When I was ten, I had a gambling problem.  It’s my dad’s fault, really.  He has worked for a big hospital in Boston for a whole bunch years now, and every year they would do a Bowl Poll.  It’s easy; you just pick the winner against the spread in every bowl game.  It was twenty bucks per entry, and every single year my father, brother and I would fill out our little scorecards and my dad would bring them into his office.  The twenty bucks came out of our own pockets, so there was a great matter of pride involved.  Here’s the problem: I was ten!  I had no idea what the hell I was doing, and I don’t think my picks ever finished in the top ten.  But, that’s what I think of now every time the bowl season comes around.  This year the games kick off crazy early, with the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday the 19^th.  Or course, the purpose of the bowl games is to crown a college football champion, and this year all games give way to Pasadena. The National Championship will pit Alabama against Texas.  Both teams are undefeated (along with Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise State. Cough, Cough), but due to the BCS system, this will be the defacto title game.  Here’s the rub: You can only watch so many of these games before your head explodes.  So which ones should you keep an eye on?  I’ll give you a game a day, and highlight a couple that I think you shouldn’t miss.

December 19^th 8PM (ESPN), St. Petersburg Bowl – Rutgers vs. Central Florida, this could be Rutgers last game in the Big East, they’re looking to win big to prove to the Big 10 bigwigs that they can handle the pressure’s of a tougher schedule.

December 20^th 8:30PM (ESPN), R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – Southern Mississippi vs. Middle Tennessee, this is the only game on the 20^th….that’s all I have to say about that.

December 22^nd 8PM (ESPN), MAACO Las Vegas Bowl – You want points?  Check this out: BYU vs. Oregon St.  The Cougars average a shade under 35 points per game, and the Beavers score 32 a game.  This will be an offensive crazyfest!  That’s right, I just coined a new term.  These two teams light up the score board, but they get it done using two different philosophies.  Oregon State will use a mixed attack and rely on J. Rodgers. Who is J. Rodgers you ask?  It’s TWO guys, James and Jacquizz Rodgers.  James is the number one receiver for the Beavers, who has caught 87 balls for over a thousand yards and 9 TD’s.  Jacquizz is the number one running back who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and has scored 20 touchdowns.  On the other side, BYU’s aerial attacked is one of the best in the country. Quarterback Max Hall has thrown for over 3,300 yards and has 30 touchdowns this year.  Hall has a ton of weapons to work with; nine of his receivers have caught more than 15 balls this year.  Oregon State is favored by 2.5 points in this game, and that’s a no-brainer.  Usually in a game like this, I would highlight the defense; whichever defense makes a stand will win the contest.  But, this game comes down to conferences.  Oregon State plays in the supremely competitive Pac 10 and BYU plays in the much weaker Mountain West Conference.  For that reason I’m taking Oregon State (-2.5).

December 23^rd 8PM (ESPN), San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl – Utah vs. Cal, it’s the only game on this date, but it’s going to be a good one.  Another Mountain West team trying to prove itself, and Cal will be a tough test.

December 24^th 8PM (ESPN), Sheraton Hawaii Bowl – Nevada vs. SMU, only game…check it.

December 26^th 8PM (ESPN), Emerald Bowl – USC was picked by many in the preseason to play for a national title, but Pete Carroll picked a freshmen to quarterback the team, and he has yet to prove himself.  In this game, that freshman, will take on the Eagles of Boston College.  BC finished it’s season 8-4, with a 5-3 tally in conference.  This is only the fourth year the Eagles have played in the ACC, and they are proving they can play with the big boys.  They racked up victories against Florida State, Wake Forest, Virginia, North Carolina State, and Maryland in conference.  Conversely, USC’s season wasn’t just disappointing but truly devastating.  The Trojans finished 6^th in the Pac-10 after Oregon, and Oregon State emerged, and took the reins in what was supposed to be USC’s conference.  But when you put all of that aside, the Eagles have a stout defense, and that makes this game a must watch.  USC is a flashy team, they score points at will, and have a ton of weapons.  But, BC’s run defense has held opponents to 3 yards per carry in its twelve games, and has allowed only 19 points per game.  The Trojans are favored by a touchdown in this game, but that’s too much.  While USC wins, the Eagles beat the spread, in what will be on of the best games of the bowl season.

