The 10 Best Bowl Games This Season

Naturally everyone have been talking about the big rematch between LSU and Alabama in the national championship game, but that's not the only compelling bowl game to look forward to in the next few weeks. 

It's hard to imagine these two teams won't give us a great game, but there seems to be some mixed feelings on the whole 'rematch' thing. If you're not enthused about the rerun, here are nine other games to get excited about. 

10. Valero Alamo Bowl

Matchup: Washington vs. Baylor 

Date: December 29th 

Location: San Antonio, TX: Alamo Dome

The Washington Huskies didn't miss a beat after four-year starting quarterback Jake Locker entered the 2011 NFL Draft, matching their seven-win total from a year ago and earning an invitation to the Alamo bowl. While new starter Keith Price is coming off an impressive debut, completing nearly 68 percent of his passes for 2,625 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions, the real story is the man calling the signals on the other side.

In his (likely) final game as college football player, Heisman-winner Robert Griffin the III, or RG3, is must-watch TV any time he is on the field. While, the 9-3 Baylor Bears are mismatched on paper, don't be surprised if this game features great play by both quarterbacks.

9. TicketCity Bowl

Matchup: Houston vs. Penn State

Date: January 2nd   

Location: Dallas, TX: Cotton Bowl

In a bowl game featuring a quarterback that spent 2011 shattering records for a potential BCS-buster, you would think his performance against a nine-win Big Ten team would be the most compelling element of this match-up.

This would certainly be the case if that Big Ten team were any other than Penn State. In case you haven't heard, the Nittany Lions football program is embroiled in an unprecedented scandal.

Hopefully Houston quarterback Case Keenum's story isn't completely overshadowed by the media circus, because this is a perfect opportunity to see how he fares against a very solid Penn State defense. Will the Nittany Lions be distracted? Will Keenum still throw for one-billion yards? Tune in.

8. Allstate Sugar Bowl

Matchup: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech 

Date: January 3rd

Location: New Orleans, LA: Superdome

That collective sound of outrage you heard on December 4, 2011, was hundreds of thousands of fans and sports pundits wondering how a Virginia Tech team that was blasted twice by ACC Champion Clemson got a Sugar Bowl bid along with a 10-2 Michigan team that didn't win its own division. Ignore the outrage.

The BCS is a system that will find one way or another to make large segments of America unhappy. Instead, focus on the opportunity to see the electrifying Denard Robinson try to work his magic against the always-good Frank Beamer defense.

7. AT&T Cotton Bowl

Matchup: Kansas State vs. Arkansas  

Date: January 6th

Location: Arlington, TX: Cowboys Stadium 

Bobby Petrino's precision, pro-style attack versus the enigmatic Bill Snyder's dynamic spread offense. The Cotton Bowl should be a feast for fans who love high-scoring ball games. Bill Snyder, the original architect who basically single-handily transformed Kansas State into a Big 12 contender left the program in 2005, after 16 years, only to return in 2009 to once again be it's savior.

Led by dual-threat quarterback Colin Klein, the Wildcats couldn't be a greater contrast in style from Arkansas. Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson has all of the attributes of a future NFL quarterback, and Petrino's team has carved up every opponent not named LSU or Alabama. This bowl should provide plenty of insight into how the Big 12 matches up with the SEC.

6. Discover Orange Bowl

Matchup: West Virginia vs. Clemson

Date: January 4th 

Location: Miami, FL: Sun Life Stadium

The Orange Bowl is another game that promises to feature a very busy scoreboard.

Clemson shocked the college football world, with a young team that rolled to an 8-0 start and #5 ranking behind the arm of quarterback Tajh Boyd and superhuman freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Despite struggling in their final four games of the season, the Clemson Tigers redeemed themselves by destroying Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship, earning a BCS berth.

West Virginia overcame a strange offseason where head-coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen became head coach, winning the Big East and a chance to take on the Tigers. Don't be surprised if these two lightning-fast teams break the Orange Bowl record for total yards.

5. Capital One Bowl

Matchup: Nebraska vs. South Carolina 

Date: January 2nd 

Location: Orlando, FL: Citrus Bowl

If you only read the biggest headlines about the Gamecocks this season, no one would fault you for assuming that a team with high expectations ended up having a very disappointing season.

Starting quarterback Stephen Garcia was dismissed, Heisman candidate Marcus Lattimore suffered a season-ending knee injury, and stud wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey had the fewest yards and catches of his career. However, despite the setbacks, South Carolina won 10 games for only the second time in school history. The Gamecocks got there on the strength of assistant head coach Ellis Johnson's vicious defense.

With Johnson leaving to become head coach of Southern Mississippi, how will Spurrier's team respond when they face the "blackshirts" of Big Ten newcomer Nebraska?

4. Rose Bowl Game by Vizio

Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Oregon 

Date: January 2nd

Location: Pasadena, CA: Rose Bowl

Wisconsin has always been known for being a quintessential, old-school Big 10 powerhouse: a pounding running game complimented by a stout defense.

Under Barry Alvarez and most of five-year head coach Bret Bielema's tenure, the Badgers never had the kind of quarterback who could win a game with his arm. So, it's no surprise that when Russell Wilson transferred to Wisconsin during the offseason they become favorites to win the Big Ten. Wilson brought entirely different element to the Badger offense and is a big reason they are in the Rose Bowl.

How will Russell Wilson fare against an underrated Oregon defense; will he be able to match the firepower of Chip Kelly's insane, hurry-up offense? This is a tremendous match-up that features LaMichael James in what is most likely his final game as a Duck.

3. Outback Bowl

Matchup: Michigan State vs. Georgia 

Date: January 2nd

Location: Tampa, FL: Raymond James Stadium

It has to be frustrating to be a Michigan State player; to be this close to winning the Big Ten Championship.It is probably a small consolation, but the Spartans can take pride in playing in what is arguably a much more intriguing game.

Georgia is a veritable phoenix; a team...and head coach...left for dead after losing their first two games of the season. 12 weeks and 10 wins later, Georgia was playing LSU in the SEC Championship.

Georgia's Aaron Murray and Michigan State's Kirk Cousins are two of the best young quarterbacks in the nation and this promises to be one of those classic hard-hitting close games that is ultimately decided by big play in the second half.

2. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Matchup: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State 

Date: January 2nd

Location: Glendale, AZ: U. of Phoenix Stadium

So many college football fans have to suffer through weeks of watching the spread option; the simple fact is there are not enough great quarterbacks out there to effectively run a pro-style offense. Consider the Fiesta Bowl to be a welcome relief.

If you haven't heard, quarterback Andrew Luck is pretty good. He has inspired "Suck for Luck" campaigns among jaded NFL fans and is considered to be on of the best pro prospects to emerge in years. On the other side, you have Oklahoma State's Brandon Weedan who has had a stellar season and the benefit of throwing to wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

This game features plenty of NFL talent and an Oklahoma State team that felt it deserved to be in the BCS Championship. If you love football, you won't miss this game.

1. Allstate BCS National Championship Game

Matchup: No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama 

Date: January 9th 

Location: New Orleans, LA: Superdome 

BCS Championship. An epic rematch of an epic regular season battle. Heisman candidates.

Future NFL players on both sides of the ball. A ballhawking cornerback with a feaux-hawk, nicknamed "Honey Badger."

Two iconic coaches from the same career tree. LSU-Alabama may not be the championship match-up everyone wanted, but you know these are the two best teams.

Must see TV.