2011 BCS Bowl Previews: BCS National Championship | Fiesta Bowl | Rose Bowl | Orange Bowl | Sugar Bowl

Date: Monday, January 10, 2011
Time: 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN

Why Watch: You mean, besides the fact that it’s the biggest college football game of the year and that the NCAA will get to crown a mythical national champion? With the way both of these offenses can light up a scoreboard, fans should get the shootout they expect. This matchup features two of the nation’s best players in Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Heisman finalist LaMichael James. If the game comes down to defense, Oregon ranks 14th in the nation in scoring and Auburn is 54th. But as teams like South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss and Georgia found out this season, Newton often saves his best for the fourth quarter. This should be quite a game and one that lives up to its hype.

Game Facts: The Tigers are 20-13-2 overall in bowl games, which ranks them as one of the best programs in the nation when it comes to postseason play. They rank 16th in all-time bowl appearances with 35, are 13th all-time in bowl wins at 20, and are tied for 22nd in all-time bowl win percentage at .600. They’ve won three straight bowl games and six out of their last seven, which includes a wild 38-35 win over Northwestern in last year’s Outback Bowl. During Mike Bellotti’s tenure as head coach between 1995 and 2008, the Ducks went to bowl games every year except the ’96 and ’04 seasons. In 2010, Oregon fell to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, which dropped them to 1-4 all-time in Rose bowl appearances.

Key Player: Craig Stevens, Auburn.
We know that Nick Fairley can get the job done in the middle, and that Auburn can be very tough to run on because of his stout play. But Oregon attacks you on the edges and Stevens, an outside linebacker, will play a huge role in trying to stop the Ducks’ potent offense. If he can keep contain, Oregon might be in for a long day. But if he can’t, LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner will spend a lot of time running through the Auburn secondary.

Odds: Auburn -3
Auburn opened as a 2.5-point favorite but the line immediately moved to 3. Bettors tend to side with the team from the better conference and seeing as how the Tigers made it through a tough SEC schedule unscathed, it makes sense that the public would back them in the title game. But don’t count out a late push for Oregon, which will get plenty of backing closer to kickoff. Auburn has escaped more than a handful of close calls this year, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the line dropped to 2 or even 1 as bettors start to buy into an outright win for the Ducks. The over/under total opened at 74.5 and while it did drop to 74, don’t expect it to drop any further. Oddsmakers know both teams have the potential to score a combined 100 points.

How Auburn can win: By forcing Darron Thomas to throw the football. We know Newton will point points on the board - it’s just a matter of whether or not Auburn can slow down Oregon enough so that this doesn't turn into a “whoever gets the ball last wins” type of game. Thomas is a very capable quarterback, but he and the Ducks aren’t going to win a national championship with his arm. If Auburn can slow the Ducks' rushing attack or build a big early lead, that will force Thomas into obvious passing situations and the Oregon offense all of the sudden becomes a lot easier to defend. If that happens, the SEC will be celebrating its fifth straight national title.

Why Oregon will win: Conditioning. The Ducks represent the new way of wearing a team down. We’re used to it being a big offensive line leaning on a team and tiring them out, but not in Oregon’s case. This team simply runs you ragged. While Auburn runs an uptempo offense, and the Tigers will surely do all they can to prepare for the break-neck pace Oregon plays at, it’s impossible to simulate what the Ducks do in practice. Expect this one to be a shootout, but also expect the Auburn defense to tire as the game wears on, and the Oregon defense to still be going relatively strong. They’re used to playing 30-40 minutes a game, and it hasn’t bothered them yet.

Prediction: Oregon 48, Auburn 45

Contributors: Anthony Stalter and Paul Costanzo

2011 BCS Bowl Previews: BCS National Championship | Fiesta Bowl | Rose Bowl | Orange Bowl | Sugar Bowl

Date: Tuesday, January 4 2011
Time: 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN

Why Watch: Because this may very well be Terrelle Pryor, Daniel Herron and DeVier Posey’s final game as Buckeyes after they were suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season after receiving improper benefits. Assuming there’s a NFL season next year, you have to wonder if all three will consider forgoing their senior years at Oho State to go pro. Either way, they’ll be in uniform for the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas and for now, that’s all that matters for college football fans (or the NCAA for that matter, which didn’t want ratings to suffer by suspending OSU’s best offensive players). The Buckeyes are 0-9 against SEC teams in bowl games and will face a Razorback squad making its first BCS Bowl appearance in school history. Fans that want to see a shootout may get one, as OSU averages 39.4 points per game and Arkansas averages 37.3 PPG. But the key may be OSU’s defense, which is allowing an average of 9.5 fewer points per contest than Arkansas.

