2011 Bowl Projections: FSU vs. Notre Dame Is a Must for Champs Sports Bowl

Most of the great bowl matchups will come at the turn of the new year. There are truly pathetic bowl games that are extremely likely, just like every year. However, there are a few bowl games that have the potential to be great.

Florida State vs. Notre Dame would be a fantastic matchup for the Champs Sports Bowl. Judging by some of the other potential matchups, this game has to happen.

As Jerry Palm writes, the Champs Sports Bowl will bring the Big East No. 2 vs. ACC No. 3. Notre Dame can be elected for a Big East position if the bowl chooses to do so.

Some of Palm’s possible matchups before New Year's Day are pretty horrid.

Some of the teams he has facing one another are Iowa State vs. Rutgers, California vs. Missouri, Louisville vs. NC State, among others. I’m sure those fans of each school would be excited, but it doesn’t do anything for me.

Florida State and Notre Dame would be one of the better matchups in 2011. If these two schools were to meet up in the Champs Sports Bowl, then I believe it would be one that people will actually care about.

There are so many Notre Dame fans in the world. They are known worldwide, like the Dallas Cowboys. One of the biggest reasons is because of their TV deal with NBC.

The Seminoles have fans sprinkled all throughout the country. They have a great fanbase of their own.

Florida State has had an up-and-down campaign, but they are a solid club. They have one of the best defenses in college football in terms of points allowed. The Seminoles are allowing 15.2 points per game, fourth in the nation.

The Seminoles are averaging nearly 32 points per game.

Notre Dame has seen the same results as Florida State. They had their ups and they have had their downs. Two of their four losses came in the beginning of the season. Anytime you start 0-2 it is very easy to let things slip away.

Not this year’s Fighting Irish.

They rallied behind head coach Brian Kelly and managed to win eight of their next 10 games. One of their losses came against Stanford, and there is no shame in losing to a team like the Cardinal.

Notre Dame’s best victory came against Michigan State, a team that almost won the Big 10 Championship. They defeated the Spartans 31-13.

This is a solid football team this year. They average 30.5 points per game.

Florida State and Notre Dame—if these two schools play one another—would be one of the best 2011 bowl matchups.

Judging by some of the possible projections, college football needs to make Florida State vs. Notre Dame happen.