2011 Bowl Predictions: The Top 5 Can't-Miss Victories

The 35 bowl matchups for 2011 have been announced.

Several games will be highly contested, whether it be low-scoring or a shootout. Others will be lopsided and won't provide many fireworks for eager fans.

Many of these games are tough to predict. However, some of them are sure victories for one team or another.

Here are the top five can't-miss victories for the 2011 bowl season:

Oklahoma Defeats Iowa

Oklahoma will face Iowa in the Insight Bowl.

Iowa had a better season than expected in the Big Ten while Oklahoma played its normal, underachieving role in the national picture.

The Sooners have three losses this season, including a Week 14 meltdown against No. 3 Oklahoma State. However, the Sooners are definitely more talented than the Hawkeyes.

Oklahoma's Landry Jones still has plenty of targets to throw too despite the loss of star receiver Ryan Broyles for the season. Kenny Stills and Chaz Reynolds provide vertical threats to exploit the Hawkeye secondary.

The Sooners' defense has underachieved in the second half of the season, but its speed and athleticism will overwhelm the Iowa offense.

Iowa has limped through the second half of the season. The Sooners have as well, but talent wins out in the end.

Take the Sooners every time in this one.

Baylor Defeats Washington

Baylor and Washington will face off in an offense-oriented Alamo Bowl.

Both offenses are dynamic, and both defenses are pretty awful.

In a game with offensive fireworks galore, expect Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III to take over. He loves the spotlight and performs his best in big-game situations.

Washington's Keith Price and Chris Polk are great offensive players, but they will not make as many plays as Griffin and Baylor receiver Kendall Wright.

This game is tough to call because of the propensity of points.

If I had to bet, I take Griffin any day of the week against a skidding Washington squad.

Michigan over Virginia Tech

Michigan will face Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

This may come as a shock to some, but I can't see Michigan losing this game.

The Hokies are unproven, one-dimensional on offense and can be exploited on defense. The blueprint is the same in Blacksburg, but the talent is subpar.

Michigan has flown under the radar all season. The Wolverines are more proven and have improved as the season has gone along.

Virginia Tech shouldn't even be in a BCS bowl. They won't win one this year.

The Hokies' best victory came against Miami, and Clemson handled them with ease both times the two squared off this season.

Logan Thomas may have more potential, but Denard Robinson is a dynamic playmaker behind center for the Wolverines.

David Wilson is a great Hokie ball carrier, but the emergence of Michigan's Fitz Toussaint evens that playing field just enough.

This will be a competitive game, but expect Brady Hoke to have his boys ready in his first bowl as the Michigan coach.

Clemson Defeats West Virginia

Clemson will represent the ACC and West Virginia will represent the Big East in the Orange Bowl. This is the battle of the two BCS-ish conferences.

Like the Sugar Bowl, this is tough to pick.

Clemson has struggled down the stretch, but its offense is dynamic. Their defense isn't great, but it is absolutely better than the Mountaineer defense.

Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins are electric on the Tiger offense, and Andre Ellington totes the rock consistently.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is an underrated signal-caller, but he has been erratic through the air this season. His defense lends him next-to-no help, and that won't change in the postseason.

Both of these teams have flaws, but it is tough to take the Big East seriously in BCS matchups.

Clemson flexes its offensive muscle against a shaky Mountaineer defense.

Boise State Defeats Arizona State

Boise State was 35 yards from a BCS bowl. Instead, they will face Arizona State in the Maaco Bowl.

The Broncos should be favored in this game, and they will come out victorious against the disappointing Sun Devils.

Boise State definitely has something to prove. If it wasn't for the missed field goal against TCU, the Broncos would be heading to yet another BCS bowl game under Chris Peterson.

Kellen Moore runs the Bronco offense like clockwork, and Doug Martin is one of the most underrated ball carriers in the nation.

Don't sleep on the Bronco defense as it looks to slow down the absurdly-tall Brock Osweiler.

Assuming Vontaze Burfict doesn't eat Moore within the first five minutes of this game, the Broncos handle Arizona State with ease.

Yes, I mean literally eat. Watch Burfict play. You will understand quickly.