2010-2011 College Bowl Predictions: Who Are the Winners of the 20 Best Bowls?
The guessing is about to go into overdrive.
College football's regular season is winding down, and there are still some teams that have to play conference championships. And that means there are still more chances for potential late-season losses and possible upsets, which could shake up everything when it comes to what teams could face off in upcoming bowl games.
That almost was the case this weekend. Auburn was tied at one point with Georgia, but pulled away for a 49-31 victory, while Oregon and TCU hung on for close victories that will draw plenty of criticism.
Debates are only getting started, but that won't stop many from making bowl projections and taking a look at some of the best matchups that could unfold.
Here's a list of the top 20 best bowls that may await.
20. Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30, Yankee Stadium, Missouri vs. Syracuse
1 of 20
Anyone else having a hard time figuring Missouri (8-2) out? The same Tigers team that took down Texas A&M and Oklahoma turned around with two awful losses to Nebraska and Texas Tech. It would be interesting to see how they would do against the Orange (7-3), which has only been blown out once this year, when Pitt won 45-14 on Oct. 16.
Prediction: Blaine Gabbert goes off, and the Tigers win big 35-14.
19. Military Bowl, Dec. 29, RFK Stadium, Maryland vs. Central Florida
2 of 20
It would be a home game for the Terrapins (7-3), which still have a shot at playing for the ACC Championship if it wins its final regular season games. Maryland finished with 425 total yards in their 42-23 victory over Virginia.
Prediction: Davin Meggett and Da'Rel Scott overpower UCF, and the Terps go on to win 28-14.
18. Champs Sports, Dec. 28, Citrus Bowl, Miami vs. South Florida
3 of 20
It's both an interstate matchup, and one with lots of bragging rights for both programs and players, many of whom grew up playing with or against each other in high school. Don't be shocked if this gets a little heated, and both defenses deliver the wood.
Prediction: The Hurricanes' talent is too much, and Jacory Harris leads Miami to a 21-10 win.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
17. Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, Alamodome, Kansas State vs. BYU
4 of 20
The Cougars aren't having their typical success they've come to expect in recent years, but should be able to manage a respectable bowl. They do travel well, but fans could get a treat as they catch a glimpse of Wildcats running back Daniel Thomas, who has rushed for 1,168 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Prediction: It won't be pretty (hey, there's a reason it's No.17), but Kansas State prevails 13-10.
16. Sun Bowl, Dec. 31, Sun Bowl In El Paso, North Carolina vs. Utah
5 of 20
Normally it's a matchup between the ACC and Pac 10, but don't be shocked if bowl executives go grab the Utes (8-2), which beat Pitt earlier this year but has also suffered back-to-back losses to TCU and Notre Dame.
Prediction: Kyle Whittingham's team finishes the year strong and defeats the Tar Heels 30-17.
15. Fiesta Bowl, Jan.1, Univ. Of Phoenix Stadium, Pitt vs. Nebraska
6 of 20
Bo Pelini is continuing to lead the Cornhuskers (9-1) back to respectability, but their shocking 20-13 loss to Texas on Oct.16 makes you wonder if the same could happen against the Panthers. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has been one of the nation's best players, throwing for 1,328 yards while also rushing for 957 with 21 total touchdowns.
Prediction: Nebraska in a route, 45-3.
14. Capitol One Bowl, Jan. 1, Florida Citrus Bowl, Northwestern vs. Mississippi State
7 of 20
Northwestern (7-3) just knocked off Iowa for the fifth time in six games, but lost Dan Persa for the season to an Achilles injury when he went to celebrate with teammates following his game-winning pass to Demetrius Fields. It would be interesting to see them against Dan Mullen's squad, which played Alabama tough and was 9-of-18 on third downs in a 30-10 loss on Saturday.
Prediction: Northwestern hammers away for a 23-20 victory.
13. Music City Bowl, Dec. 30, LP Field in Nashville, Kentucky vs. NC State
8 of 20
Joker Phillips's Wildcats will have to find a way to contain Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson, who has complete 234-of-393 passes for 2,814 yards and 22 touchdowns. Wilson's also rushed for seven touchdowns and has 102 carries for 315 yards.
Prediction: NC State (7-3) comes out on top with a 28-24 win.
12. Outback Bowl, Jan. 1, Raymond James Stadium, Iowa vs. Florida
9 of 20
It's been a down year for both teams that are accustomed to much higher expectations--and win totals. A win for either would be a good springboard into 2011 and a chance for bigger and better things.
Prediction: The Gators still have tons of talent, but year one in the post-Tebow Era finishes on a high note as Florida wins 20-13.
11. Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31, Georgia Dome, Fla State vs. Arkansas
10 of 20
Both teams have had up and down years, but they also boast two of the nation's best quarterbacks in Florida State's Christian Ponder and Ryan Mallett at Arkansas.
Prediction: The Razorbacks will put the pedal down and not let up in a 42-14 victory.
10. Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30, Qualcomm Stadium, Oklahoma vs. Arizona
11 of 20
Who wouldn't enjoy a little sibling rivalry? Sooners coach Bob Stoops would face his brother Mike, the Wildcats head coach and a former defensive coordinator at Oklahoma. Oklahoma (8-2) has had two dreadful losses this year, but returned to form Saturday with 562 total yards in a 45-7 win over Texas Tech.
Prediction: After beating Stanford last year, Oklahoma pulls out another win over a Pac 10 team with a 27-20 win over the Wildcats.
9. Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30, SMU's Stadium, Tulsa vs. San Diego State
12 of 20
Tulsa's proximity to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex would make them a no-brainer to pull in fans. This year's game is being moved to SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium, since host TCU is renovating Amon Carter Stadium. The Golden Hurricane could have its hands full against an Aztecs team that almost knocked off No.3 TCU on Saturday in a 40-35 loss.
Prediction: San Diego State wins 42-41, and coach Brady Hoke's phone keeps ringing off the hook as more bigtime programs come knocking.
8. Ticketcity Bowl, Jan. 1, Cotton Bowl, Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
13 of 20
Aggies fans will not need to drive far as they watch Texas A&M and its talented defense seek to shut down a high-powered Michigan State offense that's led by Kirk Cousins and Edwin Baker.
Prediction: Ryan Tannehill shines, and A&M's defense dominates in a 25-3 victory.
7. Texas Bowl, Dec. 29, Reliant Stadium, Michigan vs. Baylor
14 of 20
You wouldn't have to worry about ticket sales here. There's one of college football's most prestigious programs going up against a Bears team that wouldn't have to make too far a trip from Waco. Baylor coach Art Briles is building a very respected program, thanks in part to quarterback Robert Griffin, who could get a chance to go up against Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Who wouldn't enjoy seeing that?
Prediction: Baylor puts it stamp on a great year and pulls out a 13-10 victory over Michigan.
6. Gator Bowl, Jan.1, Municipal Stadium, Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
15 of 20
Fans in South Carolina should hope the Old Ball Coach sticks around. Steve Spurrier has guided the Gamecocks (7-3) to a spot in the SEC Championship, and has already made this quite a memorable year with a 35-21 upset of then No.1 Alabama on Oct.9.
Prediction: It gets high-scoring, and Wisconsin exhales with a 40-35 victory.
5. Cotton Bowl, Jan. 7, Cowboys Stadium, Oklahoma State vs. Alabama
16 of 20
By their standards, this is a down year for the Crimson Tide, which has lost to South Carolina and LSU. But now Alabama could get a chance to end the year on a high note against a Cowboys (9-1) team that had 532 total yards in Saturday's 33-16 win over Texas.
Prediction: The Cowboys hang right with the Crimson Tide, and win 28-26, thanks to big games from quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Kendall Hunter.
4. Orange Bowl, Jan.3, Sun Life Stadium, Virginia Tech vs. Boise State
17 of 20
Sure, this normally pits the ACC and Big East champs together, but there's no way Orange Bowl executives are excited about the chance of a very average Pitt team coming to their game. But to get a chance at Boise State and a rematch with Virginia Tech in one of this season's best games? They'd be crazy not to pounce at this opportunity.
Prediction: Virginia Tech avenges their 33-30 loss from Sept.6 with a dramatic 40-37 overtime victory.
3. Rose Bowl, Jan.1, Rose Bowl, Stanford vs. Ohio State
18 of 20
How about a showdown between two of college football's best quarterbacks. Stanford's Andrew Luck, a likely lottery pick in next year's NFL Draft, completed 33-of-41 passes for 292 yards in Saturday's 17-13 win over Arizona State. Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor recently announced he's returning for his senior season, and has had another great year so far, throwing for 2,136 yards while rushing for 512.
Prediction: Luck closes out a great college career by leading the Cardinal (9-1) to a 17-13 victory.
2. Sugar Bowl, Jan. 4, Louisiana Superdome, LSU vs. TCU
19 of 20
Are there any other coaches more passionate, and different, than LSU's Les Miles and Gary Patterson at TCU? This would be a tremendous matchup of two great defenses, and it would be interesting to see how the Horned Frogs offense handles a Tigers defense led by Kelvin Sheppard (80 tackles, pictured) and Drake Nevis, who has six sacks.
Prediction: Neither team budges, and LSU pulls out a 9-6 victory.
1. BCS National Championship Game, Jan.10, Univ. of Phoenix Stadium, Auburn vs. Oregon
20 of 20
For a second, it looked like both Auburn and Oregon would lose over the weekend. But both teams hung on for victories, and should manage to wind up in the big game. Hurdles still remain, though, for the Tigers, which must face Alabama in the Iron Bowl and then play South Carolina for the SEC Championship. The controversy surrounding Cam Newton still hasn't gone away, but it would be amazing to see if he can stay focused and lead his team to the big game.
Prediction: SEC dominance continues, as Auburn pounds the Ducks 35-14.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
