College Football Predictions 2011: Projecting the BCS Bowl Matchups

As the anticipation of Saturday morning tailgates grows with each passing day, a similar trend surrounding optimism can be found on nearly every college football field across the country.

It's a glorious time of year for fans of college football as opening weekend looms in the distance, now just three-and-a-half weeks away.

And just like clockwork, on the heels of every August summer come the preseason polls, sure to be debated at great length by analysts and writers across the blogosphere.

Now, without further adieu, let's take a look at what the BCS Bowl matchups could look like come January...

Monday, January 2: Rose Bowl Game (Pasadena, CA) Presented by Vizio

In this year's Rose Bowl, the Big Ten Champion Nebraska Cornhuskers will square off against the Pac-10 Champion Oregon Ducks.

Led by their sophomore sensation quarterback Taylor Martinez, the Cornhuskers will eek out a victory over the Ducks despite a huge effort from junior tailback LaMichael James.

Final Score:  Nebraska 31, Oregon 30

Tuesday, January 3: Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA)

The SEC Champion Alabama Crimson Tide will square off against Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal, recipients of a BCS at-large berth.

Despite a huge game from the projected first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (Luck), the Crimson Tide take care of business behind star running back Trent Richardson.

Final Score:  Alabama 27, Stanford 24

Wednesday, January 4: Discover Orange Bowl (Miami, FL)

As a result of the ACC Champion earning a berth in the BCS National Championship game, the Orange Bowl selects the Big East Champion West Virginia Mountaineers to square off against the LSU Tigers, recipients of an at-large berth.

Led by quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver Tavon Austin, the Mountaineers will upset the Tigers despite a huge game from quarterback Jordan Jefferson.

Final Score:  West Virginia 34, LSU 27

Thursday, January 5: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, AZ)

The Fiesta Bowl selects the Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners to square off against the Boise State Broncos from the Mountain West.  

Led by their Heisman Trophy candidate Kellen Moore at quarterback, the Broncos are no stranger to the Fiesta Bowl after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs here just two seasons ago.

This is also a rematch of a game that many consider one of the best, if not the best game in college football history when the Broncos defeated the heavily favored Sooners 43-42 in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

This year things will be different as Oklahoma finishes the year ranked No. 3 after a Week 2 loss in Tallahassee to the Florida State Seminoles.  

The Sooners will cruise to a fairly easy victory in 2012, finally exacting their revenge from an embarrassing defeat five years ago.

Final Score:  Oklahoma 42, Boise State 28 

Monday, January 9: 2012 BCS National Championship Game (New Orleans, LA)

The 2012 BCS National Championship Game will pit the 13-0 Florida State Seminoles against the 12-0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

This matchup will surely bring back memories of the 1993 "Game of the Century" when the top-ranked Seminoles fell to the second-ranked Irish in South Bend, 31-24.

We anticipate a similar outcome this year as Dayne Crist connects with Michael Floyd for a 12-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute remaining to give the Irish their first National Championship since the 1988-89 season.

Final Score:  Notre Dame 31, Florida State 24