Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian
Follow @Dan Vasta and like Gridiron Grit on Facebook
Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 5 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Stanford Cardinal (Projected 11-2, Pac-12 Champs) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Projected 11-2, Big Ten Champs)
This would be quite the matchup with Big Ten against Pac-12 ruling the day, but that is because the Cardinal are one of the hotter teams out there thanks to their physicality.
However, it has not been easy slowing Taylor Martinez and this improved Huskers offense. While the Big Ten is a mediocre at best conference, this game could be much closer than some of the experts anticipate due to freshman quarterback Kevin Hogan continuing to be careless with the ball.
Bank on a great game despite the matchup not looking as sexy on paper as it will end up on the gridiron.
Orange Bowl (Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Florida State Seminoles (Projected 12-1, ACC Champions) vs. Louisville Cardinals (11-1, Big East Projected Champions)
I have gone back and forth with Rutgers and Louisville, and once again I am undecided because the Big East is a huge mess.
Florida State feels like they deserve a crack at the BCS title if Notre Dame were to lose, and many of the haters out there with the awful computer rankings will continue to get even worse.
Still, anything can happen despite two of the computer’s not even listing the Noles in their top 25 (which is like saying the 85 Bears were not dominant enough). At the very worst FSU can take their frustrations out against the Gators and their ACC opponent in the ACC title.
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Clemson Tigers (Projected 11-1, BCS at-large bid) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (Projected 10-2, SEC tie-in)
Johnny Manziel against the Tigers or Sooners would be a thrill and it would be sexy for those money craving BCS committees. The fans would also not mind this contest with all of the offensive stars, but let’s keep this straight here in terms of facts.
Clemson is much more worthy and is the better team, and they would put on a clinic with the Aggies. However, some have OU getting the nod!
Are you kidding me right now, they just allowed 778 yards to West Virginia!
These two offensive skill position teams are filthy good and I alongside the scouts would be drooling. Still, OU-A&M would not be too shabby though if OU’s defense could find a way to avoid getting embarrassed by a quarterback that is making even the best of SEC defenses look lost.
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 3, 8:30p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Kansas State Wildcats (Projected Big 12 Champions, 11-1) vs. Oregon Ducks (Projected 11-1 at-large bid)
The Ducks would not get passed up as the Fiesta Bowl would be the top pick if the Irish remain atop the BCS Standings. They would go up against a team that was projected to play them in the BCS National Championship.
The only issue is that both lost and were stunned in quite the different fashions. Stanford stunned Oregon on a game-winning field goal in overtime whereas Kansas State was waxed in Waco by Baylor.
If Kansas State loses than all of a sudden mayhem would break out in this potential three-way tie in the Big 12 with the Texas Longhorns perhaps getting a bid to the BCS due to rankings and ability to put fans in the seats.
Once again Clemson and their lack of respect from the voters would haunt them although so much is still to be determined. We could see an Aggies-Longhorns matchup here, although it is tough to imagine the Ducks getting passed on in Glendale.
BCS National Championship (Jan. 7, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Projected 12-0, #1 BCS Team) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (Projected 12-1, #2 BCS Teams)
Everybody is picking Alabama and even my pet frog may disagree with me on this one, but the Dawgs defense has continued to get disrespected despite playing lights out for over the last month.
Aaron Murray is finding and hitting his receivers in stride, which in return has enabled the running to go bonkers. This SEC title game will be nowhere like last year’s where UGA was obliterated by LSU in the second half.
Bnak on a hell of a fight, but UGA has consistently proven more in recent memory. While Mr. Manziel will not be running circles in the Atlanta Georgia Dome, the Crimson Tide secondary has blown way too assignments and it will be tough against another talented squad.
UGA’s defense is among the best in the county for a reason, and in my eyes they will continue to prove naysayers wrong.
Does that statement ring a bell, because it is identical for a Notre Dame team that has been the punching bad ever since the BCS era began in 1998.
Follow @Dan Vasta and like Gridiron Grit on Facebook
