Bowl Projections: Upstarts Sure to Land BCS Bids

Cinderella teams are the apples of America's eye, gallant heroes that make us believe anything is possible.

This season, as many as three upstarts look ready to capture a BCS berth and turn the world of college football on its head.

Move over, Boise State. To the Poinsettia Bowl, that is.

Here are three upstarts bound for a BCS bowl.

3. Clemson (9-1, 6-1 ACC)

The Clemson Tigers aren't an official lock at this point, but given what they have shown us so far, I believe they are.

The Tigers could still lose the ACC with a loss to No. 12 South Carolina at the end of the season, but given the Gamecocks' problems this season, I expect the Tigers to win that game.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd has simply been sensational this year, passing for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Running back Andre Ellington has been special. And freshman receiver Sammy Watkins has been explosive.

Count Clemson in for the Orange Bowl.

2. Cincinnati (7-2, 3-1 Big East)

There is still plenty of gray area here, with starting quarterback Zach Collaros out this week due to injury.

But I still believe the Bearcats, still atop the ACC, will win the ACC and advance to the Orange Bowl to face Clemson.

Behind running back Isaiah Pead, the Bearcats still have enough to beat their remaining three opponents: Rutgers, Syracuse and Connecticut.

Look for the Bearcats to continue their spectacular run.

1. Houston (10-0, 6-0 Conference USA)

Houston is right up there with Clemson as the Cinderella teams of the season.

With a 10-0 record, the Cougars look like a mirror image of Boise State the last few years, with quarterback Case Keenum leading the way.

Keenum has passed for 37 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season and passed for 534 yards and nine touchdowns against Rice. He leads on offense averaging 54.7 points per game, the most in college football.

Houston has two more games against SMU and Tulsa and should win C-USA, while having a high enough BCS rankings to make it to a BCS bowl.

Look for Houston to reach its first BCS bowl in school history.