Bowl Predictions: How Will BCS Bowls Shake out After Cowboys Fall?

Let's get two things out of the way: I think Oklahoma will beat Oklahoma State when the two teams meet on December 3rd, and I really, really hope it happens.

It has nothing to do with Oklahoma State—I don't want them to lose because I dislike the program—and everything to do with BCS chaos.

Every time the BCS has controversy and a deserving team doesn't get the opportunity to play for a National Championship, we are one week closer to a playoff system. Keeping that in mind, this is how I imagine the BCS will shake out this year:

National Championship: LSU vs. Oklahoma

LSU will win out, in the process knocking Arkansas out of contention for a BCS Bowl. Oklahoma will also win out, and their wins over Baylor and Oklahoma State will sway voters just enough that they will sneak up to the No. 2 ranking. Undoubtedly, voters will keep in mind that LSU has already defeated both Oregon and Alabama. 

LSU wins.

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Wisconsin

Oregon will win out, though they will find themselves sitting at No. 4 after getting leapfrogged by Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Wisconsin will defeat Penn State next week in a game that will determine who gets to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. Wisconsin will exact their revenge against Michigan State, though their prize will be a matchup against Oregon's high-octane offense. 

Oregon wins.

Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Cincinnati

Clemson and Virginia Tech will meet again in the ACC Championship Game, and Clemson will beat Virginia Tech for a second time, moving them to No. 5 in the rankings and causing their fans to lament the surprising loss to Georgia Tech. Cincinnati will win out, and the Orange Bowl is stuck with them. 

Clemson wins.

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Houston

The Sugar Bowl, losing its SEC automatic qualifier, has the first selection from the remaining pool of teams, since LSU is ranked No. 1. They quickly snatch up Alabama. Houston, who will win its final games and automatically qualify for the BCS, will head down south.

Alabama wins.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

Oklahoma State will fall to Oklahoma, ending their BCS Championship Game dreams. The Fiesta Bowl, having the second selection since it lost its Big 12 automatic qualifier, will keep it in conference and select Oklahoma State. They then get the next selection ahead of the Sugar Bowl, and will select Stanford—and more importantly, Andrew Luck—to do battle against Brandon Weeden and Okie State in a clash of the Heisman hopefuls.

Oklahoma State wins.

(If you want to check how the BCS selection process works, read this and this.)