December 27^th 8:30PM (ESPN), Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl – Kentucky vs. Clemson, see C.J. Spiller take out his aggression on the Wildcats.  Seriously, why wasn’t this guy invited to the Heisman presentation?

December 28^th 5PM (ESPN), AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl – Texas A&M vs. Georgia, winning one for the puppy.  The Georgia mascot has passed away.  Look for the Bulldogs to come out flying to honor the late pup.

December 29^th 8PM (ESPN), Champs Sports Bowl – Miami vs. Wisconsin, this should be entertaining.  Two great defenses, but give the advantage to Miami. This game is being played in Florida.

December 30^th 8PM (ESPN), Pacific Life Holiday Bowl – Nebraska vs. Arizona, last chance to see Ndamukong Suh as a college player.  He’ll be a top ten next April for sure.

December 31^st 2PM (CBS), Brut Sun Bowl – Oklahoma vs. Stanford, I love, love, love Toby Gerhart.  I think he has the potential to be a pro-bowl caliber fullback or tight end in the NFL.

January 1^st 8PM (FOX), Allstate Sugar Bowl – This is the bizarro National Title Game.  It was tough to pick a game from New Years Day; if you are in it for the long haul make sure you check out the Rose Bowl at 4:30 before this one.  Oregon vs. Ohio State will be a classic, but it’s no Sugar Bowl.  I detailed in an earlier column that Cincinnati had a shot to play against either Alabama or Florida for the National Title if Texas lost any game to close the season.  They didn’t, but Cincy still gets an opportunity to take down one-loss Florida in the Sugar Bowl.  Not a lot of people are giving the Bearcats a chance in this one, but I think any team that can score like Tony Pike and the boys has a shot.  Cincinnati’s offense averages 40 a game, and while Florida does have a strong defense, this game will probably be a shoot out.  It’s in a controlled environment that will be incredibly loud, and the Bearcats are angry.  Brian Kelly fled the team for a more lucrative, high profile position at Notre Dame.  The Bearcat players have called out their old coach, and are promising a competitive game against Florida.  The odds makers in Las Vegas are giving Cincy 10.5 points in this one, which is absolutely crazy.  Not only do I think they make the spread, but they will beat the Gators in New Orleans 48-45.  Alabama exposed the Gators weakness in the SEC Championship game; running screens and hitting the TE over the middle.  Cincy has one of the best weapons to exploit that weakness. Mardy Gilyard is one of the best, and biggest wide receivers in the game; they’ll use him on quick outs to the sideline and let him run people over.  Look for him to have a big game in what will most definitely be a fantastic upset in college football.

January 2^nd 2PM (ESPN), PapaJohns.com Bowl – South Carolina vs. UConn, the Huskies are out-matched in this one, but UConn coach Randy Edsall was thrust into the national spotlight when Notre Dame came knocking.  Brian Kelly ended up with the job, but Edsall now has something to prove.  Can he out-coach Steve Spurrier in this bowl game, and stick it to the Irish? Look out.

January 4^th 8PM (FOX), Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – Boise State vs. TCU, this is another battle of undefeated teams.  Not sure what to say about it.  Two great teams that don’t get enough respect looking to knock each other around.

January 5^th 8PM (FOX), FedEx Orange Bowl – Georgia Tech vs. Iowa, tops in the ACC takes on second place in the Big Ten.  This will be a slow, methodical, defense oriented game.  But, it’s the only one on the fifth, so enjoy.

January 6^th 7PM (ESPN), GMAC Bowl – Central Michigan vs. Troy, I have no idea how this game made it so far into the bowl slate.

January 7^th 8PM (ABC), BCS National Championship Game – I could try and handicap this one, but really I have NO clue who wins.  Both of these teams deserve a shot to play for the title and I think it will be a classic game.  The Tide will use Heisman winner Mark Ingram to run the Longhorns into the ground, but Texas has some guy named Colt McCoy.  The Texas quarterback isn’t having the greatest of seasons, but he’s done enough to get his team back to the title game.  A lot of the media pundits are picking Alabama to win this one because Texas hasn’t blown people away this year, but that’s because the Longhorn defense is much improved.  I think this is going to be a close one, and I’ve always been told that if you’re on the fence you should go with the points, so I’m taking Texas (+4) to beat the spread.  The winner of the game, however, I could never predict.