College Football Bowl Games: 5 Most Lopsided Matchups

It's been a week since the college football bowl schedule was released, giving us the matchups of the big games (BCS Championship, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl) and the ones that we could pretty much do without (St.Petersburg, Little Caesars and BBVA Compass Bowls).

With these bowls come many great story lines, plenty of tradition and solid competition. And with some others, well, not so much.

Mixed into this list is a school that fell short of preseason expectations (Oklahoma), a team that played in a much bigger bowl the season before (TCU, Rose Bowl) and one with the Heisman winner (Baylor).

Along with the clear talent advantage in these games, desire also must be added into the equation when looking at these matchups.

Putting all those factors together, here are the five most likely games to bring the bowl season a possible blowout during the next month.

5. TCU vs. Louisiana Tech (Poinsettia Bowl)

Even putting this game on the list, I still believe Louisiana Tech will make a closer contest than most think.

But, that doesn't mean that they'll have nearly enough firepower to knock off the Horned Frogs of TCU, who are coming off seven straight victories.

Known more for their defense in seasons past, TCU's offense has become electric this season despite the loss of Andy Dalton to the NFL. TCU has scored 41.7 points per contest, which is good enough to rank inside the Top 10 of all FBS programs.

They may not be playing for anything close to the Rose Bowl, and a letdown could be in the cards, but I think Gary Patterson will have his team ready for a rather impressive Louisiana Tech squad, who has won its past five contests.

The lack of a big-time bowl may slightly affect the outcome, but I don't see it being enough for Tech to compete for a full 60 minutes against TCU, whose only two losses have come in a 50-48 game against Heisman winner Robert Griffin III and an overtime loss to SMU.

4. Southern Miss vs. Nevada (Sheraton Hawaii Bowl)

Don't plan on a trip to paradise disrupting Southern Miss' hot-streak. After their big win against Case Keenum and previously undefeated Houston, the Conference USA champs look almost a sure lock for this game.

And that's no disrespect to Nevada, just a testament to how well Southern Miss has played of late, led by quarterback Austin Davis.

The defense of the Golden Eagles managed to hold Keenum to only a pair of touchdowns, while the offense looks highly likely to score plenty on a less-than-stellar Nevada defense.

With one of the Top 30 defenses in all of college football, Southern Miss should fare well against Nevada's mediocre quarterback tandem of Tyler Lantrip and Cody Fajardo.

On both sides of the ball, it's clear to see that the Golden Eagles have advantages all over the field.

In conclusion, it's safe to say this could become a run-away game for Southern Miss and a great parting gift for coach Larry Fedora before he leaves for North Carolina.

3. Oklahoma vs. Iowa (Insight Bowl)

The only way this one ends competitively is if Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones plays the way he has the last three games of the regular season.

Seeing as how the Sooners are playing the Big Ten's worst pass defense, I don't see him having quite as bad of a game as the ones he has been experiencing of late. Iowa has the ability to drag this game out a bit, preventing Oklahoma from having as many possession opportunities.

Even with that being said, the Hawkeyes can only hold Oklahoma's offense for so long, and I see the Sooners pulling away late in the contest.

Ever since losing Ryan Broyles (and now Jaz Reynolds), Oklahoma's offense has taken a major hit in production. But, with Iowa not having an answer for the pass throughout this season, I see Oklahoma taking advantage despite their hampered wide receivers.

2. Boise State vs. Arizona State (MAACO Bowl Las Vegas)

Boise State was one measly field goal (which may have actually been good) away from a BCS bowl. Instead, they have to settle for a third-rate bowl in the city where whatever happens there stays there.

The Broncos would just rather not be there at all, but that doesn't mean they won't be giving it every ounce of effort. Boise State should have the mindset of burying its foe, Arizona State, deep into the turf.

Arizona State has one small glimmer of hope in this game, and it's anything but small. It's their 6'8" quarterback Brock Osweiler. But, Osweiler won't be able to help the Sun Devils' defense, which will have to face off against Broncos left-handed gunslinger Kellen Moore.

Moore will be looking for the big finish to his incredibly successful college career, and I believe he will find just that with a lopsided win over Arizona State.

And while it will be Dennis Erickson's final game at the helm of the Sun Devils, that slight incentive will not be able to overcome the mismatches Arizona State faces.

1. Baylor vs. Washington (Alamo Bowl)

Sure, it's the game with the Heisman Trophy winner. But all around, Baylor has the matchups it wants against the Washington Huskies.

Griffin should light up the Huskies most of the night, and despite Washington having a potent offense themselves, Baylor will bring the bigger guns to this shootout.

The one thing I took into consideration was last year's Holiday Bowl, where a heavily favored Nebraska team (of the Big 12) lost to Washington. But, Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez is no Robert Griffin, and Washington no longer has Jake Locker.

Washington does have Keith Price, who continues to battle through injury. While he has had several big moments this season, ball security has been a bit of an issue. With Baylor, there is more explosiveness, yet better ball security by the offense.

This could end up being a 45-31 or 49-35 type of game, but whatever the score may be, it's hard to see any conclusion where Baylor wouldn't come out on top in nearby San Antonio at the Alamo Bowl.