Bowl Season is here and the debates continue. Everybody outside of Alabama and Texas is upset about their draw but, 
for the most part, we have a lot of interesting matchups to watch over the next month. Here are the Top Ten Bowl Games of 2009-10:
1. Alabama vs. Texas - BCS Championship Game
It’s not the dream matchup that everybody wanted between Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy but we get to watch the two best teams in the country play the final game of the season. Even though Cincinnati, Boise St and TCU fans want to argue about that, the two most battle tested teams in the country made it through their schedules undefeated and deserve to play in this game. Texas is going to hear that they don’t deserve to be on the same field with Alabama for a whole month, something that shouldn’t be overlooked. 18-22-year old kids that play with emotion can do amazing things one day in their life, ask Nebraska’s defense. And if Texas thought the Huskers defense was dominant, wait until they see what rolls in with the Tide.
2. Oregon vs. Ohio State - Rose Bowl
This is the most intriguing bowl game because it locks two teams with completely different styles and cultures against one another. Jim Tressel led his conservative Ohio State team to Pasadena by preaching mistake-free defensive minded football while Chip Kelly navigated his Oregon team west by spreading the field, using a sophisticated offensive playbook and a group of dynamic athletes. It’s football purist vs. football visionary, Midwestern conservatism vs. Western liberalism, sweater vest vs. Nike jump suit. It doesn’t get much better than this.
3. Florida vs. Cincinnati - Sugar Bowl
The Gators find themselves in the exact same position that as Alabama was in last season. They have to regroup after losing in the SEC Championship game and find a way to stay motivated against a team that is hungry to prove they deserve to be mentioned along with the nation’s elite teams. The Gators shouldn’t lack emotion with this being the final game of the Tebow Era but if they come in feeling sorry for themselves Cincinnati isn’t going to give them a shoulder to 
cry on. Instead they’ll stick a shoulder in their gut and walk away with a BCS win the same way Utah did last season. Urban Meyer’s group has a lot more veteran leadership than last year’s Bama team but it is human nature to be disappointed about not being able to defend their national title. Cincinnati will have to deal with its fair share of distractions once Notre Dame puts the full court press on their head coach, Brian Kelly.
4. TCU vs. Boise State - Fiesta Bowl
Some believe these teams deserve a shot at an automatic qualifier but the Fiesta Bowl is giving both programs a lot of respect by lining them up against one another. They are pretty much saying, “We believe you are both going to bring a lot of fans to the stadium and each of you deserve to play against the best available opponent, which is each other.” The easy way out would have been to put each team against a big name BCS conference program and allow them to make their case for a national championship game in the future. But what would either program gain by beating Iowa, Georgia Tech or Cincinnati? The only team either would really want a shot at is Florida, and even then it would have been looked at as a “Gator letdown” if they were to lose to either program. Now though, whoever wins this game can stake claim to being the other team’s only loss.
5. Stanford vs. Oklahoma - Sun Bowl
Oklahoma had a disappointing season but they still have some great defensive talent flying around the field along with some prime time athletes who are learning to play their positions on the offensive end. Stanford had a great season by Stanford standards and look to cap it with a program elevating win over the Sooners. Oklahoma will have their hands full with running back Toby Gerhart, who deserves to win the Heisman Trophy. On the other side Stanford will have to put together a great scheme in order to slow down the speed Oklahoma has on the outside. This is going to be the most underrated Bowl Game of the season.
6. LSU vs. Penn State - Capitol One Bowl
You immediately look at this game and think it will be a defensive grind but when each offensive coordinator has a month to break down their opponent’s defensive schemes we could see some fireworks. Quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Darryl Clark will each be looking to leave this season on a good note and they both have enough 
playmakers around them to do exactly that. LSU has the edge in team speed but Penn State has played with grit and determination all year long. If you told each of these teams at the beginning of the season that they would be playing one another in a Bowl game, they would have thought you were hinting at a big time BCS Bowl but things haven’t gone quite as planned for either program this year.
7. BYU vs. Oregon State - Vegas Bowl
This is the fifth straight season BYU will be playing a bowl game in Las Vegas, kind of ironic for a Mormon university. Mike Riley looks to lead his Oregon State team to their fourth straight bowl victory. Both teams play a fast paced style that lends itself to exciting football and good television. The Beavers have the advantage in terms of overall athleticism but BYU has a tremendous amount of maturity for a big time college program. Even though they were able to beat Oklahoma after knocking out Sam Bradford, the Cougars had trouble against teams with good speed this season, losing to Florida State and TCU. Oregon State’s losses have come against USC, Cincinnati, Oregon and Arizona. This is another sleeper matchup.
8. Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss - Cotton Bowl
This is another matchup of teams that would have been delighted to know that they would be playing against one another in a bowl game at the beginning of the season but probably would have thought it would have been a BCS bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl. Each team started the season in the top 10 but injuries and flat out poor play has led to a combined 7 losses for them. Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead is playing for his NFL reputation and this game might mean seven figures to him. Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson is playing to impress NFL scouts because he has been off the pro radar despite putting up great statistics. There are NFL prospects in this game than most Bowl games, making it one of the better matchups available.
