BCS Bowl Projections: Which Teams Will Pull Monster Upsets?

Why can’t Wisconsin beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl?

All of the pundits believe that the Ducks' speed and national-championship experience will reign supreme, but they are ignoring just how balanced the Badgers are.

Behind Heisman-finalist running back Montee Ball (1,759 yards, 32 TDs), the Badgers' offense is ranked fourth in the nation, averaging over 44 points per game. That’s pretty deadly when you factor in a defense that is sixth in the nation, allowing a mere 17 points a game.

The Ducks are obviously no slouches, and have the better offense statistically (third in the nation, scoring 46.2 a game), but it’s the lack of balance that sticks out to me.

The defense allowed 40 points to LSU and 38 to USC in their two loses. They allow almost 24 points a game (49^th in the nation), and are not going to have an answer for Ball.

Expect the Badgers to dominate the line of scrimmage and own the time-of-possession battle, keeping the killer combo of QB Darren Thomas and RB LaMichael James off the field as Wisconsin pulls off the biggest upset of the BCS bowls.

Here are two other games that reek of upset:

Orange Bowl: No. 23 West Virginia vs. No. 15 Clemson

The Mountaineers quietly have one of the most prolific pass offenses in the nation, thanks to QB Geno Smith (3,978 yards, 25 TDs) and his two speedy receivers who are poised to play on Sundays: Stedman Bailey (1,197 yards, 11 TDs) and Tavon Austin (1,063 yards, four TDs).

The No. 8-ranked pass offense should have an absolute field day against a Tigers defense that is 62^nd in the nation, allowing 26 points per game.

They struggle against QBs that can move the ball vertically down the field, and it’s going to be difficult for them to stay off the field once WVU establishes the downfield passing game.  That’s important because Clemson QB Tajh Boyd (3,578 yards, 31 TDs) is incredibly explosive, and is hard for any defense to contain.

Then again, as a sophomore, it remains to be seen how Boyd will fair in his first game with everybody watching.

Take the more experienced team that is used to BCS bowl games.

National Championship: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 LSU

‘Bama is a few missed field goals away from being the team to which everybody bows down. Their defense is still ranked No. 1 in the nation in points allowed (8.8), and they will have the best offensive player in the game in RB Trent Richardson.

When you consider the revenge factor and six weeks of preparation for the mastermind that is Nick Saban, they are going to give the Tigers everything they've got. Nobody is better than LSU right now, but who knows what can change in the span of six weeks (over/under two suspensions?).

The Tigers' dream season is about to have a nightmarish ending.