Final Thoughts Before The BCS Bowls

Quick-hitting thoughts on each of the non-BCS bowl games

 
2012-2013 Pre-Bowl Thoughts

The BCS Bowls   

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Before the Bowls - Final Thoughts
- December Bowls
- January Bowls

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO
January 1st, 5:00 pm, ESPN 
Wisconsin vs. Stanford  

By Rich Cirminiello
Rose Bowl matchup of Wisconsin ground game versus Stanford’s top-ranked run D is absolutely delicious.

By Phil Harrison
This is old-time football at its best as both teams are now dinosaurs with their physical pro-styles of play. Despite the five losses that the Badgers come in with, this will be a tight game, and one in which Wisconsin will excel in more than you’d think.

Russ Mitchell
Stanford could stop Oregon, Arizona and UCLA’s high tempo offense, but not Notre Dame’s ground and pound attack. They’ll get a second chance here against Montee Ball and Bucky.

 By Matt Zemek
As enticing a matchup as the last time Stanford and Wisconsin met in the Rose Bowl. Don't blame Northern Illinois for stealing a BCS spot. Blame the system… a system which allows a 5-loss team to get in.

By Terry Johnson
This is the best New Year's Day Bowl Game. It will be interesting to see who prevails between Stanford's elite run defense and Wisconsin's suddenly surging ground game.

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Discover Orange
January 1st, 8:30 pm, ESPN  
Florida State vs. Northern Illinois  

By Rich Cirminiello
Florida State wants absolutely nothing to do with Northern Illinois in a no-win situation. Think Sugar Bowl, when ‘Bama fell to Utah.

By Phil Harrison
Yeah, yeah NIU doesn’t belong, blah, blah, blah. Yeah it might get ugly, but you have to love the story of the little guy getting a shot against a big-money, big-pedigree school. The potential of a lopsided game is scary though.

Russ Mitchell
Don’t be cross with NIU for getting the BCS invite. If Louisville and Wisconsin deserve it, so too do the Huskies. Should FSU show up for this, and its defense navigate the loss of DC Mark Stoops, this should be no contest.

By Matt Zemek
Florida State is such an excellent team against a heavy underdog. The Seminoles always put inferior teams aw--... oh. Wait a minute. They don't.

By Terry Johnson
How will Northern Illinois matchup against Florida State, who has one of the biggest, fastest defenses in the country? More importantly, how does it respond to rookie head coach Rod Carey in the biggest bowl game in school history?

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Allstate Sugar
January 2nd, 8:30 pm, ESPN  
Florida vs. Louisville   

By Rich Cirminiello, 
You think Charlie Strong would like to beat former employer Florida in the Sugar Bowl? He’d like to, but he won’t.

By Phil Harrison

Yeah, yeah, the Cardinals don’t belong...but name me a time where you were confident that the Gators would blow away any team this year. Teddy Bridgewater will have time to heal, so maybe that gives Louisville a puncher’s chance.

By Matt Zemek
If Teddy Bridgewater can, you know, heal up a little, this could get interesting. If Jeff Driskel plays the way he did against Missouri and not against Florida State, Louisville will be right there in the fourth quarter.

By Terry Johnson
This is a great matchup pitting Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater (8th in the nation in passing efficiency) against a stingy Gator secondary that ranks 12th nationally against the pass.

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Tostitos Fiesta
January 3rd, 8:30 pm, ESPN 
Kansas State at Oregon 

By Rich Cirminiello, [e-mail], TWITTER @RichCirminiello
Oregon-Kansas State. The BCS National Championship Game before both teams lost a few hours apart on Nov. 17.

By Phil Harrison
Love it with queso! Needless to say, this is the second most anticipated matchup of the bowls. A month ago, this could have very well been your BCS National Championship. It’ll be offensive- insanity against the tried and true ingredients Kansas State brings.

Russ Mitchell
This game was supposed to take place at the beginning of the year, but it was ultimately cancelled at Bruce Snyder’s request. Karma. Perhaps the best game outside the BCS Title. By Matt Zemek
The best bowl of them all in terms of quality of matchup. The key will be how Collin Klein, given a month to heal from the lingering aftereffects of a concussion, meets the moment for Kansas State.

By Terry Johnson
Aside from the national championship game, this will be the best bowl game of the year. While Collin Klein and Marcus Mariota play the position much differently, they both get the job done. With both offenses scoring points at will, the defense that forces the most turnovers will win the game.

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Discover BCS National Championship
January 7th, 8:30pm, ESPN  
Notre Dame vs. Alabama

By Rich Cirminiello, [e-mail], TWITTER @RichCirminiello
Brian Kelly gets 15 practices to work with Everett Golson. Nick Saban has a month to prepare for the Irish. Whoever makes the greatest strides here walks out of Sun Life Stadium with a national championship.

By Phil Harrison
The Irish have a real-live chance here despite what the media-types say. Both defenses are REALLY good, and Everett Golson might be able to do what Johnny Manziel did to the Alabama defense with his athletic-ability. It should be REAL fun. Get your popcorn and fire up the DVR.

By Russ Mitchell
Bama couldn’t get its running game going against LSU and it should have lost. The Tide failed to get its running game started at home against TAMU and it lost. Even with more than 350 yards rushing against UGA, Bama barely hung on. Can Bama get enough rushing yards against this ND front seven?

By Matt Zemek
A.J. McCarron is not operating at the height of his powers. Would you REALLY be surprised if Notre Dame's defense holds Alabama under 20 points and keeps this thing close for four quarters?

By Terry Johnson
The national championship game will be a defensive struggle with both Notre Dame (6th) and Alabama (1st) fielding top ten units. Since the teams are so evenly matched, the team that makes fewest mistakes will take home the crystal football.

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Before the Bowls - Final Thoughts
- December Bowls
- January Bowls