2011 Bowl Predictions: Marquee Matchups Destined for Blowouts

The 2012 BCS National Championship Game between the No. 1 LSU Tigers and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide is sure to entertain (defensive football fans at least) all the way down to the wire.

But what can we expect from some of the other monstrous BCS matchups this bowl season?

Well, for starters there will be some disappointing performances from big-time programs, including some BCS blowouts.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oregon, Jan. 2, 5:00 PM ET, ESPN

Wisconsin standouts Russell Wilson and Montee Ball have a combined 74 touchdowns between them and that is far too much offensive firepower for the Oregon Ducks, who have been shredded on defense at times this season. 

The Ducks have allowed at least 27 points in a game seven times in 2011.

Oregon will pit its third-ranked scoring offense (46.2 points per game) up against the Badgers' sixth-ranked scoring defense, which has allowed more than 17 points just three times in 12 games this season.

Wilson will be the key to this game. His ability to escape and throw on the move make him a unique prospect at the college level. He has just three interceptions all season, and that type of ball security bodes well for Wisconsin's chances.

Ball will continue to be a sledgehammer in the Badgers' back field. The 5'11" junior has been a wrecking ball this season, averaging more than six yards per carry in seven games.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State, Jan. 2, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN

Both one-loss teams were in the hunt for the National Championship game early this season, but slipped up late to miss out on New Orleans.

Oklahoma State is as deserving as any top team to play for the title this January, but they'll have to settle for a blowout of Stanford in Arizona the day after New Years. 

Brandon Weeden and the Cowboys can sling the ball around the park. They rank second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 49.3 points per game, which is nearly six points more than the Cardinal.

Stanford's one loss is also much more telling than Oklahoma State's.

The Cowboys were competitive down to the final whistle and lost a shootout to Iowa State on the road in two overtimes. The Cardinal lost a 53-30 blowout at home to the Oregon Ducks in a game it desperately needed to win. 

Stanford's resume is underwhelming to say the least, and it will continue to be Andrew Luck or bust for the Cardinal this bowl season, meaning the Cowboys will roll to their 12th win of the year.

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech, Jan. 3, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN

There is little reason to expect big things from the Hokies this winter, especially after their last performance, a 28-point loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, and their second loss to the Tigers this season.

Virginia Tech's eighth-ranked scoring defense gave up more than 450 yards of offense to the Tigers in that matchup, and the offense turned it over three times, including two interceptions from sophomore QB Logan Thomas.

The Michigan Wolverines will prove a fatal matchup for Virginia Tech in New Orleans this January.

Brady Hoke's squad not only boasts the nation's seventh-ranked scoring defense, allowing just over 17 points per game, but also one of college football's best rushing attacks, led by junior QB Denard Robinson and sophomore RB Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Michigan averages more than 235 yards on the ground, with Robinson and Toussaint having both surpassed 1,000 yards rushing, and that style of play will wear down the Hokies overrated defense and keep the ball away from Virginia Tech's mistake-prone offense.