2010 Bowl Matchups: Power Ranking the Most Compelling Matchups
2010 Bowl matchups will have some real awesome showdowns....and probably some pretty horrific ones.
Of course the BCS Title Game is the premier bowl, but what about the other 34? (Yes, there are 35 bowls this year).
Some of these bowl games would have been a lot better 25 years ago (Miami vs. Notre Dame, for example) or ten years ago (Penn State vs. Florida) or even last year (Clemson vs. South Florida).
Still, there is no shortage of compelling individual matchups: coach vs. coach, individual player vs. defense/offense or region vs. region.
Inside, we'll power rank the games and tell you why the game could be a classic or a total dud.
12 days and counting until bowl season!
No. 35-21
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(Underline = conference champion)
No. 35: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Date: December 18, 2010
Teams: Troy (7-5) vs. Ohio (8-4)
Key Players: (Troy) Corey Robinson, (OU) Boo Jackson
Maybe the second place team of the Sun Belt (Troy) deserves a bowl bid, but does the fourth place team in the MAC?
No. 34: Godaddy.com Bowl
Date: January 6, 2011
Teams: Miami University (9-4) vs. Middle Tennessee State (6-6)
Key Players: (MU) Armand Robinson, Phillip Tanner (MTSU)
The Redhawks winning the fairly prestigious MAC title, and drawing a .500 team, third-place from the Sun Belt is sort of an insult. And unless it's for the national championship, playing a week after New Years is a bit anti-climactic.
No. 33: New Mexico Bowl
Date: December 18, 2010
Teams: BYU (6-6) vs. UTEP (6-6)
Key Players: Kris Adams (UTEP), Jack Heaps (BYU)
BYU probably deserves a better opponent than a team that finished 3-5 in the Mountain West conference.
No. 32: BBVA Compass Bowl
Date: January 8, 2011
Teams: Kentucky (6-6) vs. Pitt (7-5)
Key Players: Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt), Mike Hartline (UK)
The SEC is a great conference, probably the best in the land. But does a .500 team (2-6 conference record) that is essentially the 10th best team in a 12-team really deserve a bowl?
No. 31: Little Caesars Bowl
Date: December 26, 2010
Teams: Florida International (6-6) vs. Toledo (8-4)
Key Players: Eric Page (Toledo), Wesley Carroll (FIU)
As far as non-BCS vs. non-BCS this one is pretty good: a conference champion against a team that lost just one conference game.
No. 30: Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Date: December 30, 2010
Teams: Tennessee (6-6) vs. North Carolina (7-5)
Key Players: T.J. Yates (UNC), Tauren Poole (UT)
Roy Williams’ Tar Heels against Bruce Pearl’s Vols should be a pretty good game….oh wait.
No. 29: Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Date: December 30, 2010
Teams: Army (6-5) vs. SMU (7-6)
Key Players: Jared Hassin (Army), Kyle Pardon (SMU)
The Mustangs and their potent offense reaching just their second bowl since being dealt the death penalty is a nice story.
No. 28: S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Date: December 23, 2010
Teams: Navy (8-3) vs. San Diego State (8-4)
Key Players: Ryan Lindley (SDS), Ricky Dobbs (Navy)
The Aztecs outstanding offense (3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard receivers) against the Navy defense should be a good show.
No. 27: Beef O’Brady Bowl
Date: December 21, 2010
Teams: Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4)
Key Players: Bilal Powell (UL), Austin Davis (SMU)
Southern Miss lost three games by a combined eight points (there other loss was to South Carolina), and for the Cardinals, aside from their loss at Pitt, each of their losses came by a touchdown or less. That should make for a decent matchup.
No. 26: Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Date: December 30, 2010
Teams: Nebraska (10-3) vs. Washington (6-6)
Key Players: Taylor Martinez (NU), Jake Locker (UW)
Sure this is a matchup of BCS schools, programs who have won national championships, and two very good quarterbacks. But this game is a terrible mistake by the bowl selection committee: Nebraska clobbered Washington back in September, 56-21.
