2011 Bowl Projections: Andrew Luck Will Leave Lasting Impression in Fiesta Bowl

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in college football, and he's going to make a lasting impression in his last game as a member of the Stanford Cardinal football team.

It's only fitting that Luck goes out on top, especially considering the fact that he came back to Stanford for one more year, even though the was NFL calling and former coach Jim Harbaugh left to coach the San Francisco 49ers.

Nobody would have questioned Luck had he entered the draft. Many people considered him to be the best quarterback in the nation, even though he lost the Heisman to Cam Newton, who then went No. 1 in the NFL draft. Many people believed that Luck would have been the sure-bet first overall pick, though, being that he seems to be the prototypical NFL quarterback build.

Luck chose to come back and play his final season with the team, though, and he also came back to finish his degree in architectural design.

It was a risk, but apparently luck was on his side.

Many feared that the risk of injury before the NFL and a weaker team without Harbaugh would kill Luck's chances of ever being a candidate for the No. 1 pick again.

Luck proved all of his doubters wrong with an incredible Heisman-like year that saw him completing 261-of-373 passes for 3,170 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Stanford finished the season with an 11-1 record and the No. 4 ranking in the BCS. Their only loss came at the hands of Oregon in a 53-30 trouncing at home.

That loss kept the Cardinal out of the Pac-12 championship game, and it will essentially keep them out of the national championship.

That doesn't mean this season has been a wash, though, as many feel the Cardinal do deserve the BCS championship shot, and Luck has been the Heisman favorite all season.

Even if they don't get into the championship, which they probably won't, Stanford is still projected for a very good bowl game.

Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com predicts that Stanford will find themselves matched up with Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl, which would be quite the stage for Luck to finish his Stanford career on.

The Cowboys are ranked No. 2 in the BCS, as well as second in both points for at 49.3 and passing yards at 386.3.

They do give up 25.8 points per game, though, so Luck and Stanford's fifth-ranked offense should have success against the Cowboys' defense.

When all is said and done, I expect an epic performance from Luck in a Stanford win.

It will be the fitting end to an incredible career, and it will be a lasting impression for arguably one of the best quarterbacks we've seen in college football in a very long time.