2011 Bowl Predictions: Wisconsin Badgers and Underdogs That Will Pay Big

The 2011 college football season has come to an end, but the bowl season brings a great chance to start fresh and forget any losses that occurred during the year. Underdogs always surprise people, and if you pick the right ones, you'll be heavily rewarded. 

Some teams will have no trouble winning their bowl games, but others aren't as fortunate. There will be some blowout games, but for the most part, expect a lot of tough competition and some crazy finishes. 

With that said, here are three underdogs sure to strike gold for those who pick them. Of course, the lines are likely to move as the game draws near, so take that into consideration. You don't want to wait too long and lose valuable points. 

Wisconsin Badgers +6 

Russell Wilson and Montee Ball are scoring machines for the Badgers, and they will give the Oregon Ducks a huge scare in the Rose Bowl. 

Speed and power will be featured all over the gridiron in the "Granddaddy of Them All," but it will be the Badgers that come out on top. 

Both teams have tremendous playmakers, so expect a high scoring affair that comes down to the wire. Since Wilson has proven he has the clutch gene, he'll step up when his team needs him the most. 

Prediction: Badgers 48, Ducks 44 

Stanford Cardinal +3.5 

This is just too good of a line to ignore. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are favored because they have the No. 3 offense in the country, but their defense is so bad that Andrew Luck is going to tear them apart. 

Ranked 107th in the nation, the Cowboys defense will find it very difficult to slow down Stanford. Don't get me wrong, Oklahoma State will compete as well because their offense has the explosive players to put a lot of points on the board.

However, in crunch time, it will be Luck who delivers for his team. This is likely his last collegiate game, and since he's been spurned by the Heisman in back-to-back years, he'll make up for it with an impressive showing in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Prediction: Cardinal 38, Cowboys 31 

Penn State Nittany Lions +5.5 

Playing in the Ticket City Bowl against the Houston Cougars, the Nittany Lions will find it difficult to slow down Case Keenum at first, but their defense is too good to get blown out. 

Penn State ranks 10th in the country in total defense and fifth in pass defense. Yes, the Cougars have the No. 1 offense in the nation, but they've never truly been tested. 

A bad performance cost Keenum and Houston the Conference USA title and a shot at a BCS bowl, so the Cougars will be motivated to play better in the final game of the year.

Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions defense will be too much for Houston. Penn State has plenty of time to prepare and will get the victory to help heal what a devastating season this has been. 

Prediction: Nittany Lions 35, Houston 28