2013 BCS Bowl Preview & Predictions; NCAA College Football Betting Picks
The 2012 college football season has been filled with upsets, unexpected performances, and disappointments. The BCS is finally upon us and we will have a National Champion after all is said and done. This year’s BCS National Championship game between Notre Dame and Alabama is sure to be one of the highest viewed college football games ever due to their strong fan bases. The following is a breakdown of each BCS game and predictions for each game.
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio – Wisconsin(8-5) vs. Stanford(11-2) January 1, 2013 Television: 5:00 PM EST on ESPN Game Preview
The 2013 Rose Bowl will be a tough and physical game that will be decided by the run and defense. The key matchup in this contest is the Wisconsin Badgers rushing attack against the Stanford defense. The Stanford defense is ranked 14th in points allowed averaging 17.5 points given up a game. The Wisconsin rushing attack is averaging 237.8 yards per game, good enough for 12th in the nation.
In Stanford’s last three games, they have given up an average of 185 yards rushing per game. Stanford was out-rushed in both of their losses this year, and they seemed bound to allow a significant number of yards to the dangerous Badgers rushing attack. Expect a physical game controlled on the ground, and a surprising Badgers victory. Betting Line: Sportsbook.ag Stanford -7 Prediction: Wisconsin Badgers 27, Stanford Cardinal 21 (Wisconsin +7)
Discover Orange Bowl – Northern Illinois(12-1) Vs. Florida State(11-2) January 1, 2013 Television: 8:30 PM EST on ESPN Game Preview
The 12-1 Northern Illinois Huskies have a chance to be just one of a few non BCS schools to win a BCS bowl game. The Huskies will face off against the 11-2 Florida State Seminoles from the ACC. Florida State has the better team while Northern Illinois has the best player in this game with electrifying quarterback Jordan Lynch. The Seminoles defense will not be able to completely stop Lynch, but they will contain him enough to end up on top. Florida State wins this game, but it should be closer than many think. Betting Line: Sportsbook.ag Florida State -13.5 Prediction: Florida State Seminoles 31, Northern Illinois Huskies 24 (Northern Illinois +13.5)
Allstate Sugar Bowl – Louisville(10-2) vs. Florida(11-1) January 2, 2013 Television: 8:30 PM EST on ESPN Game Preview
The 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl features a strong one-loss Florida Gators team facing off against the Big East champion Louisville Cardinals. The Cardinals went the entire season without playing even one nationally ranked team. This game will be controlled by the Florida Gators on both sides of the ball. Louisville has had a great season, but they do not have the talent or the experience to compete on the same level as Florida. Florida will win with ease in a slightly boring BCS matchup. Betting Line: Sportsbook.ag Florida -14 Prediction: Florida Gators 27, Louisville Cardinals 10 (Florida -14)
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – Kansas State(11-1) vs. Oregon(11-1) January 3, 2013 Game Preview
The 2013 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl features two teams that were both positioned to possibly face off against each other in the BCS national championship game as late as November 17th. Both teams lost in a day of upsets, and with that loss, they were taken out of the picture for a national championship appearance. This will be a fun game to watch and an offensive shootout. In a shootout, the most capable defense often prevails. In this game, the better defense is Kansas State. Betting Line : Sportsbook.ag Oregon -9 Prediction: Kansas State 45, Oregon 38 (Kansas State +9)
Discover BCS National Championship Game – Notre Dame(12-0) vs. Alabama(12-1) January 7, 2013 Game Preview
Last year’s BCS championship featured two defensive powerhouses in LSU and Alabama, this year is no different. Notre Dame and Alabama come into the game as #1 and #2 in points allowed respectively and have solid rushing attacks. This will be a defensive battle that will come down to clutch plays and avoiding big mistakes. Notre Dame has played their share of close games this year and has been able to pull out the victory in each one. SEC fans are expecting a blowout win for the Crimson Tide, but expect this game to be much closer. Although this game is basically a coin toss, I am taking Notre Dame in a very close and entertaining game. Betting Line : Sportsbook.ag Alabama -10 Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 20, Alabama Crimson Tide 17 OT (Notre Dame +10)