Game FactsThe Buckeyes are 19-22 all-time in bowl games and finally broke a three-game bowl losing streak last year when they beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl. They haven’t played in the Sugar Bowl since 1998, when they defeated Texas A&M, 24-14. As previously mentioned, this will be Arkansas’ first appearance in a BCS bowl game and its first trip to the Sugar Bowl since 1969, when it lost 27-22 to Ole Miss. The Hogs are 12-22-3 all-time in bowl games, which includes a 20-17 overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl last season.

Key Player: Knile Davis, Arkansas.
We all know about Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas passing game, but the balance that Davis adds is what makes the Razorbacks especially dangerous. Despite starting just seven of Arkansas’ 12 games, Davis managed to gain 1,183 yards and score 13 touchdowns. He’s also a First-Team All-SEC selection and if he can get things going on the ground, that will open things up for Mallett in the passing game.

Odds: Ohio State -3.5
Ohio State opened as a 3-point favorite but the line has since moved up to 3.5. That’s a little surprising given the Buckeyes’ struggles against the SEC in bowl games, but the public remembers how OSU’s defense shut down Jeremiah Masoli and Oregon’s explosive offense in last year’s Rose Bowl. The public can’t like the matchup between OSU’s offense against Arkansas’ defense either. The over/under total opened at 57.5 but is now down to 56.5, presumably because bettors are buying into how the Buckeyes’ defense could stifle Mallett and Bobby Petrino’s offense.

How Arkansas can win: If its defense shows up. Arkansas was in some shootouts this season -- most notably a 65-43 loss to Auburn -- and we know that Petrino’s offense can score points. What we need to see is Arkansas’ defense stop a good team. The Razorbacks allowed 22.8 points per game, but that jumped to 30 points per contest against the six ranked opponents that they faced throughout the year. The good news is that the Razorbacks beat four of those six opponents, while Ohio State does not have a win against a ranked team this season.

Why Ohio State will win: Because of its defense. Mallett saw some good defenses and great defensive backs during the SEC season, but Ohio State will be the best secondary he’s seen all year. The Buckeyes were No. 4 in the country in pass efficiency defense because they can cover and get after the passer. Plus, you don’t think Pryor, Posey and Herron will be out to prove something before they’re held out of the first five games next year (assuming they return, of course)?

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Arkansas 27

Contributors: Anthony Stalter and Paul Costanzo

2011 BCS Bowl Previews: BCS National Championship | Fiesta Bowl | Rose Bowl | Orange Bowl | Sugar Bowl

Date: Monday, January 3 2011
Time: 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN

Why Watch: The Hokies became the first program in FBS history to win 11 straight games after starting their season 0-2. Frank Beamer’s squad could have folded after losing to FCS school James Madison but instead it rallied, winning 11 in a row in impressive fashion. VA Tech largely flew under the radar while knocking off ACC opponents with relative ease and then crushing Florida State in the conference championship game. Now the Hokies look to put a bow on their season with a win against arguably the best one-loss team in the nation. Stanford had one of the best seasons in school history, losing only to an undefeated Oregon team in early October. They have a Hesiman finalist at quarterback in Andrew Luck, who would probably go No. 1 in the NFL draft if he decides to go pro next season. The Cardinal also employs one of the hottest head coaches in the nation in Jim Harbaugh.

Game Facts Stanford is 9-11-1 all-time in bowl play and will be playing in the postseason for the second consecutive year following an eight-year absence. Oklahoma beat the Cardinal 31-27 in last year’s Sun Bowl. The Hokies will be playing in their fourth BCS bowl in the last seven seasons. They’re 9-14 all-time in bowl games and they’ll be making their 17th straight bowl appearance. Under Beamer, they’re 8-9 in bowl games, which includes 37-14 win over Tennessee in last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Key Player: Steven Friday, Virginia Tech.
They say the key to any good pass defense is a good pass rush and for Virginia Tech, that starts with Friday. The senior defensive end had 8.5 sacks to lead the Hokies this season. He’s incredibly quick off the edge and if he can harass quarterback Andrew Luck, the Hokies could slow down the possible No. 1 pick and the Cardinal offense.

