Crystal Ball: 2008 BCS Bowl Predictions

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Jan. 1, 2009, 5:10 p.m. ET, ABC

Pasadena, California

BCS vs. BCS (Big Ten Champ vs. Pac-10 Champ, if available)

Pick: Ohio State vs. Arizona State

Alternate: Wisconsin vs. USC

Because the Rose Bowl Committee members are too damn stubborn, and won’t stray from tradition, we are left with this antiquated matchup.  Hence, it is possible that a number of teams worthy of an at-large bid will receive a BCS slight in order to keep tradition alive.  No game this season will dictate who plays in both the Rose Bowl— and National Championship Game—more than Ohio State at USC on September 13.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Jan. 2, 2009, 8:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, La.

BCS vs. BCS (SEC Champ, if available)

Pick: Florida vs. BYU

Alternate: Auburn vs. Fresno State

It’s hard to imagine Florida cruising through a brutal conference schedule and coming out unscathed, as talented as they are.  It’s more likely that the Gators will win the SEC with one or two losses, a scenario that would open the door for a team like (cringe) Ohio State or Oklahoma to nab a spot in the BCS title game.  On the other hand, if we learned anything last season about the unpredictable nature of college football, it’s that nothing is worthy of prediction.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Jan. 5, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz.

BCS vs. BCS (Big 12 Champ, if available)

Pick: Oklahoma vs. Georgia

Alternate: Wisconsin vs. Missouri

Yes, that Oklahoma, the same Oklahoma team that was taken behind the woodshed by West Virginia in Phoenix a season ago after losing to Boise State in shockingly dramatic fashion in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.  But unlike their two previous trips to the Salsa Chip Showdown, the Sooners will finally draw an opponent whose bowl reputation matches their own, which may mean a much different result this time around.

FedEx Orange Bowl

Jan. 1, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.

BCS vs. BCS (ACC Champ, if available)

Pick:  Clemson vs. Texas Tech

Alternate: Wake Forest vs. LSU

Clemson is the sexy pick here.  Though Tommy Bowden’s Tigers will have an excellent shot at finishing the regular season undefeated, the relative weak standing of the ACC will keep them out of the BCS title game.  With Tech lighting up scoreboards all across the Big 12, Mike Leach finds just enough defense to catapult the Red Raiders to a strong computer ranking and their first-ever BCS appearance.

FedEx BCS National Championship

Jan. 8, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.

BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

Pick: Missouri vs. USC

Alternate: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma

Please keep in mind you heard it here first.  A month removed from his second consecutive Heisman Trophy disappointment, Chase Daniel leads an undefeated Missouri squad into south Florida to face the equally squeaky clean USC Trojans led by Pete Carroll and a swarming defense that thrives off the playmaking ability of Butkus Award-winning linebacker Rey Maualuga.  And after a tightly played first-half that resembles a cerebral chess match between Carroll and Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel, special teams prove critical in the final 30 minutes, as a crucial punt return by Jeremy Maclin/Joe McKnight leads to a game-winning field goal by Jeff Wolfert/David Buehler.

Make another visit a little bit closer to game time to discover who I predict to win this heart-stopper; that is if all my BCS projections aren’t shot to absolute hell by then.