The Bowl Game Breakdowns: Who Will Rise To The Challenge?

BCS Championship:  Florida Vs. Oklahoma

Predicted Score:  44-31  Florida

Both teams feature high-powered offenses led by Heisman candidate quarterbacks, but Florida's speed will be too much for Oklahoma's defense in the end.

Rose Bowl:   Penn State Vs. USC

Predicted Score:   31-17 USC

USC has as good a defense as any team in the country. Both of these teams were the best in their conference, but Penn State's offense has not played a defense as fast, physical, and mature as USC's. This game will be close until the fourth quarter, when USC opens it up. If USC wins the Rose Bowl again, they should change the name to the USC Invitational.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl:    Ohio State  Vs. Texas

Predicted Score:  38 - 31 Texas

This is not the year for Ohio State. Texas is a one-loss team in arguably the most competitive conference in college football this season and the team they lost to is playing for the National Championship. Ohio State is a 2 loss team in a weak conference (this year).

All State Sugar Bowl:  Alabama Vs. Utah

Predicted Score:  28-24  Utah  

This, of course, is my upset pick. Alabama most likely will be a double-digit favorite in this game, but this is a team that had its eyes on the National Championship. The loss to Florida took the wind out of their sails.

I believe they will overlook Utah and get down 14-0 early in the game. They will make up some ground as the game goes on, but time will be their greatest enemy, and in the end they will run out. This is one of the Utah football program's biggest games, while Alabama comes rolling in disappointed. Emotions are important in college football, and Utah's got the edge.

AT&T Cotton Bowl:  Texas Tech Vs. Ole Miss

Predicted Score:   42-21  Texas Tech

Two names that will be the deciding factor: Crabtree and Harrell. Mississippi will most likely be the best defense Texas Tech has faced this year, but with their skill in the air game, Texas Tech should be able to exploit Ole Miss' secondary.

FedEx Orange Bowl:  Cincinnati Vs. Virginia Tech

Predicted Score:  28-21  Virginia Tech 

This will be one of the best bowl games of the year. Both teams are evenly matched, but Virginia Tech has more experience in big games. Their biggest lost of the season was by 10 points, and that was to Florida State, who was ranked at the time.

Capital One Bowl: Michigan State Vs. Georgia

Predicted Score:  31-28  Michigan State   (Last Minute Field Goal)

I think this will be the most exciting of all the bowl games. These two teams are a great match-up for each other. Both teams have elite running backs that can make plays, strong offensive lines, solid defense, and good coaching.

This game will be back-and-forth, with nobody leading by more than seven points at any time. Michigan State will nip them in the end because RB Javon Ringer will be able to pound it all game.

Chick-fil-A  Bowl:  Georgia Tech Vs. LSU

Predicted Score:  21-17  Georgia Tech

LSU is the better team, but they have been disappointing all season. Their offense has really struggled because of a lack of a quarterback and their defense has all-star players, but does not compete at the level they did a year ago.

Coach Miles has not been able to motivate these kids for some reason this season. Georgia Tech is a good football team and they are a lot hungrier than LSU.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl:   Hawaii Vs. Notre Dame

Predicted Score:  31-24  Notre Dame

The Irish have been through a lot over the last month, but rest assured Charlie Weis will have these guys ready to play. Hawaii has a big advantage playing in their home state, but the Irish welcome WR Michael Floyd and LB Brian Smith back to the line up. 

These are not all the bowls. There are many other great bowls, but I would assume these will be the most watched.