BCS Selection Show 2009: My Bowl Picks, Matchups and BCS Bowl Surprises
Posted: Sunday, December 06, 2009
by Edward Rhymes
Update (12/08/09):
The BCS Committee has decided to throw a monkey-wrench into my hypothesis. In the Fiesta Bowl, Boise State will be matched against TCU. I had picked Boise State's superior offense over Iowa's stingy defense, but TCU's is another matter altogether. The Horned Frogs have enough overall defensive team speed (and they are ranked Number 1 in the NCAA in total defense) to match BSU's offensive firepower.
Don't look for the Horned Frogs defense to get after the quarterback much in this game (the Broncos are No. #1 in the nation in sacks allowed), however, figure on them confusing Boise State with various defensive looks (they are ranked No.#2 in the NCAA in opponents' passing efficiency) --- I pick TCU in a close one.
Iowa will be paired against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech's triple-option offense (and it's second-ranked rushing offense) will be tested against the Hawkeyes No. #10 scoring defense. Iowa's horrid offense (93rd ranked) will be matched against Georgia Tech's putrid defense (ranked 54th in the nation). Bowl games are usually high-scoring affairs, I pick Georgia Tech in a squeaker because the Ramblin Wreck's overall offense is so evenly matched with Iowa's overall defense (No. 11 vs. No. 11).
Original Article
Although my beloved FSU Seminoles won't be a BCS Bowl participant this year (and my 2nd favorite coach of all time, Bobby Bowden, retiring), there is still a great deal of great football to watch this holiday season. After watching Alabama systematically dismantle the Florida Gators this past Saturday (just about the best defensive performance I have seen by any football team in recent memory) I believe they are all but a lock for the national championship. They will be matched against Texas who won the Big 12 Championship against Nebraska. I believe with the maturation of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy and the running of probable Heisman winner running back Mark Ingram (not to mention the outstanding freshman RB Trent Richardson) this will be too problematic for Texas. Heisman hopeful Texas QB Colt McCoy seems to have had problems with good defenses this year and Alabama will be the absolute best that they will face. I pick Alabama in a blowout.
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Ohio State
Oregon seems to be getting hot as Ohio State appears to suffer from BDD (Bowl Day Dysfunction) these past few years. Oregon's offense will burn (but not dominate) a struggling Ohio State defense.
Orange Bowl: TCU vs. Georgia Tech
There have been some that have said that TCU deserves to be in the national championship (I'm not one of them), but they will try to make their case in their matchup against Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech, which touts a wonderful triple-option offense, comes out of a weak ACC and TCU has dominated the ACC this past season (3-0). The Horned Frogs defensive speed will be more than a match for anything GT can throw at them. This I believe will be another bowl day blow-out with TCU winning by at least three scores.
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Iowa
Boise State, another undefeated team this year, put on one of the most exhilarating shows in recent BCS history in 2007 with a 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma. They will be matched against an Iowa defense that was extremely difficult to score against this year. This game won't match the drama of the 2007 game, but it still should be pretty good. I think that Boise State remains undefeated as their superior offense trumps superior defense in this one.
Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Cincinnati
The Gators, who will still be fuming about their loss against the Crimson Tide, will ground and pound the Bearcats high-flying offense. Tim Tebow will want to end his college career on a strong note --- and he will. Florida dominates Cincy.
Oh how I love this game and this year college football has been wonderful. Enjoy!
The BCS Committee has decided to throw a monkey-wrench into my hypothesis. In the Fiesta Bowl, Boise State will be matched against TCU. I had picked Boise State's superior offense over Iowa's stingy defense, but TCU's is another matter altogether. The Horned Frogs have enough overall defensive team speed (and they are ranked Number 1 in the NCAA in total defense) to match BSU's offensive firepower.
Iowa will be paired against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech's triple-option offense (and it's second-ranked rushing offense) will be tested against the Hawkeyes No. #10 scoring defense. Iowa's horrid offense (93rd ranked) will be matched against Georgia Tech's putrid defense (ranked 54th in the nation). Bowl games are usually high-scoring affairs, I pick Georgia Tech in a squeaker because the Ramblin Wreck's overall offense is so evenly matched with Iowa's overall defense (No. 11 vs. No. 11).
Original Article
Although my beloved FSU Seminoles won't be a BCS Bowl participant this year (and my 2nd favorite coach of all time, Bobby Bowden, retiring), there is still a great deal of great football to watch this holiday season. After watching Alabama systematically dismantle the Florida Gators this past Saturday (just about the best defensive performance I have seen by any football team in recent memory) I believe they are all but a lock for the national championship. They will be matched against Texas who won the Big 12 Championship against Nebraska. I believe with the maturation of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy and the running of probable Heisman winner running back Mark Ingram (not to mention the outstanding freshman RB Trent Richardson) this will be too problematic for Texas. Heisman hopeful Texas QB Colt McCoy seems to have had problems with good defenses this year and Alabama will be the absolute best that they will face. I pick Alabama in a blowout.
