USC's Present Football Dynasty Ranked Seventh By Sports Ilustrated

No. 1Oklahoma1953-58Bud Wilkinson's Sooners won an NCAA-record 47 straight games from 1953-57, a run that comprised three straight undefeated seasons and two national championships. They went 60-3-1 over a six-year span.
No. 2Notre Dame1946-49The Irish didn't lose a game in coach Frank Leahy's first four seasons, with two ties serving as their only blemishes. They captured three national titles and produced two Heisman winners, Johnny Lujack and Leon Hart.
No. 3Nebraska1993-97With their unstoppable option offense and a sea of dominating defenders, Tom Osborne's Huskers captured at least a share of three national championships and played for a fourth, all following undefeated regular seasons.
No. 4Miami1986-92Despite losing coach Jimmy Johnson mid-stream (he was replaced by Dennis Erickson), the 'Canes won three national titles and played for two others over a seven-year span. QBs Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta captured Heismans.
No. 5Alabama1961-66Bear Bryant's teams won national titles in 1961, '64 and '65 and went undefeated in '66, amassing a 60-5-1 record over the six-year span. Stars included quarterback Joe Namath, center Lee Roy Jordan and lineman Billy Neighors.
No. 6Florida State1992-2000At the height of Bobby Bowden's dominance, the 'Noles won two national championships (1993 and '99), played for three others ('96, '98 and 2000) and never finished outside the AP top four. QBs Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke won Heismans.
No. 7USC2002-presentThe Trojans have won 34 straight games, captured consecutive AP national championships and produced an unprecedented three Heisman Trophy winners (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush) in four years. A third straight national title would move them up to No. 3 on this list.
No. 8Army1944-46Head coach Red Blaik's Cadets, led by their Heisman-winning backfield of Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, captured consecutive national titles in 1944 and '45 and finished No. 2 to Notre Dame -- which it tied -- in '46.
No. 9Oklahoma1971-75Led by head coach Barry Switzer, the Sooners went 54-3-1 over a five-year span, finishing No. 2 in 1971 and '72 before winning 28 straight games from '73-75, capturing consecutive national titles in '74 and '75.
No. 10Alabama1977-80At the twilight of his career, legendary Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant produced one last run of dominance, winning national titles in 1978 and '79 -- the first coming on a famous goal-line stand against Penn State in the Sugar Bowl -- and finishing No. 2 in '77.
No. 11Miami2000-03With a collection of talent that included 17 future first-round NFL Draft picks and prolific QB Ken Dorsey, the Hurricanes won 34 straight games from 2000-02, winning the BCS title in '01 and finishing No. 2 in the polls in '00 and '02.
No. 12Oklahoma1948-51Sooners coach Bud Wilkinson -- who would later set an NCAA record with 47 straight victories -- produced a 31-game streak from 1948-50. OU finished No. 2 in the AP poll in '49 before winning the national title in '50.

Notre Dame Coach at Fiesta Bowl: "We Didn't Come Here To Drink Margaritas"

"Give me liberty or give me death"-- Patrick Henry"I have not yet begun to fight"-- John Paul Jones"Remember the Alamo!"-- Sam Houston"Remember the Alamo Bowl!"-- Lloyd Carr (apocryphal)Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis added to the list of great historical battle cries last Tuesday when he announced, upon arriving in Phoenix for the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, this immortal sentence: "We didn't come here to drink margaritas."
Now, only time (and perhaps Regis Philbin) will tell us where that quotes stacks up alongside "Win one for the Gipper!" (Knute Rockne), "Colorado is living a lie!" (Lou Holtz) and "You're a Ruettiger! There's nothing in the world wrong with being a Ruettiger!" (Ned Beatty) in Irish lore.But Weis' quote struck me. The Irish are all business in preparing to play Ohio State and break their 12-year string without a bowl win on Monday. Notre Dame didn't come to Tempe to drink margaritas. Given.But its alumni did.
