Bowl Predictions 2012: Scintillating Matchups Fans Deserve in BCS Bowl Games

The following BCS matchups would be a dream scenario for fans. They would maximize the excitement, intrigue and fan excitement.

When proposing these mathcups, I've limited them to reasonable possibilities. Also, this certainly isn't a list of the most probable matchups—just the ones that would be the best.

Barring upsets in the conference championship games, the national title game is going to be between LSU and Alabama, and the Rose Bowl will be between Oregon and Wisconsin.

That's fine. Both games feature deserving teams and are compelling matchups. So I am going to leave those off of the list. Here are the remaining three.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Houston

This game would offer fans a great contrast for the defensive slugfest that is going to be the National Championship Game.

The point total in this game could realistically surpass 100. Houston is the No. 1 scoring offense in college football and Oklahoma State is No. 2. Their combined average point totals come to 102.5 per game.

These points are being scored by an aerial assault. Again, these teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in passing yards per game as the Cougars are averaging 449.7 and the Cowboys are averaging 401.6.

Neither team is particularly stout on defense either. This game would be a high-flying shootout. Who wouldn't want to see 1,000 yards of passing offense and 100 points scored? 

Sugar Bowl: Boise State vs. Arkansas

Boise State deserves a spot in the BCS. They also need to play a team from a big conference. That is one of the highlights of the bowl season—watching a school from a small conference play a team from a power conference.

This game would also give fans another chance to watch teams put on an aerial display. Boise State is 13th in passing yards this season and Arkansas is 12th.

This would set up for a dynamic display of offense. Boise State has proven they belong in big bowl games, and they are always willing to put on a show.

Arkansas may lose out on this bowl bid to the Georgia Bulldogs, but this would be a far more exciting matchup to watch.

Orange Bowl: Stanford  vs. Virginia Tech

This game would be a real rarity as it would be a rematch of the 2011 Orange Bowl. That game wasn't close, as Stanford blew out Virginia Tech 40-12, but that is exactly why this rematch would be interesting. 

Let's see if Frank Beamer can coach his defense to a better effort against Andrew Luck. Beamer has carved out his reputation by having solid defensive teams, and this year is no different.

Virginia Tech is seventh in the nation in points allowed per game. Could Stanford still carve up this defense?

This game would be an excellent showcase for one of college football's all-time great quarterbacks in Luck.

And those storylines are enough to make this matchup fascinating.