2011 Bowl Projections: 5 Non-BCS Bowl Matchups Everyone Wants To See

With the college football regular season coming to a close, it's about time we begin looking towards the bowl season. The bowl schedule is released in less than a week and if you're like me, you're like a kid on Christmas morning just waiting for some juicy matchups.

Everybody knows the BCS bowl games are going to be great, as they host majority of the top teams and conference champions. But there seem to be a lot of good non-BCS bowl games that not only have great teams but interesting storylines.

Here are five of the top non-BCS bowl games that hopefully actually take place.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Toledo

Who cares if neither of these teams are attractive options? It's one of the first bowl games of the season and if you're a fan of offense, you will watch this game.

The Rockets average 42 points per game and give up 31. The Aggies average 35 points per game and give up 29. Something has to give. I think it's safe to say that there will be a ton of fireworks in this game.

These two teams may not be great programs but the second bowl game of the season could be a lot worse. At least you're going to get some entertainment out of this game.

Chick-Fil-a Bowl: Clemson vs. Florida

Instead of these two teams playing on the field, they should just have their teams run the 40-yard dash instead.

With Sammy Watkins, Andre Ellington, Tajh Boyd, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps on the field, this game could turn into a shootout quickly. Who cares if the Gators were brutal this season and if Clemson fell on their faces down the stretch? This game features a ton of speed and has the potential for a lot of points.

Just don't blink—you might miss something.

Capital One Bowl: Michigan State vs. Arkansas

If this matchup happens, it would mean that Arkansas would have played the Top Three teams in the country in yards allowed. If that's not a test of your offense, I don't know what is.

Hopefully they play better than they did against Alabama and LSU.

The Spartans, on the other hand, have been playing well offensively themselves lately and quarterback Kirk Cousins has really picked things up.

This matchup could make for one of the best bowl games this season.

Insight Bowl: Ohio State vs. Baylor

Another great matchup between Baylor's high-scoring offense and Ohio State's great defense. The Bears haven't really been slowed down yet this season so it'll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes can solve Baylor's attack.

This will also likely be Robert Griffin's last game, as well as DeVier Posey's.

It will also be the last game for the Buckeyes before Urban Meyer takes over. This game should be very entertaining with a lot of athletes running around on both teams. 

Champs Sports Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Florida State

Critics were claiming both of these teams were 'back' before the season started.

It's always fun to get two good teams like this with so much history together to battle it out. Both of these teams are loaded with talent but for whatever reason weren't able to have the same success they hoped to have before the season started.

The interesting matchup will be Notre Dames high powered offense against the Seminoles solid defense.

The winner of this game will have something to build on heading into next year.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]