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Number 5 Florida (12-1, at-large) vs. Number 3 Cincinnati (12-0 Big East Champion)
What should be dubbed as the "What Coach Notre Dame Wants Bowl." That aside, this game shows two spread offenses that will run wild in the Louisiana Superdome. Cincinnati can prove skeptics of its talent and remain unbeaten, while Florida tries to forget the SEC Championship game ever happened. We knew Florida -- or rather the loser of the SEC Championship game -- would make it to this game, but Cincy was a slight surprise.
TCU would have been intriguing and with Utah's surprise-win against Bama last year, another non-BCS team beating a biggie from the big bad SEC would have been an entertaining story. Fllorida's top-five defense and Cincy's sixth-ranked scoring offense definitely makes this a must-watch.
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Virginia Tech against the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2009 Orange Bowl.
Number 10 Iowa (10-2, at-large) vs. Number 9 Georgia Tech (11-2 ACC Champion)
This is an interesting game because it usually puts the winner of the Big East vs. the winner of the ACC Championship. Georgia Tech at least belongs here, as they won the ACC. In his second year at GT, head coach Paul Johnson's option offense will have a major test against the Big Ten runner-up Iowa. Averaging 300 yards per game and the second-ranked rushing attack in the country should be a sight to see as they face a stingy Iowa defense that allows just 122 yards per game. In its first BCS bowl game since 2003, Iowa comes in after two disappointing losses this season to Northwestern and Ohio State.
USC's 2004 BSC trophy.
Number 2 Texas (13-0 Big 12 Champion) vs. Number 1 Alabama (13-0 SEC Champion)
In just three short years, Nick Saban, upon his return to college football to coach one of the most storied and tradition rich teams in the FBS, he has turned Alabama into a powerhouse. Saban is now returning to National Championship game after winning one already with LSU. He'll now have a chance to join Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings in the Crimson Tide record books. Texas coach Mack Brown, also a Championship-winning coach, is in search of a second title at the venue where he won his first.
Going into the final week of the season, it was widely believed the SEC champ would play Texas, assuming the Longhorns could win the Big 12 title game. The Longhorns' struggles gave hope to TCU and Cincinnati, a false hope. The Longhorns, after getting strong support in both the Harris and coaches polls, moved up to Number 2 in the final standings, giving them a berth in the championship game.
Kevin Coll is an avid blogger who owns FusedFilm.com, where he writes on entertainment news. Follow him on twitter @kent21685 and @fusedfilm.