Now, keeping in mind that this column is entitled "Campus Blitz" and not "Campus Blitzed," this alum and Tempe native took a tour of cantinas Thursday night.The intent was to assist you, the discriminating connoisseur of that "frozen concoction that helps me hang on," weed out the tequila temples from the daiquiri dumps. Each stop on our tour will receive a grade for its margarita and for its atmosphere, on a 1-4 limes basis.Also, each stop -- with the exception of our first -- is located within one mile of Sun Devil Stadium, which will sadly be hosting its final Fiesta Bowl this Jan. 2.1.
Josh and Marci's house:
Josh and Marci: "The best-looking couple old enough to be president."John Walters/SIJosh and Marci are not only the best-looking couple old enough to be president I know (see photo), but they serve a mean margarita at great prices. Women drink free here. So do their dates.Josh and Marci live about seven miles south of Sun Devil Stadium in a town called Ahwatukee, an Apache word that means "upscale subdivision that did not exist fifteen years ago." Actually, half of Phoenix is Ahwatukee if you look at it that way.Anyway, what makes Josh and Marci's margaritas so yummy, besides the price, is that they cut them with Tecate beer. Softens the blow a little. And you won't find a more tastefully decorated home anywhere.Margarita: 4 limesAtmosphere: 4 limes2.
Dos Gringos Trailer Park, 1001 E. Eighth Street, TempeDos Gringos serves a house margarita, but I advise you upgrade to the Cadillac margarita. It tastes as if they've sprinkled some orange juice in the libation. You and Anita Bryant will both be glad they did.Dos Gringos is located right behind a popular neighborhood of Arizona State off-campus apartments that has long been known as "Sin City." The exterior of the joint looks like a Spanish mission, but once you step inside you'll notice that they've raised (or "razed") the roof. Dos Gringos, like many of the female sunbathers in Sin City, is topless.Margarita: 4 limesAtmosphere: 4 limes3.
Z Tejas, 20 W. Sixth StreetA popular chain, Z Tejas is a great place to take a date or wear a collared shirt to. It's the kind of place where you'll find guys my age sporting pressed golf shirts and cell phones attached to their belts (please, someone, anyone, bludgeon me with Texas Tech's playbook if I ever sport that look) looking for the ladies.Z Tejas appears to have the same philosophy about serving margaritas that saloon-keeper Martini (talk about fate picking you) did in It's A Wonderful Life: "We serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast." It's not that Z Tejas is a dive bar. Far from it. It's downright spiffy. Z Tejas is classier than Ron Burgundy's wildest dreams for San Diego.But they do serve a strong margarita, and in lots of varieties. I was advised to try the "Chambord Margarita," which comes frozen. It's very pretty to look at, but a little too sweet and feminine for my tastes. The appletini of margaritas, if you will. Fellow tour-goer Don, who has two sons playing college football at the University of Redlands, recommended the "Hard Day Rita," which is not only a fine alternative but I believe two Beatles songs in one.Margarita: Chambord, 2 limes; Hard Day Rita, 3 limesAtmosphere: 3 limes4.
Margarita Rocks, 410 S. Mill Ave.We should have known better. If the dizzying number of bouncers out front and the promise of a "wet T-shirt contest" later that evening did not give it away, the $2 margaritas should have. I haven't sampled anything this cloyingly sweet since my nieces made me watch "Barney the Dinosaur."Speaking of dinosaurs, I felt like one just being there. Margarita Rocks is the kind of place where, if you're old enough to get in without a fake ID, you're too old to be there. But if you're 19 and your parents bought you, ahem, mammary enhancements as a high school graduation gift and you're looking to win $350, this is the place for you.Margaritas: 1/2 limon (not even a lime)Atmosphere: one lime
John Walters and crew outside of The Library, the perfect bar for visiting Domers.John Walters/SI5.
