2011 Bowl Projections: Bold Predictions for Non-BCS Bowl Bids

Not every top college football program can earn a berth in a BCS Bowl Game at season's end.

With an LSU-Alabama rematch all but certain, college football fans are desperate for more intriguing matchups to pop up on the winter slate.

The controversy surrounding Penn State won't keep them from a bowl game this season. At 9-3 the Nittany Lions should find themselves playing for pride this December, but where? 

The Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators both struggled mightily this season, failing to live up to the hype and reputation of their respective storied programs.

However, they are both bowl eligible and bowl-bound this holiday season. 

Who else will be suiting up for a non-BCS Bowl Game in 2011? Join Bleacher Report as we bring you bold predictions for some notable, and underrated Bowl Games this season. 

Insight Bowl (Dec. 30)

Projected Matchup: Penn State (9-3) vs. Texas (7-5)

This matchup in Tempe, Arizona has featured a Big 12 team taking on a Big Ten foe for the past five seasons, each game being won by the Big 12.

Although the Longhorns are down once again this season, two years removed from a NC appearance in 2009, they would likely have finished towards the top of the standings in 2011 if they played in the Big Ten.

Penn State finished the season 6-2 in the Big Ten, but lost two of those games in three weeks which resulted in them coughing up the Big Ten Leaders Division crown. 

The departure of Joe Paterno no doubt hurts the Nittany Lions chances in this game, but their scoring defense, which allows less than 16 points per game should remain a dominant force. 

Texas' top 20-ranked rushing attack would find minimal holes at the line of scrimmage and QB Case McCoy would be forced to attack the Nittany Lions through the air. 

Projected Winner: Penn State

Chick-fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31)

Projected Matchup: Florida State (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)

The defending national champion Auburn Tigers will get another shot at one of the ACC's best in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve. 

Their 17-game winning streak came to an end at Clemson back in September, 38-24. Since that loss the Tigers have been mediocre and nothing like the team that won the NC last January. 

Auburn's D is giving up points in bunches this season, ranking 79th in scoring D. Meanwhile, the Florida State Seminoles are shutting down opposing offenses. They rank fourth in scoring defense.

FSU's 34th-ranked passing attack is also worth mentioning, and is a big reason why they should be favored in this potential matchup.

Both teams were expected to compete for the NC this season before suffering telling losses early in the year. 

The Seminoles have won six of their last seven ball games overall and that will continue this bowl season.

Projected Winner: Florida State

Champs Sports Bowl (Dec. 29)

Projected Matchup: Virginia (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (8-4)

The Irish salvaged 2011 after beginning the season 0-2, and are now bowl-bound this winter.

A sour taste still remains in the mouth of Notre Dame fans, however, as they ended the regular season with a 14-point loss at Stanford.

Tommy Rees has the Irish's 33rd-ranked passing attack among the best in the country, but their 43rd-ranked scoring offense is an Achilles heal for a team that allows nearly 21 points per game.

Virginia has shocked and surprised all season long and will be excited to represent the underrated ACC in a notable non-BCS Bowl Game against nationally-recognized Notre Dame.

Forget the fact that the Cavaliers were blown out in their season finale against Virginia Tech, this team's body of work says a lot about the quality of football they play.

Virginia sports one of college football's more balanced offensive attacks and is tough to beat in close games. 

Their surprising success and underdog status will give them the edge in this matchup with the Irish. 

Projected Winner: Virginia

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl (Jan. 2)

Projected Matchup: Ohio State (6-6) vs. Florida (6-6)

This is a tantalizing matchup between two of the sport's most historic programs currently struggling to stay above water.

Both teams come in at .500 and would renew their NC rivalry, which was dominated by the Gators back in January 2007 when then-Florida head coach Urban Meyer notched his first career NC win.

Meyer just recently accepted the head coaching job for the Buckeyes and boy does that make this potential game all the more interesting. 

Neither Florida nor Ohio State do anything spectacular on offense or defense, but the even level of quality on the field would make for a desirable contest. 

The Buckeyes have lost three-straight games to end the regular season while the Gators have dropped six out of their last eight after starting off 4-0.

The explosion of Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey in the back field will be the overwhelming difference for the Gators though, as the SEC reigns supreme over the Big Ten.

Projected Winner: Florida

Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29)

Projected Matchup: Oklahoma (9-3) vs. Washington (7-5)

The Sooners will certainly be disappointed wherever they wind up going this postseason. Oklahoma came into the year ranked No. 1 and failed to live up to the hype. 

The nation's fourth-best passing attack and tenth-highest scoring offense could not overcome its defensive woes. The result of the poor D was three conference losses, and now a BCS Bowl appearance is out of the question.

Quarterback Keith Price and the Washington Huskies will be amped to land an opponent as prestigious as the Sooners. A 5-1 start to the season by the Huskies was overshadowed by a 2-4 finish, but they still finished with a winning record in the Pac-12, which is no easy task.

This matchup would be the Landry Jones show however as the OU quarterback would prove he's in an entirely different class than the Washington defense, which ranks 99th in the nation this season.

Projected Winner: Oklahoma