Here is a countdown of what I believe will be the best games to watch of the bowl season. I won't bother ranking the "New Year's Day" games (including those that they've moved to Jan. 2 for some reason) or the BCS games. Anyone who likes sports shouldn't miss any of those games, which are ranked in the sidebar.

Just don't bother...

I can think of about a thousand things I'd rather be doing than watching these games.

25. Independence Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois

The category we're in right now places a high emphasis on not watching teams that lost to Tennessee this year play, because if a team lost to UT in 2008 it is not worth watching play. NIU is one such team. Louisiana Tech running backs Daniel Porter and Patrick Johnson have combined for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns this year.

TV: Sunday, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m.; ESPN

24. Autozone Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs. Kentucky

After losing three straight games to fall to 3-3, ECU won six of its past seven games to bounce back and win Conference USA. Kentucky started the season with four straight wins, but went 2-6 after the end of September. I had to mention those numbers because no players in this game are worthy of mention.

TV: Friday, Jan. 2, 5 p.m.; ESPN

23. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Notre Dame

Greg Alexander passed for 1,533 yards and 12 touchdowns with just two interceptions over the final six games of the season for Hawaii. The big questions for Notre Dame are these: Is there enough fabric in the state of Hawaii to make a flowered shirt for Charlie Weis, and do they make leis in size XXXXL?

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m.; ESPN

22. EagleBank Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Navy

This game already happened once, with Navy pulling off the 24-17 upset September 27. I don't think many people are excited to see the rematch. Wake Forest wide receiver D.J. Boldin and Navy running back Shun White are the top players to watch here.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m.; ESPN

21. magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl: Memphis vs. South Florida

USF quarterback Matt Grothe is the Bulls leading passer and rusher. The junior has accounted for 3,183 total yards and 19 touchdowns this year. Memphis relies heavily on running back Curtis Steele, who has seven touchdowns and 1,175 yards, including six 100-yard games, in 2008.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m.; ESPN2

20. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Boston College vs. Vanderbilt

This game figures to be a defensive struggle as the Commodores allow 20.1 points per game and the Golden Eagles give up just 18.5. Vanderbilt has won just one game since October 4, while Boston College dropped all the way to this game after just missing out on an Orange Bowl appearance.

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.; ESPN

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For hardcore fans only...

If you've got nothing better to do these should be decent time-fillers.

19. Champs Sports Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Florida State

Don't let the names in this game fool you. It won't be anything special because neither of these teams is anything special, but the running games are OK. P.J. Hill and John Clay combined for 1,846 yards and 22 touchdowns this year for Wisconsin, while Florida State senior Antone Smith found the end zone 14 times in the regular season.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m.; ESPN

18. New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs. Fresno State

Colorado State has a dynamic duo at receiver: Rashaun Greer (62 catches for 1,045 yards) and Dion Morton (10 touchdowns on just 48 catches). Fresno State had three running backs run for more than 500 yards in the regular season: Anthony Harding, Lonyae Miller and Ryan Mathews.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m.; ESPN

17. Insight Bowl: Kansas vs. Minnesota

Todd Reesing has 3,575 yards passing and 28 touchdowns for Kansas this season, with wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe (1,206 yards and 12 scores) as his favorite target. Minnesota lost its four November games, but the final three of those came with top wideout Eric Decker limited by injury. He should be close to full strength now.

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m.; NFL Network

16. Roady's Humanitarian Bowl: Maryland vs. Nevada

Nevada brings the nation's top rushing attack to the blue turf, featuring running back Vai Taua (1,420 yards and 14 touchdowns) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (1,115 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kaepernick has also thrown for 2,479 yards and 19 touchdowns. Maryland doesn't really have anyone to single out, but Kaepernick is worth checking out.

TV: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m.; ESPN

15. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Air Force
Want to see the nation's top passer? Then this, not one of the BCS games, is the game to watch. Cougars quarterback Case Keenum leads the nation in passing yards heading into the bowls, while the Falcons ran for over 3,000 yards as a team this year.

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 31, Noon; ESPN

14. Texas Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Rice

Rice quarterback Chase Clement has 52 total touchdowns and spreads the ball around to tight end James Casey (104 catches; 1,217 yards; 12 touchdowns) and wide receiver Jarrett Dillard (1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns). Western Michigan's Tim Hiller leads a strong aerial attack of his own.

TV: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.; NFL Network

13. International Bowl: Buffalo vs. Connecticut

UConn's Donald Brown leads the nation in rushing in 2008 with 1,822 yards to go along with 17 touchdowns. Buffalo can counter with running back James Starks (1,308 yards and 15 scores) or quarterback Drew Willy (3,091 yards, 25 touchdowns). Buffalo coach Turner Gill has been a hot name lately and should land a big-time job soon.