The Library, 501 S. Mill Ave.I once took a summer school course at Arizona State and, even though I was raised here, was in awe of the buff bods that were ubiquitous there. I remember asking my older brother, a Sun Devil alum, how he ever got any studying done. "Well, Seed," he answered, invoking my family nickname, "that's why I spent five-and-a-half years there."Which is to say that although The Library is a saloon, it probably gets as much ASU undergrad traffic as the Hayden Library on campus. After our Margarita Rocks experience, no one in our party was searching for their lost shaker of salt. Water sounded great. Plus, we just wanted to soak up the atmosphere. The Library is a comfy, cozy, casual joint located on Mill Avenue's most popular corner. It sits below a Hooters, and I'm sure there's a joke there if I try hard enough, but I just don't feel like it. The Library's gimmick, besides bookshelves, is that its barmaids dress like the babe in Warrant's Cherry Pie video. You know, plaid skirts, knee socks, and belly-baring tops. Just like all the girls you attended Catholic school with. Right? Perfect for Domers visiting from the Chicago area.Margarita: IncompleteAtmosphere: 4 limes6.
Greasy Tony's, 921 E. University DriveNot a saloon, but the ideal place to visit after a pub crawl. Greasy Tony's is a 2 a.m. Tempe treasure. Onion rings to die for, and one of the few places in Phoenix advertising New York-style pizza (actually, Tony, who's from Trenton, claims it's "New Jersey-style") that knows what it's talking about.The décor hasn't changed in more than a decade, with the exception of one photo added this week. Seems that a somewhat more famous Tony from the Garden State stopped in here earlier this week for a bite. Tony Soprano. Yup, there's a photo of Greasy Tony standing with James Gandolfini, who was in town this week to cheer on his alma mater (Rutgers, which played in the Insight Bowl).And, yes, in case you're wondering, A.J., Greasy Tony's does have #$%* ziti.
Eight in the Box1. My friend and colleague Arash Markazi has a piece currently up on this site, a veritable hagiography of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis (and that's something coming from an 'SC alum). In the story he mentions how Weis charms fifth-grader Tyler Bruggman of Scottsdale, Arizona.Ironically, and unbeknownst to Arash when he happened upon the young man, I also know him (Bruggman, that is, not Weis). Tyler's dad, Curt, was a superjock at my high school (Brophy, in Phoenix) who played quarterback and was the point guard on the team that had future Dookie Mark Alarie.In Arash's piece Weis jokes, "I hope this isn't a recruiting violation."
Weis might be interested to learn that Tyler Bruggman is the quarterback of the Scottsdale Pop Warner Apaches, who tied for the state title in 2004 and won it outright in 2005. Their two-year record: 20-1-1. His coach? His dad.I guess you could say Weis made a good first impression should he find himself paying a visit to the Bruggman home in seven years.Meanwhile, I just know there's a reader (or a dozen) in Oregon right now saying, "#$%@ SI.com! They've had two more reporters write about an 11 year-old quarterback than cover Kellen Clemens this year!"
2. I would like to see ESPN's Classic Now, hosted by the unfairly handsome Josh Elliott, create a pop-culture segment. For example, if they could pit the 2004 USC Trojans against the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the ultimate college football playoff, why not match up Nickelback's 2005 Photograph against Def Leppard's 1984 Photograph. "Ohhh, look what you've done to this rock-and-roll clown. Oh, oh, look what you've done."
