For those who don't know it, I try to preview every bowl game each year. The first few are always brief, both out of necessity (and I'm already behind this year) and also because I don't know much more about most of these teams than you do.
The bowl season, by the way, starts today, with four games. Yes, none of them are blockbusters, but it's college football.
EagleBank Bowl, 11 a.m. Saturday, ESPN
What it is: A reason to have a bowl game in Washington, D.C. Because that town never gets to do anything important.
The Teams: Wake Forest, Navy (Wait a minute; that sounds familiar -- )
College football fans care because: FOOTBALL!!! IT'S BACK!!!
SEC fans care because: FOOTBALL!!! IT'S BACK!!!
Watch this game if ... : You breathe and like college FOOTBALL!!! IT'S BACK!!!!
The result: Wake Forest 28, Navy 14
New Mexico Bowl, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
What it is: A way to make sure New Mexico teams get a bowl bid.
The Teams: Colorado State, Fresno State (It helps if said New Mexico teams have a winning record.)
College football fans care because: Fresno State was supposed to be good, and Colorado State really wasn't.
SEC fans care because: Um -- got nothing.
Watch this game if ... : You can actually name any of the players on Colorado State or Fresno State's roster. Without looking it up.
The result: Colorado State 19, Fresno State 14.
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2
What it is: A game named after a product that sounds like a hamburger restaurant but is, in fact, something else. (No, I'm not satifying the sponsors by telling you what it is.)
The Teams: Memphis, South Florida
College football fans care because: When C-USA and former C-USA teams collide!
SEC fans care because: Jim Leavitt might actually get and/or accept an SEC job one of these days.
Watch this game if ... : You can actually name Memphis' head coach.
The result: South Florida 21, Memphis 13
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl, 8 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
What it is: A chance for Vegas to show that it's not at all corrupting on our sports nopenothingtoseeheremovealongfolks.
The Teams: BYU, Arizona
College football fans care because: "Mid-major" BYU is 2-0 against Pac-10 teams (Washington, UCLA) and goes for the sweep against Arizona.
SEC fans care because: Even in a down year, the SEC can find some reason to laugh at the Pac-10 -- i.e., a mid-major went 3-0 against your conference.
Watch this game if ... : You want to see a good football game.
The result: BYU 34, Arizona 31
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, 8:15 p.m. Sunday, ESPN
What it is: An attempt to make the Papajohns.com Bowl feel less stupid about its name.
The Teams: Southern Miss, Troy
College football fans care because: Both teams can score 30+ points, Troy more easily than Southern Miss. Oooh. Points.
SEC fans care because: Troy almost beat LSU.
Watch this game if ... : You can name which conference each team plays in.
The result: Troy 38, Southern Miss 14