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Bob's bowl forecast

The BCS pairings come out in December. We can't wait that long. Each Thursday, News-Gazette college football writer Bob Asmussen will give us his guesses:

BCS CHAMPIONSHIP

TCU vs. Texas

Handling the coin toss: A President Bush. Or Nolan Ryan. Or Lance Armstrong. Somebody with Texas ties. How does this happen? It won't take much. Just three more wins by the Horned Frogs (easy), four more wins by the Longhorns (easier) and a loss each by Alabama (to Auburn) and Florida (to Alabama). The game won't draw the highest ratings ever, but ABC will take it. They ought to just move the thing to San Antonio.

ROSE BOWL

Oregon vs. Ohio State

The Buckeyes bump Iowa, which will lose on Saturday in Columbus. It isn't the game Ohio State wanted to play in this season, but it will set up Terrelle Pryor and pals for a big 2010. The Ducks had a great chance to get into the national title race, but they lost to Stanford. At least they've got their star running back on the team again.

SUGAR BOWL

Alabama vs. Boise State

Oh, boy, Nick Saban is not going to like this pairing. Not after losing to Utah in the same game last year. And not after beating Florida in the SEC title game. But an earlier loss to Auburn will be enough to keep Alabama out of the championship and force a return trip to New Orleans. There aren't many better places to be on New Year's Eve.

FIESTA BOWL

Florida vs. Southern Cal

Some would have picked this as the national title game going into the season. When it loses Texas to the Fiesta Bowl, the folks in Phoenix will jump on Florida, which brings a high profile and one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history. It will be interesting to see the Trojans in a bowl game outside of Pasadena. Pete Carroll is earning his money this season.

ORANGE BOWL

Cincinnati vs. Georgia Tech

The folks in Miami just hosted the national title game, so don't feel too sorry for them. This will be the final BCS game for Fox, which is turning over the television rights to ESPN. You know the halftime show will be good and you'll be plenty familiar with the Bearcats having just seen them play against Illinois.

INSIGHT BOWL

Illinois vs. Kansas State

The Boss (not Bruce Springsteen) said "What happens if Illinois wins its final three?" Here's what happens: a trip to Tempe to play the No. 6 pick from the Big 12. How much fun would it be to spend a week in the desert with Bill Snyder? He's got all the personality of that desk you are sitting at, but you've got to admire him coming out of retirement and making Kansas State relevant again.