3. I admit it: I'm loving the bowl bonanza. Wednesday, which featured two games that were undecided until the final seconds (MPC Computers Bowl, B.C. vs. Boise State; and Alamo Bowl, Michigan vs. Nebraska) was the best day so far -- by far. Some thoughts:-- When his eligibility is exhausted, Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky should go directly to playing a bad guy on HBO's Deadwood. And he should adopt fellow WAC quarterback (Hawaii) Colt Brennan's name for his character.--
Heather Cox: Underrated.-- I'm sitting there listening to Cox, a Boise resident, recount the tale of Boston College All-America defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. Sure, I've heard the story before (his grandfather, the first prime minister of Uganda, was assassinated in 1972 by Idi Amin), and so have you. But still, I can't help thinking, "WHERE THE HECK IS GARY SMITH ON THIS?" Isn't this piece right in his wheelhouse? I guess he just doesn't care about winning Sportswriter of the Year as badly as he used to.--
From the very first snap, Michigan-Nebraska just felt like a national championship game, did it not?-- Kirk Herbstreit: He sounds even better than he looks. Herbie is the perfect blend of cogent opinion, X's-and-O's insights you'd want from a former player, respect for the game and candor. The former Ohio State quarterback is, for these ears, as palatable as they come.-- The final play of the Alamo Bowl: Seven laterals, and you've seen it ad nauseam, but what would have happened if there had been an eighth? The Wolverines' Steve Breaston, who had already had a fantastic night returning kicks, was running alongside Tyler Ecker begging for the ball for the first 15 yards of Ecker's stampede. Michigan's tight end ran like a man possessed, granted, but what might have happened had he lateraled to Breaston?--
By the way, the perfect ending I would like to have seen? Ecker, carrying the ball, races downfield to about the five-yard line. Then that former Cornhusker, the one who punched out the Mizzou fan who stormed the field two years ago, appears from nowhere and flattens Ecker with a forearm shiver. Not that he easily could. Ecker's a big boy.
4. A Fiesta Bowl suggestion from my college buddy Smoron: "Why not plant a false story that A.J. Hawk tends to purchase glass unicorn figurines on the road for Brady Quinn's sister?" Now why would I want to do that?5. Some Howard Cosell thoughts, as Monday Night Football departs ABC...--
Before ESPN existed and there was no such thing as a national sports highlights show, the zenith of my week was Cosell doing the previous day's highlights during the MNF halftime (Hey, I never said that I had a great childhood; I mean, it was better than Augusten Burroughs, but... ). No one had Howard's gift for inflection: " Staubach steps up in the pocket and throws the ball... TO THIS MAN! Tony Hill!"--
If you're under 30 and you don't understand why older people consider Woody Allen a genius, rent Bananas. Allen stars as Fielding Mellish, a consumer-products tester who gets involved in a third-world revolution to win a girl's heart. Cosell, playing himself, appears in a few scenes providing commentary of the military coup. He never breaks character. It's tremendous.--
My brother Porge once gave me a copy of Howard's bitter memoirs, I Never Played the Game (although you gotta give him credit for the perfect double entendre title). Anyway, after one particularly poignant passage, one of many they-done-me-wrong anecdotes in the book, Cosell simply wrote, "Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean."For years Porge and I would quote that to one another whenever something went wrong.
6. Thought of the day: You're actress Teri Polo and let's say you're lost in the woods. You hear someone call out your name. "TERI? TERI?" Do you answer, "POLO!!!"?
7. Where does Adrian Peterson's injury rank in the all-time list of bizarre freak injuries? In case you missed the Holiday Bowl, the Sooner speedster head-bumped a teammate after his longest run of the evening (50 yards, which was negated by a holding penalty). It still doesn't top the Martin Gramatica torn-ACL-after-landing-awkwardly-following-a-field-goal injury. And it certainly doesn't top the death of L.A. Law's Rosalind Shays (Diana Muldaur), who stepped into an elevator that was not there. Honestly, I always look now because of that. Thank you, Stephen Bochco.
8. Reader Brian Harback writes that, as George Costanza found religion by doing everything opposite of what his instincts told him to do ("Hi, my name is George, I'm unemployed and I live with my parents"), he too has found a new belief system. "I am never going to pick a team that has said anything negative or complained about a bowl game they are going to," writes Harback, who goes on to cite Michigan (perceived Outback Bowl snub), Oregon (Fiesta Bowl snub) and Georgia Tech (Meineke Car Care Bowl snub -- five words I never thought I'd write in that order, by the way) as just the most recent examples.Speaking of snubs, Roxanne Ivory (November 28 Campus Blitz) wrote this week to apologize for the 1983 Christmas dance snub. All is forgiven. I attended the Meineke Car Care Ball instead.

