2011 Bowl Predictions: Favorites That Will Fall Hard

I stopped yawning enough to realize the best bowl games have finally arrived. The best part of the next couple weeks is that they will be filled with some good ol' fashioned upsets. 

I have grown a little tired of watching crummy bowl games that matter only to those sponsors who would like their names emblazoned across the screen on a random December night. 

Thank goodness, we have finally reached the meat of the bowl game docket when two teams sharing like talent will battle until we are all fat from entertainment. 

Here are a few games we have targeted that will go to the underdog. There is nothing like building up a great reputation, only to see it crumble in the last game headed into the New Year. That kind of embarrassment makes brilliant TV. So here are the games you should jot down as must-see contests. 

Holiday Bowl

Let's start with Texas who is favored as -3 favorites. That small line may have everything to do with a Texas team that is 1-3 in their last four as opposed to Cal who is 3-1. 

The Golden Bears defense will shine as Texas continues their carousel at quarterback. Tumult under center is never a good thing and will be front and center on December 28th. 

Rose Bowl

The No. 5 Oregon Ducks face the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers with a -6 advantage. The Ducks may have an explosive offense, but their defense is what has me worried. 

The Badgers have just as many weapons as Oregon. The soft Ducks defense will have Russell Wilson and Montee Ball combining for one of the best statistical games on their already remarkable seasons. Wisconsin will win a shootout that will no doubt be a delight to watch. 

BCS Championship Game 

Granted, LSU is favored by a mere point, but they take a great deal of fanfare into this game that won't show up in a line. The Tigers are the perfect team that maneuvered through a bevy of battles that could have sent them spiraling. 

They also proved they can beat Alabama at their own defensive game—until now. The Crimson Tide killed themselves in the Game of the Century I. 

In part II, none of that will matter. Alabama won't give up so many errant field goals and should control what will be another low-scoring tight affair. 

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