2012 college football bowl guide

Prepare for a shoot-out as both teams rank in the top 20 in scoring. Nevada, though, staggers into this game, losing four of its last five.

2 stars (out of 5)

3:30 p.m., ESPN, Potato Bowl, Boise, Idaho, Bronco Stadium, Toledo (9-3) vs. Utah State (10-2)

Utah State’s losses (Wisconsin, BYU) were by a total of five points while Toledo’s losses (Arizona, Ball State, Northern Illinois) were all by seven points.

2 stars

THURSDAY DECEMBER 20

7 p.m., ESPN, Poinsettia Bowl, San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium, BYU (7-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3)

San Diego State has won seven straight, including a two-point win vs. Boise State. Four of BYU’s five losses were by six points or less.

3 stars

FRIDAY DECEMBER 21

6:30 p.m., ESPN, St. Petersburg Bowl, St. Petersburg, Fla., Tropicana Field, Ball State (9-3) vs. Central Florida (9-4)

UCF was a whisker away from a C-USA title, but instead, two of its four losses came vs. Tulsa. Ball State has won six consecutive games.

2 stars

SATURDAY DECEMBER 22

11 a.m., ESPN, New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, East Carolina (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)

East Carolina has scored 40-plus points in four of its last five wins. Yet, Louisiana-Lafayette averages more points per game, 34.8 to 31.3.

2 stars

2:30 p.m., ESPN, Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas, Sam Boyd Stadium, Washington (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-2)

Washington wins with defense. Boise wins with offense. Should be a nice chess match between Steve Sarkisian and Chris Petersen.

3 stars

MONDAY DECEMBER 24

7 p.m., ESPN, Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, Aloha Stadium, SMU (6-6) vs. Fresno State (9-3)

SMU became bowl eligible upsetting Tulsa in its regular-season finale, but Fresno brings in one of the nation’s highest-scoring offenses (40.3 ppg).

2 stars

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26

6:30 p.m., ESPN, Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Detroit, Ford Field, Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (6-6)

After a 2-5 start, Central Michigan rallied late to get bowl eligibility. Western Kentucky’s season went the other way, losing four of its last six.

1 star

THURSDAY DECEMBER 27

2 p.m., ESPN, Military Bowl, Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium, Bowling Green (8-4) vs. San Jose State (10-2)

San Jose State won eight games the past three years combined. It averages 35.3 ppg while Bowling Green allows only 15.8 ppg.

2 stars

5:30 p.m., ESPN, Belk Bowl, Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium, Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Duke (6-6)

Duke, a feel-good story, became bowl eligible in mid-October — and hasn’t won since. Cincy’s losses have been by a combined 16 points.

3 stars

8:45 p.m., ESPN, Holiday Bowl, San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium, Baylor (7-5) vs. UCLA (9-4)

Can you say offense? Well, both of these teams can play it well. The only question — will Arkansas target Art Briles be there with the Bears?

4 stars

FRIDAY DECEMBER 28

1 p.m., ESPN, Independence Bowl, Shreveport, La., Independence Stadium, Louisiana-Monroe (8-4) vs. Ohio (8-4)

Both of these teams were early season darlings, Louisiana-Monroe beating Arkansas and Ohio beating Penn State. But both struggled late.

2 stars

4:30 p.m., ESPN, Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando, Fla., Florida Citrus Bowl, Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Rutgers (9-3)

Rutgers has a five-game bowl winning streak, tied for the nation’s longest. Virginia Tech lost to both Big East teams it played this season.

3 stars

8 p.m., ESPN, Meineke Bowl, Houston, Reliant Stadium, Minnesota (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)

Minnesota has not faced an offense like Texas Tech’s. Seth Doege and the Red Raiders might make the Gophers’ heads spin.

2 stars

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29

10:45 a.m., ESPN, Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, Texas, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Rice (6-6) vs. Air Force (6-6)

Rice is surging, winning its last four to become bowl eligible. Air Force is struggling, losing three of its last four. Does momentum decide this game?