SI College "Foot Bowl" Predictions

In 1986, the rock band Boston released its third album, Third Stage, which was the musical equivalent to Colorado's effort in the Big 12 Championship game a few weeks back. The '70s air-guitar heroes had released one of the greatest all-time debut albums in 1976 (Boston) and then followed it up two years later with a sophomore effort (Don't Look Back) that hadn't been equaled until Dwayne Jarrett's 4th-down catch in South Bend.But then the self-proclaimed "just another band out of Boston" took eight years off. And look what happened. Bowl teams can be like that. After taking as many as five weeks off, they suit up in an unfamiliar city, on unfamiliar turf (unless they're Boise State) against an unfamiliar opponent -- and who can know how they will perform.Then again, Kate Bush just released her first album in 12 years last month (Aerial) and critics have fawned over it so much that you'd think it was a gay cowboy movie. The point is, after a long layoff, you never can tell. Whether it's college football or music. That is, unless a Bush is involved. You can always count on a Bush.
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)NEW ORLEANS BOWLArkansas State (6-5) at Southern Mississippi (6-5)Remember how Vince Vaughn pulled the "earmuffs" routine on his young son every time someone uttered a profanity in Old School? Show someone you love them by pulling a "blindfolds" stunt if they tune in to this contest. The Indians lost by four touchdowns to Army last month. You Could be Watching: Holiday Inn, on AMCSouthern Miss 38, Arkansas State 16Dec. 21
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)GMAC BOWLUTEP (8-3) at Toledo (8-3)A pair of mobile offenses rendezvous in Mobile, Ala. The Miners, led by QB Jordan Palmer (yes, Carson's little bro) and tailback Tyler Ebell (yes, the former UCLA back), are plumbing for the program's first bowl win since 1967. The Rockets, with senior QB Bruce Gradkowski and his 68 percent career completion mark, won't make it easy. You Could be Watching: High Fidelity, on OxygenToledo 47, UTEP 45Dec. 22
10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)POINSETTIA BOWLColorado State (6-5) at Navy (7-4)San Diego may as well be Annapolis West with all the sailors and Marines stationed nearby. The Middies have the nation's top rushing offense, while the Rams' rush defense is brutal (104th), but don't expect Navy coach Paul Johnson to preemptively unfurl the "Mission Accomplished" banner.You Could be Watching: A Christmas Story ("You'll shoot your eye out!"), on TCMNavy 24, Colorado State 20
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)LAS VEGAS BOWLBrigham Young (6-5) at California (7-4)Golden Bear QB Steve Levy has this annoying habit. Whenever there's an injury timeout on the field, Levy approaches the downed gridder and says, "He's tough; he's a hockey player." Totally inappropriate. Gimme a break, people. We've got 28 games to go through. Cal RB Marshawn Lynch was the Pac-10's fourth-leading rusher. Not bad when you consider the first two are first-team All-Americans.Cal 49, BYU 35Dec. 23
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)FORT WORTH BOWLHouston (6-5) at Kansas (6-5)Does a team whose offense cannot crack the nation's top 100 deserve an invite to a bowl game? That question will be answered Dec. 23 as the Jayhawks and their bottom-20 offense (but top-20 defense, led by linebacker Nick Reid) challenge the Cougars and quarterback Kevin Kolb. You Could be Watching: Killer Jellyfish, on DiscoveryHouston 21, Kansas 17Dec. 24
8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)HAWAII BOWLCentral Florida (8-4) at Nevada (8-3)The Golden Knights have come a long way, and I don't mean the 4,765 miles from Orlando to Honolulu. Props to Golden Knight coach George O'Leary for taking last year's 0-11 program to its first bowl. In terms an Orlandoan could understand, they've gone from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. You Could be Watching: It's A Wonderful Life, NBCNevada 31, UCF 27Dec. 26
