With Bowl Season in full swing, it became necessary to finalize my choices for the last remaining bowl games. It becomes harder to choose these games as new developments come out everyday, but there will be no excuses. So let’s kick back with our fictional eggnog and Christmas cookies and enjoy the ride that is college football.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Arizona (8-4) vs. Nebraska (9-4)This game should be interesting because both teams were picked to have a down year, but came one game away from being in a BCS bowl. Arizona has had great success with their offense this year behind the play of their young quarterback, but they’re going to have their hands full dealing with the all powerful defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Nebraska’s defense held the Longhorns and their potent offense to half of what they normally gain and score, but still lost. In the end, I’m not sure Arizona will be able to go up against the Cornhuskers pass rush. Nebraska over Arizona

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Houston (10-3) vs. Air Force (7-5)

The story of this game is simple: Houston has the number one pass offense, while Air Force sports the number one rated pass defense. Air Force has a strong rushing attack while Houston couldn’t guard against the run if they had a brick wall. Seems simple enough right? Air Force should take this game for those stats alone. However, it is necessary to look at who each team played while accumulating their lofty ranking. In that area, it is clear that Houston holds the edge. Houston over Air Force

Brut Sun Bowl: Oklahoma (7-5) vs. Stanford (8-4)

One of the more intriguing games of this bowl season features the once colossal Sooners and the new upstart Cardinal. After losing their Heisman winning quarterback, Oklahoma reverted back to being simply a good team and not a national championship contender. Stanford, on the other hand, is going to their first bowl game since 2001. With Toby Gerhart running like a mad man it almost seems impossible that anyone can stop him, but they might slow him down. The key to this game will be that Stanford always plays big in big games, especially when they’re the underdogs. Stanford upsets Oklahoma

Texas Bowl: Navy (8-4) vs. Missouri (8-4)

A theme throughout this article so far has been picking between teams with conflicting styles of play. This game is no different with Missouri having a high powered passing attack and Navy with a tremendous option threat in QB Ricky Dobbs. The question here will be whether or not Mizzou can stop the option and take out this high scoring Navy offense. Missouri will score some points somewhere, there is no doubt about that. Missouri over Navy

Insight Bowl: Minnesota (6-6) vs. Iowa State (6-6)

A game that seems unimportant in comparison to many of the other high profile teams that are being featured this bowl season, means a lot to both of the teams playing in it. Minnesota is trying to salvage what is left of their season and break their losing streak at the Insight bowl, while Iowa State is lucky to even be invited. It is easy to see why they were though when you watch the youtube video of the team after beating Nebraska. Their passion is definitely unquestioned. While Minnesota has been to some bowl games, there not going to have the same hype that ISU will. In a game like this, it all comes down to who wants it more. Iowa State upsets Minnesota

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5)

Two high profile teams with aspirations for the future lock heads in this interesting match up. Tennessee has been hit or miss all season, playing well against many of the good teams on their schedule, but playing down to weaker competition as well. Virginia Tech lost their opener to the now undefeated Alabama and looks to continue its recent wave of success with their running game. The teams are both pretty evenly matched here in terms of statistics and the quality of their opponents, so this choice comes down to who will be playing the hardest. While I like what Lane Kiffin is doing so far in Tennessee, VT will have more experience in big games then the Volunteers and they play better on the road. Virginia Tech over Tennessee

Outback Bowl: Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)

Northwestern looks to snap its streak of losing bowl games since 1949 against a very tough SEC opponent. Auburn had a tough time in a heavy conference this year, but came away with a respectable record. Northwestern is riding some good momentum from the end of the season with a three game win streak while Auburn lost their last two. This, and the fact that Auburn doesn’t have the best road record leads me to predict possibly my biggest upset of the bowl season. Northwestern upsets Auburn

Capital One Bowl: Penn State (10-2) vs. LSU (9-3)

