2011 Bowl Predictions: Boise State and Near BCS Teams That Will Dominate

The Boise State Broncos are mad and they do have a small reason to be. Though they really didn't play anyone besides an embryo of what the Georgia Bulldogs turned out to be, they still only lost one game. That game was lost by only one point to a Top 20 opponent.

Still, it was at home and late in the season, so the fall was expected. Nonetheless, the Broncos are taking it personal, of course, and they will be looking to make a statement in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Kellen Moore and Boise State will want to prove that it is ridiculous for them to play in such a small bowl game against a non-ranked team. The Sun Devils do have some playmakers, namely LB Vontaze Burfict, who seems likely to be a Top 10 pick in this year's NFL Draft.

That said, Arizona State has been erratic this year. They have absolutely backed into this bowl game, losing four in a row. All the losses have been to non-ranked opponents and they have surrendered at least 29 points in each of them.

The Broncos will make their statement by smashing the Sun Devils, 39-13.

Baylor Bears

Robert Griffin III is fresh off of a Heisman trophy celebration, but he knows the Bears have one more point to prove. It was feasible they could have gained one of the at-large bids, especially the one Michigan received.

They own wins over TCU, Oklahoma and Texas, while Michigan's best win is against Nebraska. The Bears still find themselves in the Valero Alamo Bowl against the Washington Huskies.

The Baylor offense is among the Top Five attacks in college football and they have the nation's best player in RG3. Washington is another team that enters their bowl game on a bit of skid. They are losers of three of their last four, with their only win in that stretch coming in the season finale against hapless Washington State.

The Huskies defense is in for long day trying to contain Griffin and Baylor. Bears win 52-29.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks fought off tons of adversity this season: from the struggles of their talented but troubled QB Stephen Garcia, to the loss of their best player, Marcus Lattimore. Still, they missed out on a BCS berth, finishing 10-2.

The Gamecocks were victimized by a loss to Auburn and a generally weak out of conference schedule. When they face Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, it'll represent the biggest advantage in overall athleticism they've enjoyed since they beat The Citadel 41-20.

Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead will find it difficult to handle the likes of JaDaveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram on the Gamecocks defensive line.

The Gamecocks will force turnovers and create big plays to stomp the Huskers 36-10.