Predicting the BCS Bowl Matchups: Not So Fast, Buckeyes

Heading into week 11, we have seen a lot of upsets this season, as many of you already know.  A lot of articles have already been put out there about potential National Championship match-ups, so here is another one. 

When you see the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes sitting in the number 1 spot in the BCS, right now, they are for real.  That is until they play in Ann Arbor. 

LSU sits at number 2 and without a doubt, LSU could be the number 1 team in the nation. 

Oregon is a surprise team in everybody's eyes, and don't deny it, at the first of the season you didn't see Oregon sitting at number 3.  But they are at number 3, and they are still climbing. 

So without going on any further, what is a matchup that as of this moment, looks like a legitimate game come January?

BCS National Title Game:

An article already published on this site has nailed it in my eyes.  The Ohio State Buckeyes will get beaten when they travel to Michigan. That puts LSU in the number 1 spot and they will be there to stay. 

With them staying at number 1, will Oregon get beaten in their final 3 games of the season?  The answer is no.  Although their final game of the season could be a potential upset, since they are playing in-state rival Oregon State and upsets are always a possibility in rivalries.  I think Oregon is a focused team at this moment and will be able to stay focused with the great leadership of Heisman hopeful Dennis Dixon carrying the team on his back. 

So, with the potential matchup set between LSU and Oregon in the title game, what can we expect?  Look at LSU, their offense is unbelievable led by quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and a defense that tops the charts with defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.  The Ducks have a backfield attack that could cause problems against the Tigers' defense with the attack of Dixon and running back Jonathon Stewart.  Also, the defensive secondary for the Ducks is a great unit, don't overlook them. 

With all this put into play, I think the Tigers make too many big plays down the stretch to beat the Ducks 28-14.

Rose Bowl:

With their win over Ohio State, Michigan gets their bid to play in the Rose Bowl.  Starting the season 0-2 really does hurt them as they could be the ones playing LSU in the title game and Oregon would be the ones playing in the Rose Bowl.  So with Chad Henne and Mike Hart leading Michigan to the Rose Bowl, who will stand in their way to win a bowl? 

Look no further than the Arizona State Sun Devils.  If they keep winning after their loss to Oregon, they will make the Rose Bowl.  First year coach Dennis Erickson has done an unbelievable job with this team and like I said about Oregon, before the season started no one would have thought Arizona State would be where they are now.  Think about it, a number 4 ranking in the country was not what anyone saw coming.  Now ranked at number 9, they are in perfect position to make the Rose Bowl as long as they win out the rest of the season, which they should. 

So who wins this match up?  When it boils down to it, Michigan's offense is just too powerful for the defense of the Sun Devils.  Arizona State has had slow starts to every game they have played this season and starting off slow against a Big Ten team such as the Wolverines is not something that you should do.  A slow start gets Michigan a big lead and no looking back.  Michigan wins 35-7.

Sugar Bowl:

Look at a matchup in the Sugar Bowl of 2 teams that have kept quiet this season.  After the loss to South Florida, nobody talked about West Virginia, even though they kept winning and crawling back into the top 10.  Look for the Mountaineers to be in the Sugar Bowl led by the powerful attack of Pat White and Steve Slaton.  Also, the defense of West Virginia is a great defense which shouldn't be overlooked. 

Another team that has won games this year and found their way into the top 10 quietly, the Georgia Bulldogs.  With key wins over Florida and Alabama, the Bulldogs have made their way into the BCS and without anyone realizing it.  The remaining schedule for the Bulldogs is a tough one when you look at it, a game this week at home against Auburn, and another key home game next week against Kentucky.  Wrapping up the season at Georgia Tech should get Georgia all the recognition they need to play in the Sugar Bowl if they win out. 

This is one of the better matchups in the bowl games but when I start to think about the 2-headed monster from West Virginia, it is hard to vote against that.  West Virginia defeats Georgia 21-18.

Fiesta Bowl:

Another intriguing matchup comes in the Fiesta Bowl featuring the Oklahoma Sooners and the Virginia Tech Hokies.  Expect Oklahoma to win out the rest of the season and play Missouri in the Big 12 Title game.  The Sooners will get the Tigers for the second time this season and get their bid to play in their second straight Fiesta Bowl.  We all know what happened last year.  Still shocks me when I hear about it, can't get enough.  Can Oklahoma get it done this year? 

Virginia Tech has its challenges in the last 3 games of the season as they play Florida State this week, who upset last weeks number 2 Boston College.  Also, even though things at the University of Miami aren't going the way people would like this season, don't overlook that game if you're Virginia Tech.  The last week of the season can and will be the most difficult matchup since LSU when they travel to Virginia.  I have faith in the Hokies to get the job done in the ACC and make it to the Fiesta Bowl and when they play Oklahoma, expect another good Fiesta Bowl game. 

Oklahoma has a defense that is one of the best defenses in the nation, but the offense is not as great.  I'm not saying it is terrible, but the secondary from Virginia Tech will be able to stop the run and pick off Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford at least twice.  It will be a good matchup and look for Oklahoma to get it done running the ball and winning the game 14-10.

 Orange Bowl:

Yes, here we will find the Boston College Eagles.  Matt Ryan will bounce back from that loss to Florida State and keep them in the hunt for a BCS game.  Will Matt Ryan win the Heisman?  No, but will they win the Orange Bowl? 

Their matchup will be the Missouri Tigers.  Chase Daniel will have a big game in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma.  A big enough game that Missouri will not fall out of the top 10.  If Missouri gets blown out in that game then I wouldn't expect them to be in this game as they will drop back to around the 14 or 15 spot in the BCS, but I think Chase Daniel keeps them in the hunt and gets them in the Orange Bowl. 

So, Matt Ryan against Chase Daniel.  An intriguing matchup don't you think? Two unbelievable quarterbacks going back and forth exchanging touchdowns trying to outlast the other team.  I expect a shootout when you match these two teams up.  I like BC to take this one, but not by much.  Looking at it, I think BC beats Missouri 42-35.  I'm going to be excited to see this one.

So, the predictions I have show Michigan going back to the Rose Bowl and finally getting the win in California.  The West Virginia Mountaineers edging out Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.  Oklahoma having a defensive battle against Virginia Tech, but getting it done on the ground.  Boston College winning a shootout in the Orange Bowl.  And I can't wait to see LSU going to the National Title game against, of all teams, the Oregon Ducks, and hoisting the National Championship trophy above their heads.  LSU will be the number one team in the country and there will be no doubts about it. 

Also, let me make this clear, NO team in division one football will go this entire season undefeated.  If at the end of the season it happens, you can write me and tell me how wrong I was, but as of right now, I don't see it happening. 

Those are my predictions, any others?