College Bowl Predictions: Predicting the MVP of Every 2011-12 Bowl Matchup

There are some absolutely epic matchups this bowl season.  

Matchups like the debatable BCS title game featuring a rematch of LSU vs. Alabama, the under-the-radar Ticket City Bowl featuring Penn State and Houston and the grandaddy of them all featuring Stanford vs. Oregon.  

This bowl season will undoubtedly be one to remember and that will be in large part due to some memorable performances by star players.  Memorable performances often lead to bowl victories, which in turn result in those players winning the MVP trophy for that respective bowl game.

Players like Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, LaMichael James, Denard Robinson and Andrew Luck are bound to put on memorable performances in this upcoming bowl season but will it be enough to earn them the MVP trophies for their respective bowls?  You'll just have to read on to find out.

Read on to find out which players are going to be taking home a 2011-12 bowl MVP trophy to add to their hardware cases.  

Beef 'O' Brad's Bowl St. Petersburg: FIU vs. Marshall

FIU WR T.Y. Hilton 

Florida International isn't that bad a team.  They are a very athletic team with a wide receiver by the name of T.Y. Hilton that Marshall is going to soon find out about. 

T.Y. Hilton is undersized at 5'10'' and 183 pounds but what he lacks in that respect he makes up for with his elite speed.  Marshall's 100th ranked passing defense won't be able to keep up with Hilton, allowing him to get into open space which will be the nail in the coffin for the Thundering Herd. 

Expect Hilton to get over 150 yards recieving and 75 yards rushing and accounting for 3 touchdowns, earning him the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg MVP trophy.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. Southern Miss

Southern Miss QB Austin Davis

Here's a case of two different teams.  Nevada is a team who beat all the teams they should have and lost to all the ones they should have as well.  Southern Miss, on the other hand, beat a team that no one thought they would – Houston – and lost to two teams they shouldn't have in UAB and Marshall.  All of that aside, it's clear to see that Southern Miss is the much more dominant team. 

Quarterback Austin Davis, who has been the bright spot for Southern Miss all season, will continue to shine against Nevada.  Nevada doesn't necessarily have a bad defense, ranking 51st in total defense, but it isn't dominant enough to stop Austin Davis' passing attack. 

Davis will light up Nevada's secondary for around 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl MVP trophy. 

San Diego County Credit Union Bowl: TCU vs. LA Tech

TCU QB Casey Pachall

TCU is two late game drives away from being undefeated yet again and playing in a BCS bowl. Both TCU and LA Tech are conference champions, TCU being the MWC champion and LA Tech being the MAC champion.  That is about all that these teams have in common. TCU is the much more dominant team, as evidenced by their play against tough competition.

TCU sophomore quarterback Casey Pachall has been a bright spot all year for the Horned Frogs and he will continue to shine, shredding LA Tech's 96th ranked passing defense for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. 

Casey Pachall and the TCU Horned Frogs will easily beat LA Tech and Pachall will be the clear winner of the San Diego Count Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl MVP trophy. 

Belk Bowl: Louisville vs. NC State

NC State QB Mike Glennon  

When quarterback Mike Glennon first came into NC State, the expectations for him were through the roof.  While he never really lived up to that hype, he definitely started to find his groove near the end of the year, winning games against Clemson and Maryland. 

Louisville does have a top 25 defense but that's only because they played in the Big East against very sub-par competition all year long.  Glennon will have no problem getting the ball to his main targets in T.J.Graham and Tobias Palmer against an overrated Cardinals secondary.  

Glennon will finally put together a memorable performance, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him the Belk Bowl MVP trophy. 

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas: Boise State vs. Arizona State

Boise QB Kellen Moore

I swear Kellen Moore has been playing quarterback for Boise State for the last 10 years at least.  Every time Boise State is on TV, I see his #11 jersey dropping back and throwing bombs down the field.  Anyway, Kellen Moore is going to have an absolutely monster game against a very weak Sun Devils secondary, which ranks 107th overall in passing yards given up per game. 