No. 25: Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman Bowl
Date: December 29, 2010
Teams: East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-4)
Key Players: Dominique Davis (ECU), Torrey Smith (UM)
Although these two have identical records, this will be a game of teams going in different directions: the Pirates have lost four of five, and the Terps came close to winning the ACC Atlantic and playing in the conference title game.
No. 24: TicketCity Bowl
Date: January 1, 2011
Teams: Northwestern (7-5) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
Key Players: Jeremy Ebert (NU), Taylor Potts (TTU)
Sure it has the appeal of a Big Ten vs. Big XII matchup, but these are two teams who finished 3-5 in their conference.
No. 23: Outback Bowl
Date: January 1, 2011
Teams: Florida (7-5) vs. Penn State (7-5)
Key Players: Trey Burton (UF), Evan Royster (PSU)
Too bad we didn’t get this matchup in 1994.
No. 22: uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
Date: December 18, 2010
Teams: Northern Illinois (10-3) vs. Fresno State (8-4)
Key Players: Chad Spann (NIU), Ryan Colburn (FSU)
Although the Bulldogs were thumped by Boise State a few weeks ago, they should be a good match for the Huskies, who won nine straight before narrowly losing the MAC Title Game.
No. 21: MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
Date: December 22, 2010
Teams: Utah (10-2) vs. Boise State (11-1)
Key Players: Kellen Moore (BSU), Jordan Wynn (Utah)
The bowl selection process didn’t do either of these programs a favor. Both schools, especially Boise State, deserved to play a BCS school to prove their worth. For the Broncos, a win over a second rate SEC or Big XII team means more than defeating the Utes.
No. 20: New Era Pinstripe Bowl
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Date: December 30, 2010
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Teams: Kansas State (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
Key Players: (KSU) Daniel Thomas, (SU) Delone Carter
Neither of these two teams has been very impressive the last portion of the season. The Orange lost three of their final four (only defeating Rutgers by a field goal), while the Wildcats lost four of six.
It's always nice to see BCS school vs. BCS school, both teams deserve a bowl bid, but that doesn't make it a fine contest.
First and foremost, fans will remember seeing a bowl game at Yankee Stadium, not who played or the final score.
No. 19: Texas Bowl
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Date: December 29, 2010
Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston Texas
Teams: Baylor (7-5), Illinois (6-6)
Key Players: Robert Griffin III (BU), Mikel Leshoure (IU)
Again, this is a case of teams backing into the bowl season. The Bears were in line for a much more prominent bowl, finishing October ranked with a record of 7-2. Then they lost three straight and tumbled in the Big XII South.
Illinois wasn't really in contention in the Big Ten, but they were 5-3, having thumped conference opponents Indiana and Purdue by a combined 64 points. Then they had that ridiculous overtime game against Michigan, sparking a streak of three losses in four games.
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No. 18: AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
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Date: December 27, 2010
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana, Independence Stadium
Teams: Air Force (8-4), Georgia Tech (6-6)
Key Players: Asher Clark (AFA), Anthony Allen (GT)
The Yellow Jackets have to be disappointed to go from ACC Champions and the Orange Bowl. Considering they lost four of their last five and a loss to the 3-9 Kansas Jayhawks, they're probably happy just to be in a bowl game.
The Falcons, on the other hand, have been one of the streakiest teams in the nation: two three-game winning streaks and a three-game losing streak in 2010.
Give these two teams three weeks to prepare and it should be a pretty good game. Especially considering how unique both offenses are.
No. 17: Meineke Car Care Bowl
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Date: December 31, 2010
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Teams: Clemson (6-6), South Florida (7-5)
Key Players: Kyle Parker (CU), Dontavia Bogan (USF)
The Bulls have played very good the last six weeks: They narrowly lost to Pitt and could have defeated UCONN in the final minutes last Saturday. They will probably be underdogs to the Tigers because they don't have an "elite" program. They can win a third straight bowl game, though not an easy task.
Clemson and Dabo Sweeney had a roller coaster year in 2010, but their defense is one of the best in the nation, allowing just 17.8 points per game.
