Giving Every College Football Bowl Game a Movie Title Theme

Movies and football.

They go together like peanut butter and jelly or cookies and milk.

OK, not quite, but the two can be linked in a beneficial matter for both parties, as demonstrated by this list.

It runs down all 35 bowl games, along with the movie title that best ties into the game.

Feel free to leave your suggestions for alternative cinematic monikers to attach to these postseason matchups.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Temple vs. Wyoming

Title: Waiting to Exhale

Now, it begins.

After waiting for two weeks, whether you are a fan of the BCS system or not, you're likely to check out at least part of this game.

Why?

Because it officially marks the beginning of the end.

Bowl season has started.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Ohio vs. Utah State

Title: Nightmare on Elm Street

Following the New Mexico Bowl, your appetite for ridiculously named bowls featuring "mid-major" teams will be seriously diminished.

Be sure to skip this one.

Other than the occasional Tyler Tettleton highlight, it will be the thing nightmares are made of, featuring two mediocre teams battling in a freezing environment for a little respect.

And by little, I mean miniscule.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

San Diego State vs. ULL

Title: Clash of the Titans

Yeah, it's a joke.

Neither of these teams is a "titan", and SDSU seriously underperformed in their first year without Brady Hoke.

It will be entertaining just to hear announcers use ULL's nickname, if for nothing else.

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg

FIU vs. Marshall

Title: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

You might be wondering what that title has to do with the game.

Nothing.

It just has a ludicrous title, same as the bowl.

For kicks and giggles in this one, keep an eye on FIU's T.Y. Hilton. He will have a solid career on Sundays.

Another option included "Tron," given that Marshall's leading rusher carries that moniker.

San Diego Country Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

TCU vs. La. Tech

Title: No Reservations

TCU got left out of the BCS.

That sucks.

Apparently, those reservations fell by the wayside.

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas

Boise State vs. Arizona State

Title: Conspiracy Theory

While many of you feel that Boise State should not be included in a BCS game, ever, there are also those who feel that the Broncos and other non-AQ teams are being left out on purpose.

There's no sinister scheme at play here, however, other than the desire for money, and as much as possible on the part of the bowl committees.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Nevada vs. Southern Miss

Title: Castaway

Normally, a trip to Hawaii would be seen as a good thing.

However, for these two teams, and especially USM, this one sucks a little bit.

How many fans of USM are going to be able to afford the thousands of dollars needed to make this trip the day before Christmas?

What about family members?

So these players, as a reward for a solid season, get to play on an island in the Pacific, thousands of miles from their family, on Christmas Eve.

On the bright side of things, the game is being broadcast on the ESPN family of networks...

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl

UNC vs. Missouri

Title: Young Guns

Bryn Renner and Giovani Bernard have been better than expected for the Tar Heels.

Renner is just a sophomore, and Bernard is a freshman.

UNC fans have much to look forward to with these to producing out of the backfield.

Missouri, on the other hand, discovered the spectacular talent of sophomore running back Henry Josey.

Little Caesar's Bowl

Western Michigan vs. Purdue

Title: Fargo

OK, so it's Detroit, not Fargo, but the scenery is going to be similar for these two teams.

Snow, cold and more of each of these.

The game will at least be played indoors, but while others are basking in the warmth of exotic destinations, these guys will be freezing in temperatures below zero.

Belk Bowl

Louisville vs. N.C. State

Title: 2012

No, not because these teams are facing an apocalypse, simply because each should be vastly improved in 2012.

The Wolfpack had to deal with the loss of Russell Wilson and will take huge leaps next season.

Louisville surprised everybody with their play, and with freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater primed for a great season, Cardinals fans have much to look forward to in 2012.

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

Toledo vs. Air Force

Title: Knowing

Both teams know what the other is going to throw at them.

Air Force is going to try to run the ball and take to the air as little as possible.

Toledo will use a healthy dose of Eric Page and Adonis Thomas to try and break through the Falcon's defenses.

That is, if Thomas can get healthy for the game.

Should be more interesting than the movie turned out to be.

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Cal vs. Texas

Title: Despicable Me 

Let's be honest.

Mack Brown could be in trouble with a loss here.

He has, so far, had the support and backing of the school, but it's hard to imagine that a loss in this game, coupled with another mediocre season in 2012, would not put him squarely on the hot seat.

