College Football 2012: Dates, Times, TV Info and More for Every Bowl Game

As we rapidly approach another wonderful season of college football, things are beginning to fall into place before kickoff. Teams are preparing for the 2012 season, watch lists are being released, recruits are committing to schools, and now, the bowl schedule has been released.

Can you feel it in the air? It is almost that time again.

The bowl schedule is one of the things that makes college football so special; after all, which other sport's season finale stretches out over the course of an entire month? It will take the whole season to see which teams will fill these slots, but we at least have all of the other information to give us something else to talk about leading up to the season.

Here is all of the information you need to know for every 2012 college football bowl game.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Date: Dec. 15, 1 p.m. ET

Matchup: Mountain West vs. Pac-12

Site: Albuquerque, N.M.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Arizona State vs. Air Force

The New Mexico Bowl hasn't necessarily provided us with the best bowl matchups, but it is football.

The Sun Devils still return enough talent on the defensive side of the ball to compete in the Pac-12, a conference that isn't exactly loaded. The WAC simply won't have enough teams that are bowl eligible, making Air Force a solid choice to enter the first bowl game of the year.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Date: Dec. 15, 4:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: Mid-American vs. Western Athletic

Site: Boise, Idaho

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Louisiana Tech vs. Ohio

For the second bowl game on the schedule, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has actually featured some close games over the years.

Louisiana Tech will likely win the WAC once again, with all the talent that the Bulldogs return and the lack of competition in the conference. The Bobcats will reach a bowl game for the fourth straight year.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsietta Bowl

Date: Dec. 20, 8 p.m.

Matchup: Mountain West vs. Brigham Young

Site: San Diego, Calif.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: BYU vs. San Diego State

BYU may surprise people this season, but it is not quite good enough to reach a BCS bowl. The Aztecs should remain a competitive team in the WMC and provide the Cougars with a watchable matchup.

Beef ‘O’Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl

Date: Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big East vs. Conference USA

Site: St. Petersburg, Fla.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: East Carolina vs. South Florida

East Carolina will remain competitive and reach a bowl game for the sixth straight season, while this bowl will try its best to land a Florida team to up the attendance. An underrated South Florida team fits the bill unless it ends up winning the Big East altogether.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Date: Dec. 22, 12 p.m. ET

Matchup: Conference USA vs. Sun Belt

Site: New Orleans, La.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Southern Miss vs. FIU

Florida International should win the Sun Belt, with the way that program is on the rise. Southern Miss is a team that this bowl would love to land, especially with the game taking place in New Orleans.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Date: Dec. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: Mountain West vs. Pac-12

Site: Las Vegas, Nev.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Boise State vs. California

Boise State will not be the team we are used to seeing the last couple of years, but is still good enough to return to the MAACO Bowl. Cal is a team that should surprise in the Pac-12, but is not quite ready to compete with the big boys.

Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl

Date: Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET

Matchup: Conference USA vs. Mountain West

Site: Honolulu, Hawaii

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Hawaii vs. Marshall

Hawaii will once again stay on the island and enjoy a bowl game in front of the home crowd, as there likely won't be a WAC team to choose from. Marshall is one of the C-USA teams that would like to take a trip to Hawaii, as it looks to reach its third bowl game in four years.

Little Caesars Bowl

Date: Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big Ten vs. Mid-American

Site: Detroit, Mich.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Purdue vs. Toledo

The Boilermakers provided us with an entertaining bowl game last season in the Little Caesars Bowl, and they return enough talent to reach one once again. Toledo would be a solid choice for this bowl game simply because of how close it is to the site.

Military Presented by Northrop Grumman Bowl

Date: Dec. 27, 3 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. Army

Site: Washington, D.C.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Wake Forest vs. Notre Dame

The Demon Deacons should earn that ACC spot and reach their second bowl game in a row. Notre Dame likely won't reach a BCS bowl game due to the schedule it plays and can't go back to the Champs Sports Bowl since it went there last season.

Belk Bowl

Date: Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. Big East

Site: Charlotte, N.C.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: NC State vs. Rutgers

The last four Belk Bowls have been decided by a touchdown or less. This bowl matchup could provide us with another solid showing. Rutgers returns too much talent to fall short of a bowl game, and the Wolf Pack would love to get a shot to play in front of their home fans for the second year in a row.