There is absolutely no way that Arizona State will be able to hang with Boise State and Moore's established passing attack.  This matchup will show just how good a quarterback Kellen Moore is and just how bad Arizona State's defense is. 

Kellen Moore will easily rack up 400 yards through the air and account for 5 touchdowns in a blowout win, earning himself the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas MVP trophy. 

Little Caesars Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Purdue

Purdue RB Ralph Bolden

The Little Caesars bowl is quite a matchup isn't it?  Two average teams who don't have a lot of special talent on their squads.  I'm giving the nod here to the Boilermakers mainly because they've played tougher competition throughout the year in the Big Ten. 

The one on again, off again bright spot on the Boilermakers team this year has been running back Ralph Bolden.  At times, he looks like a stellar back but his inconsistent play leaves Boilermakers fans wanting more.  I think Ralph Bolden will gives Boilermaker fans hope for next season by stepping up and winning a very ugly game for Purdue. 

Bolden will carry the ball 25 times for 135 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him the Little Caesars Bowl MVP trophy and I hope pizza from Little Caesars for life. 

Northrop Grumman Military Bowl: Toledo vs. Air Force

Toledo WR Eric Page

Here we have a bowl game that could turn out to be one of the highest scoring of the season. Toledo and Air Force both know how to score and they can do it with ease.  This will come down to who has the ball last, and Toledo will have the ball last, winning on an Eric Page reception with little time left on the clock.

Toledo wide receiver Eric Page wowed college fans early on in the 2011 season with a 145 yard game against Ohio State and a 168 yard performance against Syracuse.  Page will have difficulty getting open against Air Force's 6th ranked passing defense but there is no doubt that he will be able to get into space.

This will be a nail biter, but Page will have a career day earning 180 yards on 15 receptions with 4 touchdowns, earning him the Military Bowl MVP trophy.

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: UNC vs. Missouri

Mizzou QB James Franklin

The Independence Bowl is a very difficult one to pick.  It features two teams whose seasons have been absolute roller coaster rides.  Missouri and UNC both have lost their fair share of close games but overall Missouri in my opinion has played more complete football throughout the season. 

That is in large part due to the impressive play of sophomore quarterback James Franklin.  When Blaine Gabbert left for the NFL, he left a huge hole a the quarterback position, one that Franklin has filled with ease this year. Franklin has rushed for 839 yards and passed for 2,733 yards, accounting for 33 total touchdowns, in his first season as a starter.

Franklin will show the national audience watching the Independence bowl that he is a player to keep their eyes on throughout the next two years at Missouri. Franklin will throw for 275 yards and rush for 90 and 4 total touchdowns, earning him the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl MVP trophy. 

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl: California vs. Texas

Cal K Giorgio Tavecchio

This one might come as a shock to Texas and California fans but the MVP of the Holiday Bowl will be Cal's kicker Giorgio Tavecchio.  Not only does he have the coolest name on California's roster he also has one of the highest field goal percentages in college football with 86.4%. 

I know this prediction defies conventional wisdom, especially with Cal and Texas both being terrible at stopping teams inside the red zone.  For some reason though I think this game is going to be low scoring and close until the end, ultimately decided by who has the more accurate field goal kicker. 

Giorgio Tavecchio will hit 4 field goals to help the Cal Bears win the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, and earning himself the Holiday Bowl MVP trophy.

Champs Sports Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Florida State

Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o

The Fighting Irish got an early Christmas gift when junior Manti Te'o announced he would be returning for his senior season next year.  There is no doubt that Te'o is the best player on the entire Fighting Irish roster and they are lucky to have him for another year. 

This Champs Sports Bowl will give Te'o a great opportunity to put his incredible strength and athleticism on display against a solid Florida State team.  Florida State's defense ranks 4th nationally, and Notre Dame will have a difficult time scoring more than 17 points but that is all they'll need because Te'o will have little trouble anchoring Notre Dame's defense and holding FSU to only 14 points.

