2010-11 College Bowl Predictions: Who's Playing in the 20 Best Bowls?
As college football season draws closer to an end, the 2010-11 bowl projection picture grows clearer.
Teams have continued to drop out of the BCS picture, and others have made their cases stronger and stronger.
Who will make it into the biggest bowls of the season this year? Let's take a look at the 20 best and their projected matchups to find out.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Texas A&M Aggies vs. USF Bulls
1 of 20
This year's New Era Pinstripe Bowl pits the seventh-best Big 12 team against the fourth-best Big East team.
Why Texas A&M Is Here: The Aggies have been up and down all season long, and a middle-of-the-pack finish seems about right for them. Their offense is as high-powered as any in football, but their defense has some serious issues.
Why USF Is Here: The South Florida Bulls continue to try and improve under first-year coach Skip Holtz, and should qualify for a bowl game this season. The offense and defense are balanced, but the Bulls don't do anything exceptionally well.
How It Could Change: This seems like the logical landing point for both of these teams in 2010-11.
Final Score: Texas A&M 35, USF 27. The Aggies offense is too much for the Bulls' mediocre defense.
Texas Bowl: Kansas State Wildcats vs. Michigan Wolverines
2 of 20
The Texas Bowl pits the sixth-best Big Ten and Big 12 teams against one another.
Why Michigan Is Here: Denard Robinson and the Wolverines have the offense to hang with elite teams, but that defense is flat-out atrocious. So the Texas Bowl seems a fitting place for Rich Rodriguez's Wolverines.
Why Kansas State Is Here: The Wildcats have looked great against poor competition and poor against great competition in 2010. So it's off to Houston for this one.
How It Could Change: If Michigan wins out, and Penn State loses at least one more game, the Wolverines will rise. Same for Kansas State and Mizzou.
Final Score: Michigan 42, Kansas State 38. A high-scoring affair between a pair of excellent offenses and awful defenses.
Franklin Music City Bowl: Kentucky Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
3 of 20
This year, the Music City Bowl pits the SEC's seventh-best team against the ACC's sixth-best.
Why North Carolina Is Here: The Tar Heels had so much potential in 2010, but a slew of academic suspensions have crippled this team. Still, this team's got talent, and can compete with many of the nation's best.
Why Kentucky Is Here: The Wildcats should be bowl-eligible after this weekend's game against Vanderbilt, and they can make plays. Wideout Randall Cobb is one of college football's most exciting players, and the Wildcats have pushed good teams to their limits in 2010.
How It Could Change: If Kentucky trips against Vanderbilt, they'll have a tough road to bowl eligibility, while UNC could wind up a little higher in a wide-open ACC.
Final Score: Kentucky 28, UNC 24. Cobb is too much for the Tar Heels to handle in this one.
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AutoZone Liberty Bowl: UCF Golden Knights vs. Georgia Bulldogs
4 of 20
The Liberty Bowl pits the best team in Conference USA against the sixth-best SEC side.
Why Georgia Is Here: The Bulldogs got off to a terribly slow start, but have gotten rolling in recent weeks. The offense still turns the ball over too much, but there's enough young talent here that Georgia could contend next season.
Why UCF Is Here: The Golden Knights are the best team in C-USA. Plain and simple.
How It Could Change: If Georgia can't win another game in 2010, they won't reach bowl eligibility. UCF looks like the favorite in C-USA, so they should be here.
Final Score: Georgia 28, UCF 20. The Bulldogs have more talent than the Golden Knights, even in a down year.
Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl: Baylor Bears vs. Cal Golden Bears
5 of 20
The Holiday Bowl sees the Big 12's fifth-best team squaring off against the third-best team in the Pac-10, or, this season, the fourth-best.
Why Baylor Is Here: The Bears have been good in 2010 behind quarterback Robert Griffin. But they're trapped behind four other Big 12 schools, so they wind up down here.
Why Cal Is Here: The Golden Bears have been maddeningly inconsistent in 2010, but another win gives them bowl eligibility.
How It Could Change: If Cal can't win another game, they won't make it to any bowl, while Baylor could climb up the rankings and take precedence over Oklahoma or Mizzou.
Final Score: Baylor 35, Cal 14. Outside of Berkeley, Cal can't win, and Baylor is a strong team in 2010.
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Oregon State Beavers vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack
6 of 20
The Sun Bowl pits the fourth-best Pac-10 and ACC teams against one another.
Why Oregon State Is Here: The Beavers can't seem to find a rhythm in 2010, but with four games to go, they should win a couple more and become bowl-eligible. Led by running back Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State has the ability to play with anyone, even if they seem to struggle against good opponents.
Why North Carolina State Is Here: The Wolfpack are part of the logjam near the top of the ACC, and with bigger names in the same boat, look for NC State to slide down here. They've got a high-octane offense, and a defense that makes others look high-octane.
How It Could Change: NC State could still win the ACC, which is wide open in 2010. For the Beavers though, this is about as good as things get—although they could easily get worse.
Final Score: Oregon State 21, NC State 20. Rodgers is a dynamic talent, and he'll give the Wolfpack fits all game long.
