. Two men would could well be the first two picks in the NFL Draft will square off when Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck meets Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. 

They're not going to disappoint. We'll see a lot of back and forth action in this one. Ultimately, I trust Stanford's defense a little more than Oklahoma State's. More than that, the team with the better quarterback is tough to bet against in a shootout. 

As good as Brandon Weeden is, he's not Luck. The Stanford QB will finish his college career on a winning note.

Prediction: Stanford 34, Oklahoma State 30

Sugar Bowl

After Monday's fireworks, the defenses will take over. Neither of these teams have a trustworthy offense, and it's going to show with the defenses on the field. Even when the offenses are working, they will be slower, and grinding. 

We're not going to get a lot of big plays, or explosions. This game will be more systematic. The edge here will go to Virginia Tech, who has David Wilson to shoulder the load. 

He'll do just that, helping the Hokies win the field position battle, and the game.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Michigan 16

Orange Bowl

Unless they're playing Virginia Tech, I don't trust Clemson in any way. They have a lot of talent, but are too young this season. Look for them to make serious noise over the next two years. 

West Virginia has an experienced Geno Smith at quarterback. He has Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin to throw to. Both receivers had over 1,000 yards receiving this season. 

And while it's certainly a passing offense, Dustin Garrison averaged over five yards a carry, with Shawne Alston averaging better than four. The overall depth will be too much. 

Prediction: West Virginia 27, Clemson 23

BCS National Championship Game

Compared to their Nov. 5 game, we're going to see a shootout. Well, not quite, but we'll see some touchdowns. We're also going to see a different winner. Alabama has the game's difference maker.

Alabama didn't get the ball to Trent Richardson consistently enough in their first meeting. When they did, he was clearly the best player on a field filled with future NFL talent. 

That's the difference in this one. Defensively, these two teams are eerily similar. Offensively, they have a lot in common. The difference will be Richardson.

Prediction: Alabama 17, LSU 14

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