CollegeCandy’s BCS Bowl Guide!

As a student at a Big Ten school, football has become my soul purpose in life. From crackin’ the first beer in the shower at 6am on game day to FB-stalking the quarterback (shhh!), my world revolves around a bunch of dudes in spandex tackling each other on some Astroturf.

By Kelly

Needless to say, the past 6 weeks sans college football has been somewhat difficult. I wander aimlessly around my apartment on Saturdays, unsure what to do with all that time. I fill the void by hunting down the players on campus, but now that they’re not training as much as usual, they’re not so easy to find. And trust me, I’ve tried.

Thank god, then, that Bowl Season is upon us! I finally have a reason to drink before 11am on a Saturday! have some exciting burly-man-on-burly-man action to fill my Saturdays! Yes, ladies, it’s officially time for the best of the best in college football to duke it out in the BCS bowl games.

Confused on how the BCS works? Everyone is. But until the government sorts this shiz out, I’ve got you covered. This guide will give you a look at all of the upcoming BCS games, the teams, and who you (or more importantly, me) think deserves to win. So grab those wings, crack open a beer and get ready for some serious football showdowns.

The Rose Bowl presented by Citi:
No. 7 Oregon Ducks (10-2) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (10-2)
Pasadena, CA; January 1st at 5pm EST on ABC
I will try to put aside my personal feelings towards Ohio State (did Tressell win Big Ten Coach of the Year?) but my heart is still filled with bitter rage. OSU is heading to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1997, and Oregon is trying to win its first Rose Bowl since 1917. The Ducks have one of the most aggressive and quickest offenses in the nation, while Ohio State is known for an impenetrable (hehe) defense, which should make the game an interesting one. One I might watch if the nausea from Andre on NYE doesn’t prove lethal when mixed with the nausea and rage from seeing a Buckeye fan.

Who Will Win?
Expert Says: Oregon: 28 Ohio State: 20
I Say: Oregon. I want to see Puddles wearing Tressell’s sweatervest. Or at least see LeGarrette Blount punch someone.
Hot Quarterback: Oregon’s Jeremiah Masoli vs. OSU’s Terrelle Pryor

All-State Sugar Bowl:
No. 5 Florida Gators (12-1) vs. No. 3 Cincinnati Bearcats (12-0)
New Orleans, LA; January 1st at 8:30pm EST on FOX
The Gators have been un.stop.able. this whole season and Cincinnati’s coach just peaced out for Notre Dame. The odds are def against the Bearcats, but I’m all about the underdogs. Plus, I think they are out to prove themselves since Brian Kelly left. Cinci is rightfully undefeated, but Florida has Tim Tebow, a proven uber-man-beast-machine. It will basically come down to Florida’s offensive line’s ability to keep those out-for-blood Bearcats away from their moneymaker.

Who Will Win?
Expert says: Flordia 34 Cincinnati 17
I say: Cincinatti. Tim Tebow makes me yawn. And I think he’s lying about being a virgin; his gf is HOT.
Hot Quarterback: Cinci’s Tony Pike vs. Florida’s  Timmy T

Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl:
No. 6 Boise State Broncos (13-0) vs. No. 4 TCU Horned Toads (12-0)
Glendale, AZ; January 4th at 8:00pm EST on FOX
Mmmm. I love Tostito’s. Wait. Where was I? Oh yeah, so the Broncos beat Oregon in the first game of the season to prove that, like WuTang, BSU ain’t nothing to fudge with. In my opinion, they have the upper hand in this game: their insane offense remains virtually the same since last season when they played TCU in the Poinsetta Bowl. But, the Horned Toads (Editor’s Note: Worst. Name. Ever?) have had a huge chunk of the spotlight lately with their equally as scary defense, which could make this THE game to watch. Through my fingers though, because high-intensity football gives me a heart/panic attack.

Who Will Win?
Experts Say: Boise State 24 TCU 21
I Say: Toughie – both teams deserve it. I’m just thankful they aren’t playing on Boise State’s vom-inducing blue field
Hot Quarterback: TCU’s Andy Dalton vs. Boise State’s Kellen Moore

Fed-Ex Orange Bowl:
No. 9 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2) vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2)
Miami, FL; January 5th at 8:00pm EST on FOX
Okay, I may or may not be biased (and my kitten may or may not be wearing a tiny black and gold cheerleader outfit), but Iowa has come from basically out of nowhere to being one of the best teams in the nation. Our (yes, I’m on the team) defense has, on average, allowed less than 200 yards per game, while Georgia Tech’s mind-boggling option-offense has averaged over 300 yards per game. The two teams have never played each other, so, unlike a Hugh Grant movie, the outcome is a mystery.

Who Will Win?
Experts Say: Georgia Tech 27 Iowa 17
I Say: Iowa. Our QB is nice and healthy again and I will be rooting them on (read: screaming at Tech fans) from the stands in Miami.
Hot Quarterback: Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi vs. Tech’s Josh Nesbitt

BCS Championship Game:
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) vs. No. 2 Texas Longhorns (13-0)
Pasadena, CA; January 7th at 8:00pm EST on ABC
Thank goodness Texas won out against Nebraska, because not only would it have blown Iowa’s chance at a BCS bowl, but Texas has definitely proven itself to be one of the best teams in the nation this season. And thank goodness Alabama took down almighty Tebow, because they deserve this opportunity as well. Both teams have incredible offenses, Texas with Heisman nominee Colt McCoy and Bama has Heisman winner Mark Ingram, which will make this game a clash of the college football gods.

Who Will Win?
Experts Say: Alabama 28 Texas 24
I Say: Another toughie. I’m going to go with Texas because the Crimson Tide is already jinxing themselves
Hot Quarterback: Alabama’s Greg McElroy vs. Texas’ Colt McCoy

What do you guys think? Which teams deserve to win? Which do you hate with a passion? Or, if sport ain’t your thing, which football hottie do you want to see get his pants pulled down mid-game?