As the final years of the BCS tick away, and another team is loosely crowned “champion”, the other teams that did not win enough games/beat enough good teams/play in the SEC/sacrifice a kitten to the octopus that is the Sagarin Ratings play in their consolation bowls that serve to give the players a well deserved trip to exotic locals (come visit scenic Boise, Idaho for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl), and coaches a larger bit of fluff in their resumes for then they inevitably leave the school for more money elsewhere.
All sarcasm aside, the Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, and the Washington Huskies all earned the bowl games they will play in.
Washington Huskies vs. Boise State Broncos
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas (December 22)
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Broncos without Kellen Moore still won 10 games, went 7-1 in conference, and finished #19 in the nation, but an early season loss to Michigan State essentially doomed them from the beginning. You know your standards are high when a share of your conference title is underachieving for Coach Chris Petersen. Quarterback Joe Southwick has almost identical stats as Washington signal caller Keith Price, though with fewer interceptions and far less mobility. The Huskies surprise at running back, Bishop Sankey, will have to get pressure off of Price versus the 6th ranked defense in the nation.
PREDICTION: Boise State 24 Washington 14
Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas Longhorns
Valero Alamo Bowl (December 29)
This will be quite a test for Mike Riley and the Beavers, in a game that will essentially be a home game for the Longhorns. The 23rd ranked Longhorns finished 8-4, ending with back-to-back losses to TCU and Kansas State, and will be without quarterback David Ash due to an injury. Backup quarterback Case McCoy struggled heavily versus TCU, though he rebounded to light up Kansas State to the tune of 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. The revolving door of Beaver quarterbacks will likely continue as Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz trade off super performances, poor performances, and injuries. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, Storm Woods will be ready to run.
PREDICTION: Oregon State 34 Texas 31
Oregon Ducks vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (January 3)
If only for the interference of Stanford and Baylor, these two teams might have played for what is loosely called the college football championship. Kansas State won the Big 12, and has Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein throwing the ball for the 10th best offense in the country. Klein is not exactly healthy, and may not give 100% as to not jeopardize his NFL prospects. The Ducks, and their signature “Green Lightning” assault offense will be ready to feast on a defense that yielded 21 to North Texas and 30 to Oklahoma State. Kenjon Barner wants to show everyone that he should have been a Heisman finalist as well (he should not of, but try convincing him of that) and will lead an attack that will likely outscore the Oregon and Kansas State basketball teams in what will be the most exciting bowl of the season.
PREDICTION: Oregon 62 Kansas State 49
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