College Football: Weekly Bowl Projections for All 35 Games

The second week of the college football season provided us with some of the best games yet. Teams like Michigan, who pulled out a last-second victory, have certainly helped their cause in being consider a true contender in the Big Ten.

However, in the big scheme of things, not much changed in the bowl picture. Looking at the potential bowl matchups, there are definitely some intriguing games that could potentially occur once bowl season commences.

Take a look at my bowl projections after Week 2 of the college football season and see if they align with your predictions.

Dec. 17 Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming vs. Arizona

Arizona is coming off a tough loss to an overpowering offensive attack by the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Regardless, the Wildcats should fare well in the Pac-12 conference schedule this season, and could find themselves in an early bowl season matchup.

Time will tell how they will respond to the loss this week, but with Nick Foles at quarterback, the Wildcats will certainly be competitive in any game they play.

But right now, I have them facing off against Wyoming in the New Mexico to kick off the 2011 bowl season.

Dec. 17 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Bowling Green vs. Fresno State

Fresno State has looked impressive in both of their games this season. They have pushed both California and Nebraska to the brink and should perform well in the WAC, especially with Boise State out of the conference now.

Bowling Green will make some great strides this season. They have a high-powered offense that features a wide-open passing attack, but also a dominant running game.

Dec. 17 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Troy vs. Ohio

In a rematch of last year's New Orleans Bowl, the Troy Trojans will face off against the Ohio Bobcats.

Troy handled Ohio 48-21 last season, and with both teams looking to rebuild on offense, it could be a defensive battle this season.

Dec. 20 Beef O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl: Louisville vs. Houston

In Charlie Strong's second year as head coach of Louisville, they will make a return to St. Petersburg for their bowl game.

It seems as if the Cardinals will trust in true freshman quarterback Terry Bridgewater throughout 2011. However, Louisville seemed to be reeling in their loss to FIU this past Friday.

That loss could signify that the Cardinals may not be as good as once thought. They obviously have a lot of growing to do.

Houston should be an exciting team to watch as well, with Case Keenum returning for a sixth year after gaining a medical redshirt.

As long as Keenum is on the field, the Cougars will be a tough team to stop.

Dec. 21 S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: S.D. State vs. Utah State

Expect San Diego State and Utah State to meet in the Poinsettia Bowl. 

The Aztecs have a great offensive duo featuring Ryan Lindley and Ronnie Hillman, and Utah State seemed like a different team against Auburn in the first week. And they kept it going in Week 2, putting 54 points up against Weber State.

Clearly, the Aggies have a potent offense that could cause a lot of trouble in a bowl game.

If these teams' performances were any indication, this bowl will feature a lot of points and a lot of yards.

Dec. 22 MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: TCU vs. Nevada

TCU still remains a good option for the Las Vegas Bowl since they suffered a loss to Baylor last week. It ruins their BCS hopes, so it looks like the Horned Frogs are bound for a December bowl game.

Nevada has a lot of players to replace from last season, but with a weak conference in the WAC, they could have an easy road to be bowl-eligible again this season.

Expect TCU to win handily, though. They will be just too talented to lose to a rebuilding Nevada team.

Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: SMU vs. Hawaii

Hawaii will make its almost annual appearance in the Hawaii Bowl once again this season. Making a return to Hawaii will be SMU's head coach, June Jones. 

SMU has gotten off to a good start. But they were thwarted by Texas A&M this week. 

Regardless, SMU will continue to score a lot of points this season and the matchup between Hawaii and SMU will be an offensive battle to say the least.

Dec. 26 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Air Force vs. Boston College

Both Air Force and Boston College feature great running attacks, especially at Boston College. 

Montell Harris will be someone to watch in this matchup. Harris could be in contention for All-ACC honors once the season is done.

Air Force runs the option attack and should be a tough offense to stop. This game could come down to whichever defense can muster up a stop against these running attacks.

Dec. 27 Little Caesars Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Florida International

Western Michigan will come into Detroit with a successful season in the MAC under their belt. Alex Carder threw for 30 touchdowns in 2010, and I'm sure he will build on that number in 2011.

Florida International was in the Little Caesars Bowl last season and they should make a return trip to Detroit in 2011 as long as they can navigate their way through their Sun Belt schedule.

FIU also picked up a huge win against Louisville this weekend. T.Y. Hilton will certainly be a playmaker for them as they move throughout the season.

Dec. 27 Belk Bowl: Miami vs. Rutgers

Both Rutgers and Miami suffered losses within the last week. Miami was defeated by Maryland and North Carolina took down Rutgers.

It will be tough for Miami to put a solid season together, especially after all the distractions in the offseason.

I expect Rutgers have the better season, but it will be interesting to see these two teams play each other.

Dec. 28 Military Bowl: Clemson vs. Navy

Clemson has gotten off to a slow start, despite winning their first two games. They were barely able to hold off Wofford and one must wonder if the Tigers have what it takes to make a run in the ACC this season.

