In My Opinion: Top 5 Non-BCS Bowls

Everyone talks about the 5 BCS bowl games.  They are the lead on College Football Live every day during the season, and are the talk of Bowl Season.  But until those games happen, there are plenty of intriguing matchups and great games worth watching (and visiting) during this bowl season.  Here are my top 5 non-BCS Bowls.

1)      Konica Minolta Gator – West Virginia v. FSU

-Not as much for the game as for the man.  Bobby Bowden has meant more to Florida State and college football than anyone else in the game.  When he started at FSU the team had won 3 games in 2 years.  He turned them into a powerhouse and led them to one of the greatest runs in the history of sports (14 straight top 5 finishes).  Something that will never again be topped (Just ask SC).  Bobby will look to go out with a bang where his Seminoles take over his old team the West Virginia Mountaneers.  While his team is nowhere close to those of the past, look for them to come out inspired and play like his 1993 and 1999 National Championship teams.  With famous FSU alums in the stands, I’m not sure how they couldn’t be inspired.  I expect this one to be high scoring, as both teams have pretty weak defenses and expect FSU to will their way to victory.  If anyone can inspire them Bobby can.

2)      MAACO Las Vegas – Oregon State v. BYU

-Vegas baby, Vegas.   That alone is the reason to go to this battle between two ranked teams in the desert.  Don’t be fooled, however, the weather is not warm but the stakes are high.   BYU may not be excited to be in their 4^th straight Las Vegas Bowl but their fans travel well.  Oregon State put up a heck of a fight against one of the best teams in the country, on the road, in a rivalry game, on national television.  I look for them to do the same tonight.  Win or Lose fans will have a good time at this one, the stakes are always high in Vegas.

3)      Capital One – Penn State v. LSU
-Before the season, these two teams hoped to face off in a bigger game with National Championship implications.  Still, they should be excited for a January 1^st bowl against another powerhouse.  I’m excited to see how Penn State’s offense faces off against a strong LSU defense.  In their only two tough games of the season (against Iowa and Ohio State) Penn State’s offense went missing and they fell badly.  Les Miles may need this win to try and win some recruits over Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.  I like LSU

4)      Chick-Fil-A Peach – Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

-This is always a big game and this year it hasn’t changed.  Don’t think Lane Kifflin isn’t going to get his Volunteers excited for this December 31^st bowl.  Virginia Tech started here, and hopes to leave with a better taste than last time, when they lost a tough game to Alabama.  Tennessee isn’t that talented, but they will play hard.  Look for Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams to establish the running game and slowly end Tennessee’s excitement.

5)      Pacific Life Holiday – Arizona v. Nebraska

-The chance to spend Late December in San Diego is enough for me.  Then take two awesome teams, a Heisman trophy finalist a high powered offense and a tough defense and you have yourself a fantastic game.  I look for a low scoring one as I feel Ndamukong Suh and his defensive teammates have a chance to shut down Nick Folds and the Arizona offense.  Look for a fun one though, and enjoy wearing a T-shirt in December.

Honorable Mention –Emerald Bowl – USC v. Boston College

-Okay, so maybe I’m adding this as a recent BC grad and future fan in attendance, but there are plenty of storylines.  Will Joe McKnight play?  Whether he does or doesn’t, will USC really get up for a game against Boston College?  Are they really as bad as they have been playing all year?  This game could go either way.  I look for BC to play an inspired game in a low scoring battle.  IF they can hold off SC and gain some confidence, this could be one of the upsets of the bowl season and could be the biggest win for the ACC in a long time.