Te'o will account for no less than 15 tackles and 1.0 sacks, helping the Notre Dame Fighting Irish earn a much needed bowl win, and bringing home the Champs Sports Bowl MVP trophy for himself.   

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: BYU vs. Tulsa

BYU WR Ross Apo

BYU vs. Tulsa is a lopsided matchup.  BYU has a dominant defense and a high powered offense, whereas Tulsa has a high powered offense but they lack any resemblance of a defense.

Throughout the season BYU has used a dual quarterback offense and it has been surprisingly effective.  Much like the dual quarterback offense, BYU also has a dual wide receiver threat in WR Ross Apo and WR Cody Hoffman.  The more dominant of the two is Apo, catching fire near the end of the season accounting for 5 touchdowns in his last 3 games.

Tulsa's lack of defense will give Ross Apo all the room in the world to work and get downfield for at least 3 touchdowns.  Apo will help out both BYU quarterbacks with his performance on the way to earning the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl MVP trophy. 

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers vs. Iowa State

Iowa State LB Jake Knott 

Here's a shocking prediction.  Rutger's 12th ranked defense can't stop Iowa State's 35th ranked rushing attack, and Iowa State's 98th ranked defense led by junior linebacker Jake Knott will lock down Rutger's entire offense.  Why is that? Well, in my opinion, anyone that can slow down Oklahoma State can slow down Rutgers.

Linebacker Jake Knott has been a bright spot on Iowa State's weak defense all season, accumulating 107 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions in 11 total games.  Jake Knott will have no problem shutting down Rutgers' weak rushing attack and their average passing game.  

Expect Jake Knott to account for around 15 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception in an Iowa State Pinstripe Bowl victory, earning him the New Ear Pinstripe Bowl MVP trophy.    

F.A. Mortgage Music City Bowl: Miss State vs. Wake Forest

Wake Forest QB Tanner Price

Mississippi State was one of the most disappointing teams of the 2011 college football season. They fell apart early and never really got their act together, ending the season without a win over a ranked opponent.  Wake Forest at least beat one previously ranked opponent in overrated Florida State.

Surprisingly enough, the Demon Deacons have the 36th ranked passing offense, led by sophomore quarterback Tanner Price.  It will be a tough battle to put up the kind of production Price did all season against Mississippi State's 23rd ranked passing defense but in the end he will be able to get the job done. 

Mississippi will not disappoint in the Music City Bowl, once again falling short of expectations and losing to Tanner Price and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.  Tanner Price won't put up ungodly stats but he will do enough to earn him the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl MVP trophy.  

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs N'Western

Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill

Texas A&M's season has been a major letdown, with all of their losses coming within a touchdown or less.  Northwestern's season has also been a letdown, based on pre-season expectations but they lost games by a much larger margin – and the same will happen in the Car Care Bowl.

Ryan Tannehill has been lighting up Big 12 secondaries all season, accumulating a total of 3,415 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.  Tannehill will continue that success against Northwestern's 60th ranked passing defense.

Expect Tannehill to go wild on Northwestern for at least 380 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning him the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl MVP trophy.   

Insight Bowl: Iowa vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma QB Landry Jones

No offense to the Iowa Hawkeyes, who lost to the lowly Minnesota Gophers but managed to beat the 13th ranked Michigan Wolverines, but they just won't be able to hang with Landry Jones and the Oklahoma Sooners.  

The Hawkeyes don't necessarily excel at anything offensively, they are ranked 53rd in scoring, 77th in rushing yards per game and 57th in passing yards per game.  The Sooners, on the other hand, have the nation's fourth-ranked passing offense led by potential 1st round draft pick Landry Jones. 

