I’ve been away for training the past three days, forgot to tell anyone, and forgot when I wrote my note that part II would follow the next day.  My bad. 

 
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Who (is playing)? Tulsa Golden Hurricane (8-4) vs. Utah Utes (7-5).
Where (are they playing)?  Forth Worth, Texas.
When (is it all going down)?  December 23, 8 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: What’s a Ute?  Also, I know nothing about Tulsa except for the fact that Eagles backup DT Sam Rayburn went there.  E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!
Why (should you watch)?  Because it’ll make you feel nice and patriotic during the holiday season, watching a game of football between two teams you don’t know anything about from the comfort of your own home - a game sponsored by the armed forces of the great United States of America.  And there is nothing more American than that.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Who (is playing)? Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5) vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (10-3).
Where (are they playing)?  Honolulu, Hawaii.
When (is it all going down)?  December 24, 8 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: Dirk Koetter’s grand finale vs. Colt Brennan’s Rainbow War-wait, Rainbow Warriors?  Are we sure they didn’t steal their nickname from the University of San Francisco?
Why (should you watch)?  So you’ll be that much more jealous of those in Hawaii when it’s 70 and balmy outside and you’re sitting there shivering in a fur coat in your underheated home.  At least I will be, since I’ll probably be back at my parents’ place, and they don’t like to turn the heat up past 63.  Really.  Also, this Colt Brennan guy is pretty good.  I think.

Motor City Bowl
Who (is playing)?  Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-5) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (9-4).
Where (are they playing)?  Detroit.
When (is it all going down)?  December 26, 7:30 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: Middle Tennessee is Division I?  At least it’s better than Rainbow Raiders.  Would a 10-win Central Michigan team be the worst 10-win team in college football this decade?
Why (should you watch)?  To see if anyone gets shot.  This is Detroit.  And since I have nothing else to add, hey, did you know Jerome Bettis is from Detroit?

Emerald Bowl
Who (is playing)?  Florida State Seminoles (6-6) vs. UCLA Bruins (7-5).
Where (are they playing)?  San Francisco.
When (is it all going down)?  December 27, 8 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: Myron Rolle, college football’s #1 recruit in the U.S. last year and aspiring surgeon (and also from a high school about twenty minutes from where I grew up) purportedly chose Florida State over schools like Michigan, Penn State, USC and UCLA because of the academics.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say that his choice proves he may not be that smart after all.
Why (should you watch)?  Because Bobby Bowden looks old enough that he might die if UCLA wins and the Seminoles have a losing season.  You won’t want to miss that!

PetroSun Independence Bowl
Who (is playing)?  Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-4) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-5).
Where (are they playing)?  Shreveport, Louisiana.
When (is it all going down)?  December 28, 4:30 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: I think Shreveport is one of those places that everyone has heard of, but no one has ever actually been to.
Why (should you watch)?  As a warmup for the games later that night!  (Ooh, cliffhanger!)

Part III probably tomorrow.  Maybe.  We’ll see.