Finale Turns Out Less Than Stellar

Newsworthy:
• TCU is the team that was robbed this year. Alabama deserved a spot in the BCS National Championship game; there is no doubt about that. However, one must beg the question of why does Texas deserve to be there? Not only was the Big 12 predominantly weaker this year (through no fault of their own), but Texas nearly handed victories to both Texas A&M and Nebraska in these last two weeks. Star QB Colt McCoy had a lackluster performance and nearly guided his team to defeat. Their only wins this year that mattered were against a ranked Oklahoma team (only ranked due to preseason rankings), Oklahoma State, and now Nebraska. TCU beat BYU, Utah, Air Force, and Clemson. All in blowout fashion except for Clemson. TCU deserves it, not Mack Brown and the Longhorns.
• Tim Tebow is one of the many ending a marvelous college career this season. Colt McCoy is as well, but Tebow sticks out due to his polarizing self. Even though the individual does not polarize, his mere existence is enough to annoy some who try to find fault with his athletic ability and overall niceties. He will be missed throughout college football, but most by the Gator Nation.
• Oregon makes the Rose Bowl. I said early on that the loss to Boise was a fluke, and I was right. The Rose Bowl-bound Ducks finished the season strong with thrilling victories over conference opposition in Arizona and Oregon State.
Bowl Projections:
• Citi BCS National Championship (Jan. 7)
o Alabama versus Texas
o Alabama beats Texas because they’re better at everything. Texas will be outmatched and outplayed. Their only chance at victory is if Alabama beats themselves. Ingram needs to come up big in Pasadena to ensure victory.
• Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1)
o Florida versus Cincinnati
o Florida will wake up. Cincinnati will keep playing like they do. However, Tony Pike and the Bearcats will have trouble against a fast SEC defense like Florida. A major question will be the status of Carlos Dunlap. His play is the key in New Orleans.
• Rose Bowl (Jan. 1)
o Oregon versus Ohio State
o The Ducks won’t have any trouble against Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes. Oregon will run all over Ohio State, and the Big Ten’s woes continue against major non-conference foes.
• FedEx Orange Bowl (Jan. 5)
o Georgia Tech versus Iowa
o ACC Champs Georgia Tech’s high powered triple option offense should be familiar to the brutal slugfests Iowa has experience in the Big Ten. However, if Ricky Stanzi is back, can he be enough to offset Iowa’s miserable defense? Tech should win.
• Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 4)
o TCU versus Boise State
o The most unlikely of rematches will happen in Arizona. TCU ruined Boise’s blemish-free season in 2008. Who will lose in this battle of unbeatens? Boise State will not be able to keep up with Andy Dalton and TCU. The Horned Frogs take their first steps towards an undefeated 2010 with a strong performance here.
Best Non-BCS games:
• Emerald Nuts Bowl (Dec. 26)
o USC versus Boston College
o It’s amazing that a team can fall so far down the bowl chain with Boston College, as they were right behind Clemson in the ACC Atlantic. USC is having an off year, but this is not the Boston College of Matt Ryan’s day. Trojans win big in San Francisco.
• AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Jan. 2)
o Arkansas versus East Carolina
o The C-USA champs will have their hands full with Arkansas and prolific passer Ryan Mallett. One-time Michigan player has been stellar this year with a less than desired supporting cast. Expect a shootout here, as East Carolina can pile on the points as well. Arkansas squeaks by here in Memphis.
• Brut Sun Bowl (Dec. 31)
o Stanford versus Oklahoma
o Toby Gerhardt and the Cardinal will crush Oklahoma. The Sooners have only won against mediocre opponents this year. The Sooners will definitely feel the heat in El Paso, as the Sun Bowl should be a great place for Gerhardt to raise his draft stock.