And we’re now starting to get to the decent stuff in this buffet that is bowl season. Also, A5 and I have put together a little contest, and I’m beating him by one game so far.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

• Central Michigan vs. Purdue, Motor City Bowl (Dec. 26, 7:30, ESPN): This one is just underway, but that doesn’t really change the fact I predicted Purdue to win here. Helps that Purdue already beat them 45-22 this season. Of course, as I write this CMU goes up 3-0.
• Arizona State vs. Texas, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27, 8:00, ESPN): I always consider this the first real game of bowl season. This year is no exception, as we get our first matchup of marquee names, as well as the first with two BCS conference teams. I like Arizona State here for no particular reason.
• Boston College vs. Michigan State, Champs Sports Bowl (Dec. 28, 5:00, ESPN): I doubt this is where the Eagles wanted to end up, while I’m sure Mich. State is more than happy to be here. Will “happy to be here” be enough for them to beat the Eagles and Matt Ryan playing in his last collegiate game? I doubt it.
• Texas Christian vs. Houston, Texas Bowl (Dec. 28, 8:00, NFL): TCU has won the last 7 games in this series, including 4 since 2000. Seeing as how it’s on the NFL network, you probably won’t get to see them go to 8 straight.
• Maryland vs. Oregon State, Emerald Bowl (Dec. 28, 8:30, ESPN): I still don’t really think Maryland is that good, as they demonstrated by them losing 4 of their last 6. Meanwhile, Oregon State’s last 7 is only blemished by a loss to Southern Cal. I like the Beavers in a close one.
• Wake Forest vs. Connecticut, Meineke Car Care Bowl (Dec. 29, 1:00, ESPN): Yet, I like Wake over UConn. Both teams are considered exceedingly lucky. I can’t believe I’m typing this, but when it comes to skill, I like the Deacons.
• Central Florida vs. Mississippi State, Autozone Liberty Bowl (Dec. 29, 4:30, ESPN): Not sure I can quantify why I like UCF here, as Miss State should be about on par talent-wise. UCF does have one major advantage at running back, as they bring in the nation’s #1 running back, Kevin Smith. Miss State sports the nation’s 65th ranked rushing defense (at 159 yards/game), which isn’t all that great.
• Texas Agricultural and Mechanical vs. Pennsylvania State, Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29, 8:00, ESPN): TAMU is definitely an upset pick here, but they do already have a new coach in place and are playing in the state of Texas, which should give them a definite home-field advantage.
• Colorado vs. Alabama, Petrosun Independence Bowl (Dec. 30, 8:00, ESPN): Battle of 6-6! Only one team advances to a winning record, and we all know how much Bama is paying for those these days. Perhaps I’m letting my biases get in the way, but I like the Buffs here.

Anyway, two more bowl preview posts coming up for y’all. First set will be our main course of the 31st and 1st, followed by a rich dessert plate for the post New Year’s BCS bowls and national title game.

You can see my predictions for all the games right here, but you can only get my commentary for the first set below. So let’s go. As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

• Utah vs. Navy, San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 20, 9:00, ESPN): And it’s the opening salvo of bowl season, replete with an absurdly long sponsor’s name. Navy scores a lot of points has demonstrated repeatedly they don’t score a lot of points. They’re also minus a coach and going against a very solid Utah team that’s beaten some big boys this year. In the end, I think Navy will get the ball often enough and triple option their way down the field to victory.
• Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 21, 8:00, ESPN2): It looked like Troy was going to roll their way into New Orleans, but FAU pulled out the win a few weekends ago and thus earn the bid. That said, Troy probably stood a chance here, FAU, probably not such much. Memphis rolls.
• Southern Mississippi vs. Cincinnati, papajohns.com Bowl (Dec. 22, 1:00, ESPN2): I think I’ve ranted before about how stupid this bowl’s name is, so we’ll move on. For whatever reason, USM fired their long-time coach Jeff Bower after the season. All things considered, Cincy had a pretty good season and got shafted by the Big East bowl tie-ins. I like the Bearcats here.
• New Mexico vs. Nevada, New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 22, 4:30, ESPN): Nevada isn’t a bad team by any means, but this is essentially a home game for New Mexico, so based pretty much on that I like them here.
• Brigham Young vs. California-Los Angeles, Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 22, 8:00, ESPN): BYU is the best team you’ve never heard of this year. UCLA isn’t. The Fightin’ Mormons, with the lack of anything else to do in Las Vegas, will be ready and should roll.
• East Carolina vs. Boise State, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 23, 8:30, ESPN): So, Boise State wanted a bowl in a warm weather environment. What they didn’t count on was that their fans would feel downright spurned that they didn’t want to stay home and play in front of them. Long story short, they’ve sold a few hundred tickets (at least the last time I checked). That said, they should still win.

That does it for now. Join me next week as I predict the real start of bowl season and take you all the way up to the Independence Bowl.