* * * * * MUST WATCH
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
LSU (13-0) vs. Alabama (11-1)
Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
I wasn’t too keen on the idea of a regular-season rematch, but this is a star-studded affair to determine the national champion. We’ll be watching.
FIESTA BOWL
Stanford (11-1) vs. Oklahoma State (11-1)
Jan. 2, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
It’s the last chance to see two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up (and soon-to-be No. 1 NFL Draft pick) Andrew Luck play quarterback at Stanford. And the Cowboys should be fired up after their title game snub.
ROSE BOWL
Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (11-2)
Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (ESPN)
Two conference champs and “new” powers in a majestic late-afternoon setting. Yes, please.
COTTON BOWL
Kansas State (10-2) vs. Arkansas (10-2)
Jan. 6, 6 p.m. (Fox)
The best of the non-BCS games. Both teams finished in the top 8 of the BCS Standings and, at least, got a marquee bowl opponent ...
* * * * PRETTY DARN GOOD
MAACO BOWL LAS VEGAS
Boise State (11-1) vs. Arizona State (6-6)
Dec. 22, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
... which is more than the Broncos can say for their No. 7 BCS finish. But this is last chance to see quarterback Kellen Moore in a Boise State uniform. So tune in — and try not to shed a tear.
TICKETCITY BOWL
Penn State (9-3) vs. Houston (12-1)
Jan. 2, 10 a.m. (ESPNU)
Boise State would have welcomed either opponent. It’s the last chance to see Case Keenum throw footballs for Houston.
POINSETTIA BOWL
TCU (10-2) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4)
Dec. 21, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Two conference champions square off, something not even the national title game can claim.
GODADDY.COM BOWL
Arkansas State (10-2) vs. Northern Illinois (10-3)
Jan. 8, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Another meeting of conference champs. One of just four such matchups. This is what bowl games should be about — win your league and play another champ. ...
SUGAR BOWL
Michigan (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Jan. 3, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
... And this is what bowl games should not be about. Two big-name teams picked over more deserving teams because of their name recognition and (supposed) ability to sell tickets.
ORANGE BOWL
West Virginia (9-3) vs. Clemson (10-3)
Jan. 4, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
You won’t hear me knock this game. Both teams earned their spot by winning their league (or a tiebreaker in West Virginia’s case).
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Nebraska (9-3) vs. South Carolina (10-2)
Jan. 2, 11 a.m. (ESPN)
These are the kind of bowl games I really like. Two good programs from conferences that don’t play much — except in the postseason.
OUTBACK BOWL
Georgia (10-3) vs. Michigan State (10-3)
Jan. 2, 11 a.m. (ABC)
And another strong SEC-Big 10 game. It just feels like a bowl game.
* * * AVERAGE GAMES
ALAMO BOWL
Baylor (9-3) vs. Washington (7-5)
Dec. 29, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Might be the last chance to see RG3 — make that Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III — suit up for the Bears. He could have a huge day or a Heisman letdown.
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Florida State (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (8-4)
Dec. 29, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Hard to imagine these are just two run-of-the-mill programs, but that’s what they are right now.
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Utah State (7-5) vs. Ohio (9-4)
Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
The teams have combined to win 10 of their past 11 games. And the bowl game at Bronco Stadium is usually entertaining.
HOLIDAY BOWL
Texas (7-5) vs. California (7-5)
Dec. 28, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Hard to believe Texas has fallen so far, so fast.
INSIGHT BOWL
Oklahoma (9-3) vs. Iowa (7-5)
Dec. 30, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Not where the Sooners thought they’d end this season.
SUN BOWL
Georgia Tech (8-4) vs. Utah (7-5)
Dec. 31, Noon (CBS)
One of the few non-ESPN bowl games gets a matchup of middle-of-the road AQ teams.
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Tulsa (8-4) vs. BYU (9-3)
Dec. 30, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Good matchup between two non-AQ teams.
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Virginia (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)
Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Great time slot, decent game.
MILITARY BOWL
Air Force (7-5) vs. Toledo (8-4)
Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Expect excitement when Toledo is involved. The Rockets are No. 8 in the country, averaging 42.5 points per game.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
La.-Lafayette (8-4)vs. San Diego State (8-4)
Dec. 17, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Now we begin to reach for programming. San Diego State is playing a virtual road game.
* *
NOTHING ELSE TO DO
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
North Carolina (7-5) vs. Missouri (7-5)
Dec. 26, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
What else do you have to do on the day after Christmas? North Carolina is one of 11 bowl teams with an outgoing or interim coach.
GATOR BOWL
Florida (6-6) vs. Ohio State (6-6)
Jan. 2, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
I wanted to make a rule that all 6-6 vs. 6-6 games were worth just one star. But I’ll watch “The Urban Meyer Bowl.” And be disappointed.
LIBERTY BOWL
Vanderbilt (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3)
Dec. 31, 1:30 p.m. (ABC)
Vandy could be a team on the rise under first-year coach James Franklin and quarterback Jordan Rodgers, Aaron’s little brother.
PINSTRIPE BOWL
Rutgers (8-4) vs. Iowa State (6-6)
Dec. 30, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
One reason to watch: Yankee Stadium.
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Wyoming (8-4) vs. Temple (8-4)
Dec. 17, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
A current Boise State conference foe vs. a potential future one. Temple is a possible addition to the ever-expanding Big East.
HAWAII BOWL
Nevada (7-5) vs. Southern Miss (11-2)
Dec. 24, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Nevada slumped at the end of the season and faces a very good Southern Miss team. Boise State plays both teams next year.
BELK BOWL
North Carolina State (7-5) vs. Louisville (7-5)
Dec. 27, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Should be a healthy crowd in Charlotte, N.C.
BEEF ’O’BRADY’S BOWL
Marshall (6-6) vs. Fla. International (8-4)
Dec. 20, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Surprised FIU’s Mario Cristobal hasn’t gotten more attention for coaching jobs.
* A CASE FOR GETTING RID OF BOWL GAMES
BBVA COMPASS BOWL
Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5)
Jan. 7, 11 a.m. (ESPN)
The Arizona State bowl? SMU coach June Jones almost got the job. Pitt’s Todd Graham did get it.
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Northwestern (6-6)
Dec. 31, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
For many reasons, I always root for the Wildcats. But this will be a tough one to watch.
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Mississippi State (6-6) vs. Wake Forest (6-6)Dec. 30, 4:40 p.m. (ESPN)
At least both teams still have their coaches.
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL
Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)
Dec. 27, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Um, well, yeah, at least it’s not this game …
FIGHT HUNGER BOWL
UCLA (6-7) vs. Illinois (6-6)
Dec. 31, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
… UCLA needed a waiver to play in a bowl game with a losing record. Illinois has lost six in a row.