Odds: Stanford -3.5
Stanford opened as a 3-point favorite but the line has gone up to 3.5 at most books. The public generally likes the favorite anyway, but they especially like a favorite with a good offense, which the Cardinal obviously has. As previously mentioned, keep in mind that Virginia Tech has also flown under the radar this season after losing to Boise State and James Madison in the first two weeks of the season. It’ll be interesting to see if the line drops back down to a field goal with sharp bettors taking the hook with Virginia Tech. The total dropped to 57.5 after opening at 58, but now it’s back up to 58.

How Virginia Tech can win: By playing the kind of football we’re used to seeing out of Virginia Tech. The Hokies can’t afford to get into a shootout with Stanford because as good as Tyrod Taylor is, Andrew Luck is better, and the Hokies offense just isn’t built to trade blows with a high-scoring opponent like Stanford. Tech will have to find a way to get stops against Luck, and make plays on special teams. That sounds a lot like the way Frank Beamer and Bud Foster have won in the past.

Why Stanford will win: Because it has an incredibly balanced offense. Teams that are balanced have given the Hokies a little bit of trouble this season, albeit they haven’t seen many teams like that. Boise State put up 33 in the opener, North Carolina State scored 30 later in the season and Florida State scored 33 in the ACC title game even without Christian Ponder. Stanford is definitely better offensively than NC State and Florida State, and could be on the same level as Boise. So while Virginia Tech might not have trouble putting points on the board, its inability to stop the Cardinal will be the difference.

Prediction: Stanford 38, Virginia Tech 30

Contributors: Anthony Stalter and Paul Costanzo

2011 BCS Bowl Previews: BCS National Championship | Fiesta Bowl | Rose Bowl | Orange Bowl | Sugar Bowl

Date: Saturday, January 1 2011
Time: 4:30PM ET
TV: ESPN

Why Watch: This will be the Badgers first trip to Pasadena in 11 seasons, while the Horned Frogs will become the first team from a non-AQ league in the BCS era to play in the Rose Bowl. Both teams scored 520 points this year, which was tied for the fourth most in the nation. This will be a classic strength vs. strength matchup, as TCU allowed an average of just 11.4 points, 126.3 passing yards and 215.4 total yards per game this year, which were all tops in the FBS. They also held opponents to 89.2 rushing yards per game, which was the third-fewest in the country. The Badgers, meanwhile, were tied for fourth with 43.3 points per game (the same as TCU) and employ a three-headed monster in running backs James White (1,061 yards), John Clay (952) and Montee Ball (881). Can TCU's speedy defense matchup with Wisconsin's big bodies on the offensive line?

Game Facts: Wisconsin has won its last three Rose Bowl appearances, while this will be TCU's first-ever trip to Pasadena. The Badgers are 11-10 all-time in bowls and they'll be making their ninth-straight bowl appearance. They beat Miami 20-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando last season. The Frogs are 11-14-1 all-time in bowls, but are 7-4 in bowl games under current head coach Gary Patterson. After winning their previous four bowl games, TCU was largely dominated by Boise State at last year's Fiesta Bowl, even though the final score was, 17-10.

Key Player: Wayne Daniels, TCU.
Want to know if TCU can play with the big boys? We’ll learn a lot by watching Daniels try and get around 6-foot-7 beast of a man and Outland Trophy winner Gabe Carimi. Daniels was an All-American himself, and led TCU with 6.5 sacks this season. If Carimi is able to do to him what he’s been able to do to everyone else he’s gone up against this season (which is destroy them), then TCU might be in for a long day because that likely means Wisconsin won’t have trouble moving the ball. Daniels doesn’t necessarily have to win this battle, but he has to at least hold his own if TCU is going to win.

Odds: TCU -3
Wisconsin opened as a 3-point underdog and while the line dipped to 2.5 at some books, the point spread looks like it has settled in at 3. The over/under total opened at 56.5, but it's already up to 58.5 as the public expects this to be a high-scoring affair. TCU finished the regular season with a 12-0 record and covered in seven of its 12 overall games. Wisconsin finished with just the one blemish on its record (at Michigan State), and covered in seven of its 12 games as well. The total went over in six of the Frogs' 12 games, while it went over in eight of the Badgers' 12 contests (with one push).

How Wisconsin can win: By doing things exactly like it has for the last seven weeks of the season. Since losing to Michigan State, Wisconsin has shown no mercy to opponents, beating them in the trenches and on the scoreboard. I doubt that Wisconsin will deviate much, if at all, from its punishing style. But one thing that tends to happen in a long bowl layoff is that teams lose a bit of the momentum they had in the regular season and coaches tend to over-think things. If they keep it simple and concentrate on simply winning the battles up front, then the Badgers could walk out of Pasadena as Rose Bowl champions.