5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)MOTOR CITY BOWLAkron (7-5) at Memphis (6-5)Just how good is Tiger tailback DeAngelo Williams? The senior, 3rd in the nation in rushing, had four 200-yard games this fall, but none against a defense ranked higher than 71st against the run (of course, he had something to do with that ranking). The Zips surrendered 270 yards to the nation's leading rusher, Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois, in the MAC Championship game -- but they won.Tigers: DeAngelo Williams, RBMemphis 30, Akron 26Dec. 27
5 p.m. ET (ESPN)CHAMPS SPORTS BOWLClemson (7-4) at Colorado (7-5)Oddity: After his defense allowed 70 points in their last outing, Buff defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz was named interim head coach following Gary Barnett's dismissal. Well, whom would you promote? The offense has not scored a touchdown in ten quarters. Cue Tom Petty's Free Fallin' as the Buffs' 2005 theme song.Tigers: Tye Hill, DB, Buffs: Mason Crosby, KClemson 22, Colorado 13
8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)INSIGHT BOWLArizona State (6-5) at Rutgers (7-4)The sad part is, I actually watched the 1978 Garden State Bowl in which the Sun Devils beat the Scarlet Knights 34-18. I was a Mark Malone fan. So sue me. This matchup is Rutgers' first bowl appearance since then, and it could get ugly. The Scarlet Knights surrendered 56 points at Louisville last month. What will they allow on Dec. 27, against the nation's third-best passing offense, in what is essentially a home game for the Sun Devils?Arizona State 55, Rutgers 16
MPC COMPUTERS BOWLBoise State (9-3) at Boston College (8-3)Awesome matchup: The Eagles have won their past five bowl games. The Broncos have not lost on the Smurf turf since 2001, a span of 31 games. This year's six home wins have come by an average of 29 points apiece. Meanwhile, Bronco coach Dan Hawkins (one of the coolest people in the business) is leaving for Colorado after the season, which may cause the Broncos' mood to match their turf.Eagles: Mathias Kiwanuka, DLBoise State 36, Boston College 35
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)ALAMO BOWLNebraska (7-4) at Michigan (7-4)A matchup for the ages ... in 1997. That was the year the Cornhuskers finished 13-0 and the Wolverines 12-0 and folks clamored for the bowls to realign themselves so that the two top teams would play -- because that would end all the fuss. Riiiiight. Was Cornhusker QB Zac Taylor's 392-yard passing day at Colorado the "Goodbye to Sandra Dee" moment that forever shut the door on the option in Lincoln in favor of a passing attack?Michigan 34, Nebraska 22Dec. 29
4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)EMERALD BOWLUtah (6-5) at Georgia Tech (7-4)There's no better college football atmosphere than Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Yellow Jackets began the season with a win. And then there's San Francisco's SBC Park, where the Yellow Jackets will end the season with a win. Utes quarterback Brian Johnson will miss this game. I suggest you follow his lead. Yellow Jackets: Calvin Johnson, WR.Georgia Tech 29, Utah 13
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)HOLIDAY BOWLOregon (10-1) at Oklahoma (7-4)How fitting might disgruntled fans of Gang Green find this lyric from Green Day's song Holiday: Hear the drum pounding out of time/Another protestor has crossed the line (Hey!)/To find the money's on the other side? Duck fans may want to stop moaning long enough to remember that the Sooners' Adrian Peterson was the best rusher in America last year, and he's finally healthy. Can I get another "Amen"?Ducks: Haloti Ngata, DLOklahoma 35, Oregon 24Dec. 30
