BCS Preview and Predictions

College football has always been known for being somewhat unpredictable, a sport in which upsets are expected and no game can be taken for granted. That said, 2007 has been one of the wildest years ever for NCAA football, culminating in a final weekend that saw the bowl picture turned on its head.

Now that the Bowl Championship Series matchups have been released, the top teams in the nation will prepare to face each other - in about a month. Still, it's never too early to preview the BCS and predict how these games might turn out.

Orange Bowl: Kansas (11-1, #8 in the BCS rankings) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2, #3)

Virginia Tech qualified for a BCS bid by defeating Boston College to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Hokies narrowly missed a chance at the national title game, finishing 3rd according to the final BCS standings. Meanwhile, Kansas - a school more accustomed to postseason success in basketball - received an at-large bid after a surprising season that once had the Jayhawks thinking about a national title. Those hopes were dashed last week when Kansas lost 36-28 to Missouri, ending their prefect season.

This game should be a tight one, but Kansas has yet to defeat a team of Virginia Tech's caliber - and this may prove to be the difference late.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 24.

Sugar Bowl: Hawaii (12-0, #10) vs. Georgia (10-2, #5)

In 2006, there was Boise State. In 2007, Hawaii is the undefeated mid-major squad who will look to upset a traditional powerhouse on the national stage. The Warriors have proven themselves to be deadly on offense, led by QB Colt Brennan. They'll face off against the Georgia Bulldogs, who are on a six-game winning streak and narrowly missed a shot at the SEC championship - and, perhaps, a chance to play for a national title.

Hawaii will likely enter this game as a large underdog. Georgia will be, by far, the best team they've faced this season, and will provide stiff resistance for the Warriors offense. But don't count Hawaii out of this game - after Boise State's dramatic victory over Oklahoma last season, there's no reason to believe Hawaii can't do the same. Still, Georgia should be able to hold on to win.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Hawaii 30.

Fiesta Bowl: West Virginia (10-2, #9) vs. Oklahoma (11-2, #4)

The West Virginia Mountaineers looked poised for the national championship game before a stunning upset by Pittsburgh ended their bid on the season's final weekend. However, they still took the Big East championship, and with it, a bid to the BCS. While West Virginia was losing their title shot, Missouri was doing the same - to Oklahoma, in the Big 12 championship. The Sooners won the game 38-17, knocking Missouri out of the BCS and putting Oklahoma into the Fiesta Bowl.

Both teams feel they had a legitimate chance to win a national championship this year and have a lot to play for. West Virginia's QB Pat White, whose injury played a key role in the loss to Pittsburgh, will be leading a team that wants to prove that loss was a fluke. Oklahoma will be looking to redeem themselves for their loss last year again Boise State. Oklahoma has more experience playing (and defeating) elite teams, which may give them the edge they need to win. Prediction: Oklahoma 30, West Virginia 27.

Rose Bowl: USC (10-2, #7) vs. Illinois (9-3, #13)

The Rose Bowl has traditionally pitted teams from the Pac-10 and Big 10 against each other - and this year's matchup has allowed the tradition to continue. The University of Southern California Trojans were among the preseason favorites to win the BCS Championship this season, but tumbled after a stunning loss to Stanford. Better play of late earned USC a Pac-10 championship and a Rose Bowl bid. Meanwhile, Illinois was a surprise pick for a BCS bid, finishing with three losses but also with a win at Ohio State.

USC had a legitimate chance at a national title, and are without a doubt one of the most talented teams in the nations. Illinois had a surprisingly good season, but can't expect to consistently compete on the elite level. The game should be competitive, but by the 4th quarter, the outcome won't be in doubt.

Prediction: USC 28, Illinois 17.

BCS National Championship Game: Ohio State (11-1, #1) vs. LSU (11-2, #2)

Ohio State and LSU were both contenders for the national title all year long, but both teams seemed eliminated heading into the season's final weekend. Then, a wild season got even wilder, as the two top-ranked teams: Missouri and West Virginia - both lost, allowing the Buckeyes and the Tigers to back their way into a championship showdown.

LSU looked dominant early in the season, and their two losses each came in triple overtime; the Tigers have yet to lose in regulation. Ohio State has looked like a national title contender all year, and their defense has allowed more than 17 points just once this season - the stunning 28-21 loss at home to Illinois.

While the road to the national championship was filled with many turns this year, this game should live up to everyone's expectations: a tightly contested affair between two excellent teams. It may very well come down to the final possession; I think it's a toss up. Prediction:

Ohio State 24, LSU 23.

Sources:

CollegeFootballNews.com Staff, "Final 2007 BCS Rankings - OSU 1, LSU 2," Scout.com