Now that the dust has settled and bowl game invitations have been divvied out, we won't have another college football down played until December 19, when Wyoming takes on Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. Will that game be one of my Top 10 most scintillating college bowl games? OF COURSE NOT. But, the following are:
1) BCS National Championship Game (Jan. 7): Alabama (13-0) vs. Texas (13-0).
The ultimate showdown – 1st time ever two 13-0 teams will play on the same gridiron. After the Longhorns squeaked past Nebraska, many experts are calling for a ‘Bama blowout. But, I think Texas will pull it off. I know, I know, Colt McCoy and the Horns did not look aesthetically pleasing in their 13-12 win. But they hung tough in a raucous Cornhusker fan base and made big plays when they needed to. Props to the Husker’s D, but the Longhorn’s O is better than that as evidenced by their previous 12 games, where they averaged 43 ppg. Without a doubt, this game will be a war, and I’m calling the Longhorns 27, Crimson Tide 20.
2) Sugar (Jan. 1): Cincinnati (12-0) vs. Florida (12-1).
The big question here is will Tebow and Co. come out firing on all cylinders, or will they be lagging from their heartbreaking loss to Alabama. They better not wait too long because the Wildcats have a high-flying offense. Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard are PTPers – I know, I watched them in Corvallis, where they nipped Oregon State 28-18 earlier in the year at Reser Stadium. With Urban Meyer leading the way, I say he preps the Gators well and Tebow caps off his marvelous college career with a W – Gators 38, Wildcats 34.
3) Rose (Jan. 1): Ohio State (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-2).
Two of the most dazzling quarterbacks in the land – Jeremiah Masoli and the Ducks “score in 1 minute or less” offense vs. Terrelle Pryor and the “this is a disappointing year but we still made it to the Rose Bowl” Buckeyes. Ducks 31, Buckeyes 23.
4) Fiesta (Jan. 4): TCU (12-0) vs. Boise State (13-0).
Poinsettia Bowl II in the house! Although I was hoping these mid-majors had the opportunity to knock off one of the big boys, this will definitely still be a game worth watching. College football’s #1 ranked QB Kellen Moore vs. College football’s #1 ranked defense. High scoring? Low scoring? This game is tough to predict, let’s call it somewhere in the middle: Broncos 30, Horned Frogs 28.
5) Orange (Jan. 5): Georgia Tech (11-2) vs. Iowa (10-2).
When Josh Nesbitt and the triple-option offense are rolling, they are a beautiful sight to see. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes have shown a tendency to win close games all season by winning 4 games by 3 or less points. It doesn’t matter here as Georgia Tech rolls: Yellow Jackets 34, Hawkeyes 17.
6) Las Vegas (Dec. 22): BYU (10-2) vs. Oregon State (8-4).
My Beavs were thisclose to making the Rose Bowl as they lost 37-33 at raucous Autzen Stadium in Eugene. If you love shootouts, and I sure do, this is the game to watch. Two of the most potent offenses in the nation. 1st team all Pac-10 QB Sean Canfield, 1st team RB Jacquizz Rodgers, and 1st team WR James Rodgers will have a high scoring affair with BYU’s Utah-hatin’ Max Hall, Dennis Pitta, and Harvey Unga (who has 2 cousins on OSU’s team that were my math students). Beavers 45, Cougars 35.
7) Capital One (Jan. 1): Penn State (10-2) vs. LSU (9-3).
Big 10 1st team QB Daryll Clark will need to bring his A-game against an always hard-hitting Tiger’s D. Nittany Lions 24, Tigers 20.
8) Holiday (Dec. 30): Nebraska (9-4) vs. Arizona (8-4).
Ndamukong Suh is one of my favorite college players. After sacking Colt McCoy 4 ½ times, McCoy can't even escape Suh when he goes to New York for the Heisman. When you watch this game, don’t follow the ball, follow Suh. In the game of football, a big part is who controls the line of scrimmage, and the Wildcats offense will have a field day attempting to block Suh. Cornhuskers 27, Wildcats 26.
9) Sun (Dec. 31): Stanford (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (7-5).
One of the fun things about college football is watching the game within the game. Here, I’m talking about Heisman hopeful Toby Gerhart against the nation's No. 7 rushing defense. Gerhart is a load to bring down, but if any team can do it, it’s the Sooners and their mammoth defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Sooners 33, Cardinal 28.
10) Champs Sports (Dec. 29): Miami (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3).
Jacory Harris is a joy to watch, and the Hurricane’s offensive arsenal should be on all-day against the Badgers. Hurricanes 34, Badgers 21.
Out of your top 10, I can't wait to watch Ohio State vs Oregon. I'm hoping Ohio State or in other words the Big 10 takes another upper cut to the chin. You know it's the start of the new year when Ohio State shows the world why the Big 10 should not be considered for the National Championship.
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