It's not exactly do or die for Brown, but if the 'Horns can't contain Cal's explosive passing game, it could be the beginning of the end.

Champs Sports Bowl

Notre Dame vs. Florida State

Title: I Am Legend

These two teams have absolutely epic histories and tons of tradition.

Will Smith is a great actor, and the name of this movie screams out confidence.

The movie, similar to these two teams, wasn't good at all.

FSU and Notre Dame received plenty of kudos prior to the start of the season and looked to have the potential to be BCS contenders.

Currently, those accolades are nothing more than legend, as the two teams everybody overrated this preseason meet.

Get over it fans, your programs currently aren't that great.

Valero Alamo Bowl

Washington vs. Baylor

Title: Man on Fire

Sure, the movie doesn't really apply to this game, but the title sure as heck does.

Not only was Robert Griffin III the hottest player in the nation this season, but his counterpart, Washington quarterback Keith Price, is no slouch, either.

This is a preview of two potential 2012 Heisman candidates.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

BYU vs. Tulsa

Title: Final Destination

These two teams may be the only two in their respective regions of the country that appear to be staying put.

No, it's not quite that bad, but BYU appears content to remain independent, and Tulsa is going to stay in C-USA until the conference merges with MWC (if that actually happens).

That's a significant departure from what many other programs are doing right now, trying to jump ship to greener pastures.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Iowa State vs. Rutgers

Title: Catch Me if You Can

Mohamed Sanu is good.

As a matter of fact, if you have not yet seen the Rutgers wide receiver in action, make sure to DVR this game.

He had seven 100-plus yards receiving games this season and is as explosive as they come.

Iowa State, who has faced some pretty stiff competition this season, will be tested yet again by Sanu.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest

Title: Thor

When it comes to mediocrity, these teams don't have a corner on the market, but they certainly own much of the stock.

Similar to Thor and pretty much every other superhero/comic book film on the market.

Insight Bowl

Iowa vs. Oklahoma

Title: Running Scared

Let's be honest.

Iowa is definitely athletically outclassed in this contest.

The Sooners have superior talent and the potential to turn this into a route.

Not to imply that the Hawkeyes won't show for this game, but you better believe they will have to play their best game of the season to even sniff a win in this one.

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Northwestern vs. Texas A&M

Title: The Illusionist

This would be more apropos if the title were plural, but we will make do with what's available.

Northwestern touted quarterback Dan Persa as a Heisman contender before the season, going so far as to put up a billboard promoting his campaign near ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT.

Then, he missed three games with a lingering injury and was pedestrian en route to a mediocre season for the Wildcats.

Texas A&M had many convinced they were title contenders going into the season and gave the illusion that they were actually going to win games several times before faltering in the second half and shattering said illusion.

Which team will be more real in Houston?

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. Utah

Title: Predator vs. Alien

This is not to say that any of the players on these two teams look even slightly inhuman.

However, Georgia Tech boasts the best rushing attack in the country, while Utah is top 10 in rush defense.

Should be an epic battle for domination of the planet.

Or at least, El Paso.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

Title: The Return

 Vanderbilt makes a return to the postseason for only the second time sine 2001.

On Cinci's side of the ball, there's a much more significant return possible.

Outstanding signal-caller, Zach Collaros is reportedly making progress and may be back to lead the Bearcats' offense.

This would be huge news for a team that struggled at times in his absence.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Illinois vs. UCLA

Title: The Losers

No offense to fans of these two teams, but they are atrocious.

Both programs fired their coaches.

Neither team has a winning record, and UCLA actually has a losing record at 6-7.

Forgive me if I only tune in to see Whitney Mercilus terrorize UCLA's backfield.

Chick-Fil-a Bowl

Auburn vs. Virginia

Title: The Back-up Plan

Auburn is going to give the ball to Michael Dyer and watch him go to work.

Or not.

Dyer has been indefinitely suspended from the team after violating team rules.

Onterio McCalebb and Tre Mason...this is your chance to make some noise against a better-than-expected Virginia squad.

Ticketcity Bowl

Houston vs. Penn State

Title: Defiance

Both of these teams have reason to exhibit some level of defiance against the system.

