Bowl Games 2014-15: Schedule and Predictions for Most Anticipated Games

Coming off a wild college football season, the bowl season has already started with a bang.

Teams like Utah and Utah State have already clinched convincing wins to cap off their seasons. However, most fans are awaiting the biggest bowl games New Year's Eve and Day.

The College Football Playoff features four deserving teams battling for a chance to make the national championship game. Meanwhile, Baylor, TCU and several others will look to end their seasons on a high note in the selection committee games.

Here's a look at the schedule and predictions for the biggest bowl games yet to be played.

Bowl Game	Date	Matchup	Predicted Winner
Sugar Bowl	Jan. 1	No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State	Alabama
Rose Bowl	Jan. 1	No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State	Oregon
Cotton Bowl	Jan. 1	Michigan State vs. Baylor	Baylor
Orange Bowl	Dec. 31	Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech	Mississippi State
Fiesta Bowl	Dec. 31	Boise State vs. Arizona	Boise State
Peach Bowl	Dec. 31	Ole Miss vs. TCU	Ole Miss

Playoff Prediction

Let's be honest. While the Big 12 likely did deserve a team in the semifinals, four of the best teams made the final bracket. Alabama, Oregon and Florida State were convincing all season while Ohio State did exactly what it needed to contend for a title.

The Buckeyes might be underdogs coming into the matchup with the mighty Crimson Tide, but they have a secret weapon in Ezekiel Elliott. Well, maybe "secret" isn't the right word after he dismantled Wisconsin's defense for a Big Ten title-game record 220 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Even with his sensational year with over 1,600 all-purpose yards for Ohio State, Elliott feels he has more in the tank. The sophomore spoke about his success and expectations, via Doug Lesmerises of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:

"

I think there will be a lot of things that will improve, just like breaking tackles and things. I've left a lot of yards on the field this year just because of my wrist, I can't really carry the ball in my left hand, and can't really use my stiff-arm. I can't really use my hand to post on the ground. I have left a lot of yards on the field, something we are going to improve on next year.

"

After being overshadowed by Carlos Hyde last season, Elliott has a shot to make a name for himself on the big stage. Going against a stout defense like Alabama's, however, will be a tough task for the dynamic tailback.

The Tide come in allowing the fourth-least points per game while OSU ranks 11th in rushing yards per game and fourth in scoring offense. Alabama's offense might be the difference-maker, with Amari Cooper looking to win a second title.

Out on the West Coast, Oregon and Florida State will do battle for the Rose Bowl. The matchup obviously features the last two Heisman Trophy winners, but Marcus Mariota has been the equivalent of Winston from last season during the Seminoles' title run.

ESPN Stats & Info points out how effective he has been and compares him to other quarterbacks:

Winston hasn't been as consistent as he was in his freshman campaign, but the Noles have found a way to win every game. Given FSU's ability to close, Oregon will need to jump out to a big lead with Mariota leading the way.

The two signal-callers will have the spotlight firmly placed on them, but the running game will steal the show. Both Royce Freeman and Dalvin Cook have put together outstanding freshman seasons and will be game-changers for the Ducks and Noles, respectively.

At the end of the two semifinals, the explosive offenses for Alabama and Oregon will propel them to the final game on Jan. 12. Depending on who shows out on New Year's Day, predicting a winner for the showdown will be as tough as any recent championship game.

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