Let's Go Bowlin': College Postseason Kickoff Weekend

After a couple of weeks of recovery from the hangover known as the "Season of the BS in the BCS," we get back to the fun times of college football. Well, the postseason is here to put things back into perspective...at least until January. So for the end of 2008, let's drink some beer, have some crazy fun and watch some college bowl games!

December 20th

EagleBank Bowl: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Navy Midshipmen

The ACC starts the college postseason off when the Deacons battle red hot Navy. This is a classic contest mainly because it's two of the most storied programs in the country and they're playing in a bowl game on Saturday.

Despite finishing 4-4 in ACC play, they did enough to finish 7-5 and earning a bowl bid in one of the consolation bowl games. But that doesn't mean that they won't come for a fight. Their offense isn't considered one of the best, but Riley Skinner and D.J. Boldin can do enough to get the win against Navy...or can they?

The Midshipmen already hold a win against Wake this season. The Deacons lost 24-17 back in September, but they will need to find some of that old fire to defeat Wake this time around. Their offense and defense is not considered dangerous, but Navy has what many teams seem to find around this stretch: Heart.

That's why I'm picking Navy to give the ACC their first postseason loss.

Final Score: Navy 27, Wake Forest 20

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State Rams vs. Fresno State Bulldogs

This is an old school matchup with a new school feel. The Rams have reached their first bowl game in Steve Fairchild's inaugural season as head coach and their first in the Post-Lubick Era. Thanks to Utah's berth in the BCS, CSU got some much needed help in reaching this game. The Rams finished the season 6-6, but still got the chance to play in a bowl game this season.

On the other side of the ball is WAC representative Fresno State. The Bulldogs are looking for their fifth bowl victory in seven tries. These two are no strangers to each other as they have faced each other in the past (the last being a 35-23 victory back in 2006). The Rams have a one win advantage in the head to head matchup, but the Dogs are 7-5 compared to CSU's 6-6 mark.

The postseason has been full of miracles...which plays in CSU's favor. But when you're playing for pride, you throw it all on the table. That plays in Fresno State's favor. This one's a toss-up...which is funny seeing that it's a baby bowl.

Final Score: Colorado State 31, Fresno State 27

St. Petersburg Bowl: Memphis Tigers vs. South Florida Bulls

Is it just me or does almost every city in America getting a bowl game? Does this mean that the small towns are getting one as well in the future? Anyway, Conference USA meets the off the wall Big East when Memphis plays South Florida.

Last season, South Florida was the cinderella team of the Big East, but was unable to finish the job at season's end. Now they have to settle to play in a bowl that is pretty much in their backyard. The Bulls finished 7-5 (2-5 in the Big East), which for any coach is mediocre. Finishing 7-5 is pretty good...but finishing 2-5 in your own conference is a sign of weakness.

Memphis is what we call an "Even Steven" kind of football team. They finished 4-4 in Conference USA and 6-6 for the season. The Tigers can't be even against South Florida...even though the Bulls aren't as good as advertised. If you're looking for a good game, this isn't it. And let me tell you this: The next bowl just lost some luster as well.

Final Score: South Florida 17, Memphis 7

Las Vegas Bowl (Return of The Hoff): BYU Cougars vs. Arizona Wildcats

The Cougars are a good football team. I mean they're a damn good football team in a conference that gets little respect. But when the weekend begins, they got a silent but deadly team coming to Vegas with them.

The Arizona Wildcats have flown under the radar all season long. While the Trojans, Ducks and Beavers were battling for Pac-10 Supremacy, the Wildcats were battling for respect. The result: A 7-5 record with a 5-4 record in the conference. Sounds pretty respectful in a conference that half call overrated and the other half call underrated.

This game has all the ingredients for a slugfest...but it lost some fire when Jim Rome revealed to us who will sing our National Anthem: David "Cheeseburger in Vodkadise" Hasselhoff. For that reason, this game loses some respect, but it will still be a pretty good battle.

Final Score: BYU 42, Arizona 30

December 21st

New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Troy Trojans

Like Memphis, Southern Miss was the "Even Steven" team in Conference USA. They finished 6-6 (4-4) on the year. Unfortunately, the team weren't able to get out of second gear. Despite the even finish, the Eagles are going bowling, and they won't have to travel far to get there...but neither will the other team.

Anybody know exactly where Troy is located? I'm human enough to admit that I don't...and I own the last four NCAA Football video games. In any event, the "other" Trojans are heading to the Big Easy to show why they finish 6-1 in the Sun Belt while finishing 8-4 for the season.

Troy spends every season under the radar. For one day, they're in the spotlight. They won't just go quietly into the night. Expect them to turn the Big Easy upside down.

Final Score: Troy 31, Southern Miss 20

December 23rd

SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State Broncos vs. TCU Horned Frogs

While everyone will most likely talk about how good Utah is, it is BYU and TCU that are out to prove just how good the Mountain West Conference truly is. While boasting one of the most number of entrants in the Bowl Season, TCU was hoping gave Utah a fight for their lives. Now they're looking to give the WAC Conference a serious wake up call.

But they couldn't have picked a worse team to deliver a wake up call to. After getting the shaft from the BCS, Boise State is out for blood. They're also looking to finish undefeated once again. The Broncos don't have Zabransky, but Kellen Moore has done well in his absence. And with potential first round draft pick Ian Johnson handling the running portion of the offense, there's no telling how crazy this game can get.

In another WAC vs. Mountain West Showdown, it will be a close game and a nailbiter to boot. But when the smoke clears in San Diego, it will be Boise State that wins this matchup and scores a win for the WAC Conference. Any chance of the Flea Flicker or Statue of Liberty Play playing a role in the outcome of this one? Possibly.

Final Score: Boise State 42, TCU 35

Up Next: Bowl Games for December 24th-December 30th