Navy has been pretty exciting to watch the past couple years, putting some great performances against Notre Dame and other teams. They played very well in their Week 2 matchup against Western Kentucky.

Navy certainly has been one of the "feel-good" teams during the last few seasons. Let's hope the Midshipmen can put together another successful season.

Dec. 28 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl: Missouri vs. Arizona State

On Friday, Arizona State not only looked good in their black jerseys, but they looked really good against Missouri.

It's the kind of win the Sun Devils have wanted for a long time and Friday's game proved Arizona State could do some great things in the Pac-12 this season.

Missouri, on the other hand, should have another outstanding season in the Big 12. The Tigers return key starters on offense in Michael Egnew and T.J. Moe.

But the Tigers couldn't find the answer against Arizona State. They will have to get better play out of their defense if they expect to contend in the Big 12.

This bowl game could be one of the most interesting of the season if it pans out this way. It would be a rematch of one of the most exciting games early on in the college football season.

Dec. 29 Champs Sports Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh

The name of the game for both Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh is running the football.

Both teams have explosive running games. Pittsburgh trusts in Ray Graham, while the Yellow Jackets rely on the triple option.

This game could come down to whichever running back or team can dominate the trenches in order to open up the running game.

Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl: Baylor vs. California

California has gotten off to a hot start this season by getting a victory in their first conference game of the season against Colorado.

Their balanced attack has impressed a lot of people and the Golden Bears have a lot of momentum heading into the heart of their conference schedule.

And for Baylor, they are always a threat with Robert Griffin III at quarterback. The Bears will be a tough out in the Big 12.

Dec. 30: Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: BYU vs. Tulsa

BYU could be one of the more underrated teams in the nation. They pulled off a great win against an SEC opponent and then only lost to Texas on the road by one point.

Quarterback Jake Heaps has come into his own and he should develop into a top-tier quarterback over the next few years.

Tulsa has one of the most explosive offenses in college football and would be a handful for this BYU defense.

I still like Heaps and BYU to win this one.

Dec. 30: New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs. Kansas State

In a rematch of last year's Pinstripe Bowl, Syracuse and Kansas State can expect to meet each other again in 2011.

Syracuse will be the natural choice being so close to New York, since they will draw possibly the best crowd.

Kansas State had a rough outing in their season opener, but the Wildcats had this week off. Hopefully, they will be able to get their act together against Kent State on September 17.

Dec. 30 Music City Bowl: Georgia vs. North Carolina State

Georgia is off to a 0-2 start this season and it's not looking good for the Bulldogs. The defense has struggled in both games and they just haven't been able to pull out a win.

And now head coach Mark Richt is in even bigger danger of losing his job, which could affect team chemistry throughout the season.

NC State suffered their first conference loss against Wake Forest on Saturday, but the Wolfpack have an experienced quarterback, which can give them confidence to make another bowl in 2011.

Dec. 30 Insight Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas Tech

Ohio State did not look like the same team from Week 1 against Toledo on Saturday. They struggled to put them away and one must wonder if they are starting to feel the effects of all the offseason drama.

The Buckeyes are loaded with talent, but whether they can put together team chemistry for their Big Ten schedule is the real question.

Once again, Texas Tech is all about the passing game and the Red Raiders will be a handful for any defense. I think they could surprise some teams in the Big 12 this season with such a potent passing attack.

Dec. 31 Meineke Car Care Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan State

Texas only defeated BYU by one point and the Longhorns are slowly getting back to form. However, I think they are still a year or two away from returning to their elite form.

Michigan State looked much more impressive in Week 2 with a 44-0 drubbing of Florida Atlantic. The Spartans are going to be tough to beat in the Big Ten since they have a strong defense and an experienced quarterback.

The big question for the Spartans is whether they can compete with the other Big Ten teams like Wisconsin and Michigan.

Dec. 31 Hyundai Sun Bowl: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina

Notre Dame is coming off one of the toughest losses in school history as they let the game slip away in the final seconds against Michigan.

The talent for the Irish is there, but they might not have enough to put them over the top quite yet.

North Carolina got a solid win against a quality Big East team in Rutgers this weekend. The Tar Heels' defense will lead this team throughout 2011. If their offense can avoid mistakes, don't sleep on North Carolina.

Dec. 31 AutoZone Liberty Bowl: UCF vs. Maryland

UCF looked impressive again in Week 2 as they took down Boston College 30-3 in impressive fashion. 

Maryland also looked really good in their season-opener against Miami. Dan O'Brien is the real deal and the Terrapins could be poised for a big ACC run.

Dec. 31 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Army vs. UCLA

UCLA bounced back against San Jose State, but still looked a little shaky in a 27-12 win. UCLA is a much better team than this and I expect the Bruins to improve next week. It's still very early for UCLA.

As always, Army will be a tough team to beat in this game. They were able to take care of a high-powered SMU offense in 2010, so expect Army to give UCLA a lot of trouble.