Neither team is exactly an offensive juggernaut, so this one should be a low scoring affair.
No. 16: Hyundai Sun Bowl
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Date: December 31, 2010
Location: Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
Teams: Notre Dame (7-5), Miami (7-5)
Key Players: Michael Floyd (ND), Allen Bailey (UM)
Here's another game where a time machine would help: Back in 1988, Jimmy Johnson's Hurricanes and Lou Holtz's Irish turned out one of the most memorable regular season games of the decade.
Two decades later, the matchup has far less appeal.
Miami will be without their head coach, with the program in a state of peril. Still, they have loads of talent on both sides of the ball.
The Irish showed improvement this year and they have a shot at giving Brian Kelly his first bowl win since 2007.
No. 15: AutoZone Liberty Bowl
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Date: December 31, 2010
Location: Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee
Teams: Georgia (6-6), Central Florida (10-3)
Key Players: A.J. Green (UGA), Ronnie Weaver (UCF)
The Bulldogs definitely started 2010 off very slowly, and the ultimate results were disappointing. They did show sparks of great offensive play, particularly against top ranked Auburn. Not only that, but the defense, which was so ineffective last season, did improve in the second half.
The Knights won conference USA and should be riding high after that win against SMU. George O'Leary, formerly the head coach at Georgia Tech, is familiar with a Mark Richt coached Bulldog team.
This isn't a great bowl game, but it is a nice litmus test of a smaller conference champion against a mid-level BCS Conference school.
No. 14: Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
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Date: December 24, 2010
Location: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Teams: Tulsa (9-3), Hawaii (10-3)
Key Players: G.J. Kinne (TU), Bryant Moniz (UH)
Aside from the BCS games, this features two of the best teams in terms of records. Just because these aren't BCS conferences, doesn't mean the game will be a bore.
Tulsa won their final six games and only lost out on winning the Conferece USA West by a field goal. They didn't get enough credit for it, but the Golden Hurricanes had one of the best and most balanced offenses in the nation. They'll need that against Hawaii.
Not surprisingly, the Rainbow Warriors had the top passing offense in the nation, averaging 388 yards per game. Considering they played USC, Boise State and Nevada, their 22 points-per-game was fairly decent.
No. 13: Valero Alamo Bowl
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Date: December 29, 2010
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Teams: Oklahoma State (10-2), Arizona (7-5)
Key Players: Justin Blackmon (OSU), Nick Foles (UA)
The Wildcats bring the prestige of this game down a bit. In a fairly weak Pac-10, they finished fifth, thanks to four straight losses to close out the season. They may be better than they showed during the final month of the regular season, but their defense allowed tons of points in the second half of the season.
No matter where they finished in the conference, the Cowboys were one of the best teams in the Big XII. Their only losses came against the two teams that played in the conference title game. For that fact alone, they probably deserve a slightly more prestigious bowl bid. They better not think that way over the next few weeks.
No. 12: Champs Sports Bowl
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Date: December 28, 2010
Location: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
Teams: West Virginia (9-3), NC State (8-4)
Key Players: Geno Smith (WVU), Russell Wilson (NCST)
Both of these teams came close to playing in BCS bowls, although neither can be considered "great."
The Mountaineers were very impressive in the second half of the season, especially when they clobbered rival Pitt in the "Backyard Brawl." Not only that, but their three losses combined only 12 points.
The Wolfpack had a similar hard luck string: Three of their four losses combined into 14 points. The only game that didn't come down to the final seconds was a loss to Virginia Tech, the conference champion.
There are some excellent players on both sides of the ball so it should make for a nice appetizer to the New Year's Day slate.
No. 11: Capitol One Bowl
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Date: January 1, 2011
Location: Cirtrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
Teams: Alabama (9-3), Michigan State (11-1)
Key Players: Julio Jones (UA), Kirk Cousins (MSU)
Considering the fact that they (rightfully so) feel left out of the BCS party, the Spartans should be expected to play their hearts out in their bowl game. They'll need to do so if they hope to defeat a more talented Alabama team.
