BCS Bowl 2009-2010 matchups feature some quality play and some potential blowouts

Recently, the official matchups for the 5-Bowl Championship Series bowls were officially announced. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for in these most wanted games.

Citi Rose Bowl
Details – State of Ohio v. Oregon

This matchup boils down to two of the best two-loss teams in the nation in a battle of Ohio State’s ferocious defense versus Oregon’s potent offense, one of the most explosive in the country. While both teams have had their ups and downs, Ohio State seems to have found itself in a fight far more often. And while the Big Ten is clearly a better league than the lackluster Pac-10, Oregon has been stronger longer and more consistently. I imagine this will be a pretty tight but somewhat boring matchup that will lead to a victory for the Oregon Ducks.

Prediction – 24-17 Oregon.

Allstate Sugar Bowl:
Details – #3 Cincinnati v. #5 florida

Somehow, despite their inept defense, arguably the best offense in the nation has kept the Cincinnati Bearcats undefeated and propelled them to the No. 3 ranking. However, with outstanding defense and one of the most dynamic players in the country in Tim Tebow, the Bearcats haven’t seen anything quite like this Florida Gators team. I honestly don’t know what BCS voters were thinking when they decided to pit these two against each other.

Prediction – Florida 56-28.

Tostitos Party Bowl:
Details – State of Boise c. Texas Christian (TCU)

Possibly the most intriguing matchup of all, these two middle powers, often shunned by voters, should put on quite a show. The TCU Horned Frogs have literally dominated just about every opponent they’ve faced on the road, while the Boise State Broncos, one of my personal favorite teams of all time, lead the nation in scoring. Despite the fact that the Broncos have made it through some elite competition (namely their win over Oregon in week one), the TCU team has faced higher quality opponents without any kind of close encounter. Therein lies the difference.

Prediction – 38-35 TCU.

FedEx orange bowl:
Details – Georgia Tech v. Iowa

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in a dilapidated ACC, while the Iowa Hawkeyes seem to be playing in a way more suited to Notre Dame: Luck of the Irish. There’s no question that the Iowa boys are a strong team, but after going undefeated well into the 2009 season, the rebounding finally stopped going their way. So while the ACC has been absolutely pathetic in BCS matchups this decade, I see Georgia Tech putting one in the win column for that shaky conference.

Prediction – Georgia Tech 24-21.

Citi National Championship Game:
Details – #1 Alabama v. #2 tiles

Last but not least, the National Championship, at least as voters see it. While the SEC’s Alabama Crimson Tide plays in arguably the best conference in the nation, the team didn’t really impress me until their conference championship win. The beastly defense and takedown drag race game is definitely for real. Texas has worked its way through a tough Big 12 with some close calls but averaging more than 40 points per game. The Longhorns have been in this scenario before in recent years and may have an advantage in that regard. However, unlike the opponent they faced in the Nebraska Corn Huskers, Alabama has a capable quarterback in Greg McElroy who can also beat you with the pass. That is, if Mark Ingram doesn’t get away with defending him. I’m expecting a pretty lopsided win for the new National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

Prediction – Alabama 35-10.