If you were to ask me who would end up in these bowls at the beginning of of the season Wisconsin and FSU might have been on the list. I did not see Stanford doing this well and of course I didn't see Northern Illinois in a BCS game. That's what makes this exciting; knowing that these are teams no one saw getting here and now they will get to prove themselves. Who will prove themselves? Let's take a look.
The Rose Bowl - Wisconsin VS Stanford
Without some post season bands, Wisconsin isn't here. Some people blame them for being in this game. I don't. They may have not won the most games, but they did what they needed to to and destroyed Nebraska to get here. Wisconsin comes in with a pounding running game. Montee Ball has arguably been the best running back in all of college football the past few seasons. He has 1,730 yards with 21 touchdowns and has 5,040 in his career with the Badgers. Wisconsin also has James White in the running game. He ran for 802 yards this season and 12 touchdowns. He is a nice change from Ball. White has a little more speed and is a little more illusive than Ball. Wisconsin also have a stout defense, but the passing game is really what hurts them. They have a revolving QB situation which really doesn't help their cause. Stanford comes in with a better defense. The Stanford defense is powerful. They held Oregon, who has one of the best scoring and rushing offenses, to 14 points and only 198 rushing yards. They will be able to limit the effectiveness of Montee Ball. The Cardinal offense is middle of the road.and the ground game is their strength. RB Stephan Taylor leads the Cardinal with 1,442 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Like Ball, he will be able to pound the middle of the Wisconsin defense. This game will come down to the play of the QBs. I think Stanford has the edge with Kevin Hogan. Though he didn't start the season, the freshman has been able to come up big in huge situations. I think he leads Stanford to the 21-17 win in the Granddaddy of Them All.
The Orange Bowl - Northern Illinois VS Florida State
No one saw Northern Illinois doing this. Some saw them winning the MAC and getting to a pretty good bowl game, but nothing like this. Just like Wisconsin, many blamed them for making this game. I think that is absolutely ridiculous. When a team follows the rules and makes a BCS game because of the rules, they deserve it. I was shocked and appalled to see the continued 'hate' towards NIU on ESPN after it was announced that they were in. Personally, I hope they beat FSU just so Kirk Herbstreit can get off his high horse and realize the MAC has some good teams. It will probably be a different story come game time. Northern Illinois lives and dies by QB Jordan Lynch. he is a dual threat QB who threw for 2,962 yards with 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,771 yards with 19 touchdowns. Besides Lynch, the Huskies have his favorite target, Martel Moore. Moore caught 71 balls for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he can get open down field and allow Lynch to pass the ball down field, I think NIU have a chance. Florida State comes in touting one of the best defenses in the nation. They allow an average of 15.1 points per game and great great pressure on opposing QBs. FSU also has a great offense. Led by QB E.J. Manuel, the Seminoles average 39.9 points per game. The guys to watch on offense are the running backs. Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. are both filling in for the injured Chris Thompson. Both have done a great job. Freeman has 630 yards with eight touchdowns in 10 full games. He splits the carries with Wilder who has 583 yards and 11 touchdowns. QB E.J. Manuel will shine in this game. He will run the offense efficiently and will spread the ball out to all the play makers the Seminoles have on offense.
In the end I think NIU will show what the MAC is all about. They will have some success, but I think this game is too big for them. I got Florida State winning 31-13 with a stout performance from the defense.
Thanks for reading!
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