Bowl Games 2011: Kansas State vs. Arkansas and Non-BCS Bowls You Can't Miss

Although most college football fans were probably eagerly awaiting the announcement of the BCS bowls on Sunday, it is the less-heralded slate of bowls that often produces the best overall games. That figures to be the case once again this season as there are several compelling non-BCS bowl games.

That isn't to say that the BCS games won't be entertaining, but there seems to be a couple of albatrosses in the bunch, particularly Clemson vs. West Virginia and Michigan vs. Virginia Tech. The expectations aren't as high for non-BCS bowls, however, so it tends to be a lot easier to enjoy those games. Here are three non-BCS bowls you simply can't miss in the coming weeks.

Notre Dame vs. Florida State: Champs Sports Bowl

When you hear the phrase "Champs Sports Bowl" it probably doesn't get you particularly excited, but when you hear "Notre Dame vs. Florida State" it's a completely different story.

While both the Fighting Irish and the Seminoles disappointed to a degree this season, both are quality teams that should be able to put on quite a show. The main focus of this particular game will likely be Notre Dame's explosive offense against Florida State's talented defense.

The Irish showed flashes of greatness throughout the season. However, they ruined their chances of BCS glory with early-season losses to South Florida and Michigan; you can add to the list late-season losses to USC and Stanford.

Florida State seemed like the team to beat in the ACC this season, but their offense was far too inconsistent to maintain success. While this certainly isn't the best representation of either team in their illustrious histories, this should be a great game between two great programs.

Penn State vs. Houston: TicketCity Bowl

Perhaps no two teams in college football have been more talked about this season than the Penn State Nittany Lions and Houston Cougars.

It has been for two very different reasons, of course, but there should be plenty of hype surrounding this game. Penn State was rocked by the child sex scandal of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, resulting in the firing of legendary head coach Joe Paterno. The Nittany Lions are now looking to pick up the pieces.

The Cougars were just one win away from clinching their first BCS bowl berth, but an undefeated season was not to be as they were throttled by Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA Championship Game.

In terms of gameplay itself, this game will be a great test for quarterback Case Keenum and Houston's explosive spread offense. Penn State has one of the better defenses in the country, so it will be an interesting strength vs. strength matchup.

Kansas State vs. Arkansas: Cotton Bowl

In what very well should be a BCS bowl game, the No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats and No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks will lock up in the Cotton Bowl.

The Wildcats were snubbed by both Michigan and Virginia Tech in terms of securing a BCS. Arkansas was ineligible since two other SEC teams in LSU and Alabama were already selected to play in the National Championship game.

Regardless, this game figures to have a BCS-type atmosphere as these two teams are undoubtedly among the 10 best in the nation. This game will not only feature two great teams overall, but their styles of play are sure to clash. While neither team is elite defensively, both have excelled on offense with very different styles.

Arkansas has gotten the job done thanks largely to the passing prowess of quarterback Tyler Wilson. The Wildcats have leaned heavily on their signal caller as well, but Collin Klein is at his best when he keeps the ball rather than throws it. Klein ran for over 1,000 yards in addition to an incredible 26 rushing touchdowns this season.

No one style of play is necessarily better, but we will see which one wins out in the Cotton Bowl.