2011 Bowl Schedule: Most Tantalizing Matchups Outside of BCS Bowls

Most of the top bowl matchups in college football come when the new year arrives, but there are still a few games that will whet your appetite in 2011.

After the final BCS rankings were released on Sunday, the bowl game matchups were put in place, with several intriguing head-to-head battles set.

Here are the most tantalizing matchups outside of BCS bowls.

3. Notre Dame vs. Florida State

Both Notre Dame and Florida State were projected to be better this season than they ultimately panned out, but there's still a good sign this could be a close game.

Notre Dame is averaging 30.5 points per game and allowing 20.9 points per game. Florida State is averaging 31.7 points per game and allowing 15.2 points per game.

Florida State has won six of its final seven games since an ugly three-game losing streak early in the season, while Notre Dame has only lost to USC and Stanford since Week 2.

These will be two teams looking to prove something to end their seasons.

2. Cal vs. Texas

Cal may be 7-5, but the Golden Bears have actually played well the last four weeks, beating Arizona State and losing to Stanford by only three points.

Texas, on the other hand, is No. 24 in the nation and beat Texas A&M in Week 13.

I expect this to be an upset for Cal based on recent play.

1. Boise State vs. Arizona State

Arizona State was 5-1 and sporting a respected defense before matching up with then-No. 9 Oregon on Oct. 15.

Then everything fell apart, as the Sun Devils lost five of their last six games, including a 47-38 dud to Cal to end the regular season.

Nonetheless, most of Arizona State's losses were close.

On the other side of things, No. 7 Boise State will be looking to unleash some rage after one loss got the Broncos kicked out of a BCS bowl.

Plus, this is your last chance to see senior quarterback Kellen Moore in college.