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While some may criticize this season’s BCS bowl pairings for not being compelling, personally I find this to be one of the most interesting set of January match ups in recent memory. Whether you’re looking for old school vs. new school (Georgia vs. Hawaii), traditional power against upstart underdog (USC vs. Illinois), or a brawl between strength and speed (Ohio State vs. LSU), this season has what you’re looking for. Here’s a brief breakdown, with predictions, for all five BCS games this season.

Rose Bowl
January 1, 4:30 pm
USC (Pac 10 champ) vs. Illinois (at large)

At 10-2, this season was a relative downer for the Trojans. For the first time in years, USC fell out of the national title race before the start of November. Even a series of upsets in the final weeks couldn’t bring the Trojans into the top five heading into bowl season. Still, they are the prohibitive favorite against the Fighting Illini.

For Illinois, the big question isn’t whether they have the talent. They proved they did when they went into Columbus and defeated No. 1 Ohio State on Nov. 10. Can the Illini cope with being on the big stage, or will they crumble under the lights? Ron Zook’s squad won only four games in his first two seasons as coach, and expectations weren’t much higher coming into this season.

Thanks to masterful recruiting by Zook, Illinois rose from the ashes of a 2-10 season to go 9-3 and earn a BCS berth. I expect those athletes to keep the Illini in the game… For a half. But with so much time to prepare, it’s tough not to take the Trojans and their experienced big game coach (Pete Carroll) in their own backyard. John David Booty and the USC passing attack will take off in the second half, and the score won’t represent the actual closeness of this game.

USC 34, Illinois 17

Sugar Bowl
January 1, 8:00 pm
Georgia (at large) vs. Hawaii (at large)

Georgia is in a no win situation here. If they win the game, it will be status quo. After all, the Bulldogs play in the big, bad SEC, while Hawaii is a small time school with a gimmicky offense. But if the Warriors can pull the upset, screams for a playoff will reach the sky, and the possibility of a split national championship will become very real.

Here’s the issue though. Georgia is hot. Red hot. And despite the comparisons between this Hawaii squad and last years BCS buster, conference-mate Boise State, they’re not in the same stratosphere. Other than Colt Brennan, the Warriors just don’t have the horses they need to beat the streaking Bulldogs.

Georgia 41, Hawaii 13

Fiesta Bowl
January 2, 8:00 pm
Oklahoma (Big XII champ) vs. West Virginia (Big East champ)

The Fiesta Bowl features two teams that ended the season on completely different notes. We’re talking inner-city Detroit and Missoula, Mont. different.

Oklahoma dismantled then No. 1 Missouri on a neutral field to win the Big XII crown Dec. 1. Despite campaigning by coach Bob Stoops, the Sooners were left out of the BCS title game in favor of LSU. The question is whether the perceived slight will motivate or crush this team.

Meanwhile, then No. 2 West Virginia was also in action on Dec. 1. With only unranked Pittsburgh standing between them and a championship game berth, the three-touchdown favorite Mountaineers were stunned on their home field to drop out of championship contention. It’s only gotten worse since then, with coach Rich Rodriguez having already accepted the Michigan job to replace Lloyd Carr.

Look for a motivated Oklahoma squad to come out firing, while West Virginia will still be in shock from losing their title shot and coach. A game that should be close probably won’t be, and I’d expect the Sooners to win handily.

Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 14

Orange Bowl
Januray 3, 8:00 pm
Virginia Tech (ACC champ) vs. Kansas (at large)

Perhaps the least compelling of all of the BCS bowls, I actually expect the Orange to be the closest. Both teams failed in their biggest tests of the season, with the Hokies losing by 41 against LSU and Kansas dropping a 36-28 decision to Missouri in the last week of the season.

All season long, I’ve insisted that Virginia Tech wasn’t that good, and they’re success was just a bi-product of playing in the joke that is known as the ACC. Kansas, on the other hand, continues to fly under the radar. Despite the Missouri loss, this is a good football team who deserves to be where they are. They win with a big play offense and a turnover-causing defense.

Still, Virginia Tech will come out fired up, still looking to represent their school following the tragedy that happened on their campus last April. It won’t be enough, as Jayhawks quarterback Todd Reesing will have a turnover free game in an instant classic.

Kansas 23, Virginia Tech 21

BCS National Championship Game
January 7, 8:00 pm
Ohio State (Big Ten champ) vs. LSU (SEC champ)

A classic match up of power and finesse, most expect a repeat of last years title game waxing, with LSU taking Florida’s place and handling the Buckeyes.

Not so fast friends.

Ohio State features perhaps the most physical, dominating offensive line in the country. A perfect compliment to their grinding style, running back Chris Wells is a punishing runner who looks to abuse would-be tacklers.

Standing in his way will be mammoth defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who is a strong candidate to be the first overall pick this April. Dorsey has been a game changer all season despite fighting off injuries. Now healthy, Dorsey will look to shut down the power attack of the Buckeyes.

On the other side, OSU are the proud owners of the nation’s top defense. Led by junior linebacker James Laurinaitis, the Buckeye D struggled only once this season.

Unfortunately for them, the staple of the Illinois offense that dismantled OSU was speed, which is something that LSU has in spades. A talented wide receiver corps led by Early Doucet and a surprisingly effective running game led by oft-overlooked Jacob Hester won’t be afraid to take it to the Buckeyes. Can LSU quarterback Matt Flynn get the ball to his playmakers, or will the OSU defensive front smother the Tigers signal caller?

This game is extremely evenly matched, and in a game like this, it usually comes down to a couple factors. That’s where OSU has the advantage. Buckeye headman Jim Tressel is a proven big game coach, owning a 4-1 record in BCS games, including a 31-24 victory over Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. While Tigers coach Les Miles has done a great job in Baton Rouge, his resume doesn’t stand up to the Vest’s.

More importantly though, the Buckeyes want this game more. They know that if they lose this game, the legitimacy of their entire program will come under fire. Even at 11-1, people question whether the Buckeyes belong. If they don’t show up to a second consecutive championship game, it will take years to rebuild the repuation of Ohio State football.

The Buckeyes will be hungry, and they will be focused. That will be enough to upset the Tigers in New Orleans.

Ohio State 21, LSU 13

Tags: bcs national championship game, ncaa football, ohio state football