Landry Jones will tear apart the Hawkeyes secondary in his final game situation audition for NFL teams, putting up numbers to the tune of 415 yards and 4 touchdowns.  That production will earn him the Insight Bowl MVP trophy. 

Valero Alamo Bowl: Washington vs. Baylor

Baylor QB Robert Griffin III

This one is really a no-brainer.  RGIII has been the most outstanding player on the field every game this year, so why would that change in the 2011 Alamo Bowl?  Good news for Griffin and Baylor, that won't change, and Griffin will be named the Alamo Bowl MVP, adding yet another piece of hardware to his trophy list. 

The Huskies' secondary won't be able to contain Griffin's passing attack, and when they think they are about to, Griffin will burn the Huskies' defense on the ground with his athleticism.  

Robert Griffin III is going to have one of the best statistical games of his 2011 season in the Alamo Bowl, and he is going to do so with ease.  Griffin will put his Heisman skills on display and he'll show the college football world why he is deserving of the Heisman honor and the Alamo Bowl MVP.

BBVA Compass Bowl: SMU vs. Pittsburgh

SMU WR Darius Johnson

This one is an interesting matchup between two teams who both didn't live up to expectations in the 2011 season.  Pitt had one of the worst seasons in recent memory, losing 4 of their 6 games by 4 points or less. SMU, on the other hand, got blown out in all but 1 of their 5 losses with 3 of those losses being against teams who are currently ranked and playing in bowl games. 

The one thing SMU has going for them is the consistency of the connection between quarterback J.J McDermott and wide receiver Darius Johnson.  Johnson is a very undersized receiver, weighing in at a whopping 5'10'' 169 pounds.  What he lacks in size he makes up for in quickness and speed.  Johnson's best game of the season, with 152 yards and 2 touchdowns came against TCU's 56th ranked passing defense.  Pitt's passing defense is ranked a measly 71st and will not be able to stop Johnson all game. 

Darius Johnson will help ruin Pitt's season, racking up 170 yards and 2 touchdowns, while earning his Mustangs a BBVA Compass Bowl win and taking home the Compass Bowl MVP trophy for himself. 

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

Cincy RB Isaiah Pead

I would love to pick Aaron Rodger's little brother, Jordan, to win the MVP trophy here but I just can't because Vanderbilt's offense won't be able to produce consistently against Cincinnati's defense.  The real difference maker in this game will be the rushing attack of Cincinnati led by senior running back Isaiah Pead. 

Isaiah Pead has produced consistently for Cincy's offense throughout the past season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and accounting for 14 touchdowns.  The interesting thing about Pead is that while he produces consistently on the ground he also is utilised in the Bearcat's passing game which will help Cincy top Vanderbilt.

Pead will account for 235 yards from scrimmage and 3 touchdowns, earning him the AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP trophy in his last game as a Cincinnati Bearcat.         

Godaddy.com Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State

AKSU QB Ryan Aplin

Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois might not look good on paper but it features two 10-win teams and two conference champions.  Northern Illinois won the MAC championship while Arkansas State won the Sun Belt championship.  Neither of the two teams fared well against high level major conference talent, but in their conferences there was none that played better.

This will honestly be one of the more exciting games of the bowl season, and that will be in large part due to the play of Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin.  Aside from throwing 13 interceptions, Aplin put up great stats, throwing for 3,235 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 605 yards and 9 touchdowns.  Aplin, who is only a junior will show a national audience that they need to take him and Arkansas State seriously next year by accounting for a total of 375 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

Another difference maker will be Arkansas State's stingy 21st ranked defense, which will help Aplin by keeping Northern Illinois' offense off the field.  Ryan Aplin will easily win the Godaddy.com Bowl MVP Trophy while earning his team the 11th win of their great season. 

