(Matt Cashore / US PRESSWIRE)
The fourth weekend of college football was simply sensational and the BCS picture is slowly becoming more clear.
However, there are still so many games that have yet to be played and the italicized matchups are all my BCS projections. Many of the teams below will be playing in their conference title games, which is why many of them have 13 games projected.
Rose Bowl- Jan. 1
Oregon Ducks (12-1, Pac-12 Winner) vs. Michigan State Spartans (11-2, Big Ten Winner)
This matchup does not look all that great right now since the Ducks look like BCS title contenders and the entire Big Ten as a hole are frauds.
However, Sparty on defense should be a top 10 defense with all the stars they have and it would be quite the challenge taking on the electric Ducks.
Orange Bowl- Jan. 1
Louisville Cardinals (10-2, Big East Winner) vs. Clemson Tigers (11-1, ACC tie-in, Projected #3 BCS at-large bid)
This matchup is your typical Orange Bowl in recent memory, which means expect a ton of points but not exactly the greatest of teams.
Clemson has legit talent and they showed Florida State in the first three quarters how good they are, but their inability to protect and harass the passer caught up to them.
Sugar Bowl- Jan. 2
Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, SEC tie-in) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (11-1, #2 BCS at-large bid)
The Big 12 is the second best conference in America and they look a bit better than the Pac-12 at this moment thanks to Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Kansas State of all teams.
The Wildcats are legit on defense and Collin Klein is a flat out superstar. I thought this team did not have the players, but they showed last season that they did and they did bring everybody back. Arthur Brown is the third best linebacker in America (Teo, Jones) and it cannot be stated enough of just how impressive they are on both sides of the ball.
Matching up with a team like Alabama would be the stiffest of challenges though. Saban would likely consider it a disaster if they end up losing a game at any point, but the SEC is so impressive it will not be easy to cake walk through the regular season and the SEC title. They do have the talent though, but going up against Tennessee and potentially Georgia or Florida would test their secondary (only minor weak link).
Fiesta Bowl- Jan. 3
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2, BCS #1 at-large bid) vs. Texas Longhorns (Big 12 Champions)
This would game would bring a boatload a ton of excitement with their spectacular fanbases, and many thought this matchup would not be possible.
Well, two of the top 10 defenses in college football gives you an opportunity to play for a major bowl and taking care of the ball offense actually goes a far way.
Both the Irish and the Longhorns are relentless up front on both sides of the ball, but many still question their quarterback play. Running the ball down the opposition’s throats will be the key, but the stars look aligned for both of these programs if they can protect their home field.
BCS National Championship- Jan. 7
Georgia Bulldogs (13-0, Projected #1 BCS Team) vs. Florida State Seminoles (13-0, Projected #2 BCS Team)
Alabama and Oregon may be ranked in the top for the polls at the moment, but I have both losing a game down the road.
The best two defenses in college football would be Georgia and Florida State, but it is their offenses as to why they are slotted here.
E.J. Manuel put together a virtuoso performance against Clemson, totaling for nearly 500 yards of offense by his lonesome.
Aaron Murray still has Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida, which would either drop or shoot him up the Heisman rankings. The athletes they have all over the field is eye-popping since they have yet to play with arguably their two best players (Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree).