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Date: Dec. 27, 9:45 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big 12 vs. Pac-12

Site: San Diego, Calif.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Stanford vs. Baylor

Stanford will likely finish third in the Pac-12. It doesn't have Andrew Luck on its roster, but does return enough to remain relevant. You can really say the same for the Baylor Bears, who don't have household names, but do have enough on each side of the ball to reach a third straight bowl game.

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl

Date: Dec. 28, 2 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. SEC

Site: Shreveport, La.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Tennessee vs. Miami (Fla.)

Tennessee should be a surprise team in the SEC this season, returning nearly every starter on both sides of the ball. Miami has the talent to reach a bowl game, but who knows what will happen if the NCAA decides to drop the hammer on the university.

Russell Athletic Bowl

Date: Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. Big East

Site: Orlando, Fla.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Texas Tech vs. Pittsburgh

The Russell Athletic Bowl has provided us with many interesting matchups over the years. A game pitting two underrated teams against one another should do much of the same. Texas Tech has a great offense, while Pittsburgh has a dark-horse Heisman candidate in running back Ray Graham. 

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl

Date: Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big Ten vs. Big 12

Site: Houston, Texas

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Texas vs. Penn State

Besides just reaching a BCS bowl game, the Longhorns would be thrilled to stay in Texas and have another bowl game in front of the hometown crowd. Penn State should still reach a bowl game despite returning only 10 starters and having a new coaching staff take over.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces

Date: Dec. 29, 11:45 a.m. ET

Matchup: Conference USA vs. Mountain West

Site: Fort Worth, Texas

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Houston vs. Wyoming

Houston will remain one of the better teams in C-USA, while Wyoming has something going for it in dual-threat quarterback Brett Smith. This could be a surprising year for the Cowboys.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Date: Dec. 29, 3:15 p.m. ET

Matchup: Pac-12 vs. Navy

Site: San Francisco, Calif.

Network: ESPN or ESPN2

Prediction: Navy vs. UCLA

Navy just missed out on a bowl game last season, but returns enough pieces from 2011 to get the job done in 2012. The Bruins are moving in the right direction under head coach Jim Mora and should win enough games to return to this bowl game.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Date: Dec. 29, 3:15 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big East vs. Big 12

Site: Bronx, N.Y.

Network: ESPN or ESPN2

Prediction: Kansas State vs. Syracuse

These two teams met in 2010 in this bowl and played one of the best games of the year. Syracuse would love nothing more than to play a "home" game, while the Wildcats will build off of last year's success and reach a bowl game for the third straight season.

Valero Alamo Bowl

Date: Dec. 29, 6:45 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big 12 vs. Pac-12

Site: San Antonio, Texas

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Utah vs. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State will take a step back due to all of the talent it lost, but will still reach a respectable bowl game with that feisty defense. Utah will be another surprise team in the Pac-12, returning the majority of last year's key players.

Valley of the Sun Bowl

Date: Dec. 29, 10:15 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big Ten vs. Big 12

Site: Tempe, Ariz.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Iowa State vs. Illinois

If Illinois actually puts together a complete season, this is a team that should make its third straight bowl game. Iowa State was one of the surprise teams last season and should do enough in the Big 12 to reach a bowl game for the third time in four years.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 12 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC vs. ACC

Site: Nashville, Tenn.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Virginia vs. Texas A&M

Virginia continues to improve under head coach Mike London, while the Aggies are holding their own in the SEC under head coach Kevin Sumlin. Two teams on the rise should provide us with a great bowl game at the end of the year.

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. Pac-12

Site: El Paso, Texas

Network: CBS

Prediction: Florida State vs. Washington

We keep hearing how Florida State is "back," but have yet to see it. The Huskies are an exciting team to watch, particularly with Kevin Price leading the offense. The Seminoles could end up winning the ACC, but we have to see this team accomplish it before crowning them prior to the season.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC/Big East/C-USA

Site: Memphis, Tenn.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: UCF vs. Missouri

The Tigers should hold their own in their first season in the SEC, while the UCF Knights are one of the more underrated teams in the country. This would be a terrific matchup between two teams that will make even more noise as the years go by.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: ACC vs. SEC

Site: Atlanta, Ga.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Virginia Tech vs. Auburn

Two of the more storied teams in college football going at it would give college-football fans a must-watch ballgame. Frank Beamer's defensive-minded team taking on Gene Chizik and an Auburn offense that has pieces in place—the Chick-fil-A Bowl could do so much worse. 