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Utah

GA Tech QB/RB Tevin Washington 

Here is quite an intriguing matchup.  The Sun Bowl pits Georgia Tech's 3rd ranked pistol/triple option rushing attack led by Tevin Washington, against Utah's 7th ranked rushing defense.  Georgia Tech averages 316.8 rushing yards per game while Utah only gives up on average 98.5 rushing yards per game.

The only problem with Utah's defense is that they haven't seen an offense like Georgia Tech's all season, and they haven't seen an athlete like QB/RB Tevin Washington either.  Washington will be able to continue to dominant on the ground like he has all season mainly because Utah won't know how to stop him.  

Tevin Washington will rush for his 5th 100 yard game of the season accounting for 155 rushing yards, 150 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns.  His production will help the Yellow Jackets win the Hyundai Sun Bowl on route to earning him the Sun Bowl MVP trophy.  

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: UCLA vs. Illinois

Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus 

I'm always amazed at how these bowl matchups line up.  Here, we have a matchup of two teams, Illinois and UCLA, who's head coaches have been fired since their teams weak performance during the season.

The main difference between both teams here is that UCLA doesn't really play dominant defense, whereas Illinois has the nation's 7th ranked total defense.  Illinois' defense is anchored by the play of defensive end Whitney Mercilus, and he will again be the anchor for the Illini in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

Mercilus will help Illinois beat UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl by sacking UCLA's quarterback at least 3.0 times and accumulating 5.5 total tackles.  That kind of performance will easily earn Mercilus the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl MVP trophy. 

Chik-Fil-a Bowl: Virginia vs. Auburn

Virginia RB Perry Jones

Both Auburn and Virginia will be coming off absolutely embarrassing end of the season losses, with UVA losing to Va Tech 38-0 and Auburn losing to Alabama 42-14.  While I think Auburn will be hungrier for a win than Virginia, losing running back Michael Dyer for undisclosed reasons is going to be their achilles heel.

Virginia hasn't been the most overwhelming offensive team all season but they have got the job done, almost earning them a spot in the ACC championship game.  One of the brightest spots of UVA's offense was the production of RB Perry Jones.  Jones accounted for 8 total touchdowns and 1299 total yards.

Perry's production will continue against Auburn's 78th ranked defense, producing to the tune of 180 total yards and 2 touchdowns, earning him the Chik-fil-A Bowl MVP trophy.  

TicketCity Bowl: Houston vs. Penn State

PSU RB Silas Redd

Wait a minute, Case Keenum isn't the TicketCity Bowl MVP? No he's not, and it's not because Penn State's defense will blanket him in the TicketCity Bowl, it's because Silas Redd and Penn State's rushing attack will do a great job of keeping the ball out of Keenum's hands throughout the game.  

Houston boasts the 77th ranked rushing defense in the nation, giving up around 171.7 yards per game, which fits well with Penn State's rushing attack which averages 180.0 yards per game. Silas Redd will lead the Nittany Lions rushing attack, keeping the ball away from Case Keenum by slowly moving the ball up the field against Houston's weak defense.

Silas Redd will rush for over 170 yards and earn 3 touchdowns, which will easily result in Redd taking home the TicketCity Bowl MVP trophy and starting the talk of a 2012 Heisman campaign.    

Capital One Bowl: Nebraska vs. South Carolina

SC DE Melvin Ingram 

The 2012 Capital One Bowl will provide college football fans with quite a matchup. It pits Nebraska's 13th ranked rushing defense against Melvin Ingram and the Gamecocks 45th ranked rushing defense. I know this is a long shot but I still think it's possible that South Carolina's DE Melvin Ingram could walk away with the Capital One Bowl MVP trophy.

Ingram will be the key to the Gamecocks being able to contain Nebraska's rushing tandem of Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead.  If Ingram can get pressure on the running game and contain the rushing attack to the middle of the field it will force the Cornhuskers into passing situations which won't bode well for them. 

Ingram will account for 6 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, which will lead the Gamecocks to a big bowl win while at the same time earning himself the Capital One Bowl MVP trophy. 