While the situation at Penn State is ugly and nasty, it's not the fault of the guys currently playing on the team.

Houston, after getting shellacked by USM in their conference title game, will be out to prove they really are a very good team, worthy of a top-10 ranking, and that lost was a fluke.

Each of these teams will have something to prove, playing with a huge chip on their collective team shoulder.

Outback Bowl

Georgia vs. Michigan State

Title: The Hangover

It's easy to get this one.

Each of these teams suffered tough losses in their conference title game.

Whoever rebounds the best and finds focus, will come out on top.

Hopefully, there will be no headaches remaining when this game starts.

Capital One Bowl

South Carolina vs. Nebraska

Title: Enough

Nebraska's inaugural Big Ten season was not exactly as they probably would have liked, but for a brutal schedule and new teams to deal with, it was good enough.

The same could be said for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

After decades of horrible football, Spurrier's occasional upset and SEC title game appearance with the Gamecocks is just about good enough for the fanbase.

This game will be an interesting matchup of two teams struggling to come to terms with their mediocrity.

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl

Ohio State vs. Florida

Title: The Invisible Man

Luke Fickell will be the head coach of the Buckeyes in this game, and yet, it will feel like he doesn't even exist.

Florida fans are likely to demonstrate their ire at their former head coach with some demeaning chants, while OSU fans will be eagerly anticipating next season's start and some more recruit poaching by Urban Meyer during the offseason.

Mr. Fickell, you're going to take a back seat in this one.

Rose Bowl Presented by Vizio

Oregon vs. Wisconsin

Title: Limitless

The scoring in this game should be ridiculous.

The two teams were third and fourth in the nation in points per game, and neither defense is really particularly stout against top-flight competition.

For those that crave touchdowns, this is your game, as the total score could reach triple digits.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Stanford vs. Oklahoma State

Title: Shoot 'Em Up

The movie was awful and has absolutely nothing to do with this game.

However, the title is an apt description of what can be expected.

Quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Brandon Weeden are going to put on a passing clinic, and there's a slim chance the ball will be punted more than three times this game.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Virginia Tech vs. Michigan

Title: Public Enemies

These two teams may not be felons wanted in multiple states, but other than their own fanbases, not many people feel they should have made this game.

Of course, the BCS is all about money, not who deserves to be in the games, so this should have been expected.

That doesn't keep people from wishing for a Boise State/Kansas State matchup in this one.

Discover Orange Bowl

Clemson vs. West Virginia

Title: The Young and the Restless

I know its a soap opera and not a movie, but it fits too well to be ignored.

Tajh Boyd is a sophomore and Sammy Watkins only a freshman.

Those two are the catalysts for an explosive Clemson offense.

Throw in West Virginia's upcoming conference switch and you can see why the title makes sense.

AT&T Cotton Bowl

Kansas State vs. Arkansas

Title: Almost Famous

These two teams were both BCS eligible and better candidates than at least three of the teams that made it into a BCS game.

Arkansas, of course, fell short due to two SEC teams already playing in the system, while Kansas State was left out mainly due to the fact that their fans are not as willing to spend money or as vocal as some of the teams that actually made it.

So close, and yet, so far away...

BBVA Compass Bowl

Pitt vs. SMU

Title: Dawn of the Dead

June Jones has SMU well on its way back to respectability after years of laboring in obscurity due to the NCAA's "death penalty."

Pitt is going to find out that they are legit, even after suffering some major injuries.

If Jones hangs around, it won't be long before this team is pretty regularly ranked.

Godaddy.com Bowl

Arkansas State vs. NIU

Title: The New World

Arkansas State is fairly new to FBS football.

They did play in the 2005 New Orleans Bowl but actually have a shot at winning this one against an NIU team that has been somewhat inconsistent at times this season.

Chances are you have never watched the Red Wolves play ball.

Here's your chance.

Allstate BCS Championship Game

LSU vs. Alabama

Title: Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian

The title does not apply but compare the two.

The first in the series was hyped up, then tanked horribly (if you are not a fan of the two teams).

Now, we're going to watch the second one (or not) and leave thinking "what a waste of time, I have seen that crap already."

It's what it is, no complaints from me about the rematch, but if the game itself is as boring as the first matchup, watching paint dry will seem like an entertaining alternative.