Your Guide To The College Football Bowl Season, Part I

The 2009 bowl season is upon us, and it’s time to be confronted with a fact you’ve worked all year to cover up: you don’t know as much as you should about college football.

You know Texas and Alabama, sure, but smaller teams like  Ohio, Middle Tennessee, and Fresno State are beyond you. You live your life in fear that you’ll be caught in an in-depth football conversation and exposed when you let slip that you’ve always thought that TCU is the name of the organization Jack Bauer worked for on 24.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

The following is a guide to understanding the teams and matchups in the bowl games to come over the next few weeks, starting with the smaller, more obscure bowls. If nothing else, it will give you a few sound bites to make it sound like you know what you’re talking about.

New Mexico Bowl, Fresno State vs. Wyoming (Dec. 19)

Fresno State has been an up-and-coming non-AQ team over the last few years that hasn’t been able to break through yet. Still, they’re 8-4 this year and a tough matchup for Wyoming , who went just 6-6. Still, the Cowboys played Texas tough for a half in Laramie this year before succumbing to the inevitable. Look for the Bulldogs to win this one comfortably.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Fresno State could be the next Boise State.”

Sound like an idiot: “Wyoming could be the next Boise State.”

St. Petersburg Bowl, Central Florida vs. Rutgers (Dec. 19)

Both teams are 8-4, but Rutgers has been tested more in the Big East than UCF was in Conference USA. Though Rutgers fell short of their high expectations early, they closed the season strong. Don’t sleep on UCF, though – they have a potent offense and knocked off #15 Houston a few weeks ago.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Knights and Scarlet Knights? What a great matchup!”

Sound like an idiot: “Rutgers doesn’t have a prayer. They’re just a bunch of nappy-headed hoes.”

New Orleans Bowl , Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee (Dec. 20)

Southern Miss has quietly been one of the most consistent non-AQ teams over the last few years. Though they went just 7-5 in Conference USA, they are a tough opponent for the Blue Raiders. MTSU posted a 9-3 record in the Sun Belt, playing runners-up to champions Troy. This one could be a shootout, with each team averaging over 30 points per game.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Everyone talks about Houston, but Southern Miss was the class of the C-USA this year.”

Sound like an idiot: “I’ve always liked Middle Tennessee’s new coach, Lane Kiffin.”

Las Vegas Bowl, Oregon State vs. BYU (Dec. 22)

This is one of the best matchups outside the BCS, being one of just four non-BCS bowl games to feature two ranked teams. BYU fields a high-flying pass offense, while Oregon State boasts a vicious running attack led by Jacquizz Rodgers. A win here for BYU could give us two top-10 MWC teams for the second year in a row.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Five straight Las Vegas Bowls for BYU? Aren’t they getting tired of them yet?”

Sound like an idiot: “Oregon State is a classless university.”

Poinsettia Bowl, Utah vs. California (Dec. 23)

Utah and California both started 2009 highly touted, but both took a tumble in the rankings after big losses to top-10 teams. Cal running back Jahvid Best, out since sustaining a concussion against Oregon State, could be the difference maker if he comes back.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Look for Utah to stretch their bowl game winning streak to nine.”

Sound like an idiot: “Utah? Since when has a Mountain West team been any good?”

Hawaii Bowl, Nevada vs. Southern Methodist (Dec. 24)

The Hawaii Bowl features two teams on the rise. Nevada was a dark-horse BCS-buster candidate at the beginning of the season, and SMU has risen from mediocrity under second-year head coach June Jones. Nevada might run away with this one, though; the Wolfpack average over 40 points per game.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Nevada has the chops to challenge Boise State in the WAC.”

Sound like an idiot: “The Mustangs? Weren’t they put to death a few years ago?”

Little Caesars Bowl, Marshall vs. Ohio (Dec. 26)

You’d think this one would be a snoozer, and there’s reason to think you might be right. Marshall squeezed into a bowl game at 6-6, while Ohio played for the MAC championship, finishing 9-4. Barring a miracle, look for Ohio to cruise.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Watch out for the Bobcats. They nearly knocked off Ohio State last year.”

Sound like an idiot: “I am Marshall! I AM MARSHALL!”

Meineke Car Care Bowl, Pittsburgh vs. UNC (Dec. 26)

This is a solid matchup between two teams who had high expectations at the beginning of the year. Pitt came within an extra point attempt of the Sugar Bowl, while UNC contended for the ACC crown for most of the season. Both teams feature stout defenses, so it may come down to the team that finds a way to impose its offense.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Pitt running back Dion Lewis will win a Heisman before he graduates.”

Sound like an idiot: “Pitt vs. UNC? Count me in! I love basketball!”

Emerald Bowl, Boston College vs. USC (Dec. 26)

Who would have thought that USC and Boston College would have the same record at the end of the year? USC has seriously underachieved this year, dropping 3 of their last 5 games. Boston College, on the other hand, overachieved, being picked by many to finish near the bottom of the ACC. USC might be disappointed to be here and come out flat, setting up an upset for the Eagles.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about: “Looks like USC finally has to rebuild instead of reload.”

Sound like an idiot: “USC ought to be grateful to be out of the Rose Bowl. I’m sure it was getting boring for them.”

Part II to follow.