2011 Bowl Games: Predicting the BCS Matchups

Here's my look at who I think will make each of the BCS bowls.

For these predictions, I have LSU and Alabama in the national championship. I also don't believe TCU will jump up to No. 16 in the BCS. If the Horned Frogs do make that jump, however, they will take West Virginia's spot.

OK, here we go. 

Orange Bowl

The first Orange Bowl spot goes to the ACC champion. Clemson knocked off Virginia Tech last night in the ACC title game, so the Tigers will go to their first Orange Bowl since 1981 when they won the national title.

Clemson' opponent this year becomes the Big East champion. West Virginia is in a three-way tie, but they have the best BCS ranking and will get the nod.  

Pick: Clemson vs. West Virginia

Sugar Bowl

Normally the SEC champion goes to the Sugar Bowl, but the top two SEC teams (in my predictions) will be in the national championship.

That gives the Sugar Bowl committee with the first pick of at-large teams to replace them. The committee also gets the third at-large pick for the second team.

Basically, the Sugar Bowl gets to pick pretty much whoever they want. 

One situation stands out that they can't pass up.

Go with the allure of Andrew Luck and Stanford and then grab Baylor and Robert Griffin III. What a quarterback matchup that would be.

Stanford is kind of far away and might have trouble drawing a crowd in New Orleans, but Andrew Luck and RG III are both superstars. I think they will be fine. 

Pick: Stanford vs. Baylor

Fiesta Bowl

Oklahoma State, the Big 12 champion, automatically goes to the Fiesta Bowl if it misses out on the national title game.

The committee will get their pick for an opponent after the Sugar Bowl takes Stanford, and I think it will go with Arkansas. The Razorbacks will likely be sixth in the BCS when the new rankings come out, and that will be too hard to pass up. 

Pick: Oklahoma State vs. Arkansas

Rose Bowl

Automatic bids.

Pick: Oregon vs. Wisconsin