2011 BCS Bowl Games: Overviews and Predictions On All 5 of Them

The BCS has lined up five big bowl games for 2011. Four of the match-ups seem very intriguing, but one of them (Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Uconn) looks to be a bore.  But that's what Oklahoma thought in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl when they were upset by Boise State in a game that was anything but a bore.  And that's why we watch all of the games, you just never know what is going to happen. 

Here are my predictions for the 2011 BCS Bowl Games.

Rose Bowl

No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 TCU

Overview

Two of the best teams in the country are meeting in the 2011 Rose Bowl on New Years Day.  TCU is one of three undefeated teams in the country, and boasts the top scoring defense, and a top ten scoring offense in the country.  TCU's impressive stats may be a result of the weak conference they play in, the Mountain West.  Wisconsin plays in the Big Ten, which is clearly more challenging than the Mountain West.  In the Big Ten, Wisconsin is the least penalized team in college football, has a top 20 offense and defense, and  won 11 of their 12 games with a challenging schedule.

Prediction

Wisconsin wins, 34-24

Wisconsin will win this game by using their strengths against TCU's weaknesses, Wisconsin's strengths are their rushing attack and turnover margin.  Wisconsin has the 6th best turnover margin in the country, and TCU's Andy Dalton has committed multiple turnovers every time his team played a decent opponent,   (ie. 2010 Fiesta Bowl- 3 INT, Oregon State- 2 INT, SMU- 2 INT).  With Wisconsin's three-headed monster at running back and their two All-Americans on the offensive line, they will take advantage of TCU's small defense and have a field day running the ball, much like they did in their last three games. 

Fiesta Bowl

No. 7 Oklahoma vs. Unranked Connecticut

Overview

The Fiesta Bowl features a perennial powerhouse against a school mostly known for their basketball program, in what is being called the most unevenly matched BCS bowl game EVER.  But, Oklahoma knows not to be too cocky after what happened to them in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, when they were upset by Boise State.  Connecticut went 8-4 and won the Big East, but do not have very impressive stats.  Uconn has the 94th ranked offense and the 44th ranked defense in the country. Think about it this way: Denard Robinson has more total yards this year than the whole Connecticut team!  Oklahoma is 11-2 and won the Big 12, Oklahoma has the 12th ranked offense in the country, but has a defense ranked lower than Uconn.

Prediction

Oklahoma wins, 45-20

I do not see Connecticut having a chance against Oklahoma's high powered offense.  If Connecticut were to win this game it would be the biggest upset in BCS Bowl Game history, but it is not going to happen; Oklahoma has too many weapons: Ryan Broyles, Landry Jones and Demarco Murray.

Sugar Bowl

No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Arkansas

Overview

The Sugar Bowl is possibly the most intriguing game of the five BCS Bowl games this year.  Ohio State is 11-1 and won a share of the Big Ten Title. OSU has the second best defense in the country and a top 15 rushing offense.  Arkansas is 10-2 and rides a six game win streak going into the game. The razorbacks have a top ten offense led by their passing attack that ranks third in the country and they have the 16th ranked passing defense in the country. 

Prediction

Ohio State wins, 34-31

I chose Ohio State based off of the way Pryor played in the Rose Bowl last year, in that game Tressell let Pryor play his own game.  Pryor came up big on the ground and that opened up the passing game.  I have also been impressed with Ohio State's defense this year, but I have noticed that the reason their passing defense statistics are so good might be due to the fact they have not played a great passing quarterback this year. This was my toughest pick out of the five.

Orange Bowl

No. 4 Stanford vs. No. 13 Virginia Tech

Overview

The 2011 Orange Bowl features two of the top five teams in terms of turnover margin in the country.  Virginia Tech has won 11 straight games after losing their first two, they have the best turnover margin in the country, and a top 20 rushing offense.  Meanwhile, Stanford has an 11-1 record and has won 7 straight games, the fourth best turnover margin, and has a top 25 offense and defense.   

Prediction

Virginia Tech wins, 38-31

After dropping their first two games, Virginia Tech has been on an absolute tear, winning 11 straight games by an average of 20.3 points per game. During this streak they also have a +16 turnover margin.  I look for VA Tech to win this game through a great performance by senior Tyrod Taylor.  Tyrod Taylor is coming off of a huge game against Florida State and is similar to Oregon Duck quarterback Darren Thomas, who Stanford struggled mightily with.  Virginia Tech's great running back, Ryan Williams, is finally healthy, and it looks like all of the pieces of the puzzle are finally being put together for Virginia Tech.

BCS National Championship

No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Oregon

Overview

The SEC Champion and the Pac-10 Champion will each be making their first trip to the BCS National Title Game.  The match-up includes two of the most prolific offenses college football has ever seen.  Oregon has the top ranked offense in the country and they specialize in their running in which they are fourth in the country. The Ducks also have a solid defense, ranked 24th in the country.  Auburn had proven what they can do on offense all season as they are 8th in the country in total yards and fifth in rushing yards.  Auburn does have a glaring weakness: their passing defense, which is ranked 101st in the country.

Prediction

Oregon wins, 48-38

Auburn does not have a good enough defense to win a National Championship. They allow 24.5 points per game.  The National Champion has not allowed more than 19.9 points per game in more than six years.  Oregon is too good to be shut down be a sub-par Auburn defense.

--Feel free to leave your predictions or any disagreements in the comment box--