Ah yes, bowl season is upon us. Let me just start this whole shabangle (No, that's not a real word) with the fact that bowl games may just be the hardest games of the year to predict. Teams have two to four weeks to prepare and get healthy. Seniors on their respective teams say "Hey, wait a minute, I've only got one more game left. I'm going to play my tail off." And bowl season also provides us with false glimpses of what some teams could have been if they played up to their potential.

But I love every second of it. You might call me crazy for DVR'ing every single game. But hey, I am what I am. You like calling for GM's heads, and I like over-analyzing college football. Game on.

Without further ado, let's take a look at this weekend's slate of games.

Eaglebank Bowl- Washington, D.C. - Saturday, 11:00

Wake Forest (7-5 , 4-4 ACC) vs. Navy (8-4, Independent)

Wake Forest, like most the ACC, was utterly inconsistent. They had a great start, but then QB Riley Skinner and that offense hit a wall and couldn't find the end zone. But the headline of this team is their defense. Two big time NFL prospects in LB Aaron Curry and CB Alphonso Smith. They've kept the Demon Deacons close in every single game, even when the offense wasn't doing anything.

As for Navy, one telling statistic will give you all you need to know. 86. That's the total amount of passes thrown all season. The starting quarterback, and I include him only for his spectacular name, has thrown just 28 passes. His name? Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. Told you it was worth it. But in all seriousness the Midshipmen rely on two runners. Shun White and Eric Kettani. Between the two of them they racked up just under 2,000 yards rushing. White averages 8.7 yards per carry, and willed Navy to victory on many occasions this season.

These teams played earlier this season. The first meeting? 24-17 in favor of the Midshipmen. Let's flip that around here.

Pick: Wake Forest 24, Navy 17

Game MVP: WR D.J. Boldin, Wake Forest

New Mexico Bowl- Albuquerque, NM - Saturday, 2:30

Colorado State (6-6, 4-4 MWC) vs. Fresno St. (7-5, 4-4)

In his first season as Colorado State skipper, Steve Fairchild has made it to a bowl game. Good for him. But goodness does he call a boring game. The Rams didn't win any game they weren't supposed to, but they didn't lose any game they weren't suppose to either. Their best win was early on the year against Houston, who didn't hit their stride until late in the season.

On the other side are the disappointing Fresno State Bulldogs. They had major hopes coming in to the season, touted as one of the 'BCS Busters,' or whatever the heck that means. I guess a 'buster' is just another word for winning all your games scheduled and then being ranked no higher than 6th at season's end because of that schedule. So much for busting up the national title picture. QB Tom Brandstater is prone to some terrible throws. He has this nasty habit of forcing the ball into some heavy coverage. But then again, a 'Bear' is one of his top targets.

Pick: Fresno State 34, Colorado State 16

MVP: TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State

MagicJack St. Petersburg Bowl- St. Petersburg, FL - Saturday, 4:30

Memphis (6-6, 4-4 C-USA) vs. South Florida (7-5, 2-5 Big East)

Congratulations to Memphis for being overwhelmingly average in Conference-USA. But hey, I guess that's good enough to go bowling.  The only thing worse than the Tigers getting a bowl bid is the fact that this game is being held in the Trop. I can't imagine an awful baseball stadium will serve any better for football. I do like Memphis' QB Arkelon Hall, if any Tiger fans out there wanted a positive note.

Despite USF collapsing down the stretch in Big East play, I still believe the Bulls are a very talented group. But their turnover-prone ways are going to drive head coach Jim Leavitt insane. Speaking of Jim Leavitt, he's one of the top five college football guys I don't want yelling at me. Especially when he hits you with that I'm-so-mad-I-lost-half-my-voice-just-anticipating-yelling-at-you thing. Shivers down my spine, man. QB Matt Grothe is all-everything for the Bulls. But when he doesn't perform, the team goes right down the toilet with him. He's a dual-threat type, and I don't know that Memphis has the talent to contain him.

Pick: South Florida 26, Memphis 19

MVP: QB Matt Grothe, South Florida

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl - Las Vegas, NV - Saturday, 8:00

#16 Brigham Young (10-2, 6-2 MWC) vs. Arizona (7-5, 5-4 Pac-10)

The pearl of this weekend's games. BYU comes in with only losses to Utah and TCU, two great teams. I've been preaching the names of the Cougars' trio of offensive weapons the whole season and it won't change now. QB Max Hall, HB Harvey Unga and WR Austin Collie give BYU a multi-faceted attack that makes it difficult for any defense.

However, if there's a defense that can put a stop to them, I'd include Arizona on that list. This Wildcat squad held USC to just 17 points. You know, the same ones that almost put up 60 in the first half against Washington State. Yeah, that USC. But it'll depend on the vastly underrated QB Willie Tuitama to get this offense in gear. But I think it's a sophomore on offense that will turn in a performance that puts him on the watch-list to do great things next season.

Pick: Arizona 27, BYU 24

MVP: HB Nic Grigsby, Arizona

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl - New Orleans, LA - Sunday 8:15

Southern Miss (6-6, 4-4 C-USA) vs. Troy (8-4, 6-1 Sun Belt)

Unlike Memphis, I'm glad to see Southern Miss in a bowl game. Why is it any different? Well, the Golden Eagles have won their last four games including a win over East Carolina, and put up 70 points on UAB. UAB is nothing to write home about, but 70 points is 70 points. This team is playing their best football now and they find themselves in a nice matchup which could turn in to one of the more entertaining games.

Troy always seems to re-stock the cupboards don't they? They're near the top of the Sun Belt every single year, and they certainly ended on a strong note this season. The Trojans had LSU on the ropes in the fourth quarter, and they did it on the road. Of course, LSU came back to win but the fact that they dominated the majority of that game is a great accomplishment.

With both defenses playing so well lately, this could be a low-scoring one. I think it'll be exciting none-the-less.
 

Pick: Troy 17, Southern Miss 13

MVP: HB DuJuan Harris, Troy

E-mail: JoeB@wgr550.com