9. Georgia Tech vs. Iowa - Orange Bowl
This isn’t a bad matchup by any means but it is certainly substandard for a BCS Bowl. The critics will point to this game as examples of why there shouldn’t be so many automatic BCS Bowl bids given to conferences and they have a legit 
beef in this instance. Georgia Tech got beat by a middle-of-the-pack SEC team when they lost to Georgia two weeks ago. Iowa was beaten by Northwestern this season and put dreams of an undefeated season to rest. If either TCU or Boise State had these losses on their resume the BCS would have found a way to keep them out of their party.
10. UConn vs. South Carolina - Papa John’s.com Bowl
Randy Edsall and his Huskies are going to deal with the Notre Dame rumors which will heat up even more over the next few weeks, once the brain trust in South Bend realize they would be hiring a smaller version of Charlie Weis if they hired Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly. Rebounding from 5 close losses has been the easiest part of Edsall’s season considering he had to help rally his troops after the murder of one of their teammates, emotional leader Jasper Howard. That alone should get Edsall some votes for Coach of the Year but he should also garner a ton of credit for leading UConn to a 7-5 record with an undermanned team after losing four players from last year’s team who were taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Steve Spurrier, on the other hand, is under a ton of scrutiny after winning only seven games despite a 5-1 start. Gamecock Nation is restless because Spurrier’s trend setting offensive systems have yet to yield much production during his time at South Carolina. QB Stephen Garcia has a chance to end his season on top and prove that he is a reliable option for the future in Columbia.
Maclin you wouldn’t be alone, but you would be wrong! Dez Bryant made Cowboys fan’s mouths water as a freshman and followed with one of the best seasons for a sophomore receiver in Big 12 history last season. Bryant hauled in 87 balls for 1,480 yards and 19 TDs last season. What separates Bryant from the rest of the field is his ability to return the ball, which is underrated commodity in every level of football. He scored two return TDs last season and put the Cowboys in great position on countless occasions. NFL teams covet Bryant for his combination of size (6′2″), speed (4.5) and strength (220lbs). Expect a record-breaking season out of Bryant, as Zac Robinson returns to deliver him passes in an offense that will be set up for him to succeed.
Alabama campus, but after a few practices in the fall everyone realized what kind of freak Nick Saban had brought into his program. Julio has more potential than anyone on this list, with athletic ability that is more common in the NBA than the NCAA. 6′4″, 220lb receivers with 4.4 speed and a 42 inch vertical jump only come along once a decade and Tide fans are loving Saban for leading him to Tuscaloosa. Jones grabbed 58 balls for 924 yards as a true freshman. If you’re a college football fan, you have to root for new QB Greg McElroy to adjust quickly to the Tide offense so we can see Julio highlights throughout the fall. If you think we’re hyping Jones a little too much, do yourself a favor and look him up on YouTube. You’ll get a quick peek at the best receiver in the SEC and one of the most exciting players in the country.
should. The 6′2″, 225lb man-child is the most athletic receiver in the Big Ten and one of the best playmakers in the country. He should only improve this year, as he and QB Juice Williams enter their third year together. As a true sophomore, Benn caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards en route to being named all Big Ten by the media (the coaches must have been sick of getting torched by him and gave PSU WR Derrick Williams a career achievement award). Look for Been to burn those coaches consistently as Illinois makes noise in the Big Ten. While everyone focuses on Penn State and Ohio State, don’t be surprised if Illinois uses that disrespect to surpass one of those programs by the end of the season.
Briscoe also got lost in the mix of the great Big 12 receivers last season, but managed to finish with more yards than Crabtree and Maclin, the two most acclaimed receivers in the game last season. With QB Todd Reesing finding him consistently, Briscoe caught 92 balls for 1,407 yards on his way to a breakout season. While nobody will overlook him this year, the 6′3″, 200lb long distance threat will still be able to terrorize Big 12 defenses with his speed and hands. Briscoe was an All Big 12 second teamer last season but look for him to step up and be on the big time All-American lists in 2009. He won’t last too long in the NFL Draft either.
Joining Briscoe on the Big 12 second team last year was Jordan Shipley. Think of a bigger Wes Welker and you’ll have a good idea of what Shipley brings to the table. He combines great route running with reliable hand to demoralize the Big 12. He’ll be QB Colt McCoy’s biggest weapon this year as Texas tries to return to a National Championship game. Shipley caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards in 2008 and reached the end zone 11 times through the air. He also returned 2 punts for TDs, making him one of the most valuable assets in the nation. He may not factor as much in the return game this year, as the Longhorns will depend primarily on him with the graduation of Quan Cosby.