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl: Ohio State vs. Florida

OSU RB Dan Herron

Ohio State against the Florida Gators.  A battle between Urban Meyer's old team and the team about to become his new one.  A rematch of the 2007 BCS National Championship game.  I mean, could there be any more story lines for this game?  The key to this game won't be who's on the sideline coaching, it will be the rushing attack of the Ohio State Buckeyes, anchored by senior running back Dan Herron.

In his first three games back after serving a six game suspension, Herron rushed for 415 yards on 70 carries, earning him an average of 5.9 yards per carry.  Florida won't be able to handle the running tandem of Herron and quarterback Braxton Miller but they will undoubtedly key on stopping Miller, which will leave the field wide open for Herron to dominate.

Dan "Boom" Herron will rush for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns which will be enough to earn him the Gator Bowl MVP trophy and earn the Buckeyes and new coach Urban Meyer a big bowl win.    

Outback Bowl: Michigan State vs. Georgia

MSU WR Keshawn Martin

The main difference between Michigan State and Georgia is that one of them proved they couldn't handle the top-tier competition of the SEC and the other proved they were one terrible penalty away from being the Big Ten champion.

Statistically speaking it's uncanny how identical these two teams are statistically speaking.  Just look at these comparisons – passing yards per game (Spartans 247, Bulldogs 241), rushing yards per game (Bulldogs 172, Spartans 143), points per game (Spartans 31, Bulldogs 32) and points allowed per game (Spartans 17.5, Bulldogs 19.6).

The difference maker in this game is going to be MSU WR/PR Keshawn Martin.  Much like Tyrann Mathieu did against Georgia, Martin will burn Georgia's special teams for two big punt returns, one resulting in a touchdown.  Martin will account for a total of 250 yards and 3 touchdowns, easily earning him the Outback Bowl MVP trophy in what will be his last game as a Spartan.   

AT&T Cotton Bowl: Kansas State vs. Arkansas

KSU QB Collin Klein 

Kansas State and Arkansas both feel that they were snubbed by the BCS selection committee and they will both try to show the committee that they made a mistake by not sending them to a BCS bowl game.  Arkansas two losses came in blowout fashion to the No.1 and No.2 ranked teams in the nation, LSU and Alabama. Kansas State's two losses came to No. 4 Oklahoma State in a nail biter and to No. 14 Oklahoma in a blowout. 

Both teams will be hungry to end their season's on a high note, but the hungriest of them all will be Kansas State QB Collin Klein.  Klein's 2011 production was pretty impressive, accounting for 1,745 passing yards and 1,099 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns.  Arkansas' pass defense is very good, ranked 27th in the nation but that won't matter because Klein will burn their defense on the ground, not through the air. 

Kansas State will win a a close game, like they have all season, behind the legs of quarterback Collin Klein who will rush for at least 150 yards and account for 5 touchdowns, earning him the Cotton Bowl MVP trophy and starting the 2012 Heisman talk. 

AllState Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Michigan QB Denard Robinson

The AllState Sugar Bowl features two teams that play very similar styles of games relying on the production of athletic quarterbacks who can both pass and run equally well.  The slight edge in this game however is given to the team with a more complete quarterback and that nod goes to Michigan and quarterback Denard Robinson.

Denard Robinson is a sight to see.  He never fails to produce highlight reel moments and jaw-dropping plays.  Robinson knows what it takes to win big games, as he's proved time and time again, and that will be the difference maker here.  Robinson averages 96.9 yards per game on the ground and 171 yards through the air.  Those numbers aren't astounding and he will be able to outproduce his averages come bowl season.

Denard Robinson will show Virginia Tech they can't hang with Big Ten competition, winning the AllState Sugar Bowl on the shoelaces of Denard Robinson who will account for 4 touchdowns and 425 all purpose yards on his way to winning the Sugar Bowl MVP trophy.  

