2011 Bowl Predictions: 3 Teams That Will Prove They Belonged in BCS Bowls

As with every other season, several teams feel like they got a raw deal by being left out of BCS bowls. However, there's nothing they can do about it now, other than to use their frustration as motivation.

Here are three teams that will do exactly that during bowl season. 

No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas only lost two games during the regular season. Both were road games and the opponents were Alabama and LSU—this year's national title game participants. The Razorbacks picked up marquee wins over South Carolina, Texas A&M and Auburn, but it wasn't enough to get a bid.

Now they head into an intriguing Cotton Bowl game against Kansas State. The Wildcats posted a similar résumé, losing just two games to elite opponents. Look for a shootout with Tyler Wilson and company pulling away late for Arkansas.

Prediction: Razorbacks 37, Wildcats 27 

No. 7 Boise State Broncos

Boise State takes its second consecutive trip to the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas, where they knocked off Utah last season. This year, they match up against Arizona State of the Pac-12. The Sun Devils started their season well before fading down the stretch.

It will be a victory lap of sorts for Broncos senior quarterback Kellen Moore. Entering his final collegiate game, he's accumulated 143 total TDs and more than 14,000 passing yards. Look for him to put on one final show for his faithful fans.

Prediction: Broncos 28, Sun Devils 20 

No. 18 TCU Horned Frogs

TCU needed to finish inside the Top 16 to become BCS eligible, but fell two spots short. Meanwhile, West Virginia—which finished 22nd—is heading to the Orange Bowl. Life isn't fair sometimes and the Horned Frogs certainly understand that.

They match up against WAC champion Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Bulldogs enter on a seven-game winning streak after starting the season 1-4. However, their defense will be no match for TCU's ninth-ranked offense, which averaged more than 40 points per game.

Prediction: Horned Frogs 31, Bulldogs 17