Mike’s BCS Bowl Predictions

Over the last couple of days I have hinted about who will make it into the 10 BCS bowl slots for the 2009 season.   We know that six of these slots are reserved for the conference champs, and that the other four won’t be easy to obtain. Each and every year we have to deal with which BCS busters deserve the nod into these games and whether or not a team with a lower ranking get in because of their historic and financial advantages. There have been rumors that in 2010 we will scrap the BCS and just play six SEC games instead.

There are so many questions that need to be answered about the BCS bowls this year. Who will be this years Utah? Can USC get to another Rose Bowl after losing an entire pro team? Will Florida really get into the big game again? Is this starting to sound like an old episode of Batman? Find out below on the same bat-website, same bat-time!

Before I dive into my bat-predictions (ok last batman reference I promise), I recommend that you check out Hunter’s BCS Conference Projections and BCS Bowl Projections

Sugar Bowl- Southern Cal v LSU

Before anyone goes crazy about me ignoring the Pac 10 in the Rose Bowl, hear me out. USC has gone to the Rose bowl the last four years in a row, and they have won the last three. I also don’t think that the Rose Bowl Committee would like to see a game against Ohio State when the Trojans likely will crush them again in the regular season. I think Southern Cal gets its chance to shine against the mighty SEC in a bowl game, but will it be what they really want?

Let me start by saying it is hard not picking Oregon to win the Pac-10. I literally have to walk five-steps to see Autzen Stadium and USC lost an entire pro team to the draft, and 50% of people have been picking the Ducks to get to the Rose Bowl this season. But I just don’t know if they are ready for it. I think USC will get the advantage come bowl time. The offense has a ton of experienced tools that are ready to excel, and history has shown us that they can turn over an entire team and still win the Pac-10.

LSU is a team that has been overshadowed by Ole Miss’s potential this year. While I think Ole Miss will have a great year, I just don’t know how they are going to replace Michael Oher and Peria Jerry. LSU lost some pieces, but has been dominant on the recruiting trail. I truly believe that the Tigers will be able to jump over Ole Miss, and Alabama’s losses on offense will be hard to recover from.

Final Score:  LSU 31, USC 23

This game matches two teams that have a combined 10-1 record in BCS games. LSU has a dynamic defense, and an even more intriguing offense that could put up big numbers against any defense. USC will have plenty of new young players on both sides of the ball, but will have enough tools to keep up with the Tigers. Whoever starts at QB for USC will be given an early test for their resumes, and I don’t believe they will disappoint. Overall though, USC will be given their chance to shine outside of the Rose Bowl in a year that they just don’t have the experience to contend in.

Rose Bowl- Ohio State v Notre Dame

USC might not be in the game but Notre Dame’s traveling fan-base will bring enough Pizzazz.

Notre Dame is a reach for the season, but I believe that Jimmy Clausen will become a stud throughout the season, and the defense should be competitive enough to compete with their generally weak schedule. After a few years of building and growing, the Irish have the talent to sneak into the game. Ohio State gets into the game by winning the Big 10 (which should be changed to the Big 4 to compensate for talented teams). Ohio State has lost quite a bit, but Terrelle Pryor will be looking to improve upon his already amazing first year.

Both teams have impressive talent on both sides of the ball, and could stir up some big wins nationwide. This game could come down to Clausen v Pryor, but with each team’s BCS records, this game could also underachieve.

Final Score- Notre Dame 17, Ohio State 14

Unlike the Sugar Bowl, these teams have not excelled in BCS bowls over the last few years. Each team has lost their last three BCS games, and has often been mismatched against better programs. This game could be sloppy and ugly, and could be this year’s Orange Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl- Oklahoma State v Texas Christian University

That’s no typo folks that really is “State” after Oklahoma that I am predicting to get to the big fiesta. This is the pick I feel the least confident about, but I am sticking with it. The Cowboys get their shot in the BCS, and will likely think of TCU as a walk in the park. This game has the potential to be 2007 Fiesta Bowl good. Oklahoma State will likely have one of the three best offenses in the NCAA, and the TCU Horned Frogs will likely have one of the top-5 defenses.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have an amazing offense with three giant names in Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant. They are likely to start the season in the top-10, and might face its deciding game at home in the opener against Georgia. If they are able to get past the Bulldogs, the only two games they should be in danger of losing are Texas at home, and at Oklahoma. I think Texas will get a close win over them, and that they will upset Oklahoma in an end of the year rivalry game.  Look for the Oklahoma game to decide the fate of the Big-12, regardless of the Red River game.

TCU is my BCS Buster team this year. They have an amazing defense, and an offense that can get some things done too. The Horned Frogs are likely to start the year in the top-15, and could easily go undefeated. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team sneak its way into 2^nd in the AP rankings, before getting snubbed in the title game.

Final Score: TCU 28 Oklahoma State 27

This game is very intriguing to me, and I believe the Horned Frogs could pull it off. It will take a lot of defensive might to hold the Cowboys to such a low score, but if a team is able to do it, TCU might be the one. The Cowboys will likely go into the game thinking they can overpower with their offense (like they did against Oregon last year), and they will keep it close. But a solid enough offense and a top defense might be just what the Horned Frogs need to pull off an upset.

Orange Bowl- Georgia Tech v West Virginia

This game is typically awful. The International Bowl is more exciting than this one. Two years ago I chose to go to the Iowa Caucus over the Orange Bowl.

The problem with the game is the ACC. The ACC has the worst BCS Bowl record, notching a grand total of 2 wins out of 9 BCS games (worst in the NCAA) and last year Virginia Tech got in with four losses!

This year’s game will likely disappoint as well. Both teams will likely come into the game with two or three losses in the regular season, and West Virginia just won’t be the same without Pat White. Georgia Tech is a mild surprise for the game, and I think they might be ready to push Virginia Tech off of the ACC crown. G-Tech has a ton of talent on Offense including Jonathon Dwyer, and they should be more settled into their new scheme.

West Virginia will be no pushover even without Pat White, and will bring their own great offense to the game. Many people like USF to make this big game this year, but I just don’t think Matt Grothe can do it with the talent he has. I also thought they would be great last year and was heartbroken when they let me down. West Virginia has lost the historic QB, but should be able to bounce back with similar talent from last year, and experience to get to this game.

Final Score: Georgia Tech 31 West Virginia 24

Georgia Tech has a ton of talent on offense, and could pull off a huge upset this year. They lost some major DL talent, but I still think the rest of the team, along with some potential gains from new starters, could make Georgia Tech a new powerhouse in the ACC. West Virginia is 2-0 in the BCS bowl games, but their defense won’t be ready for Georgia Tech’s Dynamic option game.

BCS Championship Game- Texas v Florida

I hate doing this. I am often the guy who likes to be bold and pick against the favorites to get to championships. But I just don’t see any way that Florida does not make it here. They are returning almost everyone on offense, and the entire defense. Tim Tebow is an amazing athlete that I hope gets a shot in the pros. The Longhorns are a slightly better team that Oklahoma was a year ago. Their defense is about the best in the Big-12 (which isn’t saying much), and Mack Brown is better at BCS games.

Final Score: Florida 52 Texas 35

I am so disgusted in the potential that Florida has. If they get through the SEC undefeated, or with a 1-loss team ranked well enough to get to the big game, I don’t see how they lose. The defense will be the best in the league, they have an awesome run-game, and the best college football player ever (arguably) in Tim Tebow. I am sorry Texas that I’m not giving you a chance, but Florida is easily the best team in the game.