TV: Saturday, Jan. 3, Noon; ESPN2

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You better have a good excuse...

These will all be worth the time and might even be worth scheduling around.

12. Papajohns.com Bowl: NC State vs. Rutgers

N.C. State freshman quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown for 16 touchdowns and no interceptions since being picked off for the only time this year against Clemson Sept. 13. His counterpart in this game, Mike Teel, has 20 touchdown passes in the past five games after throwing just three in Rutgers' first seven games.

TV: Monday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m.; ESPN

11. Emerald Bowl: Miami (Fla.) vs. California

The Golden Bears rely heavily on sophomore Jahvid Best. The running back has 1,394 yards and 13 scores on the ground and also leads Cal with 27 receptions this year. Miami freshman quarterback Jacory Harris has 12 total touchdowns despite getting significant playing time in only five games.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 27, 4:15 p.m.; ESPN

10. R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Troy

Southern Miss is led by a trio of talented players on offense, junior running back Damion Fletcher and freshmen Austin Davis and DeAndre Brown at quarterback and receiver, respectively. Troy counters with 1,000-yard rusher DuJuan Harris and quarterback Levi Brown.

TV: Sunday, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m.; ESPN

9. Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Arizona

BYU quarterback Max Hall is the team's best-known player, but wide receiver Austin Collie deserves attention for his 1,419 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 95 receptions. Both Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin have scored double-digit rushing touchdowns for the Wildcats.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 20, 8 p.m.; ESPN

8. Motor City Bowl: Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan

I've got this game higher than the experts, but I love watching good quarterbacks. That's what this game has in Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour (25 total touchdowns and five interceptions this year) and FAU's Rusty Smith (14 TDs and three picks in November).

TV: Friday, Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m.; ESPN

7. Valero Alamo Bowl: Northwestern vs. Missouri

In nine wins Northwestern gave up just 14.3 points per game, compared to allowing 34.3 per game in three losses. Missouri's offense averages 43.2 points per contest and has scored less than 30 points just twice, but the Tigers defense gave up 102 points in back-to-back losses in its last two games.

TV: Monday, Dec. 29, 8 p.m.; ESPN

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Only miss if your life is in danger, and even then try to find a TV...

Clear your schedule and camp out in front of the TV.

6. Chick-fil-A Bowl: LSU vs. Georgia Tech

Sophomore running back Jonathan Dwyer (1,321 yards, 12 touchdowns) anchored GT's new option attack to set up a chance for a 10-win season. LSU will rely on running back Chad Scott (1,109 yards, 15 touchdowns) to counteract its own leaky defense and mistake-prone Jarrett Lee at quarterback.

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 31 7:30 p.m.; ESPN

5. Meineke Car Care Bowl: North Carolina vs. West Virginia

This will likely be everybody's last chance to see Pat White play quarterback, as he figures to move elsewhere in the NFL. White has 26 total touchdowns and nearly 2,500 combined yards rushing and passing this year. North Carolina's Hakeem Nix, a junior wide receiver, has over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns receiving.

TV: Saturday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m.; ESPN

4. GMAC Bowl: Ball State vs. Tulsa

Tulsa quarterback David Johnson should surpass the 4,000-yard mark through the air during this game, while Ball State's Nate Davis has already thrown for 3,446 of his own. The difference in this one could be Cardinals running back MiQuale Lewis, who has 1,701 yards and 22 scores on the ground.

TV: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8 p.m.; ESPN

3. Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Oregon

Oklahoma State has explosive players all over the field with quarterback Zac Robinson, wideout Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter. Oregon running backs Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount have combined for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground.

TV: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.; ESPN

2. Brut Sun Bowl: Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh

Oregon State freshman sensation Jacquizz Rodgers, standing just 5 feet 6 inches tall, has rushed for 1.253 yards and 11 touchdowns, but that's not even the best numbers for a running back in this game. Pitt's LeSean McCoy had 1,403 yards and 21 scores in the regular season.

TV: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.; CBS

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Just trust me. This one will be great...

This one will be one of the best games of the season, BCS games included.

1. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia: Boise St. vs. TCU

This game has a BCS-feel to it because Boise has yet to lose and TCU's only losses came to Oklahoma and Utah. Freshman quarterback Kellen Moore has 25 touchdown throws for the Broncos, but TCU's defense has allowed just 10.9 points per game this year.

TV: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m.; ESPN