This big game match-up between powerhouses should be fun for all involved. LSU is having a rough time here at the end of the season with injuries and a malfunctioning offense, while Penn State seems to be having a few issues of their own. Nobody quite knows what to expect from either team except that they’ll both be ready to play and prove themselves. Personally, I feel that the injuries will be the ultimate deciding factor in such a close game because Penn State’s defense is not one to be messed with and the Tigers are going to need everything they got to pull it out. Penn State over LSU

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: West Virginia (9-3) vs. Florida State (6-6)

This game in particular will be fun and sad at the same time for any true college football fan. Bobby Bowden is going to be coaching his last game for Florida State as they take on a very talented West Virginia. While I personally hope Florida State finds some way to win this for the old coach, it doesn’t really seem possible. After losing their starting quarterback to injury, the Seminoles haven’t had much success on offense and aren’t looking promising this year. Noel Devine and the Mountaineers seem primed for a victory here. West Virginia over Florida State

International Bowl: South Florida (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)

For a game that’s a bit under the radar this year, both teams look pretty solid. South Florida hit a rough patch at the end of its season, dropping five of its last seven. NIU lost its last two, but still has a bit more momentum coming into this game. South Florida is battling an internal controversy over whether or not their coach had abused one of his players, which has caused some turmoil throughout the program. On paper though, USF looks to be the superior team with a stronger passing attack and defense. South Florida over Northern Illinois

Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina (7-5) vs. Connecticut (7-5)

Once again we have another match-up of teams with opposite playing styles. Connecticut have two fantastic running backs with a total of 27 touchdowns between them. This will be the key for the Huskies if they want to win this game against a team who has faced better competition throughout the year. South Carolina will be relying on its passing attack which ranked their QB second in the SEC.  One extra factor in this game is that Connecticut will still be playing for their fallen teammate, who was killed earlier in the season. With a bad road record and the momentum already against them, South Carolina will have a tough time with this one.  Connecticut upsets South Carolina

AT&T Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Mississippi (8-4)

At one point during the year, both of these teams featured players who were looked at as strong candidates for the Heisman trophy. At this point, one has been suspended indefinitely by the NCAA and the other has failed to perform during big games. Without Dez Bryant, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have been focusing more on a rushing attack with a lot of support from their defense. The Rebels on the other hand are a bit more balanced with the ever talented Jevan Snead at quarterback. Mississippi has had a favorable record at the Cotton bowl and has a decent defense as well. That should be enough to put them over the edge. Mississippi over Oklahoma State

Autozone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas (7-5) vs. East Carolina (9-4)

Arkansas is showing off one of the most highly rated quarterbacks in the NCAA in Ryan Mallett. As a finalist for the Manning award, he will be looked at to lead his team to its first bowl victory under new coach Bobby Petrino. However, he’s going against an East Carolina team that has won the C-USA for two years straight and making its return to the Liberty Bowl.  The Pirates have a pretty balanced attack on offense and have done most of their winning during the second half of the season. The problem there is that their competition has been less than stalwart.  Arkansas over East Carolina

Valero Alamo Bowl: Michigan State (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)

This game seems to be over already as the Red Raiders come in with a high powered offense as they do every year. Then add in the fact that Michigan State had to suspend 11 of its players, many of whom are stars on defense, because of something stupid like a dormitory fight. It’s going to be a lot more work for a bunch of guys who haven’t had the opportunity to play this year, to all of a sudden have to face the number 7 total offense and number two passing attack. Texas Tech over Michigan State

GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan (11-2) vs. Troy (9-3)

The last non BCS bowl of the season has two record setting quarterbacks from schools that people usually don’t talk much about. CMU’s Dan LeFevour has the NCAA record for total touchdowns in his career and Levi Brown of Troy ranks second in the nation in yards per game. Both teams look to be ready to play and are hoping to win their first bowl game in a couple of years. This one will come down to which defense puts a handle on the opposing teams qb, and Central Michigan looks to have done that more than Troy. Should be quite a shoot out though. Central Michigan over Troy

That does it for my bowl picks this year. Hopefully you got to take some time from your relentless search for jobs and have some quality time in front of the computer. Once again, if you’re looking for the BCS games, check the earlier articles I already posted. Now time to find some eggnog and watch some football…