Cotton Bowl 2012: 5 Predictions for Kansas State vs. Arkansas

Tonight's Cotton Bowl matchup, which will pit No. 7 Arkansas and No. 10 Kansas State against each other in front of a sellout crowd at Cowboys Stadium, is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining bowl games of the postseason. 

Both of these teams performed like BCS bowl-caliber teams in 2011, and this game has all the ingredients you're looking for in a top-notch bowl matchup. 

With two of the top junior quarterbacks in the country, Arkansas's Tyler Wilson and Kansas State's Collin Klein, set to duel, this game's got the potential to get real fun real quick.

Here's a look at five predictions for tonight's game. 

Collin Klein Will Run for at Least Two Touchdowns

Arkansas' Tyler Wilson is the quarterback that everyone seems to be talking about when it comes to this game, and there's a good reason for it. Wilson's been one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2011 season, and he's a future first-round NFL draft pick. 

Still, just because Kansas State's Collin Klein doesn't possess the same type of future pro potential as his Cotton Bowl quarterback counterpart, that doesn't mean he's not capable of having just as big of an impact on tonight's game. 

This season, Klein totaled 2,882 yards of offense and accounted for 39 total touchdowns during his eye-opening campaign, as he led the Wildcats to a 10-2 record.

He may very well be the most dangerous offensive weapon playing in this game, and the junior signal-caller is definitely the type of player that could single-handedly change the complexion of a game at any point.

Joe Adams and Jarius Wright Will Each Make You Say

Arkansas possesses two true highlight-reel receivers in Joe Adams and Jarius Wright.

The two senior playmakers are each destined for a job playing on Sundays, but before they head to the NFL, they'll have one more opportunity to turn heads in the Cotton Bowl. 

Don't be surprised if both Adams and Wright each make a play tonight that simply leaves you saying "wow" without hesitation.

Tyler Wilson Will Throw One Regrettable Interception

Tyler Wilson is a budding star and a future 2012 Heisman candidate, but don't be surprised if the highly-touted junior makes one or two critical mistakes tonight against a Kansas State secondary that has picked off 18 passes this season. 

Nigel Malone, Ty Zimmerman, David Garrett and Tysyn Hartman all know how to make a play on the ball, so don't be surprised if one of the talented Kansas State defensive backs makes a game-changing type of interception at some point in the game. 

You Will Learn the Name John Hubert

Arkansas has two running backs worth keeping an eye on in Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr., but the real back to watch in this game is Kansas State's John Hubert. 

Hubert is only 5'7'' and 185 lbs., but he doesn't let his size disadvantage hurt his production, as the speedy sophomore ran for 933 yards this season. 

Trying to fill the cleats of a player the caliber of Daniel Thomas isn't easy, but Hubert has really done a great job of stepping in and giving the Wildcats offense a consistent compliment to QB Collin Klein this season.

Kansas State Will Notch Its 11th Win

Arkansas will go into tonight's game as nine-point favorites, but don't sell Kansas State short just because the Wildcats faltered a bit during the stretch run of the season. 

There's a reason that Bill Snyder's squad did what it did in the Big 12 this year, and Kansas State is definitely a team that has the type of balance on both sides of the ball to compete with almost anyone this year. 

Arkansas has to be bummed out about not getting the opportunity to play in a BCS bowl, while the Wildcats are probably ecstatic to be playing in a game like the Cotton Bowl given that the preseason expectations for them were so low. 

If Kansas State can use that motivational advantage and turn it into early momentum during the game, the Wildcats are definitely capable of taking down the Razorbacks in Arlington tonight.