Why TCU will win: The Horned Frogs are the better overall team. Wisconsin can score, there’s no doubt about that. But the defense is susceptible. Michigan State scored 34 points on the Badgers in their only loss, and Iowa put up 30 on them. TCU’s offense is better than both MSU and Iowa, as Andy Dalton is a much more consistent quarterback than either Kirk Cousins or Ricky Stanzi. The Horned Frogs also have one heck of a defense -- the top defense in the country, actually -- allowing just 11.4 points per game. Sure, the Horned Frogs didn’t play that tough of a schedule, but they destroyed everyone on it, with the exception of Oregon State (and even that game was never in doubt) and San Diego State, a game made closer by two late SDSU scores.

Prediction: TCU 28, Wisconsin 24

Contributors: Anthony Stalter and Paul Costanzo

2011 BCS Bowl Previews: BCS National Championship | Fiesta Bowl | Rose Bowl | Orange Bowl | Sugar Bowl

Date: Saturday, January 1 2011
Time: 8:30PM ET
TV: ESPN

Why Watch: Because it's Bob Stoops and Oklahoma - anything could happen. This is definitely the biggest mismatch of the five BCS bowl games, but Stoops has a five-game losing streak in BCS bowl games, which includes the Sooners' shocking loss to Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. The Huskies are also sixth in the nation in kickoff returns and Oklahoma has allowed three kickoff returns for touchdowns this season, including one in each of their losses. UCONN running back Jordan Todman finished second in the nation in rushing, averaging 143 yards per game. Considering Oklahoma allowed 151 rushing yards per contest in the regular season, maybe the Huskies can play keep away from Landry Jones and the Sooner offense. Just when everyone thinks a blowout is inevitable, the opposite happens so don't give up on this one.

Game Facts: This will be the Huskies' fourth-straight bowl appearance under head coach Randy Edsall. They pulled off an upset against South Carolina in last season's PapaJohns.com Bowl in which they held the Gamecocks to only a touchdown in a 20-7 win. That victory improved UCONN's all-time bowl record to 3-1. The Sooners are 25-17-1 all-time in bowls, but have lost in their last three appearances in the Fiesta Bowl. They're also 5-6 overall in bowls under Stoops, who has his team playing in a BCS Bowl for the eighth time in 12 seasons.

Key Player: Zach Frazer, Connecticut
If Connecticut has any chance at pulling off an upset, Frazer better play at another level. None of this “playing within himself” or “not making mistakes” nonsense - he’s going to have to play the best game of his life. Oklahoma is going to stack the box to take away Jordan Todman, which is exactly what a defense should do against a starting quarterback who has a 102.1 rating and has thrown for only five touchdowns all season. He needs to prove that Oklahoma even needs to use defensive backs in this game. Otherwise, we’re in for the snoozer that we all expect.

Odds: Oklahoma -17
You might be able to find Oklahoma at -16.5 if you shop around, but the point spread is -17 at most books. This line represents the biggest point spread of the five BCS bowl games by a long shot. Oddsmakers clearly aren't giving UCONN much of a chance, although you never know how the line will move closer to kickoff. The over/under is currently 55 after opening at 56. The Huskies finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and covered in eight of their 12 games. The under hit in seven of the Huskies' 12 games and in seven of the Sooners' 13 contests. Oklahoma finished 11-2 straight up and 7-6 against the number.

How Connecticut can win: If Oklahoma doesn’t show up. No, seriously. It wouldn’t be the first time a Bob Stoops-coached team came into a BCS bowl unprepared. If that happens, the Huskies have to jump on the Sooners early and exploit the situation, because it could have a snowball effect. Remember, Oklahoma was at its worst against its weakest opponents this season, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it could play down to its competition once again.

Why Oklahoma will win: Because while everyone has been talking about the possibility of a blowout, they’ve also thrown in the “Bob Stoops-coached teams don’t show up sometimes,” caveat. The Sooners know they’re heavily favored. They know that a loss here would be a stain on the program and their coach’s legacy. They’re going to show up for this game, and they’re going to take it to an overmatched Connecticut team early and often. The Huskies simply don’t have the athletes to deal with a Ryan Broyles or a DeMarco Murray, and their first BCS appearance will be a forgettable one.

Prediction: Oklahoma 41, Connecticut 13

Contributors: Anthony Stalter & Paul Costanzo