Discover Orange Bowl: West Virginia vs. Clemson

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins

Here is an interesting matchup between West Virginia, the only ranked Big East team playing in a bowl, and Clemson who was an early favorite to make it to the BCS national title game, after an 8-0 start.  Both teams fell short of their respective expectations but they landed nicely in this BCS bowl matchup. 

For Clemson, the emergence of freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins was the surprise of the season.  In his first 9 collegiate games, he had five 100+ yard receiving games and 10 receiving touchdowns.  Watkins accumulated 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 77 receptions, earning him an average of 15.0 yards per catch.  West Virginia has the nation's 32nd ranked passing defense but Watkins will give them lots of trouble with his speed and quickness of the line of scrimmage.

Look for Clemson to utilize Watkins in a wildcat formation to keep the Mountaineers on their heels for most of the game.  Watkins will account for 220 yards of total offense and 3 touchdowns, earning Clemson their first BCS win in over 60 years.  Watkins will bring home the Discover Orange Bowl MVP trophy, which will start the 2012 Heisman campaign talk down in Clemson. 

Rose Bowl Presented by Vizio: Wisconsin vs. Oregon

Oregon RB LaMichael James

Wisconsin vs. Oregon in the 2012 Rose Bowl will undoubtedly be one of the best bowl matchups of the 2011-12 bowl season.  This matchup features two prolific offenses that play vastly different styles of offense, with Wisconsin running a more traditional offense as opposed to Oregon's fast paced spread offense.

The difference maker in this game will be the unbelievable speed of Oregon running back LaMichael James.  James has put together four 200+ yard games and the 2012 Rose Bowl will be no different.  Wisconsin won't be able to handle James speed and explosive athleticism, the likes of which they haven't seen all season in the more power focused Big Ten.  

LaMichael James will rush for 215 yards and score at least 3 touchdowns becoming the 2012 Rose Bowl most valuable player and proving to pro scouts that he has what it takes to take his game to the next level in the NFL.  

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State

Stanford QB Andrew Luck 

There is absolutely no way that this game won't end up being an absolute shootout.  Oklahoma State boasts the nation's 102nd ranked passing defense, while Stanford isn't much better with the nation's 78th best passing defense.  In a game where both teams rely heavily on the passing game, the difference maker will be which quarterback will be able to be more consistent and that man is Andrew Luck. 

Andrew Luck is going to give Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden a hard lesson in what it takes to be considered an elite NFL quarterback prospect.  Luck has the better quarterback rating, at 167.5 compared to Weeden's overall rating of 159.1.  While that difference isn't enormous, it is enough to give Luck the advantage in this Fiesta Bowl matchup.  

Andrew Luck will lead his Cardinals to one final win in his last game with the team.  He will pass for over 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, making him the clear winner of the 2012 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl MVP trophy. 

AllState BCS Championship : Alabama vs. LSU

Alabama WR Marquis Maze

Here's a shocker.  The BCS championship game MVP won't be either of the two Heisman finalists, Bama RB Trent Richardson or LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu, and it won't be a player from either of the 1st or 2nd ranked defenses in the game either.  The BCS championship game MVP will be Alabama wide receiver and special teams man Marquis Maze.

Senior receiver Marquis Maze will win the BCS championship MVP trophy because the Crimson Tide will utilize him in a wildcat formation.  If Alabama wants to win this game, and prove that they are 2011's best college football team, they have to surprise LSU and they can do just that by coming out in a wildcat formation with Trent Richardson and Marquis Maze.  LSU's defense will undoubtedly key in on stopping Richardson, which will leave the outside of the field open for Maze. 

Marquis Maze will have the best game of his Alabama career, accounting for 85 receiving yards, 105 rushing yards and 120 return yards and a total of 2 touchdowns.  Maze will earn himself the BCS championship game MVP trophy while helping the Crimson Tide win their 2nd BCS national championship in the past 3 years.