2011 College Football Bowl Preview: 5 Bold Predictions

As the merry cheer of the holidays fills the air, another memorable college football season comes to an end. 

Despite its excitement, this season may be another testament to why a playoff system should be implemented.  From Oklahoma State to Boise State, I feel many teams deserved better bowl invitations than they received. 

On the other hand, teams such as Virginia Tech and West Virginia probably should not be in their respective bowl games. 

I know that West Virginia won the Big East, which undeservedly grants them an automatic bid to the BCS. But, the Mountain West's Top 2, TCU and Boise State, are better than both West Virginia and Cincinnati. 

Despite my rant, I still believe this bowl season shapes up to be another great one.  And with bowl games comes loads of upsets and surprises. 

Here are five of my potential college football postseason surprises...

Arizona State Hangs with Boise State in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas

Another non-automatic BCS qualifier snubbed? A Heisman snub? Kellen Moore and Boise State have gotten so used to winning that a one-loss season is considered a disappointing season in Boise.

On paper, this game is a blowout, but I look for Arizona State to hang with Boise State long enough to possibly pull off the upset.

A move to the Big East could not come sooner for Bronco fans, as most in Boise anticipated another BCS Bowl appearance. 

I don't expect it to play a major role, but disappointment from playing in its second straight Las Vegas Bowl could hinder Boise, especially since each of the last two seasons have been decided on a missed field goal.

I think it's important to point out that no one is giving Arizona State a chance in this one.  Arizona State looks to be a team spiraling out of control, losing its last four games after starting 6-2.  

But, one of those six wins came against a formerly-ranked Missouri team, and another resulted in a three-touchdown blowout of a very talented USC team.  

Look for quarterback Brock Osweiler to feed play-making receiver Gerell Robinson as often as possible.  At 6'4", Robinson constantly causes matchup problems for the defense. 

Also, if the Sun Devils come out and play with a passion for recently-fired Dennis Erickson, they could surprise many.

Illinois Wins the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl and UCLA Finishes with a 6-8 Record

Jim Mora should bring welcome change to the Bruins' program, as UCLA is on the verge of becoming the first team in the BCS era to play in a conference championship and a bowl game despite finishing the season two games under .500.

Illinois is a run-heavy, option-read team with Nathan Scheelhaase under center. And to no surprise, UCLA has endured a painful 2011 season by allowing almost 200 yards on the ground per game. 

Make no mistake, the Illinois football program is probably in a worse situation than UCLA.  This is why a loss here for the Bruins would only add fuel to the fire of embarrassment that has encompassed a potentially talented Bruins squad this year. 

A loss at the hands of Illinois, loser of six straight, would not be any better than the 50-0 loss at USC.  Furthermore, the loss would potentially show how flawed the BCS system is, considering a vastly improved 7-5 Western Kentucky team was left out of the postseason.

Logan Thomas and David Wilson Emerge as 2012 Heisman Front-Runners

Not many people give Virginia Tech the slightest chance against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.  I did not agree with their BCS bid, but do believe that they can win this game on the shoulders of their offensive superstars and special teams play. 

Michigan has one of the most explosive offenses in the country, but I think that Michigan is most vulnerable in a shootout.  This year's Hokie offense is definitely capable.

Logan Thomas has been one of the brilliant surprises of the 2011 season.  At 6'6" and 250 lbs., Thomas compares to Cam Newton.  He might not have the speed, but he has the arm. 

Should junior running back David Wilson—the most consistent running back in college football over the past three years—choose not to declare for the draft, he will certainly be a Heisman front-runner in 2012. 

A strong performance in the Sugar Bowl by both players would bring them and Virginia Tech a lot of hype for the 2012 season.

Uncharacteristically suspect at times, especially against Clemson, has been Bud Foster's defensive unit.  If this unit plays like they are not facing Clemson, it should keep the Hokies in the game. 

I believe Foster will attempt to confuse Denard Robinson by throwing many different looks at him in the passing game.  "Shoelace" has not been as consistent throwing the ball as he was last season, and VA Tech should try to expose this. 

