By Ben Flemming

Associated Editor/This Week In Football

With the college football season coming to a close and the BCS waters looking a little clearer, being the preview magazine that we are, it’s time to look forward. I have decided to delve into each of the four BCS bowls and the BCS National Championship to make some predictions as to which schools will make it through the rigorous (and controversial) selection process.

 

 

 

The Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi

January 1, 2010

5:00 p.m. EST

Rose Bowl Stadium

Pasadena, Calif.

Ohio State vs. Oregon

America’s oldest bowl game, originally played on New Year’s Day, 1902, between Michigan and Stanford, this is a tradition that will never lose its luster.

It is one BCS game that both of its constituents are already predetermined before selection day – that being the winner of the Pac-10 and Big Ten conferences. Ohio State has already clinched its trip west and has some good momentum going into California on New Year’s Day after five straight to close out the season. Including a nice win over rival Michigan in Ann Arbor.

As for the competitor, it’s going to be Oregon after the Ducks knock off Oregon State in the Civil War on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Oregon’s offense has come on since the opening loss to Boise State. And now, though his time will be limited, formerly suspended running back LeGarrette Blount is back in the lineup.

So while those in Big Ten country would like to take the Rose Bowl title back from USC, which has won the past three, they’ll have to settle for a victory over the Ducks.

As for the 96^th Rose Bowl Game, Terrelle Pryor and Co. should put up some points against a Ducks team that gave up 52 to Stanford. Oregon also has some weapons on offense, and will challenge the Buckeyes’ strong defensive line, featuring Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson. But, OSU’s D’ will be the deciding factor, and the Bucks will seize their first BCS bowl victory since the 2006 when OSU clobbered Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 27-17

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

January 1, 2010

8:30 p.m. EST

Louisiana Superdome

New Orleans, Louisiana

Florida vs. Iowa

Although Florida has sat atop all the rankings throughout the entire season, they are not as immortal as last season. This will become apparent when the Gators have to face off against Alabama Dec. 5 for the SEC championship. Heisman hopeful running back Mark Ingram should find space against the Florida D’, both running and catching. And mammoth of a man, defensive tackle Terrence Cody, will cause problems for quarterback Tim Tebow and the Gator offense. Florida will, however, wind up with an automatic BCS bid as the No. 3 team in the country. And ultimately get to New Orleans.

Joining them in the Bayou will be the Iowa Hawkeyes. After jumping out to an amazing 9-0 start to the season, and then suffering back to back losses to Northwestern and Ohio State, Iowa is still only 11^th in the BCS right now (one spot behind OSU). Illinois got in as a No. 13 seed in 2007, but the Hawkeyes finished with one less loss at 10-2 this year while Illinois went 9-3 that one out of the blue season.

This year’s Sugar Bowl won’t be much of one, but the fact the Hawkeyes got to New Orleans will show that their season was a worthwhile one. Florida’s defense is just too good and too fast, and Tebow will find the end zone multiple times – both through the air and on the ground.

PREDICTION: FLORIDA 35-13

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

January 4, 2010

4:00 p.m. EST

University of Phoenix Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

TCU vs. Pittsburgh

TCU will maintain the remaining automatic bid for the BCS as the undefeated victor of the Mountain West conference. The Horned Frogs will have completed the regular season with wins over BCS conference teams Virginia and Clemson and with victories over ranked foes BYU and Utah. TCU’s resume is much more impressive then that of also unbeaten Boise State and will be why TCU locks down the BCS bid.  

Facing TCU in Arizona will be the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers have seemingly snuck their way into the Top 10 of the BCS…little by little. At 9-1, Pitt has played steadily throughout the season – running through Big East opponents. The Panthers, however, face their toughest challenge at West Virginia Friday. And despite the upcoming tough loss to Cincinnati on Dec. 5, Pitt will still manage an at large bid.

And while the Panthers for sure have two toughies left with WVU and UC, this Fiesta Bowl matchup will prove the most interesting. Both teams have high-powered offenses. TCU has the easier commute and might travel better, but under the coaching of Dave Wannstedt and superior talent (running back Dion Lewis, for example), the Panthers reign victorious.

PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH 27-21

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

January 5, 2010

8:00 p.m.

Landshark Stadium

Miami Gardens, Florida

Cincinnati vs. Georgia Tech

The most impressive team in college football this year has been the Cincinnati Bearcats. Despite losing NFL prospect Tony Pike to injury for a third of the season, backup quarterback Zach Collaros has been just as good if not better. Running back Isaiah Pead averages 6.8 yards per carry, and targets such as wide receiver Mardy Gilyard and tight end Ben Guidugli have made the Bearcats offense the most potent in the Big East. While whispers of Coach Brian Kelly leaving for a potentially vacant Notre Dame job are flying all over South Bend and the Queen City, Kelly has brought a historically basketball school to be a relevant national powerhouse. Indeed, quite the achievement in Buckeye territory.

Facing the Bearcats will be ACC champion Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have only lost to Miami (FL) and beat a then- No. 4 Virginia Tech team that many thought would be very much in the BCS discussion right now. Tech is lead behind quarterback Josh Nesbitt and running back Jonathan Dwyer, who rushed for 1,203 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Though the ACC is without question the weakest BCS conference, and probably ranks below the Mountain West as well, the Yellow Jackets have played like a true BCS bowl team all season long.

The Orange Bowl will be a battle. An offensive masterpiece, if you will. But UC’s multiple offensive threats should prove to be too much for Tech’s really athletic D’. Pike, who’ll start this week vs. Pittsburgh, will have an MVP-type performance that will propel him into the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.

PREDICITON: CINCINNATI 31-21

 

BCS National Championship

January 7, 2010

8:00 p.m.

Rose Bowl Stadium

Pasadena, Calif.

Alabama vs. Texas

The main event we’ve all been waiting for. There will be no dispute as to who should be in the national title game this year.

Both teams will have earned their way, though the Crimson Tide will have trudged through a much more treacherous path.

The SEC has proven to be the FBS conference that sets the standard over recent years and 2009 has not deviated from that. With powerhouses like Alabama, Florida and LSU, whoever makes it out of the southeast with a conference title deserves to be playing for the crystal football.

Alabama opened its season in the Georgia Dome facing off against the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The Tide came out on top, 34-24, and have not looked back ever since.

‘Bama has since beaten ranked opponents Ole Miss, South Carolina and LSU, and after closing the season against rival Auburn, the Tide are set to face Florida for the SEC title game.

With arguably the best running back in the nation in sophomore Mark Ingram, and explosive wide receivers such as Julio Jones and Marquiz Maze, Tide quarterback Greg McElroy has a lot at his disposal.

Also, ‘Bama’s defense has allowed 15 or more points just three times this year. Not that’s one impressive D’.

Coach Nick Saban is meticulous, thorough and ready to avenge ‘Bama’s Sugar Bowl loss to Utah last year.

The Longhorns of Texas have also done their job thus far this season. After opting out of the NFL draft last year, quarterback Colt McCoy’s decision has proven to be a good one. The Longhorn senior holds countless school records and will go down as one of UT’s best signal callers. Ever. His buddy and favorite target, wide receiver Jordan Shipley, has been in many a Heisman discussion. Shipley has 1,204 yards receiving with nine touchdown receptions and two punts returned for TDs.

UT has rolled through most of its opponents with key victories against Oklahoma State and a close 16-13 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Other than those two games, though, the Longhorns’ schedule has been a breeze.

Ultimately, UT Coach Mack Brown and Saban will prepare each of their squads austerely for this matchup of No. 1 and No. 2. Each offense will arrive ready to put up a lot of points, but when the two best go at it, the defense often is the deciding factor. Alabama will give McCoy a lot of pressure and expect the seasoned veteran to turn it over a couple times. So long as Ingram is as explosive as usual, Alabama should get enough points to hold off the Longhorns.

PREDICION: ALABAMA 21-17