San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
No. 23 Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
5 p.m., ESPN
Even though the Utes have won eight consecutive bowl games (including the Sugar Bowl upset over Alabama last season), they will have their hands full if the Bears’ running back Jahvid Best is back on the field. Best began the season as an early Heisman contender but missed three games after being knocked unconscious and sustaining a concussion Nov. 7 against Oregon State. PICK: California
DEC. 24
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Nevada (8-4) vs. SMU (7-5)
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
5 p.m., ESPN
Former Hawaii coach June Jones returns to the islands with the Mustangs in SMU’s first bowl in 25 years. They face a strong Wolf Pack, though, including three 1,000-yard rushers: Colin Kaepernick, Luke Lippincott and Vai Taua. PICK: Nevada
DEC. 26
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4)
Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
10 a.m., ESPN
The Bobcats played their final game of the season at Ford Field (losing the MAC championship to Central Michigan 20-10), but make their first appearance in this Pizza! Pizza! matchup in hopes of the program’s first-ever postseason win. A brand new coach leads Marshall’s Thundering Herd, due to Mark Snyder’s resignation Nov. 29. PICK: Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl
No. 17 Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
1:30 p.m., ESPN
This is the first time former Jimmy Johnson protégés Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis take to opposite sidelines, coaching the Panthers and the Tar Heels, respectively. Look to Wanny’s squad to seek redemption after their season end heart-wrenching losses to West Virginia and Cincinnati, but they must get by UNC’s top-10 defense. PICK: North Carolina
Emerald Bowl
Boston College (8-4) vs. No. 24 USC (8-4)
AT&T Park, San Francisco, Calif.
5 p.m., ESPN
Oh how the mighty have fallen. But maybe the Trojan’s fall this season (the first since 2001 with USC not appearing in a BCS bowl) will earn the rest of the Pac-10 teams the respect they deserve. If Pete Carroll’s defense fails to stop the Eagles who are 97th in total offense (out of 120 teams) and 71st in scoring, this might not be the last disappointing season for SoCal fans. PICK: USC
DEC. 27
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)
LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.
5:30 p.m., ESPN
The Wildcats make their third Music City Bowl appearance in four years and hope to win their fourth consecutive postseason game. ACC player of the year, running back C.J. Spiller (1,145 yards, 11 touchdowns) and the Tigers look to dash those dreams for Kentucky. PICK: Clemson
DEC. 28
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.
2 p.m., ESPN2
We’ve got two mediocre defenses – the Aggies allowed 32.7 points and 431.3 yards per game, while Mark Richt fired three members of the Bulldogs’ defensive coaching staff, including coordinator Willie Martinez. Look for both offenses to score at least four touchdowns. PICK: Texas A&M
DEC. 29
EagleBank Bowl
UCLA (6-6) vs. Temple (9-3)
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
1:30 p.m., ESPN
While the Bruins are just happy to be playing in the postseason, this is the Owls’ first bowl since 1979. All eyes are on Temple’s freshman running back Bernard Pierce (1,308 yards, 15 touchdowns), who missed the final two games of the season but is expected to return from a shoulder injury. PICK: Temple
Champs Sports Bowl
No. 15 Miami (9-3) vs. No. 25 Wisconsin (9-3)
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.
5 p.m., ESPN
The Badgers return to the same bowl as last season, but their level of aggression – especially on defense – has definitely intensified. If they can put the pressure on ’Canes quarterback Jacory Harris (17 interceptions this season) and make sure that John Clay gets his hands on the ball, they have a chance. PICK: Miami
DEC. 30
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl
Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)
Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho
1:30 p.m., ESPN
Two efficient offenses take to the blue turf of Boise State. Spotlight is on Falcons’ wide receiver Freddie Barnes who is No. 1 in the nation with receptions per game (11.5) and No. 2 in the nation with receiving yards per game (129.3). PICK: Bowling Green
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
No. 20 Arizona (8-4) vs. No. 22 Nebraska (9-4)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
5 p.m., ESPN
Ndamukong Suh – if you don’t know how to pronounce the Heisman finalist’s name, you better learn. The senior defensive tackle and the Cornhuskers will try to humble the Wildcats, who drew the bowl bid after their 21-17 season-ender defeat of the Trojans, in this rematch of the 1998 Holiday Bowl. PICK: Nebraska
DEC. 31
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Houston (10-3) vs. Air Force (7-5)
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
9 a.m., ESPN
The Cougars and the Falcons meet again this year, in the same exact bowl. Houston’s Case Keenum leads the country with the No. 1 passing attack (419.2 yards per game), and Air Force is third in rushing yards (273.6 yards per game). Should be quite the high-scoring game. PICK: Houston
Brut Sun Bowl
No. 21 Stanford (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (7-5)
Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
11 a.m., CBS
Sigh, poor Sam Bradford. Think of where the Sooners would be if he had stayed healthy. The Cardinal make their first bowl appearance in eight years with Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart (1,736 yards, 26 TDs) looking to run all over Oklahoma. PICK: Stanford
Texas Bowl
Navy (9-4) vs. Missouri (8-4)
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
12:30 p.m., ESPN
Tigers receiver Danario Alexander is top in the country with 137 receiving yards per game. But the Midshipmen offense, helmed by Ricky Dobbs, might be on the field for most of the match. PICK: Missouri
Insight Bowl
Minnesota (6-6) vs. Iowa State (6-6)
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.
3 p.m., NFL Network
This could be the lowest scoring game in the lot this postseason. The Cyclones are 102nd in scoring, while the Golden Gophers are 113th. Yikes. PICK: Iowa State
Chick-fil-A Bowl
No. 11 Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.