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Maryland Terrapins vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
7 of 20
The Meineke Car Care Bowl pits the fifth-best ACC team against the third-best team from the Big East.
Why West Virginia Is Here: The Mountaineers have hit the skids, dropping back-to-back games in the Big East. Still, with running back Noel Devine and quarterback Geno Smith, this team is too talented to finish lower than third in a weak Big East.
Why Maryland Is Here: The Terps are another one of the log-jammed teams near the top of the ACC, but with three tough games left on the schedule, Maryland will wind up fifth.
How It Could Change: If Maryland has success in the last three weeks, they could finish as high as second in the ACC. If West Virginia wins out, they could still take the Big East crown, with a little help.
Final Score: West Virginia 24, Maryland 21. I think Devine and the West Virginia offense will be too much for the Maryland defense to handle.
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: Michigan State Spartans v. Mississippi State Bulldogs
8 of 20
The 2011 Gator Bowl pits the fourth- or fifth-best Big Ten team against the sixth-best SEC squad.
Why Mississippi State Is Here: The Bulldogs have looked extremely good in 2010, but they're stuck behind several good teams in the SEC West. They'll finish sixth in the conference and play in the Gator Bowl. Quarterback Chris Reif is one of the better playmakers in football.
Why Michigan State Is Here: The Spartans were exposed as pretenders against Iowa, and should finish fourth in the Big Ten in 2010. The defense is solid, the offense is balanced, but Michigan State can't win on the road.
How It Could Change: The Big Ten is wide open, and the Spartans could still take the title, while Mississippi State could still (in theory) win the SEC title.
Final Score: Michigan State 21, Misssissippi State 17. The Spartans' balanced offense will be the difference in this one, but the Bulldogs will stay close throughout.
Insight Bowl: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Missouri Tigers
9 of 20
The Insight Bowl pits the fourth- or fifth-best Big Ten team against the fourth- or fifth-best Big 12 squad, and is typically one of the closer games of the season.
Why Missouri Is Here: Mizzou's BCS hopes might have gone up in smoke with the Tigers' losses to Texas Tech and Nebraska, but the Tigers are still a high-octane team capable of hanging with anyone.
Why Penn State Is Here: As the fifth-best team in the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions are the pick here. Quarterbacks Robert Bolden and Matt McGloin have the offense flashing all sorts of potential, and if Penn State could show a bit of consistency, they could contend with anyone.
How It Could Change: Penn State could finish behind Michigan in the Big Ten standings, and Mizzou's recent skid could continue.
Final Score: Missouri 28, Penn State 21. Blaine Gabbert and the Tigers are just too much for the Nittany Lions to handle.
Champs Sports Bowl: Florida State Seminoles vs. Syracuse Orange
10 of 20
The second-best Big East team takes on the third-best ACC squad in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Why Florida State Is Here: The Seminoles were on a collision course with a potential BCS bid until they fell to NC State two weeks ago, but Florida State is still the second-best team in the ACC.
Why Syracuse Is Here: The Orange are bowl-eligible! They sit second in the Big East, and should be able to hang onto their perch for a bid in this one.
How It Could Change: Neither of these teams are eliminated from conference title contention, while both are also fully capable of crashing lower in the bowl ranks.
Final Score: Florida State 35, Syracuse 14. Christian Ponder and the Seminoles will overwhelm the overmatched Orange in this one.
AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Oklahoma Sooners
11 of 20
The Cotton Bowl Classic pits the best remaining team from the SEC West against the third-ranked team in the Big 12.
Why Arkansas Is Here: The Razorbacks might have a high-octane offense behind quarterback Ryan Mallett, but the defense is still capable of howlers. Still, they're the fourth-best SEC team, and the best remaining squad from the SEC West.
Why Oklahoma Is Here: The Sooners saw their BCS hopes derailed with a second conference loss. Oklahoma's still an elite team capable of beating just about anyone at any time.
How It Could Change: With a little help, both of these schools could see their conference crowns fall into their laps.
Final Score: Oklahoma 35, Arkansas 28. The Razorbacks defense comes back to bite them, and the Sooners defense does just enough to snag the win.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats
12 of 20
The Valero Alamo Bowl pits the Big 12 runner-up against the Pac-10 runner up in 2011.
Why Arizona Is Here: The Wildcats offense is potent, but a loss to Stanford in Week 10 was enough to doom Arizona to a third-place finish in the Pac-10. Still, with the BCS bump, the Wildcats find their way to the Alamo Bowl.
Why Oklahoma State Is Here: Right now, the Cowboys control their own destiny in the Big 12 South. But they'll get demolished by Nebraska for the second time in the Big 12 title game, relegating them to runner-up.
How It Could Change: If the Cowboys run the table, they'll be BCS bowling, while Arizona is more or less locked into third in the Pac-10.
Final Score: Oklahoma State 42, Arizona 35. A shootout, and a thriller until the last moments.
Chik-Fil-A Bowl: Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
13 of 20
The Chick-Fil-A Bowl pits the fourth-best SEC squad against the ACC runners-up.
Why Miami (FL) Is Here: The Hurricanes are still in the ACC race, and should do enough down the stretch to finish second in the ACC.
