2011 Bowl Predictions: Ohio State and Other Teams That Will Struggle

The college bowl season is exciting because of the upsets that occur. No one cares if the juggernauts win—they are expected to. We tune in to these games because we want to see something that we have never seen before, like Boise State against Oklahoma in 2007. 

There are some matchups this year that, at least on paper, don't have the appeal that fans are used to. The bowl committees did not do a good job of putting teams together in these games (but that is another story entirely). 

Even the matchups that feature traditional powerhouse teams won't stick with us the way they normally do. The powerhouse teams have not had great seasons.  

Here are three big-time schools that will struggle during their respective bowl games, either due to bad matchups or their own inconsistencies on the field. 

Ohio State vs. Florida in Gator Bowl

Neither the Buckeyes nor the Gators have performed up to their lofty standards this season. Both finished the regular season 6-6, but not all .500 records are created equally. 

Florida played a brutal schedule that included games against Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State. 

Ohio State did not have a schedule nearly as difficult as that. Still, an abysmal offense meant they only managed to squeak out six victories. They are going to continue to struggle against a good, young Gators team on January 2. 

Urban Meyer will make things better, but his reign doesn't start until after this game is over. 

Florida 24, Ohio State 14

Clemson Tigers vs. West Virginia in Orange Bowl

There was a lot of outrage when West Virginia was put in the BCS simply because of conference affiliation. Then they got a perfect matchup to pull off an upset and made the decision makers look smarter than they actually are. 

Clemson is a frustrating team. The talent was there for this team to be great, but once again, the players seemed to lose focus at the end of the year.

With three losses in their final five games, the Tigers aren't exactly the dominating team that they looked like in October. 

Both teams can score—West Virginia ranked 19th in the country with 34.9 points per game and Clemson was right behind with 33.6—but the problem has been on the defensive end. This game is going to turn into a shootout. In that situation, anything can happen. 

West Virginia 38, Clemson 35

Baylor vs. Washington in Alamo Bowl

Heisman winner Robert Griffin III is going to have his work cut out for him in the Alamo Bowl. His defense has let him down all season, and the Huskies offense is capable of putting up a lot of points (31.5 per game).

The good news for RG3 and the rest of the Bears team is that Washington doesn't play defense either, so they will be able to move the ball at will. 

This is another game that is going to turn into a shootout. I would be surprised to see this game get out of hand for either side because of how bad both defenses are. At least we know it will be fun to watch. 

Washington 48, Baylor 45

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