2011 Bowl Predictions: Teams Left out of BCS Bowl Games That Will Impress

Just because you don't make a BCS bowl game doesn't mean you still can't impress the nation.

Leading up to the BCS bowl games, there are still plenty of impressive teams playing in 2011 bowl games.

Here are three teams that will leave a lasting impact on college football to end the season.

3. Cal (7-5)

This may come as a surprise to some of you, but the 7-5 Cal Golden Bears have actually played much better since a disappointing start.

Cal has won three of its last four games, including against Arizona State, and its sole loss was a 31-28 squeaker to then-No. 9 Stanford.

There's nothing that jumps out about this team, but the Golden Bears are a balanced team that plays hard together, and I think they are going to surprise No. 24 Texas in the Holiday Bowl.

2. Baylor (9-3)

How can you not be impressed when you see Heisman winner Robert Griffin III play?

Griffin has had a remarkable season, tossing for nearly 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns to six interceptions, and rushing for 644 yards and nine touchdowns.

He produced one of the most exciting moments in college football this season when he upset then-No. 5 Oklahoma with a last-second 35-yard strike to receiver Terrance Williams.

The Bears don't have the most difficult matchup against 7-5 Washington in the Alamo Bowl, but this team is simply fun to watch, no matter the opponent.

1. Boise State (11-1)

For the second straight season, the Boise State Broncos missed out on a perfect regular season by just one game.

This will be the last time we see senior quarterback Kellen Moore in college football, who has simply been fantastic for the Broncos throughout the years.

Boise State is ranked 10th in passing yards per game, seventh in points per game (43) and 10th in points allowed per game.

This is one of the most respectable programs in all of college football, making a name for itself despite playing in mediocre conferences.

The Broncos play Arizona State in the Maaco Bowl.

Expect Moore to give college football fans one last display of excellence before he leaves Boise State.