Noon ET (ESPN)MUSIC CITY BOWLMinnesota (7-4) at Virginia (6-5)Featuring three of the nation's top 10 blockers, this game should be shown on OLN: Offensive Lineman Network. The Golden Gophers, ranked second nationally in rushing, can run on anyone (except Penn State) and should run away with this one against a Cavalier defense that is, at best, average.Golden Gophers: Greg Eslinger, C; Mark Setterstrom, OL, Cavaliers: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OLMinnesota 37, Virginia 24
Noon ET (CBS)SUN BOWLNorthwestern (7-4) at UCLA (9-2)El Paso, a city attuned to the quandaries of a porous border, will watch with empathy as each school's goal line is crossed this afternoon frequently and with impunity. Quarterbacks Brett Basanez (Wildcats) and Drew Olson (Bruins) will treat this game like a Senior Bowl dress rehearsal, while tailbacks Tyrell Sutton and Maurice Drew will perform as if it's the Iowa caucus of the 2006 Heisman vote. Bruins: Maurice Drew, All-Purpose; Marcedes Lewis, TEUCLA 117, Northwestern 111*(* the opposing team's rank in total defense)
3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)INDEPENDENCE BOWLMissouri (6-5) at South Carolina (7-4)Now everyone can see quarterback Brad Smith play, in his final game at Mizzou. And, if Gamecock evil genius Steve Spurrier is able to stop Smith, it could be Tiger coach Gary Pinkel's final game at Mizzou as well.South Carolina 23, Missouri 21
7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)PEACH BOWLMiami (9-2) at LSU (10-2)Quite a pair in the Peach, with two top-10 teams who are at least as good as half the eight teams in the BCS bowls. The Tigers' JaMarcus Russell, who separated his shoulder on the Georgia Dome turf earlier this month in the SEC Championship game loss to Georgia, will be replaced by backup Matt Flynn. That won't change the defensive intensity of both teams.Hurricanes: Eric Winston, OL; Orien Harris, DL; Kyle Jennings, DB Tigers: Kyle Williams, DLLSU 18, Miami 16
Dec. 31
11 a.m. ET (ESPN)MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWLN.C. State (6-5) at South Florida (6-5)If you saw N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams in the Wolfpack's season-ending win against Maryland, then you know there's at least one reason to tune in. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound junior had four unassisted sacks and looked like an Elvis (Dumervil) impersonator.N.C. State 20, USF 16
1 p.m. ET (ESPN)LIBERTY BOWLTulsa (8-4) at Fresno State (8-4)The Bulldogs seem unable to get past the fact that on Nov. 19 they were 8-1 and leading USC 42-41 midway through the fourth quarter. We advise counseling or primal scream therapy (Shout, shout, let it all out). Oh, and maybe double coverage on Golden Hurricane tight end Garrett Mills (83 catches).Fresno State 42, Tulsa 34
2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)HOUSTON BOWLIowa State (7-4) at TCU (10-1)The Cyclones and Horned Frogs have a few things in common: both have only lost one game in regulation this season, and both to a school from the Lone Star State that finished below .500. TCU would be perfect were it not for a 21-10, Week 2 loss at Southern Methodist. Iowa State, which went 0-3 in OT this autumn, also lost at home to Baylor, 23-13.TCU 27, Iowa State 23Jan. 2
11 a.m. ET (ESPN)OUTBACK BOWLIowa (7-4) at Florida (8-3)The Hawkeyes pulled off the niftiest bowl win of last season when Drew Tate connected with Warren Holloway on a 56-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play to erase a one-point deficit. New year, new SEC opponent, and new Sunshine State bowl, but it's still the same ol' Drew Tate.Hawkeyes: Chad Greenway, LBFlorida 25, Iowa 23
