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Top Ten Bowl Coaching Matchups

1. BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: LSU vs ‘Bama – LSU is #1 unless the Tide blows them out. Two great coaches who understand the game. Defense & ball security are the 2 most important factors in football. If either team can score 25 points they will win. Scoring a non- offensive TD will be huge. I think LSU’s ability to run the option will off- set Trent Richardson. Also LSU has a greater ability to score non- offensive TDs. which is a big factor. For Nick Saban to prevail he must run Trent Richardson effectively & win the special team game. He can’t allow LSU to score more than 16 points.
2. Orange Bowl- WVU – Clemson – two young coaches and two erratic teams. Holgorson’s “Air Raid” offense will struggle because of Clemson’s D.Line. They will put heat on Geno Smith. WVU only scored 2 offensive TDs vs USF & struggled vs Pitt. Clemson has dynamic skill & will test WVU’s “D”. For WVU to win they must protect the QB & get the ball to Baily & Austin.
3. The Rose Bowl – Oregon vs Wisconsin – A great match up. Wisconsin has the perfect offense to beat the Ducks because they can run the ball & SLOW THE HIGH TEMPO Ducks’ game down. Wisconsin must keep it to an 8 possession game. However The Badger “D” is suspect & Chip Kelly’s “O” will score & score. Chip would like it to be a 16 possession game. The key is Oregon’s “D” – if they can stuff the Badgers to some 3 & outs The Ducks will out score the Badgers. The 1^st quarter is important for Wisc. They must get an early lead & let the clock bleed.
4. Cotton Bowl – K-State vs Arkansas – anytime you can watch a Bill Snyder team play you’ll learn something. Add Bobby Petrino and you have another great coaching matchup. The Wildcats must, absolutely must, keep the game to 8 possessions. They don’t have the fire power to run with the Hogs. Petrino must turn it in to a shoot- out. It’s going to take a perfect game by The Cats to upset the Hogs.
5. The Fiesta Bowl – Stanford vs Okie State – The Cowpokes should be playing LSU but the BCS can be BS sometimes. If the Pokes are not into the game, they’ll lose. If they are out to prove they deserved a shot – it will be a very entertaining game. Two high –powered offensive attacks. If you like offense this is your game. Andrew Luck is the best player on the field & his running & scrambling ability will cause OSU’s “D” lots of problems just like Iowa St’s QB did in their only loss. The Pokes’ “D” has no trouble vs a Landry Jones type but a scrambler gives them bad Luck. Stanford doesn’t want a shoot-out like they had with Oregon – they have to play at their pace 10-12 possessions with great ball security & productive Red Zone opportunities.
6. Capitol One Bowl – Nebraska vs So. Carolina – The Ol’ Ball Coach vs Bo Pelini. Interesting game Taylor Martinez is the key to the Husker “O” but The Cocks’ “D” is one of the best in the country. What’s interesting is watching Spurrior re-invent his “O” to fit his QB. Fortunately they don’t have to score much to win. I don’t see the Huskers scoring more than 16 points so their “D” must be super.
7. The Sun Bowl – Ga. Tech vs Utah – Paul Johnson is always fun to watch, an outstanding option coach. However Utah has extra time to scheme against the spread option which gives them a little edge. If The Techsters’ O. Line can win the line of scrimmage & Al Groh can keep Utah to less than 24 points – Paul Johnson will have a very sunny day.
8. The Liberty Bowl –Vandy vs Cincy – Two of the best & brightest young coaches in the game. James Franklin vs Butch Jones. Franklin has The “Dores making a rare bowl appearance & wants to make the most of it. The Vandy ”O” has emerged as a powerful run game led by Zak Stacey, who set the Vanderbilt season rushing mark, coupled with a productive pass attack. Their Zone Blitz defense has been outstanding all year long. Butch Jones boasts The Big Least’s “O” player of the year at TB but their starting QB is out. The ‘Dores playing the tougher competition in the SEC gives them the edge.
9. Chick-Fil –A Bowl – UVA. vs Auburn – SEC teams do very well vs ACC teams. Mike London has done a great job at UVA but they will struggle on “O” vs Auburn. Fortunately, Jimmy Reid’s “D” will stifle Malzahn’s “O” so The Cavs will be in the game.
10. The Military Bowl- Air Force vs Toledo – Troy Calhoun does a great job of using multiple options. So I enjoy watching The Falcons offense. AFA has not had a great year but they are a very fun team to watch.

These are the top bowls that I want to see but I‘ll try to watch all the bowls and will give you my thoughts on the College football section of my forum. If you think I’ve missed a good bowl matchup post it on my forum. Enjoy the games.