BCS National Championship
Oregon Ducks (12-0) vs. Boise State Broncos (12-0)
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I can’t see any logical reason where the Ducks won't be playing in the National Championship to end the year. Oregon faces two tough tests in Arizona and Oregon State in the coming weeks, but like those who’ve come before them, they’ll suffer the consequences of the Oregon offense. The Broncos, however, are sitting on the outside looking in. Ranked No. 4 in the BCS to date, it means Auburn is going to have to lose. TCU, who currently sits ahead of Boise in the rankings, would then move up. There are two reasons I like the Broncos to get the nod over TCU, though. First, a win over No. 21 Nevada late in the year will give the Broncos what they need to move to No. 2 in the rankings. Second, TCU has just two games remaining while Boise has four. That’s two weeks the Horned Frogs are doing nothing to help their ranking. Who wins…Oregon 45 – Boise State 35
Rose Bowl
Stanford Cardinal (11-1) vs. Michigan State Spartans (11-1)
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Stanford has been one of the more impressive teams as of late. Andrew Luck has been on point late in his second season as a starter and the defense has held opponents at bay. The remaining schedule shakes up quite well, too. Games against Arizona State, California and Oregon State don’t exactly scream upset. The Cal game, because it’s on the road, may give them the most problems. Michigan State should control their own destiny to the Rose Bowl. There may be a three way tie to end the year between MSU, Wisconsin and Ohio State but since the Spartans beat the Badgers earlier this season, I think they get the nod. The Spartans face Purdue then Penn State then sit back and wait. Penn State on the road to end the year should make MSU fans worrisome. Who wins…Stanford 31 – Michigan State 20
Allstate Sugar Bowl
TCU Horned Frogs (12-1) vs. LSU Tigers (12-1)
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TCU has done all that they can to prove they deserve to be in the National Title. Their dominance against Utah a week ago was a showing of what kind of team the Horned Frogs are. The offense, led by Andy Dalton, can score on anyone and the defense, ranked No. 1 in scoring defense in the country, can stop anyone. Unfortunately I think Boise would and possibly should get to the big dance over the Frogs as I’ve previously explained. This LSU team has given me headaches every week this year. There have been multiple times and reasons to think the Tigers don’t have enough offense to matchup against other opponents. They clearly do, however. It’s only been a matter of getting the ball into the playmakers hands. I would also love to see this matchup based solely on the fact that the two defenses I believe are the best in the country. Who wins…TCU 26 – LSU 23
Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4)
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The Hokies may be one of the better stories of the year. Talk about a rally after opening the season on a 0-2 start. The loss to James Madison lit a fire under Tyrod Taylor and the offense of Va. Tech. I can’t see the Hokies dropping another game the rest of the way. They’ve got a very difficult schedule down the road, with road games to UNC and Miami and then a matchup in the ACC title game with whoever wins the ACC Atlantic, but they’re playing too good of football right now. Pittsburgh makes the game by default, sending Wisconsin into a tizzy. Flip a coin to find out who will walk away with the Big East right now. Syracuse is playing good and West Virginia shouldn’t be counted out just yet but Pitt has won three Big East games in a row. At this point the Panthers look the strongest in the Big East, which doesn’t necessarily mean they should be in a BCS bowl. Who wins…Virginia Tech 34 – Pittsburgh 17
Fiesta Bowl
Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-1) vs. Auburn Tigers (11-1)
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The Huskers should win the Big 12. They’ve been the most impressive team to date and probably would have beat Iowa State easily with Martinez healthy and in a quarterback. Texas A&M is really the only team left on the Huskers regular season schedule that can give them fits. In the Big 12 title game, look for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have been dominant offensively, but they’ve already fallen to Nebraska once this year. Auburn makes me nervous when they play. I know their offense can score but I’ve also come accustomed to seeing their defense let people score. This week’s Georgia game shouldn’t scare Tiger fans; it’s the Alabama game that should. To walk into Alabama’s stadium in the last game of the year and come out with a win almost seems like crazy talk. Even with a loss to Alabama however, I think the Tigers can and will win the SEC title. Not good enough for the National Title this year, though. Who wins…Nebraska 33 – Auburn 30
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