Written by David Regimbal

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At the end of every college football season, 10 teams are invited to play in BCS bowls. Six of those teams automatically qualify by winning their "automatic qualifying" conference championship (meaning the champions of the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac 10, and the SEC receive invites). The other four spots are up for grabs as "at-large" bids. The BCeStimation will be a weekly column that predicts which teams will make it to the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl and the National Championship. Think of this as a "Power Rankings" kind of article, only with more opportunities to make fun of USC for not being able to play in any bowl game.

With the long off-season finally coming to an end, it's time to look across the landscape off college football and separate the weak from the strong, the contenders from the pretenders or whatever cliche you prefer. The only way to do this is on the field, but if I let that be the end of it, then you wouldn't have anything to read while you pretend to work. So, I'll do us all a favor and continue...

 

This article will be fluid throughout the college football season. Teams will earn their spot in this article the same way the do in actual rankings: by winning football games, or by losing in a not-embarrassing sort of way. These predictions are purely my opinion, nothing more and nothing less. With that said, let's jump in!

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Wisconsin

Why Virginia Tech? Because I think the offense will be much more balanced with Tyrod Taylor returning at quarterback, and with Darren Evans returning in the backfield to compliment Ryan Williams at running back... well that's just scary. Yes, they lost seven starters on defense, but with one of the best backfields in the country, they'll be able to put up plenty of points to win the ACC.

Why Wisconsin? Because they're going to finish second in the Big Ten, and the second place Big Ten team has made it to a BCS bowl in each of the last five seasons. Well that, and whatever deal Kirk Ferentz and Iowa had with the devil last year should have expired by this point, right? Yes, the Hawkeyes have a better schedule than the Badgers, but when I look at these two teams, I think the Badgers have what it takes to finish just behind Ohio State in the conference.

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Georgia Tech

Why Alabama? Because they're the best team in the SEC, despite having to replace nine defensive starters. If it weren't for the attrition on defense, I'd be putting them in the National Championship game. Both Alabama and Florida have dominated the SEC over the last two seasons, and with both of those teams losing key players to the NFL, I think the separation between them and the rest of the league shrinks. And because of that lack of separation at the top, I only have one SEC team making it to the BCS. Now, let's give a moment to any SEC fan reading this article so he/she can vomit out of there eyes after reading that last sentence...

The Crimson Tide will miss all of those impact players on defense. Because of that, I think they lose two games, squeeze into the SEC championship game, and defeat what will be a three-loss Florida team.

Why Georgia Tech? Because they have a manageable schedule and Paul Johnson as a head coach. The game at North Carolina looks much less daunting than it did three weeks ago when the Tar Heels weren't relegating their entire defense to the scout team. If the Yellow Jackets win that game, I can see them going into November with an 8-0 record. November will be a tough month with Virginia Tech, Miami and Georgia on the schedule, but even if they only win one of those games and then handle their business against Duke (which they will), you're telling me that a 10-2 Georgia Tech team gets passed up by the Sugar Bowl? 

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Connecticut

Why Oklahoma? Because Boise State won't be available after losing to Virginia Tech in the season opener. In all seriousness, Oklahoma is a talented team that will make some noise this year. Last year's pain (losing Sam Bradford for the season) is this year's gain (having an experienced quarterback in Landry Jones to lead this team to the Big 12 title game). They'll beat Texas for only the second time in their last six tries, but will slip to a team they shouldn't late in the season and stumble into the title game against Nebraska. After losing a close battle to the Cornhuskers, the Fiesta Bowl will pick them up, just like they always do.

Why Connecticut? Because someone has to win the Big East. Looking at the Big East favorites right now, you could make a convincing case that any one of these teams (Connecticut, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh) could win the conference. Why did I pick Connecticut? Because they're the only contender that plays the other three within the confines of their own stadium.

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. TCU

Why Oregon? Because Jeromiah Masoli isn't the only person on the planet that know's how to run the read option. I don't understand why so many people are down on the Ducks. Darron Thomas is going to do a fine job of running the show at Oregon, and I think they'll rip the Pac 10 to shreds. Watching Thomas play in Oregon's spring game was like watching Dennis Dixon terrorize the Michigan defense back in 2007. They're the most complete team in the conference, returning 18 starters total.

Why TCU? Because the Big Ten Champion will be playing in the National Championship game. With the new rule forcing the Rose Bowl to take a Non-AQ team when the Pac 10 or Big Ten champ is playing for the crystal ball, TCU will get the nod here. TCU has a fantastic quarterback returning in Andy Dalton and a ton of weapons surrounding him. The Horned Frogs have typically used a strong defense to win games, but this year, it's all about that offense. If they get past Oregon State in the season opener, it should be smooth sailing to Pasadena.

National Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Nebraska

Why Ohio State? Because I think they're the most complete team in the country. Now I know what you're thinking -- you're thinking that I'm a complete homer that can't take off the Scarlet and Gray glasses. Regardless of whether that's true or not, the offense returns nine starters, including a quarterback primed for a breakout year. The defense is anchored by one of the best players in the country in Cameron Heyward. The Buckeyes do have to travel to their toughest competition in the conference (Wisconsin and Iowa), but winning on the road has been something Jim Tressel has achieved with a ferocious consistency.

Why Nebraska? Because the scheduling god's have opened up the heavens and blessed the Cornhuskers. There schedule only shows one ranked team, Texas, and Nebraska gets that game at home. The defense will be just as good as last year despite the loss of (crazy first name) Suh, and the offense... well it has to get better, right? With head coach Bo Pelini steering the ship, Nebraska has gotten better and better each year. After defeating Oklahoma in Big 12 championship game, Bo Pelini will put Nebraska's undefeated season on the line against the Buckeyes.