11 a.m. ET (FOX)COTTON BOWLTexas Tech (9-2) at Alabama (9-2)This game is brought to you by the number "2." As in, the Red Raiders are No. 2 in total offense and the Crimson Tide are No. 2 in total defense, both schools have 2 losses, and the continued absence of Bama's electrifying Tyrone Prothro is 2 bad. Tide: DeMeco Ryans, LBTexas Tech 24, Alabama 19
12:30 p.m. ET (NBC)GATOR BOWLVirginia Tech (10-2) at Louisville (9-2)The Hokies return to Jacksonville, where they squandered an Orange Bowl berth to Florida State in the ACC title game in early December. Worse, Beamer's special teamers were outhustled by the Seminoles. The Cardinals return to the state where they, too, were embarrassed earlier this season, at USF. Future first-round NFL Draft picks on defense suit up for both squads.Hokies: Jimmy Williams, DB; Darryl Tapp, DL, Cardinals: Elvis Dumervil, DLVirginia Tech 31, Louisville 21
1 p.m. ET (ABC)CAPITAL ONE BOWLWisconsin (9-3) at Auburn (9-2)Brian Calhoun (Badgers) and Kenny Irons (Tigers) are two of the least-appreciated 100-yard per-game rushers in the nation, but not by their coaches. Considering the game's title sponsor, it's likely only David Spade will get more carries this afternoon.Badgers: Brian Calhoun, RB, Brandon Williams, All-Purpose, Tigers: Marcus McNeill, OLAuburn 24, Wisconsin 20
4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)FIESTA BOWLNotre Dame (9-2) at Ohio State (9-2)The Irish are making their third bowl visit to the Valley of the Sun to play a school with the initials OSU in the last six years. The previous two pilgrimages, a 2001 Fiesta Bowl emasculation by Oregon State and last year's Insight Bowl thumping by those same Beavers, were Catholic cactus calamities. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, are seeking their third Fiesta Bowl win in the past four years.Fighting Irish: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Buckeyes: A.J. Hawk, LBOhio State 31, Notre Dame 20
8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)SUGAR BOWLGeorgia (10-2) at West Virginia (10-1)Freshmen Pat White and Steve Slaton have been a minor Morgantown miracle this autumn, but they'll be facing a virtual Bulldog home crowd as the Sugar bivouacs in Atlanta tonight. Georgia's No. 4 scoring defense has the speed to frazzle these frosh.Bulldogs: Max Jean-Gilles, OL; Greg Blue, DB, Mountaineers: Dan Mozes, C.Georgia 33, West Virginia 23Jan. 3
8 p.m. ET (ABC)ORANGE BOWLFlorida State (8-4) at Penn State (10-1)Life would be perfect if Wilfred Brimley did the coin toss. This contest pits coaching legends Bobby Bowden (76) and Joe Paterno (79) against one another for the first time in 16 years while journalists scurry to check the spelling of "septuagenarian". The Nittany Lion defense should be too much for Seminole freshman quarterback Drew Weatherford, but then again, last month he stared down the nation's No. 1 defense, Virginia Tech.Nittany Lions: Tamba Hali, DL; Paul Posluszny, LB; Levi Brown, OL; Alan Zemaitis, DBPenn State 24, Florida State 14Jan. 4
8 p.m. ET (ABC)ROSE BOWLUSC (12-0) at Texas (12-0)To quote Steve Carell's character in Anchorman, "LOUD NOISES!" The best performance by a team in a bowl last season was undoubtedly the Trojans' Orange Bowl triumph, but the top individual performance had to be Vince Young's against Michigan here in Pasadena. Statistically, you can certainly make a case that the Longhorns are more balanced on both sides of the ball and that the Trojans' special teams is suspect, but come on ... are you really going to bet against USC in Matt Leinart's and (most likely) Reggie Bush's final game? In southern California?Trojans: Reggie Bush, RB; Dwayne Jarrett, WR; Darnell Bing, DB; Matt Leinart, QB; Taitusi Lutui, OL Longhorns: Vince Young, QB; Jonathan Scott, OL; Rodrique Wright, DL; Michael Huff, DBUSC 37, Texas 33