2011 Bowl Schedule: Predicting Best Non-BCS Bowls of January

While everyone will be excited to watch either Alabama or Oklahoma State play LSU in the BCS title game on January 9, there are many other non-BCS bowl games in the new year that will offer some exciting matchups.

Only 10 teams will play in BCS games, including the national championship game, and this season there are at least two dozen quality teams that will make bowl season must-see TV.

Let's look at four non-BCS bowls you must watch in January.

1. Ticket City Bowl

The Ticket City Bowl will be played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2, and will likely feature the Big Ten against Conference USA.

Right now it looks like Purdue will get the nod from the Big Ten, and their opponent could be Houston.

The Cougars lost 49-28 in the conference title game to Southern Miss on Saturday, and thus were knocked out of contention for a BCS bowl.

Houston leads the nation with 50.8 points scored per game, and will make any matchup an exciting one. It also has the nation's No. 1 ranked passing game.

2. Outback Bowl

The Outback Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on January 2, and will probably match up SEC and Big Ten teams.

Georgia and Michigan State could meet for this bowl, and both lost their conference championship games on Saturday.

The Bulldogs won 10 straight games before losing to No. 1 LSU in the SEC championship game, and they have a dangerous passing offense.

Michigan State is a balanced team who played well in a tough Big Ten schedule. SEC and Big Ten matchups are always exciting, and if these two teams play each other, the Outback Bowl will be one of the better January bowls.

3. Capital One Bowl

The Capital One Bowl is one of the most prestigious non-BCS bowl games. It will be played in Orlando on January 2, and should be a matchup between SEC and Big Ten teams.

The Nebraska Corn Huskers and South Carolina Gamecocks could play in this game, which would be a real treat for football fans.

Nebraska went 9-3 in its first season as a member of the Big Ten, and has a balanced offense that can score loads of points.

The Gamecocks have suffered a bit without star running back Marcus Lattimore, but they are still capable of playing well offensively with their speed and athleticism.

4. Cotton Bowl

The Cotton Bowl used to be a hugely important bowl but since the BCS system was implemented it hasn't been as important, although winning it is still a great accomplishment.

It will be played at Cowboys Stadium on January 6, and should match up a Big 12 team against an SEC opponent.

Right now it looks like Kansas State and Arkansas could be the matchup, which would be awesome for everyone.

These two teams are very talented, and each has exciting offenses. The Razorbacks, who were at one point No. 3 in America, score 37.5 points per game and have the 13th best passing offense in the country. They went 10-2 in a very tough SEC West division.

The Wildcats surprised many going 10-2 this season in a competitive Big 12 conference, and even challenged themselves out of the conference with an early season win against Miami FL.

Kansas State scored just over 33 points per game, and scored over 50 points twice. This matchup would be an offensive explosion, and one of the must-see bowls of the season.