Outside of the NFL playoffs, it may be the greatest multi-week sports season of the year–in fact it is the harbinger of the playoffs for the pros. It surrounds the Christmas and New Year holidays, and it even spurs annual debate through crowning a Champion without a playoff system. Oh yeah. It’s time to go bowling!

If you feel there are too many bowl games, get over yourself! Why? Is it too much football for you? Are you paying taxes for these games? C’mon! Get in the holiday spirit, Scrooge.

I don’t care who the bowl sponsor is, or who’s playing in it…I’ll watch it and enjoy it. At first glance a couple weeks ago, I thought the match-ups looked pretty uninteresting, yet after careful consideration, the potential for some great football games is undeniable.

Let’s break ‘em down in play order:

12/18 – New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. UTEP

BYU is a pretty easy favorite in this match-up. UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe is a difference maker, yet his ankle is busted up, and he’s less than four days from having to put it to the test. If he’s somehow able to play through the pain, the Miners could make it interesting.

12/18 – Humanitarian Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State

Northern Illinois put up an impressive 10-3 season, losing a heart breaker in the MAC Championship. Now they’re meeting a Fresno team led by veteran coach Pat Hill who has been given multiple weeks of preparation. This promises to be a battle, and picking either team would be a logical decision. The vast majority of the nation is going with the bulldogs, but I’m taking the Huskies.

12/18 – New Orleans Bowl: Ohio University vs. Troy

Ohio QB, Franshaw “Boo” Jackson. He can be exciting when he’s hitting on all cylinders, yet I was unimpressed with the MAC this season. I’m going against the populous once again on this one, and sticking with the team from the south. I see another battle, and Troy coming out on top.

12/21 – St. Petersburg Bowl: Southern Miss. vs. Louisville

Didn’t ya hear? Brett Favre found a game of NCAA eligibility and is coming out of collegiate retirement. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use the image. Look at the young gun slinger… Call me insane, but I’m going against the majority again with this pick. I feel like Louisville has the slight edge. It has the potential to be another close one.

12/22 – Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Boise State

Aside from a couple missteps vs. TCU and Notre Dame, Utah put together an impressive season. They won close games down the stretch and earned this match-up vs. powerhouse, Boise State. The Broncos BCS dreams were crushed in the NCAA game of the year vs. Nevada, yet a week later they went back to work and took care of business. I have a feeling that Kellen Moore is going to go off in Vegas like a 21 year old with their multi-millionaire father’s credit card. …that Kellen Moore is going to go off in Vegas like a fat dude at the Circus Circus buffet. He may opt for both options–I know I would. BSU is the team that I would never bet against. You shouldn’t either.

12/23 – Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. San Diego State

Navy is impressive… but San Diego State is possibly the best 8-4 team in the country. They have played everyone close. Everyone. Their 4 losses were by a combined 15 points. I think the Navy option attack might give them headaches, and I’m rolling with the Midshipmen…as of now. I reserve the right to change my mind due to the factual evidence listed above. It’s worth noting, this is the final game for Navy QB Ricky Dobbs–the kid is a stud. He has always played well in big games, and probably loves the thought of being the underdog.

12/24 – Hawai’i Bowl: Hawaii vs. Tulsa

Hawaii at home? Check. Hawaii with a devastating passing attack? Check. Tulsa with a suspect secondary? Check. Tulsa with the ability to score a lot of points? Check. Could be a shoot out, but this one is going to the Warriors of Hawaii.

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