Sugar Bowl: No. 13 Michigan vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech - In a rare turn of events, this year's Sugar Bowl matchup will not feature an SEC team, as the bowl bids were granted to two at-large teams after the top two teams in the SEC, LSU and Alabama, earned spots in the National Championship game. Tonight's contest will feature the Michigan Wolverines (10-2) and the ACC runner-up Virginia Tech Hokies in what should be another competitive BCS matchup after yesterday's Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl games. Virginia Tech, led by Junior running back David Wilson, has the opportunity for a school record 12-win season and a shot at avenging their 38-10 blowout loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship game if they can get the win. Wilson, who has tallied 1627 yards and 9 touchdowns, and Sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas make up quite a backfield for the Hokies but have been helped out by a stout Tech defense that allows only 17.2 points a game, good enough for 7th in the nation. Michigan is led by Junior stud Denard Robinson, a dual threat quarterback who defies the laws of man with rocket throws from his smaller physique. Robinson has thrown for 2056 yards and ran for 1163 en route to 34 total touchdowns and 10 wins for coach Brady Hoke in his first year in Ann Arbor. Expect the Wolverines running attack to be too much for the Hokies defense, as Robinson and Sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint will have big games.
PICK: Michigan
Orange Bowl: No. 23 West Virginia vs. No. 15 Clemson - The least hyped BCS bowl game of 2012 might be the highest scoring, with two of the most high-powered offenses squaring off at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. The ACC Champion Clemson Tigers (10-3) are riding high after a great December in which they won the ACC title over Virginia Tech and their coach Dabo Swinney won the NCAA FBS National Coach of the Year award. The Tigers come into the game with the 21st ranked passing offense in the country, led by future Heisman candidate Tajh Boyd and targets Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. Watkins, only a Freshman, is one of the top underclassman receivers in the nation, tallying 1153 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season as a Tiger. West Virginia will also have their hands full with 6-4, 255 pound tight end Dwayne Allen, who has grabbed 8 touchdowns and 577 yards this season. West Virginia comes into the game with a lot to prove. The BCS selection committee drew criticism for selecting the Mountaineers over more deserving teams, such as Boise State, Kansas State, and TCU. West Virginia's 7th ranked passing offense might silence a few critics. Junior Geno Smith has been a sight to see in 2011, passing for 3978 yards and 25 touchdowns. The game will ultimately come down to who can make the stops and expect Swinney's defense to play big when needed.
PICK: Clemson
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