Bowl Predictions 2012: Breaking Down Projected BCS Bowl Games

We are getting down to the final games of the 2012-2013 campaign before bowl season, and that means it is time to start projecting which teams will land where.

Will Georgia uproot Alabama in the SEC title game, preventing the Crimson Tide from making it to their second consecutive BCS Championship Game?

Will Kansas State follow up an embarrassing loss to Baylor with a victory over Texas to land in the Fiesta Bowl?

Will Nebraska beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game for the right to represent in the Rose Bowl?

Here are my BCS bowl game predictions, complete with analysis of each projected matchup.

Rose Bowl: Nebraska vs. Stanford

I expect Nebraska to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game and go on to the Rose Bowl, where the Cornhuskers will meet my projected Pac-12 champion, Stanford.

Nebraska's offense is run-heavy, but Stanford showed against Oregon that it has the run defense to stop just about anybody. 

On the flip side, Nebraska's run defense can be beat and the Cardinal have a very talented back in senior Stepfan Taylor.

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Louisville

Florida State's loss to Florida hurt, but I still expect the Seminoles to defeat Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game and go on to play likely Big East champion Louisville.

As for the matchup, it's really no contest. Florida State has a better offense and a better defense than the Cardinals. The ACC will prove its dominance over the Big East, as if we needed any clarification on that.

Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Oklahoma

Florida will remain in the top four of the BCS standings, earning an automatic bid, while likely Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma will join the Gators in the Sugar Bowl.

Florida's running game really got going against Florida State to cap off the regular season and that should prove to be a problem for a Sooners defense that has allowed 4.88 yards per carry (101st in the nation, via CFBStats.com) and 22 rushing touchdowns this year.

Florida also has the ability to quiet the explosive Oklahoma passing game led by Landry Jones.

Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State vs. Oregon

I expect Kansas State to defeat Texas on Saturday, thus capturing the Big 12. Oregon won't win the Pac-12, but the Ducks will still make it into the Fiesta Bowl.

Kansas State had a meltdown against Baylor last week and that is bad timing considering the Wildcats may be faced with going up against an Oregon offense that destroyed Oregon State after getting shocked by Stanford.

Kansas State should score its fair share of points against Oregon, but the Ducks' offense is better and more explosive and a shootout should land in their favor.

BCS Championship Game: Notre Dame vs. Alabama

Notre Dame is a much better team when it can run the pigskin, but Alabama will make that tough. The Crimson Tide have allowed 2.36 yards per carry this season, tied for first in the FBS with Stanford, via CFBStats.com.

And while the Fighting Irish defeated Stanford in overtime on Oct. 13 by a score of 20-13, Alabama has a much better offense. The Crimson Tide have averaged 39.0 points per game this season, 15th in the nation.