TicketCity Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 12 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big Ten vs. Conference USA

Site: Dallas, Texas

Network: ESPNU

Prediction: SMU vs. Northwestern

SMU should have a solid season and get a bowl game close to home, while Northwestern continues to take baby steps under head coach Pat Fitzgerald and could reach its fifth straight bowl game.

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 12 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC vs. Big Ten

Site: Jacksonville, Fla.

Network: ESPN2

Prediction: Iowa vs. Florida

Florida will be better than last season, but won't exactly be good enough to reach a BCS bowl in Will Muschamp's second season. Iowa is a solid team in the Big Ten that will be an attractive option to a bowl game that has had some classic showdowns.

Capital One Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC vs. Big Ten

Site: Orlando, Fla.

Network: TBA

Prediction: Arkansas vs. Michigan State

You can really pick any team to fill this SEC spot, while Michigan State will compete for a Big 12 title, but could be left out in the cold at the end of the season. Regardless, this would be a terrific matchup with the Razorbacks' high-scoring offense and the Spartans' stifling defense.

Outback Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC vs. Big Ten

Site: Tampa, Fla.

Network: TBA

Prediction: Nebraska vs. South Carolina

These two teams met last season in the Capital One Bowl and played an entertaining game. With both squads returning the majority of last year's rosters, a rematch could end up being one of the better bowl matchups in the country.

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO

Date: Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET

Matchup: BCS vs. BCS

Site: Pasadena, Calif.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Michigan vs. Oregon

Michigan does have a tougher schedule, but also has the talent to return to a BCS bowl. You have to like Oregon's chances of returning to the Rose Bowl, especially with that weak schedule the Ducks have in 2012. 

Discover Orange Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: BCS vs. BCS

Site: Miami, Fla.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Clemson vs. Louisville

Clemson returns to the BCS Orange Bowl once again as ACC champions. Hopefully, it plays the way it is capable of and puts on an offensive exhibition this time around. Louisville will win the Big East, as the Cardinals reach their third bowl game in a row.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: BCS vs. BCS

Site: New Orleans, La.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Alabama vs. Oklahoma

Alabama won't return to the BCS National Championship Game, but will settle for another BCS bowl game. Oklahoma will make up for last season's letdown and also return to a BCS game. These two powerhouses have only met four times, with three of those matchups being decided by 10 points or less.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Date: Jan. 3, 8:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: BCS vs. BCS

Site: Glendale, Ariz.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: West Virginia vs. Wisconsin

West Virginia may be a newbie to the Big 12, but has more than enough firepower on both sides of the ball to win the conference. Wisconsin is a team that should be highly ranked when the season is over and will likely reach this bowl as an at-large bid.

AT&T Cotton Bowl

Date: Jan. 4, 8 p.m. ET

Matchup: SEC vs. Big 12

Site: Arlington, Texas

Network: FOX

Prediction: TCU vs. Georgia

TCU will hold its own in the Big 12 this year, and the Horned Frogs will reach their eighth straight bowl game. Georgia will compete for an SEC title and likely end up in the Cotton Bowl, as the two teams from the SEC West wrap up their schedules in BCS bowls.

BBVA Compass Bowl

Date: Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Matchup: Big East vs. SEC

Site: Birmingham, Ala.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Mississippi State vs. Cincinnati

The Bulldogs will remain solid on defense and have enough pieces on offense to get by. The Bearcats will reach their sixth bowl game in the last eight years, playing in the weak Big East.

GoDaddy.com Bowl

Date: Jan. 6, 9 p.m. ET

Matchup: Mid-American vs. Sun Belt

Site: Mobile, Ala.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

These two teams met last season in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, and it resulted in over 700 combined yards of offense. You can expect a similar game between these two teams that will both be bowl eligible in two not-so-competitive conferences.

Discover BCS National Championship

Date: Jan. 7, 8:30 p.m. ET

Matchup: BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

Site: Miami, Fla.

Network: ESPN

Prediction: LSU vs. USC

LSU may be an even better team than it was last season, remaining strong on defense and adding a polished quarterback to the offense. USC is loaded on the offensive side of the ball and has a defensive secondary stacked with playmakers. Both of these teams will be on a mission and would provide us with one of the better national-championship matchups in recent memory.