College Football BCS Bowl Predictions – As of 12/1

Written by Pete Foster. 


Tostitos BCS National Championship - #1 Auburn vs. #2 Oregon


Preview: The National Championship will be a matchup for the ages. Oregon and Auburn both have high scoring offenses, stellar defenses, and more speed than anyone has seen in years. Auburn QB Cam Newton has dazzled every opponent, most recently rival Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with his athleticism in space and rocket arm. Oregon hasn’t seen a dual threat QB since their Rose Bowl loss last season (Terrelle Pryor), and it will be up to defensive veterans Casey Mathews and Kenny Rowe to shut Newton down. The Auburn D also has their hands full with Oregon’s quick-paced spread offense, which has put up 50.5 points a game (1st in FBS). Speedy RB Lamichael James will test Auburn’s secondary when he finds running lanes.

Cam Newton will be the X factor in Auburn's victory.  

Verdict: This game is a complete toss-up, but ultimately Cam Newton will be the difference maker. The Heisman front-runner is one of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever watched, and his ability to make plays is unmatched. Oregon should push his team to the brink, but Auburn will somehow outscore the Ducks. 


Auburn 35 – Oregon 31

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO - #3 TCU vs. #5 Wisconsin


Preview: Wisconsin has been playing out of its mind recently, and is arguably the hottest team in college football. Their traditional power I offense, even without bruiser RB John Clay, has put up 201 points in the past 3 weeks! TCU on the other hand is coming off of an undefeated season and hopes to justify its highest-ever ranking with a BCS victory. The Horned Frogs have a solid defense and a big-play threat in WR Jeremy Kerly, but have not been tested by any legitimate teams this season, and even came down to the wire with sub-par opponents (Oregon State, San Diego State). Wisconsin will be by far the best competition they’ve seen in years, and it’s very hard to say whether TCU can keep it close.


Verdict: Wisconsin is a better football team all around, and will prove it on January 1st. RBs John Clay and Montee Ball, behind an unstoppable offensive line, should overpower TCU all game and not let up. TCU’s passing attack could make it close, but I believe Wisconsin runs away with this one without a worry. 


Wisconsin 34 – TCU 16

Those black jerseys are pretty sick. 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl - #4 Stanford vs. #9 Oklahoma


Preview: Coming off of a historical 11 – 1 season, Stanford has been playing its best football in, well, ever! QB Andrew Luck is the best true quarterback in the country, and his offense’s balance and complicated formations keep defenses on their heels. In last year’s Sun Bowl, Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles torched Stanford’s defense for 3 touchdowns. The Cardinal D has drastically improved this season, just allowing 17.8 points against, but will need step up if they are to contain Broyles and elusive RB Demarco Murray. Expect a fantastic coaching battle as well between Jim Harbaugh and Bob Stoops.


Verdict: Stanford will get its revenge from last year’s Sun Bowl and beat OU soundly. Oklahoma’s defense is good, but not great: simply not enough to keep Andrew Luck from having a field day on a mediocre OU secondary. Stanford’s defense is improved enough to keep the Sooner’s passing game in check, and the Cardinal will enjoy a solid victory. 


Stanford 38 – Oklahoma 24

Allstate Sugar Bowl - #6 Ohio State vs. #7 Arkansas


Preview: Once again Jim Tressel has led his Ohio State Buckeyes to a BCS bowl, this time with one of his strongest teams. However, they face young and talented Arkansas, led by standout QB Ryan Mallet. The Razorbacks average 338.4 yards per game, and Mallet has dangerous targets in WRs Greg Childs and Joe Adams. OSU has a very experienced offense, led by RB Dan Herron, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, and QB Terrelle Pryor. Pryor possesses the speed, athleticism, and arm strength to rip up a lackluster Arkansas’ defense. 


Verdict: OSU is too experienced and too talented to lose this game. Ryan Mallet can be inconsistent at times, and if he is rattled early the Buckeyes will have no problem taking the cake. Watch out for Terrelle Pryor and his play making ability – he was the game changer in last year’s Rose Bowl, and could be just as deadly against the Razorbacks. 


Ohio State 42 – Arkansas 27

Swag out the building: Tyrod Taylor. 

Discover Orange Bowl - #15 Virginia Tech vs. #24 West Virginia


Preview: After losing to Boise State at the start of the season, Virginia Tech has really slipped out of the nation spotlight. Yes, it was painful to lose to the Broncos, and losing to James Madison brought back memories from Michigan – App. State, but the Hokies are still a good football team. QB Tyrod Taylor is a dynamic playmaker, and they have a first-rate defense. West Virginia should not be much of a challenge, as the Big East is garbage and it’s ridiculous that a team like Michigan State is left out of the BCS picture for a team like WVU. They too have a great defense, but again, that’s playing in the Big East.


Verdict: VA Tech should win in an overall boring and shameful BCS matchup. Watch out for a relatively low scoring affair; both of these talented Ds should hold the other team’s offense in check. VA Tech will only squeak out more points because, aside from WVU RB Noel Devine, they have better athletes on their sideline. 


Virginia Tech 24 – West Virginia 13