When Williams transferred to USC with QB Mitch Mustain from Arkansas, he was overlooked as many people focused on Mustain, who was one of the top high school QBs in his class. But Williams has done nothing but impress and produce since he stepped on campus, becoming the Trojans most sure handed receiver in a unit that features some of the highest profile recruits in the country. Williams is a precise route runner with sure hands who is looking to dispel the rumors of USC receivers in the NFL. He became Mark Sanchez’ favorite target last year by catching 58 balls for 869 yards and 9 TDs. Pete Carroll will rely heavily on Williams as he breaks in a new quarterback at USC this season. Don’t look for Williams’ numbers to decline though, as both QBs fighting for the job would start at 90 percent of the programs in America.
Matt Stafford got a surprise last season when Green stepped on the scene. As a true freshman last season, Green hauled in 56 catches for 963 yards and 8 TDs. He’ll be expected to step up even more as a sophomore, with Joe Cox replacing Stafford under center. Although he’s 6′4″, Green uses his speed to break away from defensive backs in the best conference in the country. If he can add 20-25lbs to his frame, Green will be one of the most dynamic receiving threats in America, college or NFL. He’ll battle Julio Jones over the next two seasons as the top receiver and expect Green to follow up a tremendous freshman campaign with a sensational sophomore season.
Decker is hidden in Minnesota, but the NFL isn’t the only professional league that recognizes Decker’s potential. Major League Baseball franchises have already drafted Decker twice, but his brightest future remains on the football field. Decker caught a school record 84 balls last season, breaking his previous mark of 67. He also piled up 1,074 yards and scored 7 TDs. He’ll be an even bigger threat in the NFL, as his work ethic and precise route running will play up in the pro game. Decker is an Anquan Boldin-type (god forbid anyone compares a white player with a black player these days!), who will catch anything you throw at him, come up with big third down receptions and pile up the yards immediately in the NFL.
The junior from Tennessee broke out as a sophomore in Charlie Weis’ wide open offense and became one of the best receivers in college football. While the Irish struggled, QB Jimmy Clausen repeatedly found Tate open for 58 receptions and 1,080 yards. He teams with Michael Floyd to form a solid 1-2 punch that has rarely been seen in South Bend. Tate is also an outfielder on the Irish baseball team. Tate will use the national exposure to his advantage this season and end up on a bevy of All-American teams.
Best is exactly that when it comes to the 2010 class of college running backs. While he could be confused as a smaller scatback-type, ask PAC-10 defenders how easy Jahvid is to take down when he gets a full head of steam. Once he breaks into the second level, his 4.3 speed makes him nearly unstoppable. His 1,580 yards in 2008 are the most for a BCS running back returning from this season. Look for him to flirt with 2,000 this year as Cal will turn to Best to milk the clock throughout the season. If Cal’s line can improve and find a replacement for C Alex Mack, Best will be in the Heisman race with the Big 3 QBs (Bradford, Tebow, McCoy) for the entire season. His NFL future is about as bright as anyone in the country.
Tashard Choice and made Yellow Jacket fans forget about the NFL back after a couple weeks. One of the advantages of Tech’s offense is that scouts get to see Dwyer run in every situation. When asked to spread the defense outside, Dwyer hits the corner as well as anyone in college football. When G-Tech needs a tough three yards, Dwyer is called upon to get them. And his hands are on display constantly in the flexbone offense. The returning ACC Player of the Year dropped ten pounds since last season, leaving opposing defenses wondering how much better he could possibly become. Look for an improvement on the 1,395 yards and 12 TDs from a year ago.
about the 5′11″, 195lbs track star. He shared the spotlight and the backfield with James Davis for his first three seasons in Death Valley, but this year is all about Spiller and he’ll need to produce for the Tigers to get back in the mix for an ACC title. Coming into this season with 2,335 yards and 20 career TDs, Clemson fans are going to enjoy watching Spiller thrive in the backfield by himself. He uses a quick burst through the line of scrimmage to catch defenders off their feet and buries them with his 4.3 speed. He may become an even better NFL back depending on where he lands at the next level.
If there is a sleeper in this year’s running back class, Starks is the guy. He has done nothing but produce for Turner Gill’s up and coming Buffalo program. He comes into the season with 3,140 yards and 34 TDs, while looking to put himself in the category with the best backs in the country. This isn’t a kid who is piling up yards against mediocre competition, Starks is rated highly on every draft board and at one point was Mel Kiper’s best running back in the class of 2010. He should leave college with close to 5,000 career yards and as one of the top 25 most productive backs in college football history. Include this guy in any running back talks that come up while you and your boys are knocking back a few Grey Goose and tonics.
that you don’t need to do that for him to have a big impact on the game. Once Devine sees daylight, there isn’t much stopping him. There’s no doubt that he needs to bulk up a little bit in order to succeed in the NFL but Devine will be as effective as any returning rusher in the country this season. Look for the lightning fast Devine to improve on his 4 TDs from last season as well as his 1,289 yards. With QB Pat White out of the picture, WVU’s offense will rely on Devine a lot more this season. If he becomes a bigger receiving threat out of the backfield, we’re going to see Devine highlights plastered all over Sportscenter.
