Get out your bowling shirt

Sporting News, The, Nov 22, 1999 by Tom Dienhart

It's time to begin speculating on bowl matchups. Here's how we see events stacking up-for now, at least.

Las Vegas (Great Destination Bowl)

Fresno State vs. Utah. We can't figure out why we should care about this matchup. Let's just say it's one for the parents and girlfriends.

Mobile Alabama (We Know We Should Care But Don't Bowl)

TCU vs. East Carolina. You can impress your friends by contrasting the Horned Frogs' option attack with the Pirates' balanced offense--if any are willing to watch with you.

Aloha (Lost Souls Bowl)

Hawaii vs. Oregon State. Rainbows were 0-11 last year; Beavers haven't been to a bowl since the 1964 season.

Oahu (Great Escape Bowl)

Colorado State vs. Arizona State. Not the greatest matchup, but it sure beats playing Uno with the in-laws after Christmas dinner.

Motor City (Isn't Marshall Great Bowl)

Marshall vs. Syracuse. There's nothing to gain by playing the Herd. Sorry, Orangemen, you drew the shortest straw in our office.

Alamo (Da Go-fers Are In A Bowl)

Texas A&M vs. Minnesota. Forget the Alamo; remember John Gutekunst? He was the Gophers' coach the last time they were in a bowl (1986).

Music City (Underachievers Bowl)

Georgia vs. NC State. Jim Donnan gets a shot to salvage Bulldogs' season against his alma mater.

Holiday (Revenge Bowl)

Colorado vs. Washington. Rick Neuheisel won round one of his grudge match vs. Gary Barnett.

Humanitarian (Last Hurrah Bowl)

Boise State vs. Louisville. This is the last time for Cardinals quarterback Chris Redman to be a Big Man on Campus. Too bad it's in Boise.

Micron/PC (Drew Brees for Heisman 2000 Bowl)

Virginia vs. Purdue. A bowl that thousands of Purdue engineer geeks can relate to.

Peach (Rising Powers Bowl)

Clemson vs. Mississippi. If you can't watch, set the VCR. The offenses should shine.

Liberty (Who Cares Bowl)

BYU vs. Southern Miss. This will be a ratings nightmare, but at least Golden Eagles fans will fill the stands.

Sun (Offense Soils Tickets Bowl)

Oregon vs. Illinois. Bowl-starved Illini fans may be treated to an offensive shootout.

Insight.com (Welcome Back Bowl)

Oklahoma vs. Boston College. Gabe Kaplan will flip the coin for teams that haven't been bowling since '94.

Independence (Flying Footballs Bowl)

Louisiana Tech vs. Kentucky. Bring a seat cushion; this could be a long one with all of the passing.

Cotton (Best Non-BCS Bowl)

Texas vs. Tennessee. It's Major vs. Tee, Bevo vs. Smokey. These schools haven't met since 1968.

Outback (SEC-Big Ten Bragging Rights Bowl)

Alabama vs. Michigan State. If sideline tantrums and gyrations count, Spartans coach Nick Saban has a big edge over staid Mike DuBose.

Gator (Must-See TV Bowl)

Georgia Tech vs. Miami. Most people would tune in to watch Joe Hamilton battle Kenny Kelly in a Punt, Pass and Kick competition.

Citrus (Old Buddies Bowl)

Mississippi State vs. Penn State. Jackie Sherrill and Joe Paterno can relive memories of their Pitt-Penn State baffles.

Rose (Size Matters Bowl)

Wisconsin vs. Stanford. It's Ron Dayne against the dainty Cardinal. Sort of like Godzilla vs. Kazoo.

Orange (Put Up Or Shut Up Bowl)

Michigan vs. Kansas State. This is a makeup bid for the Wildcats getting snubbed last year. What will their excuse be this time when they lose to a Big Ten team?

Fiesta (Payback Bowl)

Nebraska vs. Florida. 62-24. That will be Steve Spurrier's mantra as he prepares for a rematch of the 1996 Fiesta Bowl, when the Cornhuskers won the national title by beating the Gators, 62-24.

Sugar (BCS Executives Dream Bowl)

Florida State vs. Virginia Tech. Bobby Bowden will be gunning for his first unbeaten season in the most unlikely national title game pairing since Notre Dame whipped West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. We can't help but envision a similar fate for the Hokies that the Mountaineers endured.