4:30 p.m., ESPN
While an NCAA investigation looms over Tennessee for recruiting violations, two standout running backs – the Hokies’ Ryan Williams (No. 3 in the nation with rushing yards) and the Vols’ Montario Hardesty (averaging 108.8 yards per game) – go toe-to-toe in Atlanta. PICK: Virginia Tech
JAN. 1, 2010
Outback Bowl
Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
8 a.m., ESPN
The Wildcats haven’t won a bowl since 1948, so they’re hungry. They finished their regular season with a strong statement – upsetting Iowa and Wisconsin. However, the Tigers showed spirit in their battle against the Crimson Tide Nov. 27.PICK: Northwestern
Capital One Bowl
No. 13 Penn State (10-2) vs. No. 12 LSU (9-3)
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.
10 a.m., ABC
The Tigers have won five of their last six bowl games, but never count JoePa out! College football’s winningest coach goes for No. 394. PICK: LSU
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
No. 16 West Virginia (9-3) vs. Florida State (6-6)
Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
10 a.m., CBS
Speaking of coaching legends, Bobby Bowden takes his final bow with the Seminoles against the Mountaineers, whom he coached from 1970 to ’75. PICK: West Virginia
Rose Bowl Presented by Citi
No. 8 Ohio State (10-2) vs. No. 7 Oregon (10-2)
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
1:30 p.m., ABC
With USC’s absence, could a Big 10 team take the Granddaddy of Them All for the first time since 2000? Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor is great both in the air and on the ground, but his defense will have its hands full with the Ducks’ LaMichael James, LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Masoli. PICK: Oregon
Allstate Sugar Bowl
No. 5 Florida (12-1) vs. No. 3 Cincinnati (12-0)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, La.
5:30 p.m., Fox
In his final game under center for the Gators, 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow pulls out all the stops, attempting to regroup after getting swept away by the Crimson Tide. But expect the Bearcats to put up a valiant effort – even though Brian Kelly abandoned ship for South Bend, this has been their best season yet. PICK: Florida
JAN. 2, 2010
International Bowl
South Florida (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)
Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
9 a.m., ESPN2
The Bulls lost five of their last seven games, but they’ve been in a bowl five years in a row. This is the Huskies’ first time making it to the postseason in consecutive years. Blah, still a snoozefest. PICK: Northern Illinois
Papajohns.com Bowl
South Carolina (7-5) vs. Connecticut (7-5)
Birmingham, Ala., Legion Field
11 a.m., ESPN
UConn tries to capture their first-ever win over an SEC opponent. Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks crawl into Alabama having lost four of their last six matches. PICK: South Carolina
AT&T Cotton Bowl
No. 19 Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Mississippi (8-4)
Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
11 a.m., Fox
Both teams lost their big rivalry games this season (the Cowboys to Oklahoma 27-0, the Rebels to Mississippi State 27-41), so you have to wonder how high either team’s motivation is to have an explosive performance. PICK: Mississippi
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Arkansas(7-5) vs. East Carolina (9-4)
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tenn.
2:30 p.m., ESPN
One of the best QBs in the SEC, Razorback sophomore Ryan Mallett (3,425 yards, 29 touchdowns) is going to have a stellar game over the Pirates’ less than stellar defense. PICK: Arkansas
Valero Alamo Bowl
Michigan State (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
6 p.m., ESPN
It’s a miracle Michigan State has any players to put on the field – several are suspended due to an on-campus altercation. Surely, Red Raiders coach Mike Leach has a lot to say about it (When does he ever hold his tongue?). Spartan linebacker Greg Jones (No. 3 in the nation with 140 tackles) will try to represent against Tech’s offense led by Taylor Potts. PICK: Texas Tech
JAN. 4, 2010
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
No. 6 Boise State (13-0) vs. No. 4 TCU (12-0)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
5 p.m., Fox
In a rematch of last season’s Poinsettia Bowl, one of the country’s best passers (Bronco Kellen Moore) against the Horned Frogs’ best defense in the nation. This matchup represents the first time two unbeaten teams go head-to-head in a BCS bowl other than the championship game.PICK: TCU
JAN. 5, 2010
FedEx Orange Bowl
No. 10 Iowa (10-2) vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech (11-2)
Land Shark Stadium, Miami, Fla.
5 p.m., Fox
The Hawkeyes haven’t played since Nov. 21, so they’ve had plenty of time to prepare for the Yellow Jackets’ spread option offense that is No. 4 in the country with 5,755 yards this season. PICK: Georgia Tech
JAN. 6, 2010
GMAC Bowl
Central Michigan (11-2) vs. Troy (9-3)
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
4 p.m., ESPN
The Chippewas have already lost their coach to Cincinnati and are losing star quarterback Dan LeFevour (3,043 yards, 27 TDs) after this game. The Trojans also lose their senior QB, Levi Brown (3,868 yards, 22 TDs). PICK: Central Michigan
JAN. 7, 2010
Citi BCS National Championship Game
No. 2 Texas (13-0) vs. No. 1 Alabama (13-0)
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
5 p.m., ABC
Who says 13 is an unlucky number? The legacies of these two undefeateds are rich in football history, and this game is going to live up to those high standards. Nick Saban versus Mack Brown. Colt McCoy (leading passer in school history, Heisman finalist two years straight) heads the strong Longhorn offense, while 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram is the top single-season rusher ever for the Crimson Tide. PICK: Alabama
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