Why South Carolina Is Here: The Gamecocks have followed every big win with a loss in 2010, and look like a solid fourth- or fifth-best team in the conference.
How It Could Change: If South Carolina beats Florida this week, they could find themselves as the SEC East rep in the SEC title tilt. If Miami doesn't get their act together, they'll finish third, behind Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Final Score: South Carolina 28, Miami (FL) 17. Stephen Garcia and the Gamecocks have more than enough firepower to dispatch the 'Canes.
Outback Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators
14 of 20
The Outback Bowl is one of the best non-BCS games of the season, pitting the Big Ten's third-best team against the SEC's third- or fourth-best.
Why Iowa Is Here: The Hawkeyes control their own destiny from here forward, and behind quarterback Ricky Stanzi, they could still win the Big Ten. But we'll stick them third for now.
Why Florida Is Here: The Gators seem to have woken from their early-season hibernation, and are trying to snag another SEC East title. If they get it, Florida is Outback bound.
How It Could Change: Both of these teams still have work to do, and Iowa could easily finish at the top of the Big Ten. Third is more or less Florida's limit, unless they can pull the upset in the SEC title game.
Final Score: Iowa 27, Florida 24. A classic, as Stanzi leads the Hawkeyes to an excellent win.
Capital One Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
15 of 20
The Capital One Bowl pits the runners-up from the SEC and Big Ten against one another.
Why Ohio State Is Here: Because the Buckeyes lost to Wisconsin.
Why Alabama Is Here: Because LSU poached the second BCS bid in the SEC.
How It Could Change: If Iowa knocks off Ohio State, you can flip those teams. If Alabama loses another game this season, they'll slide even further down the SEC standings.
Final Score: Alabama 17, Ohio State 14. Nothing like a defensive showdown to get the blood pumping.
FedEx Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. TCU Horned Frogs
16 of 20
The ACC champ takes on an at-large contender in this year's FedEx Orange Bowl.
Why TCU Is Here: Because it doesn't matter if they smoke the fifth-ranked team in the BCS rankings, the system will keep the Horned Frogs out of the title game.
Why Virginia Tech Is Here: The Hokies have turned their season around, and look poised for another 10-win season and ACC title behind quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
How It Could Change: If Auburn or Oregon lose, the Horned Frogs could leap into the title game. Virginia Tech hasn't clinched the ACC title just yet.
Final Score: TCU 28, Virginia Tech 21. The Horned Frogs state their final case for a split national title.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Boise State Broncos
17 of 20
The Sugar Bowl is set to pit the SEC champ against an at-large contender in 2011.
Why Boise State Is Here: Because the system doesn't care how much they cream good opponents by, the Broncos won't be in the BCS title game.
Why LSU Is Here: Because the Tigers lost to Auburn.
How It Could Change: LSU could lose to Arkansas, in which case their spot would be taken by Utah or another non-automatic qualifier school. If Boise missteps, they can kiss their BCS hopes goodbye.
Final Score: Boise State 35, LSU 21. The Broncos are the better team here, and they'll prove it.
Rose Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Stanford Cardinal
18 of 20
The Rose Bowl historically pits the Big Ten champ against the Pac-10 champ, but this year, the game sees an at-large bid in the Pac-10 spot.
Why Stanford Is Here: Because they lost to Oregon. Otherwise, quarterback Andrew Luck and the Cardinal would be in the BCS title game.
Why Wisconsin Is Here: Because they lost to Michigan State. Otherwise, the Badgers could be looking at a BCS title bid.
How It Could Change: If either team loses, or all of the undefeated teams ahead of them fall, they could rise into the title game or slide out of the BCS.
Final Score: Stanford 28, Wisconsin 27. The Cardinal squeak by with a one-point victory, thanks to late-game heroics by Andrew Luck.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
19 of 20
The Fiesta Bowl pits the Big 12 champ against the Big East champ in 2010.
Why Pittsburgh Is Here: The Panthers have gone undefeated in the Big East thus far in 2010, and look like the favorites to win the weak conference and snag the BCS bid.
Why Nebraska Is Here: Because Taylor Martinez and the Huskers are the best team in the Big 12, and would be gunning for a title had they not fallen to Texas.
How It Could Change: If Nebraska gets some help and puts some dominant wins on the board, they could go title hunting yet. If Pitt struggles down the stretch, they could easily lose the Big East crown.
Final Score: Nebraska 45, Pitt 17. The Huskers will win this one in a rout.
BCS National Championship Game: Oregon Ducks vs. Auburn Tigers
20 of 20
The big one. No. 1 vs. No. 2.
Why Oregon Is Here: The Ducks have been dominant in 2010, blowing through all comers. Led by running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas, the Ducks are ranked first in the nation.
Why Auburn Is Here: While they haven't been as dominant as the Ducks, Auburn is undefeated against a tougher schedule. Quarterback Cam Newton is a Heisman favorite (if this scandal blows over), and the Tigers rank second in the country.
How It Could Change: If either team loses, it's all over.
Final Score: Oregon 35, Auburn 31. The Ducks have too many weapons, and Auburn's defense is a little shaky.
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