Dec. 31 Chick-Fil-a Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina

Virginia Tech did not look all too great against East Carolina. The Pirates were able to keep it close the entire game and I am sure the Hokies expected a much better game in Week 2. They should still be in good shape in the ACC. The conference is weak and Virginia Tech should be able to reach the championship game once again in 2011.

South Carolina looked impressive against Georgia and Marcus Lattimore looks like a Heisman candidate. Their big question will be if their defense can hold up in their SEC schedule. They gave up over 35 points in both their games.

Jan. 2 Ticket City Bowl: East Carolina vs. Iowa

East Carolina continues to impress with another very close loss at the hands of a big-time FBS opponent.

Dominique Davis can score on anyone and is a force to be reckoned with.

Iowa had a bad loss against Iowa State this weekend. We'll have to wait and see how the Hawkeyes respond to such a surprising loss.

Jan. 2 Outback Bowl: Florida vs. Michigan

Florida looked impressive in another victory over UAB, 39-0. The defense looked great, although the Gators' pass defense left much to be desired.

Michigan had one of its best wins in program history this weekend, defeating Notre Dame in the final seconds.

Once, again Denard Robinson looks like the real deal.

Jan. 2 Capital One Bowl: Arkansas vs. Penn State

Arkansas continues to score in buckets as Tyler Wilson fits comfortably into the starting quarterback role for the Razorbacks. Their wide receiver trio is very dangerous, but perhaps the most impressive area haas been Arkansas' special teams.

Penn State struggled against Alabama, but the Nittany Lions have a lot of talent. But until they get the quarterback situation figured out, it's tough to imagine Penn State making a strong run in the Big Ten this season.

Jan. 2 Gator Bowl: Auburn vs. Nebraska

Once again, the Auburn Tigers escaped with a close victory in the final seconds. While the defense isn't the strongest aspect of this team, they certainly make the clutch plays.

Nebraska struggled against Fresno State, but the defense of the Cornhuskers will carry this team through the Big Ten. They could make a big splash in their new conference in only their first year.

Jan. 2 Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Stanford

Both Stanford and Wisconsin impressed me again this week.

Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck have started off great and seem to be headed towards fantastic seasons, yet again.

Out of all the bowl games, this matchup intrigues me the most.

Jan. 2 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon

Oregon bounced back after their Week 1 loss with a big win over Nevada.

Despite the loss against LSU, the Ducks have one of the most explosive offenses in the country and I fully expect them to be in the BCS discussion come December.

I'm very high on Boise State. I think the Broncos will be BCS busters once again and will upset whichever team they face.

Jan. 3 Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Oklahoma State

A team that no one seems to be talking about is Oklahoma State. The Cowboys looked fantastic on offense against Arizona and Justin Blackmon is one of the premier players in the NCAA.

Alabama would certainly be a formidable opponent for the Cowboys, since the Crimson Tide have such a tough defense. 

They seemingly suffocated Penn State and they could very well do that to the Cowboys.

Jan. 4 Orange Bowl: USF vs. Florida State

USF looked good for the second week in a row as they destroyed Ball State in their home opener.

The Bulls are riding the momentum from Week 1 and I believe they will be the team coming out of the Big East this season.

Florida State also had an easy victory against Charleston Southern, but the real highlight has been their defense.

As long as they stay healthy, the Seminoles will be one of the toughest teams in the country to beat with such a talented defense.

Jan. 6 Cotton Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Texas A&M

Although Mississippi State suffered a tough loss at the hands of Auburn, the Bulldogs will still be one of the SEC's top teams in 2011.

The balanced attack of Chris Relf and Vick Ballard will be too much for most teams throughout their schedule.

Texas A&M struggled against LSU in this bowl game last season and I expect the same thing to happen again this year as the Aggies prepare for a possible move to the SEC.

Jan. 7 BBVA Compass Bowl: Tennessee vs. West Virginia

Tyler Bray looked impressive for the second straight week as the Volunteers rolled over the Cincinnati Bearcats.

The Volunteers might be a year or two away, but they certainly have garnered more attention with their good start.

West Virginia has a very talented team, but I just don't think they will be good enough to beat USF this year. But this matchup against Tennessee could test the Mountaineers to see just how good they really are.

Jan. 8 GoDaddy.com Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Middle Tennessee State

This bowl matchup will be a rematch of last year's GoDaddy.com bowl between Miami University and Middle Tennessee State.

If MTSU wants to win this year, the defense will have to keep Miami's offense off the scoreboard. They gave up 35 points to the Redhawks, so that could be the one area MTSU has to improve on.

Jan. 9: BCS National Championship: Oklahoma vs. LSU

My BCS National Championship game remains the same as last week.

With Oklahoma on a bye and LSU taking care of Northwestern State, it didn't make much sense to change my championship picks.

Both of these teams are the class of college football right now and I think they will provide us with a classic championship game.