College Football Bowl Projections: 10 Coolest Player Matchups
With college bowl season only a few weeks away, most of the potential matchups have already been decided.
While there is still one week left in the regular season, it is safe to say most bowl games are already set.
Some interesting potential matchups could help decide the draft status of some and even the national championship for others.
Here are 10 potential matchups that could be very interesting to watch.
Let the build up begin.
10. Texas Bowl: Jay Finley vs. Mikel Leshore
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The Baylor Bears have one of the more explosive offenses in the country and they are led by running back Jay Finley.
Finley has paced the offensive attack having totaled 1,155 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Illinois Fighting Illini also have a potent offense. They are led by junior running back Mikel Leshoure.
Leshoure has accumulated 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Whichever running back can help his team control the ball will lead his team to victory in this one.
9. Holiday Bowl: Jake Locker vs. Brandon Weeden
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Coming into the season, Washington quarterback Jake Locker was one of the highest regarded players in the country. After 11 games, Locker's stock has dropped dramatically and this may be his chance to raise his draft stock back up.
On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma St. quarterback Brandon Weeden has been extremely impressive leading the Cowboys' high-flying offensive attack.
Weeden has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns.
He will look to light up the scoreboard once again in what should be an interesting battle of two very talented quarterbacks.
8. Gator Bowl: Joe Paterno vs. Urban Meyer
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This may not be a player matchup, but it is just as good. Good ole' Joe Paterno is in yet another big bowl game for Penn State, and he will be up against one of the best young coaches in college football in Urban Meyer.
Joe Pa was able to take down LSU last year in his bowl game and will look to do the same against the Gators.
In what could be the last time Joe Paterno coaches a bowl game, this is a must-see.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Orange Bowl: Jordan Todman vs. Darren Evans
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In case nobody has heard, Jordan Todman is one of the best running backs in the country.
He has rushed for 1,481 yards and 14 touchdowns at a 5.5 yards per carry average.
Darren Evans has had another solid season averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. Throw in quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and you have one of the most potent rushing attacks in the country.
Whoever can control the ball and the clock will come out on top in this one.
6. Fiesta Bowl: Landry Jones vs. Andrew Luck
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Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is a lock to be the top quarterback taken in the draft and likely to be the No. 1 pick.
He will square off in the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma standout Landry Jones.
Jones has had an impressive season, having thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has led the Sooners to a 10-2 season and threw for 468 yards and three touchdowns last week against Oklahoma St.
Luck has led Stanford to a near perfect season, having thrown for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
This has all the makings of being a shootout and perhaps an instant classic.
5. Insight Bowl: Denard Robinson vs. Taylor Martinez
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This game has two of the biggest stat stuffers in college football.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has thrown for over 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,643 yards and 14 more touchdowns despite missing action.
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has also posted some big numbers despite battling injuries. He has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with almost 1,500 yards passing and nine more touchdowns.
Watching these two duel it out should be quite a showdown.
4. Capital One Bowl: Nick Saban vs. Mark Dantonio
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Nick Saban takes on his former team the Michigan St. Spartans while the SEC battles the Big Ten in a contest for conference supremacy.
Two of the best teams in the country square off in what should be the best of the non-BCS bowl games.
Alabama and Michigan St. has the potential to be one of the most interesting bowl games of them all and having Saban and Dantonio battle it out should be interesting to watch.
3. Sugar Bowl: Terrelle Pryor vs. Ryan Mallett
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Two of college football's elite quarterbacks lead two of the best teams in the country in one of the biggest bowl games of the year.
Another battle of the SEC and Big Ten will be highlighted by Terrelle Pryor and Ryan Mallett.
Both have put up Heisman type seasons and will get to showcase their talents on the biggest of stages.
Pryor can do it with his arm and his feet, while Mallett is one of the best passers in the country.
This game should be a classic battle.
2. Rose Bowl: Wisconsin Offense vs. TCU Defense
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The Wisconsin Badgers possess one of the best offenses in the country and the most dynamic running game in college football.
Led by the three-headed monster of John Clay, James White and Montee Ball, those three have rushed for nearly 3,000 yards.
TCU counters with the best defense in the country, allowing only 11 points per game. This game pits two of the top five teams in the country and is kind of a second national championship.
The Rose Bowl is certainly one you don't want to miss.
1. BCS National Championship Game: LaMichael James vs. Cameron Newton
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The two best teams in the country possess the two best players in the country in Oregon running back LaMichael James and Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton.
Newton is the sure-fire Heisman Trophy winner, and James is a lock to finish second.
James has been impressive this season, having rushed for 1,548 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Cameron Newton has done it all this season, both with his legs and his arm. He has passed for 2,254 yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with 1,336 yards and 18 more touchdowns running the football.
This national championship game could come down to which star player does more.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