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Ohio State
Oregon seems to be getting hot as Ohio State appears to suffer from BDD (Bowl Day Dysfunction) these past few years. Oregon's offense will burn (but not dominate) a struggling Ohio State defense.
Orange Bowl: TCU vs. Georgia Tech
There have been some that have said that TCU deserves to be in the national championship (I'm not one of them), but they will try to make their case in their matchup against Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech, which touts a wonderful triple-option offense, comes out of a weak ACC and TCU has dominated the ACC this past season (3-0). The Horned Frogs defensive speed will be more than a match for anything GT can throw at them. This I believe will be another bowl day blow-out with TCU winning by at least three scores.
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Iowa
Boise State, another undefeated team this year, put on one of the most exhilarating shows in recent BCS history in 2007 with a 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma. They will be matched against an Iowa defense that was extremely difficult to score against this year. This game won't match the drama of the 2007 game, but it still should be pretty good. I think that Boise State remains undefeated as their superior offense trumps superior defense in this one.
Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Cincinnati
The Gators, who will still be fuming about their loss against the Crimson Tide, will ground and pound the Bearcats high-flying offense. Tim Tebow will want to end his college career on a strong note --- and he will. Florida dominates Cincy.
Oh how I love this game and this year college football has been wonderful. Enjoy!
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hey Mr. Rhymes, I've only recently gotten into college football, I'm really a life-long NFL fan. But from what I've seen TCU and Boise State are tops. Too bad they don't play in the high profile conferences. But TCU looks pretty invincible and Boise State with their blue home field are certainly making a lot of opponents blue. Like your picks. Should be some good football, but you never know what's going to happen. Look at what happened to Florida last Saturday. Who'd a thunk it. Enjoy those games. I know I will.Thanks Jeff. I agree TCU and that lightning-quick defense looks good and Boise State touts an offense that is lights out. I saw Alabama having the type of team that could shut down Florida --- but even I was surprised at how well they did it.It should be good football. Thanks for stopping by Jeff and I hope you enjoy it as well.
Hi Edward, good stuff - very informative, but best of all ------- GO DUCKS!!!! woo-hoo!Thanks Teresa! Oregon is heating up at just the right time --- all in all it should be an interesting game.Thanks for stopping by Sista!
As someone who is a lifelong college football worshiper (it's my other-if lesser-faith) I have to agree with your choices...thanksRichThanks Rich for commenting. I played college football and coached at the high-school level --- it is just something about the game that I love.Please note the update to the article --- I had to do some reshuffling.Thanks for stopping by Rich.I too went to FSU and met St. Bobby a number of times...I was too light to play Feetball, but my brother was on the 74 0-11 team....LOL...Maybe there's a slight misunderstanding, I never went to FSU --- I played college football in Wisconsin. I have been a long-time fan of Bobby Bowden --- his approach to coaching and life.Thanks Rich for stopping by and sharing your story.
Edward, I am a huge college football fan and I can't help but disagree with your Georgia Tech vs. Iowa selection as well as the Ohio State vs. Oregon game. Can you tell I'm a Big10 fan? :-) More precisely, On Iowa! Go Hawks!Thanks for stopping by Barbara. Hey, I hear you --- I was born and raised in Chicago; played college football in Wisconsin and my wife is from Minnesota, which means... I know the Big Ten!I can only go on what I've seen from these teams --- Ohio State has an untested quarterback and they've been susceptible to bowl-day letdowns these past few years; and as for Iowa, unless they discover an offense to go along with a pretty good defense, I don't see them beating GT.But look at it this way, if I'm wrong you no where to find me to rub it in!Thanks again for reading and commenting Barbara.
Being a USC fan this year was tuff... oouch... anyway, I like Texas's chance in Pasadena again... they seem to like the place. Oregon will "light up" Ohio State, TCU will beat overrated Georgia Tech, and Bosie State will run right past Iowa. The Florida game will be hard to watch... the Gators will wipe them out.
Thanks Riley. The Pac-10 was far more competitive than the Big Ten and that will play out in the the various bowl games.As far as Texas is concerned... I just don't see it happening. That Tide defense and with McElroy coming into his own at the right time, and not to mention a Heisman trophy winner at running back, I believe Alabama will roll.At any rate, I'm going to love watching these games. Thanks for stopping by Riley.
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