The Crimson Tide showed just two years ago that, if they're not playing for the National Championship, maybe they won't play all out. Remember their "effort" against Utah in the 2008 Sugar Bowl?
That probably won't happen again, so they should give their die-hard fans a better effort.
No. 10: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
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Date: January 9, 2011
Location: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
Teams: Nevada (12-1), Boston College (7-5)
Key Players: Colin Kaepernick (UN), Montel Harris (BC)
For defeating the third-ranked Broncos, the Wolfpack probably deserved a better bowl fate than this, playing a mid-level ACC team the day before the BCS Title Game.
Not only that, but the Eagles might not even be at full strength. Montell Harris' torn knee might keep him out of the bowl game.
If TCU loses to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, they could make a claim for best non-BCS school of the year.
The Eagles may have overcome their five game losing streak and won five straight, but their offense (109th in the nation) is one of the worst.
No. 9: Insight Bowl
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Date: December 28, 2010
Location: Tempe, Arizona, Sun Devil Stadium
Teams: Iowa (7-5), Missouri (10-2)
Key Players: Ricky Stanzi (IU), Blaine Gabbert (MU)
This game is a lot better than it seems.
The Hawkeyes really mailed it in against Minnesota, and they remain one of the best teams in the Big Ten. They thumped Michigan State and narrowly lost to Wisconsin and Ohio State. With a month to refocus, Kirk Ferentz will have his players ready for the end of December.
Missouri stumbled with those two midseason losses to Nebraska and Texas Tech, but other than that, they were an exceptional team. Of course, their offense and Blaine Gabbert was outstanding in 2010, but to allow the sixth fewest points in the nation (15.2) while playing in the Big XII? That's a phenomenal achievement.
No. 8: Gator Bowl Bowl
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Date: January 1, 2011
Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Teams: Michigan (7-5). Mississippi State (8-4)
Key Players: Denard Robinson (UM), Chris Relf (MSU)
In a non-BCS game that features teams in the middle of the pack of their conferences, it takes some star power to make the game appealing, and this year's Gator Bowl has that.
Denard Robinson has had his ups and downs along with the rest of the Wolverines (including his head coach), but he is a star in the making. On New Year's Day he has a chance to continue to make a name for himself.
The Bulldogs offense and their scrambling quarterback Chris Relf can do some pretty amazing things on the field as well, but it's their defense that will be most interesting. They only allowed 20 points per game, and back in September, against Cam Newton, they did a very good job containing him, as well as anyone in 2010.
No. 7: Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
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Date: December 31, 2010
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Teams: South Carolina (9-4), Florida State (9-4)
Key Players: Alshon Jeffrey (USC), Brandon Jenkins (FSU)
The Seminoles have a fine defense, although it didn't entirely show up against Tyrod Taylor and Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship. With the uncertainty at quarterback, will Christian Ponder be ready to go in three weeks? They'll need to play at a high level.
Alshon Jeffries and the Gamecocks played great for the first half against Auburn, only to fall apart after that Hail Mary at the end of the second quarter.
It's hard to believe, but Steve Spurrier has only won one bowl game since 2002. Against his former rival, Florida State, there should be a great finish.
No. 6: AT&T Cotton Bowl
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Date: January 7, 2011
Location: Cotton Bowl, Arlington, Texas
Teams: Texas A&M (9-3), LSU (10-2)
Key Players: Ryan Tannehill (TAMU), Patrick Peterson (LSU)
It might be hard to expect a great effort from the Tigers in this bowl. They really had a chance at playing at home in the Sugar Bowl, until they let Arkansas win the Golden Boot. Still, that defense is capable of shutting down an offense like the Aggies, who have a good passing attack.
The Aggies are very balanced and can wrap up a pretty impressive season with a win over the Tigers. Their only losses came to Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Missouri, and they defeated both Nebraska and Oklahoma during the conference season.
This should be one of the better games outside of the BCS. The Cotton Bowl and it's rich history deserve this type of matchup.