Not to be forgotten is the special teams genius that Frank Beamer embodies.  A couple wrinkles or trick plays here or there could shift the momentum and change the entire makeup of the game.

The Big Ten Bests the SEC in Head-to-Head Matchups

The three Big Ten-SEC bowl game matchups are Ohio State vs. Florida (Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl), Michigan State vs. Georgia (Outback Bowl) and Nebraska vs. South Carolina (Capital One Bowl).  All three Big Ten teams are underdogs, but I believe all three games are winnable.

The key matchup to watch in the Gator Bowl is the quarterback matchup.  Whichever quarterback can distribute the ball to his playmakers effectively and most often should give his team the upper hand. 

Both defenses are solid and have great speed, but I believe Florida's aggressive defensive nature should bode well for the mobile Braxton Miller, who continues to mature and develop as a passer each week.

Michigan State comes off a heartbreaker in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game and should be hungry for a win after getting embarrassed in last year's Capital One Bowl against SEC powerhouse Alabama. 

Of the three Big Ten teams, I believe the Spartans have the toughest task to knock the SEC from its perch in defeating Georgia.  Most know that Georgia is a much better team than its 42-10 SEC Championship Game loss to LSU indicates. 

Based on that game, it is apparent that the Bulldogs are extremely talented defensively.  Though, I believe the Spartan defense can play just as well. 

The toughest task State will face is stopping 2012 Heisman-contender Aaron Murray and the Georgia aerial attack.  However, don't count out LeVeon Bell and Kirk Cousins to play well and make an impact on the game.  Yards will be hard to come by in this game, so special teams may decide the outcome.

Lastly, Nebraska will head to Orlando and try to knock off No. 9 South Carolina.  Unfortunately, the game could be overshadowed by violations recently alleged by the NCAA. 

Assuming the violations committed by South Carolina do not serve as a distraction, the game sets as a very interesting matchup.  Both teams are coming off dominant rivalry-game wins and look to run the ball down their opponents' throats.  

Therefore, both defenses will load the box and look to stop the run first.  Like each of the previous games, yards will be hard to come by, and the game could be decided by whichever young quarterback plays more consistently. 

Despite being underdogs, Nebraska can win this game if Taylor Martinez sheds his inconsistent play, and his offensive line can protect him against Melvin Ingram and the powerful Gamecocks D-line.

Alabama Defeats LSU by Double Digits in the BCS National Championship Game

LSU took advantage of four Alabama missed field goals during the "Game of the Century." 

The LSU defense is probably the best unit we've seen in the last few years, but I believe the Alabama defense works better together as a unit.  Considering that LSU looks to have more speed, depth and recognition on that side of the ball, I don't know what compels me to say that other than a gut feeling.

Alabama quarterbacks, over the last few years, have been underrated because they have been viewed as merely game managers.  From Brodie Croyle to Greg McElroy to current signal-caller A.J. McCarron, Crimson Tide "game managers" have stepped up and made big plays when they needed to. 

The fact that Trent Richardson did not win the Heisman only hurt LSU because he should now feel hungry to prove that he really is the best player in the country.  Eddie Lacy also provides an effective, fresh set of legs to combat LSU's defensive depth.

Most know that Alabama should've won the first meeting between these two teams, and I agree.  Obviously, the kicking game was to blame, but how often is a safety going to have the awareness to make a play like Eric Reid and rip the ball from the receiver's hands in mid-air inside his own 5-yard-line? 

And how often is Marquis Maze going to fail to throw the ball to such a wide-open receiver downfield until the window closes, and then under-throw the pass when he finally does see the streaking tight end? 

Assuming  that the Crimson Tide kickers have straightened out all their kinks and that the Tide defense can slow down LSU's trio of very young, but very talented running backs, Alabama should be in good shape. 

Jordan Jefferson can't afford to throw the ball every down against the 'Bama D.  Resorting to a one-dimensional offense spells suicide for each offense against these defenses.