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College football has made its selections. Here are mine:
Rose Bowl Game (Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif.)
- #5 Wisconsin vs. #3 TCU -
Wisconsin will enter the game with only one loss on their record, from the Oct. 2 match-up against No. 24 Michigan State. Texas Christian University will enter the game undefeated and the first ranked team in the country in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 11.4 points per game. Wisconsin and TCU are tied for fourth overall in the country in scoring offense with 43.3 points per game, so expect a high-scoring bout unless TCU’s defense plays lights out. Look for a senior quarterback duel between the Badgers’ Scott Tolzien and the Horn Frogs’ Andy Dalton, who both have season passer ratings over 167. This is sure to be a close one, but an undefeated season has to end sometime.
Edge: Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1, Glendale, Ariz.)
- Connecticut vs. #7 Oklahoma -
This will be Connecticut’s first ever BCS appearance. The Huskies started their regular season by losing four out of their first seven games, all on the road, against Michigan, Temple, Rutgers and Louisville, but finished strong by ending on a five-game winning streak. Oklahoma didn’t have their best regular season either, coughing up two easy-win losses to No. 11 Missouri and Texas A&M. The Sooners have a deadly combo with sophomore quarterback Landry Jones and junior wideout Ryan Broyles, who have combined for 1,452 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Although Connecticut may give Oklahoma an early run, the Sooners’ BCS experience of seven appearances will cast a large shadow over a big-hearted Huskies team in a blowout victory.
Edge: Oklahoma
Orange Bowl (Jan. 3, Miami, Fla.)
- #4 Stanford vs. #13 Virginia Tech -
Stanford’s only loss of the season came Oct. 2 against No. 4 Oregon who is now ranked second in the country and will be playing in the BCS title game. Look for the Cardinals’ sophomore running back Stepfan Taylor to be a major factor in how Stanford earns its points during this game. Taylor has scored 16 touchdowns on the year while racking up over 1,000 yards on the ground. The Cardinals’ senior quarterback Andrew Luck will also continue to dominate after having a spectacular season — totaling 3,051 yards in the air along with 28 touchdowns.
Luck just recently became a finalist for this year’s Heisman Trophy. Virginia Tech is riding on an 11-game win streak that started back in early September after losing their first two games against No. 3 Boise State and James Madison. Virginia Tech senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor was named ACC Player of the Year just a week ago after a season similar to Luck’s — 3,158 of total offense with 28 touchdowns. This will be the most exciting matchup of the year behind the BCS title game. Again, win streaks must end sometime. In this case, one team will continue theirs onto next year. Stanford uses Luck and skill in this one for an overtime win.
Edge: Stanford
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 4, New Orleans, La.)
- #6 Ohio State vs. #8 Arkansas -
Ohio State will enter the game with a lone Oct. 16 loss against Big Ten rival and Rose Bowl selection, No. 18 Wisconsin. The Buckeyes’ defense is among the top in the nation, ranking third in scoring defense with 250.6 yards per game, fourth in pass defense with 156.3 yards per game and second in total defense and limiting opponents to just 250.6 yards a game. Ohio State has five first-team All-Big Ten selections: senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, senior linebackers Ross Homan and Brian Rolle and senior defensive backs Chimdi Chekwa and Jermale Hines. Look for the Buckeyes to rely on junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor to set the team’s pace.
Arkansas’ two losses this season came against No. 1 Alabama and No. 7 Auburn. Junior quarterback Ryan Mallett is one of the nation’s top rated passers, ranking third overall in quarterback ratings with 170.5. Mallett does have a soft spot for interceptions with 11 on the season so look for Ohio State to capitalize on his every mistake. This is the first time these two schools have ever matched off in college football. Expect a battle between Mallett’s passing game and the Buckeyes’ blanket defense. Ohio State will hold the Razorbacks off early, but will collapse when Mallett begins to connect.
Edge: Arkansas
BCS National Championship Game (Jan. 10, Glendale, Ariz.)
- No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 1 Auburn -
Oregon and Auburn match up for what should be one of the greatest bowl games we’ve seen in a while: Neither team has ever made it to a BCS title game, both remain undefeated and each will showcase a Heisman Trophy finalist. The Ducks began their season out-scoring their opponents 189-13 in the first three games, which is why they are now ranked No. 1 in the country for scoring offense with 49.3 points per game. Sophomore running back phenom LaMichael James leads the entire nation in rushing yards and touchdowns with 1,682 and 21, respectively.
Auburn didn’t exactly have a dominating season but held on to win every game. With junior Cam Newton at quarterback, the Tigers are at a great advantage. Newton leads the nation with a passer rating of 188.2 and will look for his favorite target junior wideout Darvin Adams throughout the game. This game will come down to who performs better: Oregon’s pass defense or Auburn’s run defense. Oregon gets the slight upset.
Edge: Oregon
