What do EagleBank, Papa John’s, and Meineke all have in common? No, they are not the last few commercials you saw on TV. They are sponsors for NCAA college football bowl games. With bowl season beginning this Saturday, it is time to look at some of the games that are worth watching.

The argument, of course, will always be: Did the BCS get it right? Should team A have made it over team B? At this point, it doesn’t matter, because we are stuck in this BCS computer system! Regardless, I think they came pretty close this year. But sometimes you can find a better game, one that isn’t a BCS matchup, that will make you love this sport more and more.

On that note, Brigham Young University takes on Arizona in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl this Saturday. This game will have my full attention, because I expect some great football to be played. BYU has played lights out for 90 percent of this season. Their downfall was two tough games against Texas Christian University and Utah. Max Hall has been exceptional when it comes to quarterbacks; he has thrown for over 3,500 yards and 34 touchdowns. BYU has two wideouts that both eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. If you can spare two hours this weekend, this will be one to watch.

Christmas Eve will either bring gifts or a stocking full of coal for Coach Charlie Weis and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. At 6–6, Weis has battled through a lot this year, and from my point of view, maybe shouldn’t be coaching this team next year. That, however, is for another time and place. The Irish drew a nice vacation to Hawaii where they take on—who else?—the Hawaii Warriors. The Irish will be out to reverse their nine-game bowl losing streak, which is a record, by the way. Notre Dame can’t take Hawaii lightly—the Warriors finished the season 7–5, winning three out of their last four games. This could be the game that sets the tone next year for the Irish.

My favorite game this year takes place on December 30. Oregon faces Oklahoma State in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in San Diego. If you haven’t had a chance to watch either one of these schools this year, please, please, please watch this game. The final score could very well be 100–99. These two teams can make a scoreboard need three digits. Oregon scored over 40 points in over half of its games this year, and hit the 60-plus mark three times. The Cowboys, who battled for the Big 12 all year, scored over 50 points five times this year. Touchdowns will be like mosquitoes on a warm summer night, so many you lose track.

The final game that will draw attention locally is Northwestern versus Missouri in the Alamo Bowl. Northwestern shocked the Big Ten this year and earned a spot in a nice bowl game. The Wildcats will have a tough challenge in stopping one-time Heisman candidate Chase Daniels and his cast of weapons. The Cats rank 19th in points against in the NCAA, a vast improvement from the past few years, when they ranked no higher than 63rd. Coach Fitzgerald should have his guys ready in what will be an interesting bowl game.

Of course, there are plenty more bowl games worth viewing, and you should view them. They finally give some of these schools a chance to be seen. The BCS games will also offer some excitement. Well, maybe all except the Orange Bowl—I still can’t figure out how a four-lose school got that bid. Big deal, they won the ACC; where is Boise State or even Oregon State? They deserve that bid a lot more then Virginia Tech. Regardless, if you need to find me from December 20 to January 8, I’ll be locked in front of my television enjoying some great football.

Tune in every Friday afternoon from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on WJJG 1530 AM or online at www.wjjgam1530.com for Bizzy on Sports with your host, me, Bill Bizeau!

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