No. 5: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
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Date: January 1, 2011
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Teams: Oklahoma (11-2), Connecticut (8-4)
Key Players: Landry Jones (OU), Jordan Todman (UCONN)
Of course, the Huskies first BCS bowl is a big deal. They probably do deserve a shot, but they are not going to be a great matchup for the Sooners. Aside from their season opener (in which they lost 30-10), they have not faced a team with offensive firepower like Oklahoma.
The Sooners defense has been pretty consistent in 2010, so the Huskies, and their inability to move the ball downfield, will not be much of a challenge. It is the Fiesta Bowl, so tuning in is a must, but it's definitely the weakest of the BCS games.
No. 4: Discover Orange Bowl
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Date: January 3, 2011
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida
Teams: Virginia Tech (11-2), Stanford (11-1)
Key Players: Tyrod Taylor (VT), Andrew Luck (Stanford)
This is probably the best quarterback/quarterback matchup of bowl season. Taylor is the ACC Player of the Year and was phenomenal towards the end of the season, especially throwing the ball in the conference title game. The Hokies are as balanced in all three phases of the game as any team in the nation.
Andrew Luck is a Heisman candidate and the Cardinal definitely deserve a BCS bid (although they should be in Pasadena). The only elite team they played this year (Oregon) completely worked them over. They will be ready for the Hokies....assuming Jim Harbaugh-to-[insert here] rumors aren't swirling around the game.
No. 3: Rose Bowl Presented By Vizio
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Date: January 1, 2011
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Teams: TCU (11-0), Wisconsin (11-1)
Key Players: Andy Dalton (TCU), Gave Carimi (UW)
The Badgers are playing as well as anyone in the nation right now, and they definitely deserve to be considered the top team in the Big Ten. They overpowered Ohio State, have put up a ridiculous amount of points the last month of the season, and have an incredible defense.
Of course, TCU deserves a BCS bowl, and the new rule dictates they automatically go to the Rose Bowl. Although, the Fiesta Bowl or the Sugar Bowl may have made more sense. Wouldn't Wisconsin-Stanford have been a great, classic showdown?
Regardless, it will be a tremendous matchup of TCU and their fine defense, topping in the nation at 11 points per game, against the Badger offense that averages 43 points per game.
No. 2: Allstate Sugar Bowl
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Date: January 4, 2011
Location: Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Teams: Ohio State (11-1), Arkansas (10-2)
Key Players: Terrelle Pryor (OSU), Ryan Mallett (UA)
Well, the only game featuring a better quarterback matchup than Virginia Tech vs. Stanford is this one.
Terrelle Pryor may have struggled at times this year, but his greatest game as a Buckeye came in another BCS game, which was last year's Rose Bowl win over Oregon. He should step up his game again, and against an Arkansas defense that struggled terribly against Cam Newton, that could be the difference.
Ryan Mallett will have a tougher task in front of him. The Buckeye defense is third in the nation, allowing 13 points per game. He has been outstanding in the final month of the season and in what could be his final game as a Razorback, he too will be asked to produce.....and he should.
No. 1: Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
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Date: January 10, 2011
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Teams: Auburn (13-0), Oregon (12-0)
Key Players: Cam Newton (AU), LaMichael James (OU)
If you like offense, this should be one of the greatest games in bowl history, which means you better plan on staying up late (with the 8:30 PM kickoff). The game might not end until well after midnight.
We've seen this type of on-paper classic before, only to be disappointed. Back in 1995, the potent Tommie Frazier, Lawrence Phillips and the Nebraska Cornhuskers were supposed to have a perfect offensive counterpart in Danny Wuerffel, Steve Spurrier, and the Florida Gators offense.
(Ironically, that game also had a major offensive star under scrutiny for being allowed to play. Phillips was allowed to play despite his domestic abuse arrest.)
After the third quarter, the Cornhuskers plowed over Florida and stomped the Gators, 62-24, to win the national title.
Since neither team's defense has faced an offense, they will on January 10. There's no telling what can happen.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
